Author Topic: Will buy an HD TV soon; Need advice (Read 48762 times)

Mop it up · « **Reply #100 on:** October 21, 2009, 09:24:54 PM »

I've got a little question that maybe somebody could answer.

I was playing Wii on a friend's LCD television and I noticed that whenever a very bright image was displayed, the screen would slightly flicker. I'm just wondering, what would cause this? Would a budget television have that problem? Or is there a setting which could be adjusted to prevent that?

I think it was a Toshiba brand, if that matters.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #101 on:** October 21, 2009, 09:40:54 PM »

TVs include an "Iris" function -- a setting that automatically brightens or dims (mostly dim) the screen in an effort to regulate the light intensity shooting at the viewer's eyes for more comfortable viewing, depending on source brightness and the brightness of the viewing room.

It may or may not be what you're witnessing. The TV could just be wacko.

Mop it up · « **Reply #102 on:** October 21, 2009, 09:57:20 PM »

Is there a way to turn off that feature?

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #103 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:09:57 PM »

Should be inside the TV's Video Settings menu, but different companies will call it different names.

D_Average · « **Reply #104 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:21:49 PM »

Quote from: vudu on October 20, 2009, 01:50:14 PM

Quote from: D_Average on October 20, 2009, 01:12:35 AM
Anyone have a Samsung or Panasonic plasma?

I have a 46" Panasonic G10. It's totally rad (though 6 months after I bought it it's already been replaced with the G15).

I don't know too much about the Samsung plasmas, so I can't really compare the two, but generally speaking if you want a LCD you go with Samsung and if you want a plasma you go with Panasonic.

Thats what the best buy boys have been saying too, but to my eyes, the Samsungs plasmas seem to have a deeper black and sharper colors while the Panny's seem to have a more natural skin color. For me, a deep black is most important.

D_Average · « **Reply #105 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:23:19 PM »

Quote from: Mop_it_up on October 21, 2009, 09:57:20 PM

Is there a way to turn off that feature?

You may also have him try the "video game " mode on the tv, that seems to work well w/ my wii.

Mop it up · « **Reply #106 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:26:03 PM »

The reason I am asking is because I've been considering buying one of the cheap LCD televisions (as I have been for like a year now), but something like that flickering would bother me to no end. I'm not willing to spend very much on one but I'm not going to get a cheap one if it's going to do something like that.

Can anyone recommend a good cheap LCD? As good as it could get for the money, obviously. Doesn't have to be 1080p or HD or anything like that, just 480p and widescreen since that's what Wii is.

that Baby guy · « **Reply #107 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:32:36 PM »

Westinghouse makes pretty good HDTVs and are typically cheap. I've got a 47-inch, I believe. The only complaint I've got is black levels, so if that's important to you read up about 'em.

My parents have an older 720p 32" Westinghouse that's pretty good, too, but they've gotten a little more consistent as a brand from the time my parents bought theirs to when I picked up mine.

What else would you be using the TV for? Just video games, and mainly the Wii? If I were you, I'd try to find something with a resolution that matches what your eyes pick up from however far away you play. Anyone have a link to that study? A future-compatible TV that you keep for years really pays off, so don't settle now if you'll regret it later!

D_Average · « **Reply #108 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:34:42 PM »

Quote from: Mop_it_up on October 21, 2009, 10:26:03 PM

The reason I am asking is because I've been considering buying one of the cheap LCD televisions (as I have been for like a year now), but something like that flickering would bother me to no end. I'm not willing to spend very much on one but I'm not going to get a cheap one if it's going to do something like that.

Can anyone recommend a good cheap LCD? As good as it could get for the money, obviously. Doesn't have to be 1080p or HD or anything like that, just 480p and widescreen since that's what Wii is.

Are you going to mostly use it for gaming? Word on the street is Plasmas are the best for sports and video games. I can verify that though. Yet.

Plus you get more for your money.

Mop it up · « **Reply #109 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:42:59 PM »

I'm buying whatever is cheaper, so if LCD's are cheaper than Plasma then I'm going with that. I'd get a CRT if they made them with 480p and widescreen. Not sure if they did at one point but I know they don't now, and I'm not buying a used television.

I'm not sure what you mean by "black levels" but I don't know if I'd care. As long as it doesn't do anything funky like flicker or have really messed up colour (like something that's blue looks totally green) then I'll be fine with it. I don't have very good eye-sight so picture quality doesn't matter so much. I'm more interested in the widescreen display.

I don't really watch the telly, just a few shows here and there, and I don't own a DVD player. So it would be mostly for games, specifically Wii, GameCube, Nintendo 64, Super NES, and NES.

that Baby guy · « **Reply #110 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:48:32 PM »

DLP.

DLP DLP DLP DLP DLP.

Get a DLP. Best bang for your buck, big screen. I love DLP, and if I had the space, I'd have one. Last I checked, though some time ago, DLP was the cheapest. It's not talked about because of size, but to the average person CRT and DLP look like they're the same type, just like Plasma and LCD seem the same, in a lot of ways.

Check out DLP TVs first.

Edit: Checking NewEgg, I can't find any DLPs that are under 60". I'll keep looking, but that's a shame.

