Background (you can skip to "THE POINT" if you want)

In feb, I bought a 37" LG LCD TV from Best Buy that was open box for $950 ($1500 original price).

7 weeks later, the screen wouldn't power up (but the sound would work, and it would tune, etc).

I called LG and put in a warranty claim. They told me to take it to a local place to get serviced.

I did so. The local place opened the TV, told me it was "tampered with" because some wires were moved, didn't even attempt to fix the problem, and pretty much voided my warranty.

I tried to return it to Best Buy in Mays Landing, but since it was 7 weeks since the purchase, they wouldn't take it back.

So I called corp, and they promised to send me a gift cert for $1016 (which was the 950 + tax I paid for the TV).

I've been waiting for that GC for months.

In the meantime, I sent my broken TV to a local shop and am paying 3-400 to have it repaired with a 30 day warranty. The guy is still working on it.

THE POINT:

By some miracle, I got my gift certificate for 1016 today. I need help picking out a new TV. The rules:

-has to be on bestbuy.com

-37-40" in size

-I'm willing to pay more than 950 for it, but I'm not willing to spend Sony Bravia money on it either.

-I want something reliable

-I want good quality

-Needs a built in tuner

-has to do 720p and 1080i

-wide viewing angle

-Needs the following connections: S-Video, multiple RCA, DVI, 15 pin computer monitor input 2x composite in, RCA stereo out.

I think that covers it. I'm biased towards LCDs for their response time, good image quality, and small footprint.

Be sure to back up any recommendations with info.

PS - when the "old" 37" LCD gets fixed, I'll be selling it cheap to the highest bidder.

I may be interested in the 37"

I've seen a lot of flat screens and went through this whole process months back. I'll comment more later but the nicest I've seen (which sometimes you have to wait for) is: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8254774&st=Pansonic+42%22&type=product&id=1169512771844

My father picked this up for 999.99 and i recently (memorial day weekened) saw it from 1199.99. The picture quality is great and has been rated well along on you websites/CR.

I'd go plasma to be honest (I have both LCD and Plasma). The only other TVs I would consider in your price range would be a Samsung in LCD or Plasma. If you go to Best Buy you can really see the difference. The blacks are also so much richer.

LCD:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8249736&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050006&id=1169512288959
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7992684&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050006&id=1155069968903

Plasma:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8251633&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050005&id=1169512522199
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8254257&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050005&id=1169512522269

get plasma man my cuzin has an lcd and compared to my plazma its shit i think the quality is a hell of alot better in plasmas. i have 3 in my house one thats 62" and there awsome tvs had them for almost 2 years now no problems.

plasmas are crazy heavy and power hungry, but damn if that black isn't awesome. Many manufacturers are moving out of the plasma market because LCD technology is improving so much.

Without a doubt. They LCD market is getting better but it comes with a hefty price tag. Another thing to consider is a plasma you will most definitely have to have delivered, they cannot be placed on their side.

that's what Protege5s are for :) find an old lady with one and ask to borrow it.. or better yet, ask to trade cars for the day

I may be interested in the 37"

I've seen a lot of flat screens and went through this whole process months back. I'll comment more later but the nicest I've seen (which sometimes you have to wait for) is: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8254774&st=Pansonic+42%22&type=product&id=1169512771844

My father picked this up for 999.99 and i recently (memorial day weekened) saw it from 1199.99. The picture quality is great and has been rated well along on you websites/CR.

How do you feel about Plasma vs LCD?

Also, 42" is a hair bigger than I'm looking for. My 37" BARELY fits in my car.

I'd go plasma to be honest (I have both LCD and Plasma). The only other TVs I would consider in your price range would be a Samsung in LCD or Plasma. If you go to Best Buy you can really see the difference. The blacks are also so much richer.

LCD:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8249736&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050006&id=1169512288959
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7992684&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050006&id=1155069968903


Those are WAY out of my price range.

Without a doubt. They LCD market is getting better but it comes with a hefty price tag. Another thing to consider is a plasma you will most definitely have to have delivered, they cannot be placed on their side.

orly

Why?

You know me: I claim Samsung all the way. My father-in-law has a 30" LCD but them and it's sick. Also, my hi-def widescreen (projection) is by them and it's great.

Sony makes their displays so you get the quality at a lower price.

When I get my flat panel, it'll most likely be a 42" Samsung LCD.

Sorry I misread your first post... I thought you were willing to spend an additional 950.

Dollar per Dollar Plasma is better. You stand a much higher chance at recieving an LCD with a defect then a Plasma. Beacuse LCD screens have to be etched so when you start tittering on the 37-42 market production cost are much higher in the LCD department. You get much more TV with 42in plasma then you would LCD $ to $. Also in a plasma each pixel has its own charge which helps create a brighter screen.

The reason you can't tip plasmas is of this:
Plasma displays uses a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells that are charged by precise electrical voltages to emit light and create the picture image. In other words, each picture element in a plasma TV display acts as a miniature light source.

You will completely fuck the gas matrix.

My advice to you would be say be patient maybe they will do a july 4th sale or something. I would really urge you to only look at Panasonic or Sharp, they are the leaders. Its hard to tell at the store but I've seen them in many homes vs. LGs, HPs, and others, nothing comes close.

What do you guys think of this one? I just saw it in store and it looked good for the money. A little bigger than I was going for though, but not much pricier than the 37".

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8258039&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050030&id=1169857636984

Sorry I misread your first post... I thought you were willing to spend an additional 950.

Dollar per Dollar Plasma is better. You stand a much higher chance at recieving an LCD with a defect then a Plasma. Beacuse LCD screens have to be etched so when you start tittering on the 37-42 market production cost are much higher in the LCD department. You get much more TV with 42in plasma then you would LCD $ to $. Also in a plasma each pixel has its own charge which helps create a brighter screen.

