Flat Screen TV's

[RichZ]

My wife and I haven't owned a TV for over 10 years, and we never missed it. I'd rather do farm work or just play with my animals, and neither of us are ones for sitting around. But I'm recovering from my second spinal fusion, and my sister came to visit and brought us a fairly small old style TV with a built in DVD player, so we could watch some movies from the library. We enjoyed the few we've watched, but my wife would like a much larger screen. We can't get cable where we are, and we hated both Dish and Direct TV when we had them, so we're interested in getting a flat screen with a built in DVD player to just watch movies. We don't want anything fancy, because it really is no big deal to us, we don't need it to be stereo, HD or anything else, just a plain flat screen TV. It looks like Walmart has the best prices, but then, I've just begun looking. So I'm looking for suggestions for inexpensive brands and places that have good prices.

Thanks!!

 

[k0ua]

My wife and I haven't owned a TV for over 10 years, and we never missed it. I'd rather do farm work or just play with my animals, and neither of us are ones for sitting around. But I'm recovering from my second spinal fusion, and my sister came to visit and brought us a fairly small old style TV with a built in DVD player, so we could watch some movies from the library. We enjoyed the few we've watched, but my wife would like a much larger screen. We can't get cable where we are, and we hated both Dish and Direct TV when we had them, so we're interested in getting a flat screen with a built in DVD player to just watch movies. We don't want anything fancy, because it really is no big deal to us, we don't need it to be stereo, HD or anything else, just a plain flat screen TV. It looks like Walmart has the best prices, but then, I've just begun looking. So I'm looking for suggestions for inexpensive brands and places that have good prices.

Thanks!!

Maybe this link will help

But I would buy separates, because if the DVD fails, it will be un repairable. I would rather just have a $30 DVD player that I could throw away and get another one.

 

[BobRip]

Maybe this link will help

But I would buy separates, because if the DVD fails, it will be un repairable. I would rather just have a $30 DVD player that I could throw away and get another one.

I agree.

 

[k0ua]

Another question? how fast is your internet connection.. If you have 4 megs or so, Netflix works pretty well, and is $8.99 a month for their streaming service.. A lot of newer flat screens will connect to your home network either wired or wirelessly and have the application to connect to netflix, as well as many other online services. Just an idea if and when you run out of DVD's. We havent used our DVD player in years. Netflix or Amazon Prime video have thousands of titles for streaming.

 

[cartod]

Well, all flat screens are "fancy".

Just go and get one and get used to hanging your tv on the wall.

That's my .02 cents.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Another question? how fast is your internet connection.. If you have 4 megs or so, Netflix works pretty well, and is $8.99 a month for their streaming service.. A lot of newer flat screens will connect to your home network either wired or wirelessly and have the application to connect to netflix, as well as many other online services. Just an idea if and when you run out of DVD's. We havent used our DVD player in years. Netflix or Amazon Prime video have thousands of titles for streaming.

I have Amazon Prime. I haven't bothered running cable up to my bedroom set, just watch Prime over wifi, usually only at bedtime. Works good. As far as a flat panel tv, they're the norm nowadays, very inexpensive for a lower end model. I like Samsung and Sony, try and get one with at least 120hz refresh rate. It will help out with motion blur. I'd stick with separate tv and DVD as well.

 

[dave1949]

We stream Netflix, just had a discussion the other day about dropping our cable tv service since we hardly ever watch it. Don't know if streaming is a good option if you don't have cable.

I would go with a separate dvd player also.

 

[Walkin Horse]

You need to throw that little tv out. Would you pick up a cigarette after 10 years. Maybe you should consider going to meetings.

 

[k0ua]

You need to throw that little tv out. Would you pick up a cigarette after 10 years. Maybe you should consider going to meetings.

"Hello, my name is James, and I am a TVaholic"......"Hi, James"

 

[boggen]

ya needing one more of now vs later... black friday (after thanks giving) is normally when all the electronics go on a huge sale. and prices get set for the next year of given electronics.

sunday paper (ads) and then double check the local stores (website as well). sunday ads' some stuff may show up. and then you might find "internet only" deals.

i generally only buy stuff that has a 4 or higher star rating (out of 5 stars), and has a descent amount of reviews. google, newegg, bestbuy, walmart, circuit city, frys.com i seem to have better luck with stuff buy that way.

--------

i built myself a yagi anteena?? 4 metal cloths hangers cut in half. via some DIY tutorial on internet. and get much better over the air single.

if watching movies from netflix to other via internet. ya most likely will need an upgraded internet package for satellite. and if ya go over our download limit size for package it can get rather expensive. so double check your settings on netflix and tv to a lower setting for video/audio settings.

if not watching movies through internet. netflix worked just getting dvd's through them just make sure ya answer various emails they send out, of did you get this or that at this time? there computers swapped me around a couple times finding which distribution center to send stuff out from took less time to deliver to me.

blockbuster may have different distribution centers. that may take shorter or longer than netflix. in getting dvd's shipped to you.

 

[Walkin Horse]

"Hello, my name is James, and I am a TVaholic"......"Hi, James"

Thanks for sharing James.

 

[newbury]

And get Chromecast or similar. Not only does it let one stream Netflix etc. off the net to the TV you can stream Youtube etc.

