The economy sucks. But like Warren Buffett, you should be greedy when everyone else is skurred. If you’ve got the extra scratch, this is probably the best holiday season ever to buy an HDTV, since retailers don’t want a pile of them going obsolete in their warehouse. But what should you look for in an HDTV?
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34 Responses
10.24.2008
That’s what she said
10.24.2008
When she was buying an HDTV.
10.24.2008
Depends, do you have the ability to see widescreen?
10.24.2008
Great info for those not familiar with HDTV. Before I bought my Sony, I was at Costco looking at Mitsu’s with HORRIBLE motion pixelation. The salesman tried to tell me that was “normal.” I LMAO at him.
10.24.2008
I doubt any Costco employee would be able to give you solid advice on HDTV’s.
10.24.2008
You bought a Sony?? I LMAO at you.
10.24.2008
Yes, no insult but I have to agree.Anybody that buys a Bravia, is making a big mistake.Pay more, get less.I install HDTVs so I see a lot of different brands and get to calibrate and configure them.
10.24.2008
Easy, buy Samsung.
10.24.2008
Plasma, in order – Pioneer, Panasonic, Sony/Samsung, LG/HitachiLCD in order – Sony/Pioneer, Panasonic/Samsung/Toshiba, JVC/PhilipsMy opinion obv but I’d stand by it being reasonably accurate
10.24.2008
I’m pretty sure when Warren Buffett said his plan was to be greedy when others are scared, he was not talking about dropping a bunch of cash on Chinese-made consumer electronics.
10.24.2008
Vertical angle is important because a lot of people mount their tv’s up above their fireplace.
10.24.2008
Tilting wallmount.
10.24.2008
There are people who make a living from just buying HDTVs? …I want that job.
10.24.2008
I am looking for a low HDTV this christmas, and keep being drawn towards a lower end 42″ plasma, But they all have a 1024×768 resolution.I have been informed that this does not really matter but it just sounds so lame.
10.24.2008
Matters somewhat. But I would do the contrast test and motion resolution test on the plasma of choice and comparably priced 720p LCDs as well before making a decision.If any blue shirt looks at you funny for putting your hands on their display sets, tell them to read Gizmodo and STFU.
10.24.2008
You’re not going to see 1080p coming out of cable or satellite any time soon. 720p on a 42″ set is pretty tight.
10.24.2008
Ye I am ok with not having full 1080p, I mostly watch downloaded TV shows at 720p max anyway, I am just deciding between 1366×768 LCD and 1024×768 plasma
10.24.2008
I looked at a couple different models and brands…shopped in my price range and landed with my 42 inch Sharp Aquos and couldn’t be happier, the clarity is awesome. I’d recommend checking them out, usually you can get them to drop the price on it too, or if that fails go to ABC warehouse and barter. Shop around and you’ll find what you like, usually it is pretty easy to tell what is high quality and what is crap.
10.24.2008
this is all good, but I mean why not have the “lowest” as well as the “highest”.Sorta instead of the best bang for the buck, the absolutely cheapest and most inexpensive version. I never understood why review sites always rate the best, I want to see the best of the worst. That’s what people will be looking for in reviews now, and hell, I’ll even do it.
10.24.2008
Willing to bet 99% of these TVs are wasted by watching network garbage like CSI Miami.
10.24.2008
Simple… Buy a large 720p plasma… 720p sets right now are a steal (you can regularly get 50″ for < $1,000 on sale), and even the low-end plasmas will still easily blow away $4,000+ LCD’s in terms of final image quality… but don’t take my word for it, go to the store and look at a few side by side!P.S.- 1080p is a HUGE waste of money at most screen sizes/viewing distances currently finding their way into homes. (Invariably some of the replies below will be from what I call the “1080p Nazi’s”, whose eyes somehow magically beat the physical laws of diffraction… do your own research first!)There are TON of advantages to plasma… I won’t list them here. The two major disadvantages commonly cited against plasma no longer really apply : – plasma burn-in is pretty much a myth in modern sets. The phosphor chemistry has truly improved from the stuff being sold a decade ago. From my research (and personal experience), it is pretty much impossible to permanently burn in a modern plasma without very consciously abusing the hell out of it (leaving a DVD menu up for a few weeks, for instance).- Modern plasmas use roughly an equivalent amount of power to LCD’s.
10.24.2008
I own a professional high-definition camera (I work in video production) that lets you select between 1080i and 720p. I hooked it up to a 32″ 1080p LCD.Yes you can see the difference. I can gurantee it.1080p is not broadcast at the moment. But in X number of years it will be. The question is, how long do you plan on owning the TV? Lots of people kept using TVs from the 70s and 80s well into the 2000s. But the format didn’t change. Here you have the oppourtunity to plan for the future.
10.24.2008
I completely disagree with almost everything you said.
10.24.2008
Don’t buy the insurance plan crap they try to sell you in the store. The manufacture warranty should be more than sufficient, just make sure to take the TV home and use it. Check all the connections, look for dead pixels (although pixel policies vary). I’ve seen in-store insurance ranging from 200-500. What a rip off. If the thing is going to break it’s going to break the first few times you use it, or 8 years from now.
10.24.2008
LCD’s are superior if you plan on using the TV as a computer monitor.
10.24.2008
You would think twice if you saw my HTPC on my 50″ PDP…I used to have a LCD and it pales in comparison.
10.24.2008
Care to elaborate?
10.24.2008
It’s funny because the title says “Giz,” which I pronounced as “jizz” when I read it. You know, like when you ejaculate?
10.24.2008
Gizmodo is garbage.
10.24.2008
Buried for “skurred”. Ebonics are the rape of English. People are afraid to speak up on that because racist people that think all blacks talk like that will call them racist. ***** ebonics.
10.24.2008
I don’t know if “skurred” qualifies as ebonics. It sounds more like “white southern” to me. Maybe someone linguist out there can inform us on the proper origin.
10.24.2008
I know you like the way I’m freakin’ itI talk with slang and I’ma never stop speakin’ itA burglary is a jook, a woof’s a crookMobb Deep already explained the meanin’ of shookIf you caught a felony, you caught a FIf you got killed, you got leftIf you got the dragon, you got bad breath
10.24.2008
The TV is only part of the equation. Make sure you budget for a good, solid mount (Omnimount are my personal favorite), cabling (monoprice.com FTW), and other accessories. I’m sure most diggers recognize that extended warranties are a rip-off. Best Buy’s installers suck. I know because I was one for about 6 months. Hire a local installer and he’ll probably do a better job at a lower price.
10.24.2008
One word: craigslist.I picked up a 50″ DLP last month for $150.