I am in the market for a new big screen tv for home, specifically for the World Cup. My room is pretty bright from a large south window. Do you have recommendations for best tv for viewing soccer....plasma? lcd?.... I haven't bought a tv in 10 years so a newbie at all this new technology. Whaddya all think. I am in Los Angeles if you have a recomendation for wher to purchase also. Thanks
Unless it's a financial concern, if it's not 1080p, don't consider it. Right now, DirecTV is broadcasting some stuff (PPV movies) in 1080p, but things will eventually head this direction. Blu-Ray is 1080p, and I think XBOX360 and PS3 both have 1080p capabilities. From what I have heard, unless you get something absolutely bottom-shelf, there really isn't any major differences between the various brands. However, I haven't heard much good about Philips. If you don't have window blinds, you may want to get some. Not only will they keep sunlight out, but they'll also block the view of any prying eyes. You'll also want to talk to your provider about upgrading to an HD set-top box. Plasma TVs can show black colors better than LCD TVs, and they also have a wider viewing range, meaning that you don't have to sit head-on with the TV. LCDs typically use less electricity. http://www.cnet.com.au/plasma-vs-lcd-which-is-right-for-you-240036500.htm As far as purchasing, learn what size you want and shop around. In my experience, you can go too big. My friend has something resembling a retractable movie screen, and it's almost so big, some of the picture quality is lost.
If you get a plasma, make sure you get insurance (get insurance no matter what, but especially for plasmas). You're basically screwed if you don't have insurance and something goes wrong with the screen. Anything bellow 36", you won't really notice much difference between 720 and 1080. Since you're going for big screen (assuming 46"+), there's really no reason to get anything other than 1080p. The bigger you go, the more 1080p is going stand out from the lesser resolutions, based on my experience anyway. As mentioned, you'll need to get the HD setup from your provider. Cost pretty much depends on who you're with. Also, if you have a PS3, happy Blu-ray hunting. If you don't have a Blu-ray player, and you're big into movies (like myself), you'd do yourself a service in getting one. If movies aren't really your thing, then an upconverting DVD player will do OK. Just don't expect your DVDs to look crystal clear on your new 50" HDTV. Blu-ray players are getting cheaper. They were about $300 last year at this time, which is around $100 more than they are this year. You might get a deal somewhere for like $150 or a little less with rebates. Most upconvert DVDs as well. Other options for video are, of course, PPV and on-demand services, like Netflix. Aside from the rental service, Netflix can stream HD video through a Xbox 360 (which also has a Zune media service, but does not play Blu-ray discs). Some Blu-Ray players can stream Netflix as well. They would obviously need to be connected to the internet via broadband. I believe the PS3 has a media service as well, but I'm not entirely sure what it offers in comparison. With the price of Blu-rays (generally $10-$15 more than standard edition DVDs) outside of the holiday season, the on-demand services might be a better way to go, if you don't mind not having a physical copy, until Blu-rays come down in price.
If you weren't dealing with a bright room I would recommend looking into projectors as well for that real "wow" effect. For the 2006 World Cup I bought a HD projector and 120" screen and I have no regrets going on almost 4 years. At the time the total cost was way below larger screens (about $2,300 total). Of course, the picture quality cannot compare to smaller lcd screens but overall the HD picture is AMAZING. In the last 3 years, prices and have gone down while quality has gone up. You can get a 1080p projector for under $1,000 now. If I had to buy a new one today, I would look at the Panasonic 400U (I currently own the 900U). Here is a LINK with specs. Projectors tend to be a "niche" market as few discuss it under these types of headings for new TVs. If you entertain lots of people and/or have kids that love the "movie theater" experience, I would recommend looking into projectors. The big cavaet is that you must be able to make your room DARK. If your TV viewing is more "alone time" and you really need that crisp picture quality that only a LCD can bring, then stick to the smaller versions. Just a thought. SA
Go to AVSForums.com and read what the owners have to say about certain brands and certain models. Now that Circuit City has gone out of business, the likes of Best Buy and Fry's don't offer sales and/or deals that were as good as before. If you are a member, do check out what Costco has to offer even though the prices aren't that good when compared to sales.
Digital cable providers usually claim their HD is free, and while that may be true in one sense of the word, they're more than likely giving everyone an equal price increase. Satellite and telco (Verizon, AT&T) charge about $10 more per month for HD service. With cable's "free HD", you won't see price increase, and another charge on your bill. With everyone else, you'll see something like "Technology Fee" or "Basic HD." Keep in mind that HD programming is usually just the HD versions of whatever you get in SD. If you don't pay for HBO in SD, you're not going to get it HD. Talk to your provider about any promotions they're offering. Then, mention a competitor's promotion. Many times, a customer service person can "find" a better offer when a customer mentions the competition. You could end up with discounted or free HBO for a while. In addition, many providers have a "HD premium pack" for an additional fee. This usually consists of fancier HD channels which do not have an SD counterpart. Some of the stuff is niche, but usually, channels like HDNet, HDNet Movies, MGM-HD (commercial-free movies from MGM), and Universal HD (programming from NBC, as well as 24/7 Olympic coverage) are part of that package. My provider has NFL RedZone as part of this package. This channel literally takes NFL viewing to a new level. They show every score, with most of them being live. It's 100% HD and 100% commercial free. It airs only on Sunday afternoons, during the NFL season. It's rougly equivalent to watching golf, in the fact that it switches around to the best action around the league.
Depending on what your budget is here are some basic specs on buying a new TV. 1080p 120hz, 240 is better 80,000:1 contrast ratio or better. If you have an open budget, LED is the best choice.
Also, with plasmas, beware of "burn in". It's not as big of a deal as it once was, but the problem is still there. Otherwise, plasmas are still superior to LCD and LED in most categories.
If you're room is pretty bright, I'd go LCD. You should really be buying to viewing distance. If you're on a budget, then you can look 720p vs 1080p. The general opinion I've read is, if you're buying 46 or smaller...you can get by with a 720p. At that viewing distance, you cannot tell the difference between 720p vs 1080p. If you're going 50 inches or above, you should probably go with 1080p.
I don't know how accurate it is, but here's a website you may want to check: http://www.hdclearandsimple.com/
1. In the video podcast HD Nation (http://revision3.com/hdnation) Episode 25 they answer your question about bight rooms. I the watch the show on my Roku player. 2. Costco have a sweet warranty and return policy. They have good prices also. 3. Wait for May to buy your TV. Every month you wait, the more value you will get with your money. 4. If you are not going to subscribe to a HD provider or use a blue ray player do not buy a hi-end TV. Just buy the least expensive TV you can find. Aaron
I've come to understand that the best time to TV shop is around Super Bowl time - even moreso than Black Friday i read once where the kind of 1050p matters - as some TVs don't have the hz (whatever that is - refresh rate?) to handle, for instance, DirecTV's HD On Demand. This is my biggest beef with HD sets - everything is a moving target wrt specs. But when FSC goes HD, I will too.