Mop it up · « **Reply #111 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:52:52 PM »

I think I'm going to need to stumble across something that's on sale to find what I want at a price I'm willing to pay.

that Baby guy · « **Reply #112 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:54:46 PM »

Well, looking some more, I guess they stopped making smaller (40"-ish) DLP TVs. It's sad, because the ones I remember looked pretty good, and often about 2/3 of the price of a comparable flat-screen.

Waiting for a great sale is great decision. Just make sure you don't buy only on impulse, and check out a few comparable TVs, as well.

Mop it up · « **Reply #113 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:56:41 PM »

Is there a season which usually has sales?
I was thinking of buying it after Christmas because a lot of people give me money. Is that a good time to find discounted televisions?

vudu · « **Reply #114 on:** October 21, 2009, 11:02:15 PM »

Quote from: Mop_it_up on October 21, 2009, 10:42:59 PM

I'm not sure what you mean by "black levels" but I don't know if I'd care.

Black level means just that--blacks look black. On cheaper and/or older TVs you can't get a true black--it looks like a washed out gray. If you're not a videophile chances are any modern television of decent quality will have good enough blacks for you as long as you're not watching television in a room that's extremely bright.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #115 on:** October 21, 2009, 11:07:00 PM »

I see decent deals on LCD's tigerdirect and amazon all the time.

just don't forget to check with AVS Forums to do your comparisons once you narrow your search down.

Quote from: Mop_it_up on October 21, 2009, 10:56:41 PM

Is there a season which usually has sales?
I was thinking of buying it after Christmas because a lot of people give me money. Is that a good time to find discounted televisions?

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving

that Baby guy · « **Reply #116 on:** October 21, 2009, 11:07:57 PM »

Quote from: Mop_it_up on October 21, 2009, 10:56:41 PM

Is there a season which usually has sales?
I was thinking of buying it after Christmas because a lot of people give me money. Is that a good time to find discounted televisions?

I believe, though I'm not certain, that often the best time to buy a TV is when old models are being replaced by new ones. I'm not certain of the time of year this happens, but someone else probably knows. You'd want to buy the old model, since the increases shouldn't be too different. Consider checking woot.com, too. They have TVs on sale from time to time, just make sure it's not refurbished, first.

vudu · « **Reply #117 on:** October 21, 2009, 11:12:24 PM »

I know Panasonic updates its models around March - May. Not sure if this holds true about other manufacturers.

D_Average · « **Reply #118 on:** October 22, 2009, 12:22:44 AM »

Mop It Up, if you're in the US, go to Best Buy, just buy whatever looks best to you. But 99% of the time, plasma's are cheaper than lcd's at the same size and allegedly great for gaming. You can find some good deals online, but you really can't beat previewing the picture in person first.

Here's the one I'm leaning towards:
Samsung - 50" Class / 1080p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9239399&type=product&id=1218065984837

I'm sure we'll see some great deals around thanksgiving as well

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #119 on:** October 23, 2009, 12:08:40 AM »

The issue with Plasma screens (maybe not anymore, but recently) is they are basically the only kind of TV currently produced that can get a burned-in image.

D_Average · « **Reply #120 on:** October 23, 2009, 02:30:15 AM »

Quote from: Brandogg on October 23, 2009, 12:08:40 AM

The issue with Plasma screens (maybe not anymore, but recently) is they are basically the only kind of TV currently produced that can get a burned-in image.

this is no longer an issue

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #121 on:** October 23, 2009, 12:04:28 PM »

Quote from: thatguy on October 21, 2009, 11:07:57 PM

Quote from: Mop_it_up on October 21, 2009, 10:56:41 PM
Is there a season which usually has sales?
I was thinking of buying it after Christmas because a lot of people give me money. Is that a good time to find discounted televisions?

I believe, though I'm not certain, that often the best time to buy a TV is when old models are being replaced by new ones. I'm not certain of the time of year this happens, but someone else probably knows. You'd want to buy the old model, since the increases shouldn't be too different. Consider checking woot.com, too. They have TVs on sale from time to time, just make sure it's not refurbished, first.

The best time, in Amerika, is after the Super Bowl during a recession -- the unadvertised sales, the TVs they REALLY COULDN'T SELL despite the sales promos leading up to Super Bowl. All other holiday sales events are runner-ups.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #122 on:** October 23, 2009, 01:14:13 PM »

Very true. If you have a Sam's membership, they usually have ridiculously good prices on TVs. It might even be worth opening an account ($35 or $40) to get a deal on a TV.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #123 on:** October 30, 2009, 09:22:07 PM »

Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P42G10 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV - $899

Good TV for a good price if you want a plasma

D_Average · « **Reply #124 on:** November 17, 2009, 12:09:21 AM »

So I opted for a Samsung 50' 1080p Plasma. It was either that, or the Panasonic. To me, the skin tones on the Panasonic looked more realistic, but the colors on the Samsung seemed more vibrant so I went with that, since I won't watch much tv or movies on it. I should have it arrive on Saturday, so I'll update sometime with how I like it compared the the Samsung LCD I already have.

News:

Author Topic: Will buy an HD TV soon; Need advice (Read 48762 times)