Flat screen tv's

[beachtech]

Plasmas can get burn-in (not repairable), LCD's can lose pixels and are not repairable, DLP's get dimmer and all you have to do is change light source.

lol, yea, i would know this if i owned a TV

[mrs reb77]

Ahhh, for the good old days...

When the TVs were round and the women were flat...

What you trying to get at there gruntly?

[gruntly]

What you trying to get at there gruntly?

Ohh, hey! Did I say Women?! I meant..er..uh.. BEER.. yeah that's it flat beer..

[beachtech]

lol

[gary_g]

Here is Consumer Reports 2009 Buying Guide best picks. These are in the order that they appear in the publication. Some 720's performed better than some 1080's, and some "lesser" brands performed better than "name" brands. The sets were rated on High-Def picture quality, Standard-Def picture quality, DVD picture quality, sound quality, viewing angle (LCD's only), and ease-of-use of the remote control.

I haven't bought one yet. I'm still on the fence.


LCD TVs

52 inches
Samsung LN52A650
LG 52LG50
Toshiba Regza 52XF55OU
NuVision NVU52DCM
Sharp Aquous LC-52SE94U

46 and 47 inches
Samsung LN46A550
Vizio VO47LF
Sony Bravia KDL-46S4100
Toshiba Regza 46RV53OU
JVC LT-47P789

40 and 42 inches
Samsung LN40A550
Toshiba Regza 42XV54OU
LG 42LG70
Olevia 242TFHD
LG 42LG50
Sony Bravia KDL-40V4100
Vizio VO42L FHDTV10A
Sharp Aquos LC-C4254U
Sylvania LC420SS8
Vizio VX42L
Sanyo DP42848


Plasma TV's

58 inches and larger
Samsung PN58A550
LG 60PG60

50 inches
Samsung PN50A550
Panasonic TH-50PZ800U
Samsung PN50A450
Panasonic TH-50PZ85U
Insignia NS-PDP50
Vizio JV50P
Panasonic TH-50PZ85OU
LG 50PG20
Insignia NS-PDP50HD-09
Sanyo DP50747

46 inches
Panasonic TH-46PZ80U

42 inches
Panasonic TH-42PZ800U
Panasonic TH-42PX80U
LG 42PG20
Samsung PN42A450
Vizio VP422HDTV10A

[ga-hvac-tech]

From the above Post:

42 inches
Panasonic TH-42PZ800U
Panasonic TH-42PX80U
LG 42PG20
Samsung PN42A450
Vizio VP422HDTV10A
(end)

My Plasma is the TH-42PZ700U, and at the time it was rated one of the best Plasma sets on the market. The picture is great, and the sound is the simulated (phase shift) surround, all from inside the box. It also has a subwoofer built in, the sound is amazing.

I am surprised to see the SamSung's rated over the Sony Bravia's... but things change.

[Chad711]

I bought a 42" Vizio 2 months ago, Plasma. It broke last week, returned it and got an lcd because the didnt have any more plasmas.

The Plasma did have a better picture, but it also put out alot of heat, was heavy, and well it broke?

[doc havoc]

I read somewhere that a 42" plasma tv will consume about the same amount of power as a 1970's refrigerator/freezer.

[ga-hvac-tech]

I read somewhere that a 42" plasma tv will consume about the same amount of power as a 1970's refrigerator/freezer.

If I remember, my Panasonic is rated at 480 Watts (it is not printed on the back). I have a lot of electronic stuff in my office; I literally had to add a 5" vent to the corner of the office to keep it all cooled.

As I remember, I did start noticing the office was a little warm the summer after the Plasma was added to the area.

[gary_g]

I am still holding out on the purchase but I am considering a 42 inch Panasonic Viera, 720P. It was rated #2 by Consumer Reports.

Best price as of 1/3/09 is $689 delivered and installed by Amazon.com (comes with "white glove" delivery service).

Price of the 1080P Viera is currently $900 w/free shipping.

How low can they go?

[ga-hvac-tech]

I would get the 1080P. You will be glad you did. Think of it as an investment in 'fun'. Both satellite TV co's have receivers that upgrade to 1080i (all satellite signals are 720P). And DVD players that 'upconvert' a 480p DVD to 1080i are common and cheap. IMO BluRay is not really ready for primetime yet...costs too much. It does not take long to get spoiled with HD, and it is well worth it IMO.

[acmanko]

my 42 inch panasonic plasma lasted 3 years, just like my 48 inch rear projection Phillips. now I have a 32 inch sony LCD. they are making crap now days. buy what costs the least , so youll have money for a new one in 3 years.

[jwc64]

Here is Consumer Reports 2009 Buying Guide best picks. These are in the order that they appear in the publication. Some 720's performed better than some 1080's, and some "lesser" brands performed better than "name" brands. The sets were rated on High-Def picture quality, Standard-Def picture quality, DVD picture quality, sound quality, viewing angle (LCD's only), and ease-of-use of the remote control.

I haven't bought one yet. I'm still on the fence.


LCD TVs

52 inches
Samsung LN52A650
LG 52LG50
Toshiba Regza 52XF55OU
NuVision NVU52DCM
Sharp Aquous LC-52SE94U

46 and 47 inches
Samsung LN46A550
Vizio VO47LF
Sony Bravia KDL-46S4100
Toshiba Regza 46RV53OU
JVC LT-47P789

40 and 42 inches
Samsung LN40A550
Toshiba Regza 42XV54OU
LG 42LG70
Olevia 242TFHD
LG 42LG50
Sony Bravia KDL-40V4100
Vizio VO42L FHDTV10A
Sharp Aquos LC-C4254U
Sylvania LC420SS8
Vizio VX42L
Sanyo DP42848


Plasma TV's

58 inches and larger
Samsung PN58A550
LG 60PG60

50 inches
Samsung PN50A550
Panasonic TH-50PZ800U
Samsung PN50A450
Panasonic TH-50PZ85U
Insignia NS-PDP50
Vizio JV50P
Panasonic TH-50PZ85OU
LG 50PG20
Insignia NS-PDP50HD-09
Sanyo DP50747

46 inches
Panasonic TH-46PZ80U

42 inches
Panasonic TH-42PZ800U
Panasonic TH-42PX80U
LG 42PG20
Samsung PN42A450
Vizio VP422HDTV10A

Looks like Consumer Reports still likes Samsung. I bought a Samsung 50" DLP about 3 years ago based on recommendations from Consumer Reports and I have been very pleased with the purchase.