LCD vs Plasma - New TV Help

[moen lake]

I have been in the market for a new lcd too. I have done extensive research and agree with most people have said. I believe that Samsung has the best tv's out there whether it's LED or lcd however. I have 4 Samsungs and couldn't be more pleased with them. The LED sets are nice but I found them to have more of a "blueish" tint and like stated above are more expensive. My older sets have the 60Hz and there is a nore noticeable difference between 60 -120 Hz than from 120-240 hz.
I ready to pull the trigger on the Samsung b750 40 inch. It has the 240 hz but the main reason I'm going with this one over the b650 is because the b750 has a 150,000:1 contrast ratio which really makes the picture pop. I got a price from Grant's appliance here in Joliet,Il for $1210 out the door w/ taxes.
I know you'll be happy with the purchase you decide to go with.

Good luck.

 

[snowdance]

LCD professional set-up/calibration

I was just at Best Buy and one important thing they told me about LCD TVs is that you want to have them Professionally calibrated in your home settings which will prolong the life of the TV significantly. He said that from the factory they are set to be very bright, which captures peoples eyes to sell them. If you have them come out and calibrate it in your home setting that it could prolong the life of the TV by like 5 years. Makes some sense, but I'm not sure if he was just trying to sell their services. I think he said it would cost like $300. The only reason I don't think that he was just trying to sell something is because I was just asking his opinion and was not buying a TV at the time. I would think if anything he would be pushing selling a TV rather than selling their services for after I buy the TV.

 

[m8man]

I was lookin again tonight and I may buy the Samsung 46, or the 52.. They are LCD's 120hz with 1080 whatever...I've noticed some TV's say

"HDTV and some say FULL HD"

Is there any diff between the two?

m8man

 

[Deleted member 10829]

I don't know much about these yet, but my son does. He has a Samsung LCD. He says 1080 is 1080 and HD is HD, it's just a matter of how each manufacturer words it.

He also said if you watch alot of sports, you should go with the 240hz as it makes a big difference. More $ of course.

 

[Admin]

I don't know about "HD and Full HD", but there is a difference between 1080p and 1080i, but it only shows up when you are watching things shot in 1080p. Remember, the picture you view will only be as good as the weakest link. Meaning if it is shot at 720p then 1080 means nothing as the best you will ever get out of the image is 720p. If it is shot at 1080p and broadcasted at 720p, then the same thing. The best you will ever get is 720p. That is why right now 1080p means nothing to broadcast TV (as most broadcast signals are 720p and some are 1080i, but almost none are 1080p) and really for that matter means nothing until you step up to a BluRay player and have a BluRay disk in the player. At that point you have something that was shot in 1080p, playing in a player that can send a 1080p signal to the tv, which can in turn display at 1080p.

As for the refresh rates, same thing. Unless the program is being shot at frame rates that make 240 Hz advantageous, then you are still bottle necked by what ever the initial programming was shot in. TV's cannot make things look better, then can only take what they are given and reproduce it. If you have a very good signal to start out with, then a very good TV will make that look good. Otherwise, crap in is crap out. Just on a more expensive TV!

-John

 

[favoritos]

my gfs dad just got a new plasma for christmas, apparently on the LCDs the screen can be messed up if they are touched or hit pretty easily. I have a plasma too and like it a lot... the only other i would say is that the new LEDs are top notch and they will be the most pricey but best picture

If anyone has kids that occasionally might throw something like their "sippy cup", get the screen protector for the LCD sets. Not that I have ever seen anything like this happen, I'm just saying.

There is a lot of good advice here already. The best advice to remember is that the TV will never make the signal better. Look at your area signal transmissions and DVD players. We have a number of stations in the area that have "some" programming in 1080i. Those stations require a real TV with the tuner. The dish offers some premium chanels as well. But man, it takes a large clear area through the trees to hit all five signals.

