Posted on 02/15/2010 9:18:24 AM PST by RayChuang88
I am right now seriously in the market to get a new 40" to 42" flat-panel HDTV to replace my old 27" Mitsubishi CRT television set.
Right now, my primary choice is the new 40" Sony KDL-40EX500 (I had considered the 40" KDL-40VE5 but most places wanted US$200 more for the set). From what I've read online, most people like it, and the suggested retail price of US$899 is quite attractive, especially since the KDL-40EX500 has 120 Hz refresh rate.
I would like to hear suggestions on alternatives from LG, Samsung, Sharp and Toshiba that I should consider (I'm willing to pay between US$800 to US$1,049 street price). I might consider getting a Panasonic 1080p plasma but I do have concerns about the peak power usage of a 42" plasma panel, which can reach around 300 watts.
self ping to check back when people with these things weigh in.
I also have a 10-yo 30” tube and am thinking it is nearing the end of its life.
I bought a 42” Visio at Costco for $699. 1080p, 240 hz, 4 HDMI inputs, and it is an American company, and the last time I looked, was built in FREE China (Taiwan).
I got it two weeks ago and and been VERY happy with it.
Go to CNET.com and all of your questions will be answered.
>www.cnet.com<
My 18 month 40” Samsung has been perfect to date. It also was one of the first 120HZ models and now Samsung has 240HZ models for better reproduction of fast action. HIGHLY recommended!
I have a 1 year old 42” Vizio from Costco, very similar to your set but 120hz. Very happy so far.
42” Samsung, about 18 months old, very happy with it. Smaller Sony Bravia in bedroom, about 6 months old. It is okay but the remote is awkward (too many buttons too near the bottom), and it seems to take too long to “warm up” before you can give it any instructions, although it is probably just a few seconds.
We’re extremely happy with our 46-inch Samsung LCD. The picture is phenomenal. I like the swivel feature in the pedestal. We have a very well-lit living room in the daytime, and there’s very little glare. We purchased it at a base exchange in December for around $800.
The item in post 3 looks good. We got the 240 mhz feature on a 52” Samsung and the number of HDMI plugs is a good start. Consumer Reoports has some recent articles on TVs, you may have to go to your library or subscribe to get their report online.
All 3 are around 3 years old and we love them. I know a few years ago Sony had a problem and samsung actually made their screens for a bit.
I don't think you can go wrong with either brand.
I had a 32” Mistubishi tube that finally bit the dust in ‘09.
Sharp.
I bought this tv a few months ago. Excellent tv with 120hz refresh rate. Here’s the specs.
Specifications:
Display Area: 42”
Display Type: LCD
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1920 x 10
Screen Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Response Time: 2.7 ms
Signal Compatibility: 1080p
Compatibility: VESA (200 mm X 200 mm)
Condition: New
Audio Ports: 5
Speakers: 2
Inputs: RS-232
S-Video
PC
RGB
HDMI In
Remote Control In (IR)
HD Component
Outputs: Audio
Digital Audio Out
HDMI Ports: 4
Power Consumption: 231W
Height (inches): 27.1
Height with Stand (inches): 28.9
Width (inches): 40.4
Depth (inches): 4.4
Depth with Stand (inches): 11.6
Check out tigerdirect.com for some of the best prices out there.
I second researching on CNET.
I bought a particular 52” Samsung model based on their reviews and am quite happy.
Personally I find the performance of Sony of late a bit underwhelming and the price a bit higher.
As you are coming from the old technology, you might want to consider looking at Panasonic on both LCD and plasma they have very good value.
The 37” S1 is very good and the 42” plasma is superb. They have new energy savings too. Check out the AVS Forum for more on all of this.
Best,
Romanesq
How does the plazma and LCD compare?
That’s great except for two things: manufacturer and model number.
I’d check the samsungs out, we just bit for a 46 inch led lcd backlit model a month ago for the Olympics.
prices have fallen since we bought it and will continue too.. if ya want to spend the extra dough that is.. LCDs work just fine too.. Wish we had room for a bigger one .. :-)
I just bought a 55 inch Visio. I like it, but be warned, it doesn’t look that good when driven from a composite or analog cable input. It looks great driven digitally from an HDTV cable or fios box, and the X-box looks incredible fed from the HDMI interface.
He used to do a lot of Samsungs, but started to get bad ones about 10% of the time. I asked what he prefers, he said Sonys and LGs. He really likes LGs...A lot!
Check out Abt appliance. They usually have great prices.
I install DirecTV. All of the sets are pretty good. IF you only receive a standard definition signal, you may not be all that impressed. The TV’s all perform well but one of the most important things we all have to understand is the connections are the single most important factor. If you have DirecTV or Dish Network, make sure the installer uses all new lines and new fittings. If installed properly, you will have the ability for the equipment to deliver the best picture to the televisions tuner.
