Any tips for buying a new flat screen lcd tv? My old tv is almost dead

[toban]

My old Sanyo tv is around 15-20 years old. The sound is gone on some of the channels the past few days, sometimes watching a show and the show 'freezes' off and on. I think it's time for a new tv. I believe my old one is around a 24-26 inch. I don't want to go larger than a 32 inch partly because of the size of the built in entertainment unit (large one may not fit in the space) and not a huge living area. I will have to measure.

Anyways I know there are many brands. LG, Panasonic, Sony etc. Are the generic type brands such as Dynex (Walmart?) just as good as the big name brands? What else should I look for when buying a tv?

Thanks for your help!

[eugene6]

If you want to use the LCD for 3-4 years and then sell it off then generic local brands are as good as branded LCDs (prefer a longer warranty providing generic brand).
But if u wish to use your products for years without causing much trouble then go for branded LCD set.
My personal choice will always be Sony.

Eugene Thompson

[fayemercier]

If you decide to purchase new from a big name store (i.e. Best buy, Future Shop, etc.) look for a tv that is "open box" - you can usually negotiate a deal. Good luck!

[DavidY]

Get the biggest LCD TV that will fit your entertainment unit. 32 inch TVs are about 80cm wide. 37 inch ones are about 90cm wide.

1080p if your viewing distance is close to the TV. Otherwise, 720p will do. Not much difference in price...go with 1080p if you are unsure.

I prefer better known brands like Samsung and Panasonic.

Dave

[toban]

Thank you all for your help and sorry for the late response. My tv hunting will be on on hold for now. The a/c on the van broke and will cost $$ to fix, ugh. I plan on writing down all the helpful information when my tv hunt resumes. Thanks!

[abandonedcause]

insignia, and dynex. the way these products are made is with left over parts from normal product runs, so you can get insiginia recievers with harmon kardon pre amps or dynex tv's with sony or LG parts in them. there obviously going to be sold cheaper because of the reliability issue of doing such build with electronics. who knows how the harmon kardon pre amp with work with other parts etc... but if your shopping at best buy i would always reccomend getting the warranty on anything there, as its the best warranty (IMO) offered at any retail store ive ever shopped.

in my opinion LG, Samsung, and sharp are the leaders in tv technology, and then there are the nostalgic companies like sony, toshiba, panasonic, etc..these are also good brands.

We are at a time where the brand name is making less and less of a difference.

I would also always just reccomend getting 1080p, its still relatively future proof.

if your on a budget the insignia brand is not a bad brand at all, i have a number of products including my home theatre reciever that is insignia and i couldnt be happier.

Hope this helps.

[toban]

Bumping my old post..

My neighbour gave me her old Samsung tv (old style) to replace my old Sanyo because she bought a new LG flat screen. However the samsung is on the fritz. Now I'm really considering buying a new tv.

I looked at Walmart. The woman in electronics said she prefers Samsung over LG.

Upstairs I don't have an entertainment unit so I don't have to worry about fitting a tv in and that is where the new one will be. The basement has the built in.

I looked at a 40 or 42 inch LG and a Samsung 46 inch. The Samsung 46 inch is $698. 1080 pixel, clear motion rate of 60 (apprently this clear motion rate is newer technology over the hz).

When I stood in front of the 40 or 42 it looked big, same with the 46. However standing back approximately where I would be sitting to watch tv, the 40 seemed small lol.

I don't know if I'm allowed to post links.. here is the 46 inch
http://www.walmart.ca/canada-estore/...H%3Atelevision

[PinkLincoln]

My favorites would be Samsung and Sharp.

Samsung is also amazing with warrenty work and back their products up. One of our televisions had this problem where when we'd turn it on, it would make a clicking noise and take 10 minutes to turn on. Samsung had it fixed on their dime even though our warrenty was long expired. Just because of that, I feel more comfortable buying samsung products. Also, if you're looking for a tv, check the refresh rates, 120 is a good enough quality, 60 is a little low, but if anyone tries to push anything on you over 120 refresh rates, it's just a waste of money.

[toban]

Thanks! When searching for a tv, do they often show the refresh rates on the spec's (box tv is in or information on the demos)? Refresh rates.. is that the Hz or something else?

My favorites would be Samsung and Sharp.

Samsung is also amazing with warrenty work and back their products up. One of our televisions had this problem where when we'd turn it on, it would make a clicking noise and take 10 minutes to turn on. Samsung had it fixed on their dime even though our warrenty was long expired. Just because of that, I feel more comfortable buying samsung products. Also, if you're looking for a tv, check the refresh rates, 120 is a good enough quality, 60 is a little low, but if anyone tries to push anything on you over 120 refresh rates, it's just a waste of money.

[PinkLincoln]

Yes, it should be on the box and in the little info blurb most stores have for the TV's

[toban]

Yes, it should be on the box and in the little info blurb most stores have for the TV's

Thanks!

[Aslan]

Thanks! When searching for a tv, do they often show the refresh rates on the spec's (box tv is in or information on the demos)? Refresh rates.. is that the Hz or something else?

Refresh Rates in a sense are kind of meaningless. What it refers to is number of times a frame is drawn per second. There is a difference between 60hz and 120hz, but this isn't really a measure of screen or picture quality, and a lot of '120hz' screens or higher use interpolation to achieve the affect, meaning it's done by lower quality processing than the screen being actually capable of 120hz.

The main benefit of 120hz is that it basically draws another frame, and this in theory helps to eliminate things like Motion Blur. Whether you'll actually notice this benefit is another matter, and it's one of those things where you probably won't notice unless you watch a ton of Movies and fast moving sports like Auto Racing. I think it's one of things where it's nice to have, but it isn't something absolutely necessary.

Here are a few guides that can help.

AVS Forum HDTV Guide

CNet HDTV Reviews

CNet Buying Guide

CNET HDTV Finder

[toban]

Thanks! I will check out those links

Refresh Rates in a sense are kind of meaningless. What it refers to is number of times a frame is drawn per second. There is a difference between 60hz and 120hz, but this isn't really a measure of screen or picture quality, and a lot of '120hz' screens or higher use interpolation to achieve the affect, meaning it's done by lower quality processing than the screen being actually capable of 120hz.

The main benefit of 120hz is that it basically draws another frame, and this in theory helps to eliminate things like Motion Blur. Whether you'll actually notice this benefit is another matter, and it's one of those things where you probably won't notice unless you watch a ton of Movies and fast moving sports like Auto Racing. I think it's one of things where it's nice to have, but it isn't something absolutely necessary.

Here are a few guides that can help.

AVS Forum HDTV Guide

CNet HDTV Reviews

CNet Buying Guide

CNET HDTV Finder