The reason you can't tip plasmas is of this:
Plasma displays uses a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells that are charged by precise electrical voltages to emit light and create the picture image. In other words, each picture element in a plasma TV display acts as a miniature light source.

You will completely fuck the gas matrix.

My advice to you would be say be patient maybe they will do a july 4th sale or something. I would really urge you to only look at Panasonic or Sharp, they are the leaders. Its hard to tell at the store but I've seen them in many homes vs. LGs, HPs, and others, nothing comes close.

I don't know if plasma is for me. I don't want something that's fragile.

As for waiting, I've waited 3-4 months already. I need a TV now. I'm not willing to wait another month.

What's a TV? :D

What's a TV? :D

+1 I have a 20" CRT in my bedroom (it does have component in though for my wii haha)

my wii won't look any better on a 40+" plasma so I've never been interested. If I want HD content I can just watch it on my PC :)

tv sucks.. just get a dell lol

I don't know if plasma is for me. I don't want something that's fragile.

As for waiting, I've waited 3-4 months already. I need a TV now. I'm not willing to wait another month.

Fragile? Nothing changes between the two it just needs to be upright. If your willing to spend that money on the LG LCD I would REALLY put emphasis on the Panasonic 42in plasma.

Yeah LCDs are fragile, at least they aren't crazy heavy. glass screens ftl haha

Fragile? Nothing changes between the two it just needs to be upright. If your willing to spend that money on the LG LCD I would REALLY put emphasis on the Panasonic 42in plasma.

fragile as in i don't want to have to worry about putting it on it's face for transport and such.

Also, don't plasmas die out faster?

Or perhaps...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8249683&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050006&id=1169512288825

fragile as in i don't want to have to worry about putting it on it's face for transport and such.

Also, don't plasmas die out faster?

We'll I just noticed that best buy gives free shipping for any TV over 499.

Here's a good link:
http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatv/plasmatv-lifespan.html
From above:
"The second question that I get from friends or family when discussing plasma TVs is, "Plasmas don’t last as long right, they burn out faster (than other television technologies)? The short answer to this question among top tier brands is, "No, plasma is the equivalent of LCD in longevity as a technology, though there is variation among brands and models"."

In that link it says Panasonic promises 60K hours of use.

We'll I just noticed that best buy gives free shipping for any TV over 499.

Troof, but I'd rather just go to the store and get it tonight if possible.

Here's a good link:
http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatv/plasmatv-lifespan.html
From above:
"The second question that I get from friends or family when discussing plasma TVs is, "Plasmas don’t last as long right, they burn out faster (than other television technologies)? The short answer to this question among top tier brands is, "No, plasma is the equivalent of LCD in longevity as a technology, though there is variation among brands and models"."

In that link it says Panasonic promises 60K hours of use.


Damn.

My only real concern then is if it tips over...

Anyone know a good site for checking out reviews on individual tvs?

appears that the Samsung 2007 LN-T series tvs have a few bugs in them.
On avsforum site alot of people are reporting the same issues.
The LN-T4042 and LN-T4053 are what ive personally seen.
The tv will mute several times a day and you have to toggle the SRS surround sound button or turn on and off the tv to get the sound back.
Also the tv gets a tearing line across the bottom of the screen about 5 inches from the bottom.
Im on my 3rd tv and each one has had the same issues.

The tv is a good tv and Im hoping that Samsung releases a software patch soon to fix the issues.
The new model tvs can now be software upgradable by a usb hookup or a usb drive.

Troof, but I'd rather just go to the store and get it tonight if possible.




Damn.

My only real concern then is if it tips over...

Most of the time they deliver from the store but that's your call. Your fucked if any of them tip over. I've heard but not seen that the bigger TVs actually come with a cable that runs across the top and bolts into the wall behind the TV.

Well, it came down to the 42" Panasonic Plasma and the 42" lg 42lc7d. It was close, but I ended up going with the LG. Here's why.

-the panasonic had no computer monitor input

-the LG was on sale, and they offered me 10% off of that (1295 + tax)

-they warned me about transporting the plasma, since they have broken several, especially since they have a glass screen.

-I have a Wii. The plasma had a glass screen.

-The menu on the plasma tv was painfully slow (but those blacks looked nice)

Anyway, so far the TV I ended up with is good, but there are some things that I don't like about it, and others that are downright retarded.

-using it as a computer monitor isn't bad, but it's not crystal clear

-i can't figure out how to add favorites for the life of me. The manual is useless.

-I used to get more channels with my older LG (the broken one). WTF?

-by default, my computer monitor input would display a few inches off to the right. If I adjusted it and then switched sources and switched back, the position will reset. I ended up adjusting the position with my nvidia drivers.

but.. but .. hdmi = dvi + audio = computer monitor input

it'll be crystal clear if you use a dvi - hdmi cable (check www.bluejeanscables.com or get raped by monster @ best buy) and find out what the native resolution of the panel is.

don't be fooled by the non-glassy appearance of the LCD, it is glass too :)

^ what he said. Be careful with your Wii remotes even with an lcd. I'd never heard of the cable but I may look into that because I've only used one TV I could read from.

Well, it's kinda late at this point. Plus I needed to get it done asap as I had some very important computer work to get done today.

The res on this display is higher than on the plasma, fwiw. The plasma looked good though.

I can't believe I missed this thread. IM me when you get a chance to discuss this...no need for me to add my two cents on here. In the meantime, set your resolution to 1366x768@60Hz to minimize the amount of scaling the TV has to do.

Dammit, you're not on AIM.