HDTV Megathread

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Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

Is plasma still the best picture out there for your dollar? I have a 50" 720p Panasonic plasma now that I'm still happy with but i started to use my htpc more and the whole 720p thing is really starting to get to me.

# ¿ Jan 24, 2012 01:40

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# ¿ Dec 9, 2025 02:43

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

Just purchased a Samsung PN64D8000 should be delivered next week. I just feel sorry for the delivery people since I live on the 3rd floor

# ¿ Jan 30, 2012 01:16

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

Super Dude posted:

I need to pick up a few HDMI cables for my parent's new TV, but Amazon seems to have a million different options for cables. What is the newest spec version for HDMI? Does anyone have a specific cable they would recommend?

Just go to Monoprice

# ¿ Feb 4, 2012 22:34

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

Ygolonac posted:

I'm looking at dropping some money on a decent lower-end 50" or so, but I can wait for the updated OP referred to a couple days back - gotta go see for myself what they look like in the store, still.

However, the upgrade means I can pass along my current Sharp Aquos LC-G5C32U 32" to my brother - except I got it used, with no stand, and wallmounting is out in the apartment. There's some "universal" tabletop stands I'm seeing running from $180-300 (I paid under $200 for this thing, I'm not gonna invest that much in the stand alone), but I also found a "(Base Pedestal) For Sharp AQUOS LC-32DV28UT" on Ebay.

I don't suppose anyone knows if the holes will line up or anything? Or if there's something relatively reasonably priced that'll work?

You can get a tv stand (the furniture type) that has a backbone that allows you to basically wall mount the tv to the standard itself.

# ¿ Feb 5, 2012 14:16

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

The wait between receiving a new TV and having help to get it on its stand is horrible.

# ¿ Feb 9, 2012 20:39

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

Anti-Derivative posted:

Hey, I'm in the market for a television. I don't actually watch very much normal TV (that is, cable) but I want something I can hook an HTPC to and just watch stuff off there and perhaps play some games on it too.

That being said, what I want is:
- 32 inches, flats in London can't support anything bigger really.
- good picture quality.

Since i'm using an HTPC i'm not sure i really need any of that fancy in-tv internet app stuff. That being said, that sort of thing seems to be really common these days. Anyway, was wondering your opinion on the following:

http://www.dixons.co.uk/gbuk/samsung-ue32d5000-32-full-hd-led-tv-10078463-pdt.html
This one looks pretty cool, has native 1080p (although at 32 inches, I don't think 1080p is really necessary is it?) It only has a non-HD freeview tuner, but again, I barely watch regular TV.

http://www.dixons.co.uk/gbuk/sony-bravia-kdl-32cx523-32-full-hd-lcd-tv-09759051-pdt.html
This one is a bit cheaper. Not sure if it will have a better picture quality than the samsung, but Sony is a good brand??

http://www.johnlewis.com/231459400/Product.aspx
This is sort of a black horse. It's only 720p but as mentioned earlier, the OP in this thread notes that below 45", 1080p is a questionable investment. However, what's with this TV. It's available as a special offer which notes that it is 'exceptional value'. Is it?? Is it going to look better than the two TVs above which are pretty standard for their price range? It certainly doesn't have the same number of bells and whistles as the other TVs (a single HDMI port for example, so i'd need to use VGA for my Xbox which isn't really a big deal.) Why is this TV special that John Lewis is hyping it up?

Is there another 32 inch TV around that price range that is generally considered the best of it's class?

I would suggest 1080p if you plan on doing regular computer stuff on it like browsing the web.

# ¿ Feb 12, 2012 00:39

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

TheBandOffice posted:

So I'm finally looking for a TV to replace my busted CRT. I'm looking for something in the 26"~ range. I've looked through the first page on types of TVs, but I'm not quite sure which would be best for a relatively high lighting situation (I'm in a dorm). Anybody have any suggestions?

High light means brightness will be important. Led's are currently the brightest and aren't horribly priced for the size that you would likely put in a dorm. My girlfriend used a 22" led vizio that was 1080p as a monitor and tv to save on space and I think I paid like $230 almost 2 years ago for it.

# ¿ Mar 8, 2012 14:23

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

Leon Einstein posted:

My Samsung DLP has been turning off in the middle of use on a very regular basis lately, and I'm biting the bullet and buying a new TV. I'm leaning towards a Samsung UN55D6000S since it's about the same size that I had, and the price point is decent. I really like the new ones with the barely there bezel, but I can't justify that.

Anyway, my question is this. I live in a house from 1940, and I'm going to be wall mounting the new TV over an electric fireplace. The wall is lap board and plaster. Is this going to be a problem? There are still studs, but it's just a matter of actually finding them. Anyway, what do people do for the cords in this situation? Do I drill a hole behind the mount and run the cords down and snake them through another hole I drill further down? I don't want to see cords running over the fireplace mantle.

Google tells me that the hardest part is cutting the hole. The larger the hole the more problems.

Source
http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/elect/rough_in/remodel/j_boxes/wall2x4/01/thick_wall.htm

Other than electrical what other cables do you need to run? Is there a receiver involved? Do you have any desired upgrades that you may not do for a while but may impact what is eventually ran through the wall?

# ¿ Mar 15, 2012 14:55

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

I wouldn't avoid a tv specifically because it has 3d or smart capabilities. The best 2d tv will likely be a 3d tv anyways. I understanding not wanting to pay more for 3d but it's sometimes inevitable.

# ¿ Mar 22, 2012 17:18

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

TraderStav posted:

Appreciate any input!

I have a pn64d8000 and like it alot but I'm not sure if it is within your price range. It has all the bells and whistles that you say you don't need but as far as I was concerned I was looking for the best picture quality I could for my money in a 60"+ size.

Really though it is hard to make a recommendation without an idea of prices range.

# ¿ Apr 29, 2012 14:20

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

leica posted:

Forgive my ignorance, but how far along have smart TV's come so far? Are they able to bypass using a HTPC by supporting media on external hard drives yet? I have been thinking of going the HTPC route but figured if a smart TV can (or will eventually) support external hard drives than I would rather go that route.

Yes however format support is limited. Your needs may be met by a Rasbery Pi as they work on getting xmbc working better with it.

# ¿ Jun 3, 2012 05:34

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

TomWaitsForNoMan posted:

I'm going to be getting a new Panasonic plasma in the next couple of weeks. I keep reading about the need to break in the set with constantly changing full screen images for the first 200 hours, is this true? Do I really need to abstain from letterboxed movies and games for the first week and a half? Is there a specific video I should be running to break the set in or will regular, logo-free TV work?

Didn't do it on my samsung plasma and am still as happy as a claim.

# ¿ Jun 14, 2012 22:33

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# ¿ Dec 9, 2025 02:43

Giblet: Jun 19, 2003; Smooth like whiskey

monoptic posted:

That's why I'm pulling the trigger on one soon. This is probably a silly question for the thread (and in 2012 in general), but is there any real reason to worry about purchasing a television or other big-ticket items from an online vendor like Amazon in this day and age?

I don't care about having it immediately, I'm just paranoid about shipping damage and the like. Conversely, it's only 1399 at Amazon versus 1549 at the local Best Buy before Sales Tax is even added in. It's a stellar deal.

I had no problem with my tv shipment. It was done by a more local carrier on this end, not ups or FedEx. They carried the tv up to my third story apartment and checked that the tv powered on and had no damage before letting me sign for it.

If you don't have prime take this as an opportunity to get it and ship the tv for free. So basically get the tv and amazon prime, or just the tv from best buy.

# ¿ Jun 16, 2012 03:27

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