Need help with a TV

CocheseUGA

CocheseUGA

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OK, first off my TV area is approx 30"h*52"w*24"d, to give you an idea of what would be a good size. I'm not sure if I will mount or leave it on the stand, and I don't want it to look odd in that compartment.

I want to get a flat panel HDTV, and preferrably under $1000. I was looking at about the 37-42" range. Right now we have a flat-screen 27" SDTV and it's great...but I want HDTV and widescreen. Plus, our other TV may be dying.

I would like it to have a tuner built-in, but that's really not a problem seeing as how I already get an HDTV box from my cable company.

Is 1080p that noticable a difference over 1080i? Also, LCD or DLP?

Here's my uses for the TV:
Xbox 360, Wii, and some older consoles (may add a PS3 at some point, especially if BR wins the format war)
HDTV cable box
DVDs, probably when I get the TV I'll get an upscaling DVD player or a next-gen player if I don't go for the PS3.
Eventually I'll also build a HTPC to catalog TV shows and DVDs.

Thoughts? Initially, the Vizio 37" LCD for $800 looks appealing.
 
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At that screen size 1080p probably won't be worth the extra cost.

Does you cable provider have all the locals in HD? I know here (and many other places) they don't have CW & MyNetworkTV yet, I have to pull them in OTA with rabbit ears hooked to a DirecTV box.
 
They got the major ones (the ones we'd care about). We're moving back to Atlanta next year anyways, they get a bunch more HD channels (like TBS).
 
[quote name='CocheseUGA']They got the major ones (the ones we'd care about). We're moving back to Atlanta next year anyways, they get a bunch more HD channels (like TBS).[/QUOTE]

Yes. Comcast and Charter have a wide range of local HD channels in the Atlanta area. I am not a big fan of Charter but they are better than Dish.
 
Everything I've read says that 1080p doesn't make a difference unless you're talking about 50"+ screen size. I've always been a fan of Samsung LCD TV's myself, although I believe they're a bit pricier vs. Vizio/Olevia/etc.
 
Costco has a 42 inch Vizio 1080p LCD for $999 after a $200 coupon. I'm probably gonna pick that up when the sale starts on June 25th. Here are some pictures of it:

http://ladydeals.com/vizio-vu42lf-42-1080p-lcd-pics/

Magnavox is also releasing a 1080p 42 inch LCD through Costco for $999, but that's coming out in mid-July. I'll take a look at that when it comes out and compare it to the Vizio. No one knows much about its specs.

Supposedly, Vizio is releasing a "holy grail" 42 inch model in the coming months, with a Genesis Processor, 120 Hz, removable speakers, 4 HDMI, better CR, etc, for only a few hundred dollars more than the previously mentioned one. But no one as of yet has found any hard proof of it being released with such ridiculous specs, only rumor.

The problem that most people have with the big three brand names (Sony, Sharp, Samsung) is that they're all plagued with issues. The Sonys have clouding issues, the Samsungs have HDMI issues (I think they randomly drop out? not sure), and the Sharps have banding issues. And, of course, the prices, which are usually twice the cost of non-name brands.

If you're fine with 720p, you could probably find even a name brand now in your price range. Stores are clearing them out for the 1080p sets. If you're viewing distance is fairly close, though, I recommend 1080p. Here's the viewing chart:

http://www.carltonbale.com/wp-content/uploads/resolution_chart.png

I recommend the AVS forum for information on televisions.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=166
 
That Vizio looks damn nice for a "budget" television. I'd probably grab that one on sale, but I've decided to wait until Fall to get a new set.
 
That looks awesome. $1000 with or without coupon?

I might try to find me a upconvert player in the next few days, as long as the price is right.
 
Make sure you count the number of HD inputs you'd need, between HDMI, component, and VGA/DVI. Composite/S-Video inputs might also be a concern, depending on the number of consoles.

My Olevia 537H has 2 component, 1 HDMI and 1 VGA, and I currently have a Wii, PS2, OG Xbox and 360 all running to one component input via a component switcher. Second component input has a Tivo connected to it. VGA & HDMI ports are unused ATM. VGA might be for the 360, once I get different speakers, and HMDI will be either for the future PS3, upscaling DVD player or HD cable box, whichever comes first.

I'd keep the idea of a component switcher in the back of your mind, depending on what you have for devices all going to it. Might need a composite/S-Video switcher as well, depending on what else you hook to it.

That Vizio does look pretty good, though in the sizes you're looking at 720p/1080p is pretty much going to look the same. After seven months with my Olevia, I think I might try to find another one, as looks good for SD content and pretty damn good for HD content.
 
[quote name='shrike4242']Make sure you count the number of HD inputs you'd need, between HDMI, component, and VGA/DVI. Composite/S-Video inputs might also be a concern, depending on the number of consoles.

My Olevia 537H has 2 component, 1 HDMI and 1 VGA, and I currently have a Wii, PS2, OG Xbox and 360 all running to one component input via a component switcher. Second component input has a Tivo connected to it. VGA & HDMI ports are unused ATM. VGA might be for the 360, once I get different speakers, and HMDI will be either for the future PS3, upscaling DVD player or HD cable box, whichever comes first.

I'd keep the idea of a component switcher in the back of your mind, depending on what you have for devices all going to it. Might need a composite/S-Video switcher as well, depending on what else you hook to it.

That Vizio does look pretty good, though in the sizes you're looking at 720p/1080p is pretty much going to look the same. After seven months with my Olevia, I think I might try to find another one, as looks good for SD content and pretty damn good for HD content.[/QUOTE]

Right now, everything with a component input is routed through my Pelican System Selector Pro. One HDMI isn't an issue with me right now, because I don't have anything that could use it. The SA8300HD might, but I never bothered to look.

I'm sure I'll upgrade to an Elite and make use of it then, but that's a ways off.
 
That's $999 after the coupon, $1199 regular. The coupon goes from June 25th to July 1st, or something like that.

Yes, 1080p wholly depends on viewing distance, which I think I discussed a little in one of my earlier posts. Since I'm going to be in a dorm room next year, the choice of 1080p over 720p is obvious for me; I'm going to be right on top of the television practically. However, if you're viewing from farther away (like ten feet or more), you might not notice any difference at all between the two. Then, of course, you'd probably want to look for a dream scheme in a 720p. Just browse through AVS and find a model of the big three S's that has no issues (clouding, banding, hdmi dropouts) and hopefully better processors, MS, PQ, CR, etc. than the Vizio. It's going to be awfully hard to beat the price on that Vizio, though.

Being "futureproof" is very important to some people, but I don't think it's really possible in today's world. I know that, at least, it will probably take an excruciatingly long time before 1080p is interpolated in television shows completely, considering the time it took for 720p/1080i to be more mainstream.

You could try plasma if you want. I'm taking mine back (my panny plasma with perfect PQ :cry:) because the burn in paranoia is killing me.

I guess it also depends on what you're viewing. I rarely view SD content at all any anymore (and when I do, I generally disregard the quality) and mostly deal with my Oppo upconverting DVDs.
 
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