Big screen TV

[Bird]

Of course, with all electronics, the longer you wait, the less they cost.

I agree, but sometimes I'm not sure how to compare to be sure that you're not just getting a "cheaper" product instead of the same product at a reduced price. Our 40" Samsung was $1,299.99 in April at Best Buy. Well, now they no longer show the same model number, but they do have two 40" Samsung LCD HDTVs; one for $1,299.99 and one for $1,099.99. And I wouldn't really know which one is "comparable" to what we have.

[Alan L.]

I read reviews a little over a year ago about plasma and lcd TVs and ended up with a Panasonic 50" plasma 720p TV at Sams for $1680 (they probably have come down some since then). Of course 1080p TVs are more affordable now, but I frankly couldn't tell the difference and the HD picture I get on the Panasonic is stunning, I couldn't be happier about it.

My neighbor has an LCD and commented on how much "faster" my plasma is on sports. His LCD tends to pixelate some on action, like it can't keep up with it.

[skipro3]

Get the warranty. I got a 50" Plasma and so far they have come out to replace it twice! Each time with the latest model since the original and it's first replacement both were out of manufacture. Easy for me; they came out on my first call, evaluated the problem, said I needed the set replaced, came out 3 days later with a new set with more features and hauled the old one away. On the second replacement, they just shipped me a new one and told me I could keep the old one or send it back in the new one's box. I sent it back since I had no use for a TV that would shut itself off every time we ran the microwave oven, Ha!!

Research what ever brand/model you are considering. I think the good site for that is CNET? Can't remember for sure....

[czechsonofagun]

My TV problem is called PAL. Still have quite few movies in that system and the TV (and VCR and DVD) has to be able to play it. It cuts the options down to very limited sources. DVD is somewhat doable, since the disc can be replicated on a PC to make it NTSC compatible, but the tapes are better left the way they are.

But I somewhat enjoy myself in a store with annoying sales people. In a store I don't like to be bothered and when they ask me if I need some help, I just reply:

"Yes, I like this model - but is it gonna play PAL?"

Typically they have no clue what I am talking about

[Bird]

Of course 1080p TVs are more affordable now, but I frankly couldn't tell the difference and the HD picture I get on the Panasonic is stunning, I couldn't be happier about it.

Yep, Alan, looking at them in the store, I don't think I could tell the difference either, but then I couldn't tell the difference in LCD and plasma pictures either. I had a salesman who actually seemed to know what he was talking about (yeah, I know, when you don't know anything, you can be fooled). But he said something about almost no one transmitting in 1080p? or some such. I did go ahead and buy the 1080. The receiver (or converter) or whatever you call that box between the dish and the TV for DirecTV can be set for 480i, 480p, 720p, or 1080i. I really hadn't paid it any attention since it was hooked up, but recently there was a little dialogue box that popped up in the lower right corner of the screen that said for the best HD picture to change to 1080i and if the picture didn't come back on to change back to 720p. OK, sure enough it was on 720p and I changed it to 1080i. Is the picture any better? I don't know; looked good to me both before and after.

[MossRoad]

Originally Posted by czechsonofagun

My TV problem is called PAL. Still have quite few movies in that system and the TV (and VCR and DVD) has to be able to play it. It cuts the options down to very limited sources. DVD is somewhat doable, since the disc can be replicated on a PC to make it NTSC compatible, but the tapes are better left the way they are.

But I somewhat enjoy myself in a store with annoying sales people. In a store I don't like to be bothered and when they ask me if I need some help, I just reply:

"Yes, I like this model - but is it gonna play PAL?"

Typically they have no clue what I am talking about

Did you bring that in from another country?

[czechsonofagun]

Originally Posted by MossRoad

Did you bring that in from another country?

Yes, kids movies and my favored czech movies; also get movies for christmas from my family in Prague.

[Bird]

Originally Posted by czechsonofagun

Yes, kids movies and my favored czech movies; also get movies for christmas from my family in Prague.

No wonder neither the sales people nor I had any idea what you were talking about. I thought PAL was just a good friend.

[ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by czechsonofagun

My TV problem is called PAL. Still have quite few movies in that system and the TV (and VCR and DVD) has to be able to play it. It cuts the options down to very limited sources. DVD is somewhat doable, since the disc can be replicated on a PC to make it NTSC compatible, but the tapes are better left the way they are.

But I somewhat enjoy myself in a store with annoying sales people. In a store I don't like to be bothered and when they ask me if I need some help, I just reply:

"Yes, I like this model - but is it gonna play PAL?"

Typically they have no clue what I am talking about

I bought a Grundig Multi-System TV a few years ago.

It is amazing in that it does NTSC, PAL and SECAM... it also operates on 120v 60 Hz, 230v 50 Hz and 12v dc.

I've never seen another one like it. Friends have told me they were available at military post exchanges so military personnel would have a TV that would work worldwide.

[sierra1]

I just took delivery of the 52" Samsung 650 series last week. Did a lot of research and comparison shopping before deciding, and I am really, really, REALLY happy with it.

Also got a Blu-Ray DVD player, and a Klipsch home theater system at the same time.

Especially with the Blu-Ray DVD's, the resolution is just flat-out scary. But even watching regular cable is a world of difference from the 19" tube set I had before.

Best of luck with your decision. Don't forget about upgrading the sound - it's half the fun! Winter's coming, so now's a good time to settle in with a good stack of DVD's...

S1