Tractor videos are a lot better on the BIG screen.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Our flat screen TV's will work with WiFi to download Netflix but wife prefers to just have them mail us a couple of movies at a time from a list that she selects. No hassle and we get at least 4 movies per week that is enough to watch and still keep up with outside work.

 

[8N Ren]

I'm assuming your using a computer to log into the forum, get a flat screen and hook up the computer to that, then you can get net flix, use your DVD drive etc. A computer, nice size TV and a wireless keyboard with mouse and your set.

Unless your using a phone to get on the forum then that's a different story.

 

[buickanddeere]

You are within 40 miles of all transmitters. Virtual channels listed
To the North, north west. Fox 33.1, NBC 2.1, ABC 20.1
To the North East . WFNY 48, ION 55.1
To the east south east. CBS 6.1, FOX 23.1, NBC 12, ABC 10.1 and PBS 17.1 .

A half decent 20ft pole with one of those pre-amp rotatable antenna systems that look like a white frizby work well.
Rabbit ears work best on rabbits.
You won't thank your self if you go scrawny on the screen size . If it isn't a 42" or larger forget about it.

 

[RichZ]

Thanks for all the replies!!!

I can't use the net for TV, as our connection (the only fairly decent fast connection we can get) is a Verizon Hotspot. It works great, but has a very narrow bandwidth. If we watch one video, our charges go up.

The former owner of our house left a large antenna on the roof. As I said in my original post, I'm recovering from back surgery, but when I'm able I will attach the little TV to the antenna and see what we can pick up, so thanks for that info, buickanddeere!!!

 

[dmccarty]

We only have 1.5 mbs download speeds to our house but we can stream without too many problems. Sometimes the video will pause but I think that is a problem with our network or the service provider, not so much the lack of download speed. Per the "book" we should not be able to stream but we have been doing so for a couple of years with Netflix and Amazon. Since the OP can't stream because of bandwidth issues this is a moot point.

Do not get an integrated TV with DVD. DVD players do break but they are pretty cheap especially if all that is being done is watch DVDs compared to playing DVDs and streaming over the Internet.

Or living room TV streams off the Internet via the DVD player. We bought a SmartTV which can directly stream from the Internet and it works great. We can access Netflix, Amazon, Youtube, and a bunch of other "channels" we have not watched. The DVD player has a similar number of Internet "channels."

I would get a TV sized to fit your room. There are some standards for sizing them, here is one article, Object moved. I would suggest getting a TV that is the correct size for your room. It really makes a difference.

HD TV is VERY nice and is literally an eye opener. Getting a BlueRay player allows you to watch very high quality video and it is amazing to watch. BlueRay players will play DVDs but DVD players will not play BlueRays.

I would get a TV sized to the room and hook it up to a BlueRay player. An advantage of the new TVs is that they use less power and generate less heat than the old CRTs which helps in the summer. Plasma TVs are an exception to this though. Do read up on the various technologies, Crutch Field has good info on the different TV types. I try to avoid the latest and greatest technology because you pay more for something that in a few years will be really cheap.

If you can wait until Thanksgiving you can really save money on both the TV and player. Years ago when we decided to buy a big screen TV, I decided which TV to buy, started pricing it, and waiting until I saw a very good price around XMAS. We got the TV 33% off the going retail rate. We bought the TV from Dell of all places since they had the best price. :confused3:

Later,
Dan

 

[MossRoad]

We've had Toshiba LCD TV/DVD combo in our bedroom for maybe 7 years. Still works fine. Only one plug to worry about and no cables to connect. One remote as well. I think its a 19". Great picture quality over the air and DVD. Fine for watching the late news and falling asleep to talk shows, too. Livingroom has a 50" plasma. Stand-alone DVD player. Satellite, Wii games, etc... Plasma gives off a lot of heat. Great in the winter. Not so much in the summer. Its like a little space heater! :laughing: But the picture is great and its sized just right for that room.

That's why you need to decide how big should the TV be for the viewing space. Too small and you'll regret it. Too big and you'll go blind from the light!!!! :shocked:

 

[Danno1]

We've had Toshiba LCD TV/DVD combo in our bedroom for maybe 7 years. Still works fine. Only one plug to worry about and no cables to connect. One remote as well. I think its a 19". Great picture quality over the air and DVD. Fine for watching the late news and falling asleep to talk shows, too. Livingroom has a 50" plasma. Stand-alone DVD player. Satellite, Wii games, etc... Plasma gives off a lot of heat. Great in the winter. Not so much in the summer. Its like a little space heater! :laughing: But the picture is great and its sized just right for that room.

That's why you need to decide how big should the TV be for the viewing space. Too small and you'll regret it. Too big and you'll go blind from the light!!!! :shocked:

Not necessarily w TVs but I've always in the bigger the better camp.

But anyway, I'm a bit lazy (busy!) right now, so if you don't mind, what is the diff bet plasma and LCD as far as pic qual goes? And does plasma really heat up your house in the summer??? Seems a bit far fetched to me.

Bear in mind, you're talking to a guy who's watching CRTs right now! :laughing:



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[aczlan]

But I would buy separates, because if the DVD fails, it will be un repairable. I would rather just have a $30 DVD player that I could throw away and get another one.

I agree. My mother in law has been through 3 DVD/Blueray players in the last 5 years. Much easier to just swap the cable to a new player.

Aaron Z