Looking For A New Television

Vizio. Buy the biggest one that fits your budget. Don't let your cable company charge you for anything extra because of the TV. Offer/threaten to switch companies if they don't give you what you need. 

Every bar-pub that I've worked in has Vizios. I think, other than just price, there's a good enough reason than that. 

My geeky kid is working on his masters in computers and such. He switched all our TVs to LG.

Our cable went fiber optics. The large one in the TV room is so vivid it's sometime scary. It's in a 48" opening so it's probably 45"?

He hooked a little laptop he built  for it, so we can do net flix and all the other stuff. We did keep the big screen in the bar area but is nothing like the smaller LG.

Just my 2 cents. We left ATT because of fluctuating billing and went to TWC. The bill is always 139. mnth. All the TVs, all our computers and tele. Internet cannot be faster. They rewired the whole house with the new installation. hth they first were talking 199. for boxes and wiring. I lied and told them ATT would do it for free. So there was no charge. You would be surprised on how many charges on any type of purchase is negotiable.

We have a toshiba and we're very happy with it.  Hubby talked me into buying it a couple of years ago as the kids' video games didn't work well on the the old tv.  I'm pretty happy with it, but was it ever an adjustment at first!  Our old tv is now at a friend's place.  Their tv died on them and ours was sitting there collecting dust so we gave it to them.

We have two. A big Panasonic in our living room, and a ridiculously large LG on our bedroom wall.

Which is better? They both get the same 300 channels of all crap all the time, so what difference does it make?

Hold that thought, because despite what manufacturers, retailers, and satisfied owners tell you, brand isn't very important. For one thing, only a couple of "brand" manufacturers make their own screens; and everyone else sources from them and a couple of other screen manufacturers... Just as everyone also buys their components from a relatively few sources. Because they're assembled from the same stuff, the different brands have similar mean failure rates and offer similar warranties.

Don't feel compelled (or even tempted) to spend a LOT more for one that only looks a tiny bit better. Remember, when you get it into your room you want be comparing it to anything more expensive, unless you also buy another, more expensive set for the same room.

Shop somewhere with a lot of options on display, and pick the one whose looks you like most. Some people like shinier screens than others -- it's slightly a matter of ambient light, but mostly one of taste. Matte screens tend to look a little better in bright rooms, but the operative words are "tend" and, "a little." If you want shiny, buy shiny. If not, not.

When you order the upgraded boxes, make sure you get an extra remote so both you and your husband have your own for each TV. They don't cost much. A woman with her own remote is a powerful and sexy woman. Linda has her own, and you should too. Say "hi" to your husband for me.

Plan ahead. If you're going to wall mount, know where the cables will run. Upgrade your boxes before the TV, and order any cables you need from Amazon (Amazon Prime rocks) or e-bay so you're good to go when you get your new screen. If you need an extra power strip, or one that's more heavy duty -- take care of that as well. What about a mount? Staples, Best Buy, and the others charge a great deal more for the same items. Why be their victim?

Finally, if mounting a big screen is something for someone else, local TV repair outfits and electricians charge far less than the "Geek Squad." Typically they can give you a good deal on a mount, too.

BDL
Edited by boar_d_laze - 9/11/11 at 8:18pm

You know I just like giving BDL a hard time.

If you decide to buy online, my kid and his roomates do this type of thing on the side. They swear by New Egg.

I don't even know what the site really it is but hear the name all the time.

It's an online electronics store in California, with a brick and mortar somewhere around San Jose. Huge, comprehensive selection, especially for computer stuff. Excellent service, return policies, and customer support. Top flight in every way.

We used to buy a lot of stuff from them, but as CA residents we have to pay almost 10% sales tax to purchase in-state. They also charge for shipping. We don't have to pay either when buying through Amazon Prime; and if it's something we want same day, with Fry's willing to meet any price, why bother with paying for or waiting for shipping for things like cables and mounts?

And, embarrassing but honest, I forgot about them.

BDL
Edited by boar_d_laze - 9/11/11 at 9:24pm

I heard Vizio was the ones to stay away from when I was shopping around earlier this year. While I was doing my homework I found that a TV that is "1080P 60Hz " has to do with the recovery time as the screen regularly re-energizes. 120HZ would be better if you watch a lot of action on the screen such as sports, but for just plain watching a program 60HZ is enough.

I ended up with a Sony 46" 1080P 120HZ fro myself and am very happy with the product. I also bought a 2 year extended warranty as insurance.........

I'm curious about why you were told to stay from Vizio, and who told you? I would guess that it wasn't the Consumer Reports people, because they gave really good reviews, if I remember correctly. I'm a believer in a lot of what BDL said earlier. Knowing where and how stuff is made, and with all the sourcing of parts. My pick was Vizio based on my reference of where they are found. I have seen them in all the bar-pubs that I've drank and worked in. I'm not talking 1 at a time either. The last place I worked, the smallest too, had 4. I don't think they are bought just on price. 

Check out Consumer Affairs magizine or web site.  LG seems to be getting good ratings. I have a Hitachi 50 inch Projection with self installed surround sound. Great picture never had a problem 5 years now. There is only one TV manufacturer in the USA  Thompson Industries somewhere in Texas. They  are  RCA<MAGNAVOX<ZENITH< ADMIRAL, PRO SCAN<EMERSON, GE  and on and on .  Other brands are  made abroad. or here from parts made abroad

BDL,

My son says to respect you. You are very knowledgeable. The tax scenario plays into all. He says being in Tex. they not only receive shipping breaks

but student pricing.

Thank you, he also tells me their support is exemplary. Lot's of downloads available.

BDL you're the man!!

pan

Pan,

WE da man! Say "hi" to your son.

BDL

We bought a 42" Panasonic Viera (plasma) this spring and have been very happy with it.  I got it for a very good deal as it had been purchased and returned (woman didn't realize how big 42" would be in her small living room).  I asked them to hold it for 24 hours to do some research on the make and model and read a lot of great reviews so we bought it.  A couple of things to remember when buying a new HDTV.  Don't get conned into spending $70+ dollars for HDMI cables.  Sure you need them for HD but the $20 ones work just as well (do the research).  Secondly, most TVs are set to Vivid (or some such setting) at the factory.  This really makes the colors "pop" in large electronic store showrooms, but this will often seem unnatural when you get it home and plug it in.  Look in the menu for Picture Mode (or something similarly named).  There will usually be a number of presets that you can cycle through to find a setting that seems more natural to you, or, if you have the time you can usually adjust each setting (brightness, contrast, tint, etc.) manually.

well we bought  a vizio a few months ago for downstairs and do not know what the specifics than is hd and seems to be a nice tv.  Irene killed our upstairs television and we now negiating size, location and budget or even if to replace the television set. I say begone with it but we are still debating...