PLEASE help choosing LCD TV!

[Spilchy]

Hey guys, I need your help. After a zillion years with my Amex card, I have built up enough membership rewards points for a lot of merchandise. I have decided I want a new television.

I have no clue about selecting LCD televisions. I am confused about what I am reading and don't know which one to select.

My TV would only be used for watching TV shows and movies and NO games, video editing, etc... Just basic TV use.

Here is my selection below. Anyone who knows LCD's, please make me a recommendation! I have listed them by size and manufacturer.

Thanks for all of your help!

Sony® M-Series LCD HDTV 32” Model KDL32M4000

Samsung 32" HD LCD TV with Integrated ATSC Tuner and 8000:1 Contrast Ratio Model LN32A450

Samsung 37" HD 720p LCD Television Model LN37A450

Toshiba 37" Regza® LCD TV 720p Model 37CV510U

Toshiba REGZA® 37 in HD 1080p LCD Television with 15,000:1 Contrast Ratio (No Model number listed)

Toshiba 42" HD 720p LCD Television Model 42AV500U

[twitch]

Hey Seth!

You state just basic TV use but does this include plans to view HD signals with your new TV?

I would suggest that you personally view each of your choices since "look" varies by person.

For example my LCD TV produces some fairly bad ghosting or pixelation patterns during fast movement. This drives me nuts but my fiancée doesn't notice it. From what I've read "Response Time" is what causes this. Here is some information about that:
LCD TV Response Time, Why it's Important

Watch some of the signals when you are looking at the TV's. Slow moving pans and near still shots are used often and they do look great. BUT watch it when they show something that is relatively fast paced like a snow skier coming down a mountain. If you notice any of the ghosting I'm referring to it will eventually drive you crazy too.

Good luck man.

[themightytimmah]

I'm *very* partial to Samsung, but your best bet is really to see each in person. If I had to bet offhand, I'd take the 720p Samsung.

[awahl63]

Originally Posted by themightytimmah

I'm *very* partial to Samsung, but your best bet is really to see each in person. If I had to bet offhand, I'd take the 720p Samsung.

+1.

I have the model year before the current 32" Sammy (3253) and it is excellent.

[e5150]

I would look for a lcd that has a 120hz refresh rate,1080i.I think most lcd's have 2 hdmi inputs.I just got a sony xbr5 52" a few weeks ago,120hz refresh rate makes most dvds HD like & Blu Ray looks awesome.

[Setec Astronomy]

Um...I thought LCD's didn't have a refresh rate?

[reaper34]

hands down the new samsung 650 series lcd. just bought a 52 in. last week, incredible! it has 120Hz automotion which pretty much negates motion blur and has 50,000:1 contrast ratio the best on any brand so far. 1080p, the works you name it's got it. also imo 1080p or go home thats gonna take awhile to be outdated but will be the broadcast norm soon enough. you wouldn't put nu-finish on a benz don't treat your eyes to anything less than the best.

[twitch]

Originally Posted by reaper34

1080p or go home thats gonna take awhile to be outdated but will be the broadcast norm soon enough. you wouldn't put nu-finish on a benz don't treat your eyes to anything less than the best.

In Seth's case, since everything he is looking at is under 42", 1080p shouldn't be a deciding factor.

Why spend the extra money on a set that runs 1080p when one may not have a signal and/or hardware to broadcast it and won't be able to tell the difference anyway?

Check out this article on CNET for more information:

HDTV resolution explained - HDTV World - CNET.com
"Despite the obvious difference in pixel count, 720p and 1080i both look great. In fact, unless you have a very large television and excellent source material, you'll have a hard time telling the difference between any of the HDTV resolutions."

[bumoftheday]

Originally Posted by reaper34

also imo 1080p or go home thats gonna take awhile to be outdated but will be the broadcast norm soon enough. you wouldn't put nu-finish on a benz don't treat your eyes to anything less than the best.

It will not be the broadcast norm for a very long time. They are switching to 1080i or 720p for broadcast. It is just too much bandwidth to switch everything to 1080p.

There is no need for 1080p without a 1080p source(blu ray, ps3, computer, etc)

[jnmttu]

We have that Sony model in our bedroom and think it is great. We looked at all of the diffrent brands. When placed side by side the Sony always looked better than the Samsung. (clearer, better color) We checked at 3 different stores to make sure it wasn't the source material. This is just my opinion. I know plenty of people that think the Samsung looks just as good or better.

[reaper34]

well I guess I meant the 1080p will be the last to be old technology so you would be ahead of the game. but whatever you do please get something thats running 120Hz you'll thank yourself later.

[John Styrnol]

Originally Posted by bumoftheday

It will not be the broadcast norm for a very long time. They are switching to 1080i or 720p for broadcast. It is just too much bandwidth to switch everything to 1080p.

There is no need for 1080p without a 1080p source(blu ray, ps3, computer, etc)

Exactly, great advice. 1080p is many many years in the future. We barely have 1080i/720p now a days, and it took them many yearst to get it aboard. If you do get a 1080p which I think you should, only because you are ready to watch (Blu Ray, HD DVD). I like the Hitachi's, Pioneer Elite. Also go big, Good Luck!