 

[m8man]

favoritos, I'm in the middle of a 20 acre field with NO trees. I've planted about 250 last yr though.. I'm lookin at this one:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05771289000P?mv=rr

Not necessarily from sears but this may be the one I'm shopping for 52 or 46..

thanks,

m8man

 

[88skier]

I bought a 40" Samsung LCD (LN40A650) in August 2008 for $1300. It's 120Hz and 1080p. This year's equivalent model (relabeled LN40B650) is now commonly available for around $1000. At the time, Best Buy and other national retailers were charging $1600 or more. Your best bet, especially in the Keweenaw, is to go through Amazon (www.amazon.com) and buy it with free shipping. The only problem for me with that is I had to meet the delivery guy at Econo in Houghton because he couldn't drive his semi down Houghton's steep streets.

It's easy to go to Wal-mart and think they have the best prices, but a careful look at the model numbers will show the real reason for the cheap prices: overall, Wal-mart carries only the lower end electronics and is therefore cheaper. At last check, the highest Samsung model they carry in Houghton is the 530 series, a significant downgrade from the 650, 750, or 850 series. However, if you only plan to watch broadcast TV or regular DVDs it probably isn't worth spending extra cash on a high end model.

Blu-ray is a must with any new HDTV like these, and I can second John's review of Planet Earth. From what I've seen so far, there is no better showcase of HD technology than that.

Good luck with your search. Let us know how it goes.

 

[yamalaris]

I have both Samsung Plasma and LCD flat screen televisions in my home, I am extremely happy with picture quality of both and would highly recommend Samsung.

If you watch a lot of sports Plasma should be your choice as LCD pictures will give you a shadow effect with faster motion, I understand that the newer LCD versions have improved but top of the line LCD is quite expensive compared to Plasma with the same picture quality. The other very important note is to make certain you use an HDMI cable connection for peak audio and visual performance.

Good luck!

 

[m8man]

gettin close to this one

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...Name=Televisions&sName=Flat+Panel#reviewsWrap

m8man

 

[jim]

i think it's easier to buy a car nowadays than it is to buy a tv...there should be two tv's...buy this one or that one...lol

 

[favoritos]

m8man, I like the second one better. No need for a picture in picture IMHO. I have been in a number of homes that have the "man cave" set up with multiple TVs. You can just use your old set for the second screen. You would need a second tuner for the PIP feature on most sets.

BTW, who in the world has that much open space in the woods up there? You must be able to see you place from outer space.

 

[cortland_crew]

m8man...... Just wondering why the switch from direct tv to dish network? I've had both and in my opinion direct tv in the long run was a better deal and by far cheaper , I had alot of issues and promises from dish network that never came true,They were always a pain to deal with and their service sucks here in illinois, and their prices kept going up and up ,Ive had direct tv for the last 3 years and never had 1 service call and their quality is awsome. I'm also looking at buying a Samsung - 55" Class / 1080p / 120Hz / LED-LCD HDTV awsome tv my buddy just bought it , When watching sports and HD channels its like being there live. But im waiting till the weekend before superbowl when prices will be at rock bottom sale prices at all suppliers like...-best buy...-sears- and so on ,But in the long run as posted by others walmart and the cheaper stores sell like models but lower quality gotta look at the fine details and model numbers to compare. also to keep your satalite prices lower samsung has a blue ray player with wi fi it's the Samsung BD-P1600 ,and for $13.99 from netflix you can watch any movies you want at anytime ,They even have blue ray movies as well so you dont need the movie packages , So in 3 weeks ill have my new set up....... I'll bet if you wait a few more weeks youll even save a few more dollars on the set up your looking at... wishing you the best with any deal you go with

JEFF

"RIDE-ON"

 

[m8man]

Jeff,
I have offers from Dish to switch and I'll save about 50%.. Directv wouldn't match the price dish offered for the same line-up.. When I called to cancel DirecTV they offered me a $360 credit to stay..So basically my next yr is half off...I was planning on using the credit to pay for my next 4-5 months, then switch to get a better deal...But I hate bad service, you think direcTV is better????

m8man

 

