46 inch LCD dilemma

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Im trying to decide on an HDTV to buy mostly for the purposes of gaming and for use as a computer monitor. Preferably 46 inches.

Amazon has the Sony KDL46S5100 open box for $700.
Newegg has a new Sceptre for $700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889112013.

The Sony Bravia is probably the surer bet, but its used, and Im not sure its factory refurbished, and if it was a store display or something similar, how many hours of wear might already be on it. Compounding that is only a one year extended warranty is offered for purchase on open box items.

The Sceptre can be covered by 4 additional years on warranty, and shipped for under $800.

What are any opinions buying a used/open box brand name item, versus a generic new item covered by years of warranty?

Are warranties generally a waste of money on these LCDs?

My gut tells me to get the Bravia, but even if I love it Im going to be afraid it fails in 2 years. Whereas, I imagine not liking the Sceptre as much as I would the Bravia, but feeling secure and safe that Ill get to enjoy what I do have for quite some time.

thanks for any suggestions
 
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Warranties and LCD tv's are best friends. Especially when its used. I didnt get one on mine, but it was a huge risk not to. If you hop on over to AVSforum.com you will read alot of stories of random breakdowns of every brand available.

I personally would go with the Bravia just for picture quality reasons and better QC. The price is right, but you do bring up a good point about not knowing what the tv went through in the long run. Its a gamble but there is no way of knowing. I would rather have a used Sony than a new spectre any day.
 
So in my head I decided on the Bravia and then ...


Sceptre just dropped an extra $100 and down now to $600 haha
Back unsure what to do.

Can someone else chime in?
Its greatly, greatly appreciated :):)

-thanks a million
 
If it means anything at all, my 32' Sony Bravia just shit the bed. I came home last week and it had vertical purple lines all over it and all four corners were solid black. I looked it up, and apparently this happens a lot. I got mine brand new and didn't pay extra for the extended warranty (I had just graduated and didn't have a ton of money... the TV was a splurge as is).

Anyway, whatever you do, get the warranty! Good luck buddy!
 
I don't know about the Spectre but that Sony only has 60Hz, its definitely the most bare bones Sony LCD. I would hold off for a bit and see if you can get better deals on last year's models, just keep checking SD a couple times a day.
 
I have a 42' Dynex LCD(bestbuy brand) and got a 4 yr warranty, no the quality is not the greatest but it still is dynamite playing games and watching sports.

As long as you aren't going from a super high quality 240Hz tv you won't care about the 5% quality loss and as stated above a Sony could break down just as easily as a no name and if its after 1yr you are SOL.

I fully expect to see my Dynex break down at some point within the 4year timeframe for the amount of time I put on it, but knowing that I will have a working HDTV for more than 4years is a lot more security most people have, especially if they went Plasma which typically last 3yrs or DLP not knowing they had to replace a $200 bulb every 16 months.

I'm fine knowing that by the time I need a new HDTV I'll be able to get a 240Hz 3D larger than my current set up for about the same price.
 
Wont the additional Hz cause more motion blur during video games? I hear this mentioned a lot, and people advising against 120Hz and for 60 Hz when video game playing.

Am I confused on this?

Edit: It was input lag that someone said is worsened by 120Hz over 60Hz. Still unsure how accurate or noticeable this is.
 
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Yeah I think enabling the motion smoothing features increases the input lag and can make it unacceptable for gaming. The other issue is that the image processing can cause artifacts which can make it hard to see some things in some games. I don't use it on my TV. Actually I don't use it at all because if I watch a movie I prefer to see it in 24p which looks more like the theater.

FWIW though, I tried enabling the 120Hz processing on my TV and did not really notice a big difference in input lag or image quality, but I was trying it on Forza 3 which might not have as much motion or sensitivity to input lag as other types of games.

Ruahrc
 
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