Buy an inexpensive HDMI cable.....DO NOT waste your money on a big MONSTER cable......you couldnt tell the difference if you tried.
My personal favorite are the Vizio product line.
I’m looking at the Best Buy website right and they mention the Toshiba REGZA 40XV645U 40” 120 Hz LCD for US$700. Anyone tried this model and know how good is the picture quality?
If you decide only based on picture quality, go with the Panny plasmas. They cannot be beat.
But whatever you do, stay away from Toshiba.
If the Panny plasmas are out of the running, then consider this: I’ve been in the video business as a shooter and editor or many years, and my eyes are well trained for noticing tiny differences in the video image. To get an idea of the monitors most people choose between, I went to WalMart recently.
I examined each very carefully, realizing the ‘room’ lighting was lousy and worked against seeing the images as they would appear at home.
Of all the 1080p monitors lined up on the back wall, I chose the Sony Bravia 46” Class 1080p LCD HDTV, KDL-46S504. It’s not as good as the Panasonic plasmas, but it’s better than anything else WalMart sells. IMO.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-46-KDL46S504/12460936
Note: WalMart sells a 50” Panasonic 720p plasma, but I was only looking for 1080p, so I ignored it. If that’s not a limiting factor for you, WM is selling it cheap right now:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Panasonic-50-TC-P50C1/12565692
I have a Samsung Plasma and a Vizio LED...the Vizio has the best picture, hands down.
I'm still leaning towards the Sony KDL-40EX500, unless someone can talk me into a better 40" to 42" LCD 120 Hz flat panel....
My advice would be:
Don''t go to showrooms to compare picture quality. That tells you very little.
Take professional reviews with a grain of salt.
Consumer reports is worthless.
Best web site for learning more and the best user reviews: AVSforum
2005 Sharp 26in LCD HDTV, 2007 Philips 47in LCD HDTV, 2009 LCD 32in HDTV. All run 24/7 and no problems. You can download updates for your TV from the Philips website via USB flash. Once you go LCD you don’t go back. No more lines or tiny squares.
I really like the bigger tvs, especially for football, hockey, and nascar.
If your main concern is power usage get an LCD, if your top priority is picture quality then go with the plasma. No LCD will give you the PQ, black levels, color accuracy or viewing angle of a good plasma. Viewing angles on LCDs suck. The LCD manufacture’s specs will tell you can watch the LCD from 140-176 degrees off center, that is BS. One consideration though concerning the plasma, how bright is the room you are going to have the TV in? LCDs can be turned up to torch mode and overcome high ambient light, plasma do not do as well under those situations. Normal day time light is not a problem, but if the TV is in a room with massive large windows opposite it then you may want to go with the LCD.
For the record I have a 50 inch Pioneer Elite. They are no longer being made which is too bad because they have simply the best PQ period. My wife, who is not a big A/V person, actually went to pick it out at BB. She was first drawn to the Sony Bravia, but after seeing the Pioneer she actually called an said it was the only one she would buy, it was that much better. The Panny are good TVs. I have a 10 year old 47 inch RPTV in the basement. It has never had a problem. Good luck in your search.
Lastly whatever you buy have it professionally calibrated. It cost a little money, about $300-400, but it is worth every penny. Also the comment on the cables is dead on. The big expensive HDMI cables are not worth the extra cost. Just buy some good quality cable for a reasonable price and you will be very happy.
If you are putting it in a room that has windows and/or lighting that you can reposition, then LCD is the best technology (very few LCD's have any glare at all - with my Samsung LCD being one of the few exceptions unfortunately :( ).
Just my two cents.
BTW, a Sony PS3 is the perfect compliment for an HDTV. It can add blue-ray, Internet connectivity, and games with one purchase. However, one should also get the $15 remote control for it so that you're not using a game controller to play movies.
Get at least 240 hz. I personally like Samsung.
Stay with Samsung, Sony, LG, or Vizio for LCD. Panasonic for plasma.
As such, I'm still leaning towards the Sony KDL-40EX500 as my first choice, though I'm going to Fry's at their special darkened screening rooms and see if I can find a better model.
Okay, scratch the Toshiba. I’m going to use the Sony KDL-40EX500 as my “reference” and see what how the other models compare.
Being ignorant of the particulars, I can still say I love Panasonic products.
To keep the cost down , this might be worth a look, or not.
and I have no connection with them.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4517143&Sku=T24-4232
Mine is the 62” Pioneer Elite which we got in 1996. We have been really happy with it.
Check out this month’s Consumer Reports if you can.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.