I'm thinking about picking up an HDTV within the $300-500 price range, a nice 32 incher for my room. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking to buy it for gaming mostly. What features should one be looking for in order to tell which TV will provide the best overall picture quality?
There are lots of TVs in that range, so you have lots of reviews to read. For your situation, you should look for low refresh rates (12 is good, 6 is best). Multiple HDMI ports would also be good, but even the cheapest modern set has those these days. Ideally you should go to a store and look at them, but know that stores will usually turn up the brightness all the way, so it won't look exactly like that when you get home.
If it's not 1080p, don't get it. I can't remember which type it is, but I have a Sony SXRD(?) with the "lightbulb in back." It's a nice TV, and a Champions League sponsor.
A little above your price range, but 1080p [ame="http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-quot-1080p-LCD-HDTV/dp/B001GKK14I"]http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-quot-1080p-LCD-HDTV/dp/B001GKK14I[/ame]
My motto sometimes: "You only live once, and you're not gonna take it with you." Unfortunately, there are these things called "bills" that must be taken care of. My neighbor has a Vizio and likes it. According to him, most of the companies are very equal in their product, so Sony/Samsung/Vizio/etc you can't go wrong with. However, if I had a choice, i've been awed by Samsung over the past few years. Some SD channels seen on Samsung look great. (Of course, a lot of it has to do with the channel.)
With-in the 32" market, I'd stick with a name brand as my primary focus. Also, going 1080, you wont see it. Consider a 720 for 32" HDTV.
First of all look either it is LED, LED provides the best and stable picture compared to other type [ except for the old tube type ], the other of course look how much resolutions it can show and of course if it supports HDMI.