[cortland_crew]

chris

Yes seeing how ive had both services i would go with direct tv... Their technology is by far superior to dish network you can read about them and their technology on their sites and im sure youll see what im talking about ......I know after time they both raise their rates and i dont mind seeing that its how the game works, But when service is lacking and commitment to customers start falling short of substandard and hidden costs start popping up i draw the line
With dish network i was losing signal during rain ,snow, ice , ...Heck even if it was sunny out and a bird flew in front of the dish ....In the last 3 yrs of having direct tv i lost signal maybe 3 times Once during a power outage, Once during a very heavy storm and once when i moved the tv and forgot to hook back up the cable (oooops) well that one was my fault
But anyways this is all my opinion and im sure some will disagree just like buying a ford vs chevy vs honda ....(sorry john gotta admitt i like honda and chevy though) just bought my wife a new honda pilot too and love it
Anyways chris its a free world out here and im just giving you my opnion between the 2
I hope it helps you out. Plus if your buying samsung you already know your getting the best tv out right now and deciding on what sattelite service you go with im sure youll read up on both and make the right decision
Good luck with your decision and keep us updated, and be safe and have a great time on and off the trails looks like its gonna be a great winter so far

HAPPY NEW YEAR

JEFF

"RIDE ON"

 

[whitedust]

Jeff,
I have offers from Dish to switch and I'll save about 50%.. Directv wouldn't match the price dish offered for the same line-up.. When I called to cancel DirecTV they offered me a $360 credit to stay..So basically my next yr is half off...I was planning on using the credit to pay for my next 4-5 months, then switch to get a better deal...But I hate bad service, you think direcTV is better????

m8man

Dish TV will rip you off as time goes on. I had Dish & spent more time looking a bank screen during rain & snow than TV. Call Dish service sorry we can't control weather no help at all. I changed to Direct TV now have NFL ticket & no service problems at all in the same weather conditions that Dish would not work. For me living in the Northwoods Direct TV is a far better Sat. service. I had to tell Dish call manager take me off your list stop calling your tech does not work here. This offer that offer & I said "why would I pay for something no matter the price that does not work"? They stopped calling.

 

[bpski]

I have not read through all of the other posts to see if this has been discussed, but here is my advice on one more thing to consider. If you are between an lcd, led or plasma, think about the room you are going to be in. If it is a room that gets a great deal of light from widows ect. you should consider glare on the screen. A lcd has a non-reflective screen where most led's and all plasmas have a glass screen. My parents and in-laws have plasmas in rooms with light and it can drive you crazy looking at a mirror during the day. You also look at lamps at night when they reflect back.

 

[moen lake]

I Just picked up the Samsung b750LCD for $1210 including taxes...http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/.../LN40B750U1FXZA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail

The picture is truly amazing!

I was torn between the b650 and the b750. The main difference was the 120 versus the 240 hz and the 150,000:1 contrast ratio versus the 100,000:1 contrast ratio. The 240 hz will make the picture better for sports but the contrast ratio was the deciding factor.

I have 2 friends that have 46 inch tv's one being the b650 and the other the b750 and there is a difference is picture quality.

I have had directv and currently have dish. I really can't say anything bad about either company. Like stated in above post, directv may have a stronger signal. I have 4 tv's, a Samsung 50 inch DLP and the new LCD have HD receiver. Dish recievers has a dual transmission where you can have 2 tv's running off one reciever. It saves me roughly $10.00 a month in equipment fees. With directv you would need 4 receivers and each receiver carries a monthy equipment fee.

 

[yamahauler]

My parents have Dish and live in the woods and haven't had any problems. I too have heard that DirecTV is better on service, etc...but they will jack your rates every single year. Mine are up $25 and I have had them for 5 years. I have also called to see if they will match other offers and they won't. i think this summer I will be switching and save about $350 a year. I was receiving mailings from DirecTV which I currently subscribe too about coming back ad I never switched. Wouldn't you know it, the price is 50% for a year.

 

[coldbear]

Digital broadcast tv stations[over the air].

I too bought a new 40" LCD Sony and have Dish Network W/out the Hi-Def. reciever. But I found at an early stage that a small Digital antenna mounted to the roof brought in beautiful 720-1080 Hi Def. It's free, 37 channels down here and each channel carries 2-5 sub channels. For instance there is no ch. 5. It is now 5.1-5.2-5.3-5.4 and so on. Most of these channels are beautifully transmitted in 720p. Many are in 1080p. Just go off your cable,Dish Network,Direct, and view all from just local TV. You'll love the viewing.jmo.