I have 2-2500 to spend on a new TV. I currently have a old 40" Mitsu tube from the 90's. It's actually a great TV and has never given me problems, but it's just MASSIVE and weighs about 300 lbs and I'm ready to step up to HD. I have roughly 2-2.5K to spend. I'm not sure if I want plasma, but i'm leaning towards DLP. I know if i'm buying a TV now I must get 1080P as I won't want to upgrade in a few years and figure if i'm going to do it, I need to do it right.


Any recommendations? I've been looking strongly at samsung as I have a few of their large DLP's in family homes and they all love them. But i've also been looking at plasmas, but know I won't be able to afford a 1080P Plasma. I also want to go 50-56"


Any tips? I know this has been covered before, thought i'd redo it

 

^ Well, I love our Sammy DLP's... so I'd recommend that brand. Plus, they can be had at great pricing. You can also look into the 56" Sammy DLP which uses the LED light engine rather then a color wheel...

 

any idea which model # uses the LED light engine?

 

^ Should be HL-S5687W

 

The 5688 is out too I think - it has PIP, which the 5687 does not.

 

PIP is so 1993. I have never in my life heard of, or seen someone that uses it.

 

any plasmas i should be looking at? best place to buy?

 

Pioneer make a kick ass plasma. Very pricey though. You could get the 50 inch Panasonic viera plasma in your price range. I have the 42 and I am very happy with it.

 

i think right around superbowl time is a good time to buy a set, since it seems like they discount them pretty good.

as much as i buy off the net this is one where i purchased from cc. cc/bb and costco for the return policy.
i just bought a 40 samsung lcd for 1240 with tax from cc after 10% coupon and internet price match

 

They'll price match some of these internet sites? I'm not in a rush, so I don't mind waiting for a deal

 

^ Neither BB or CC will match internet sites.

Oh, and I don't think there is a 1080p plasma in the range you're looking at...

 

I use it all the time. Not through the TV though, but the HD-DVR has it built-in. Whenever I'm watching a game and it goes to commercial, I put it on the little screen and flip around or watch something else... then when the game comes back, flip back and turn the PiP off.

I've also used it several times to watch multiple NFL or MLB games... but again, it's not the TV functionality I'm using, it's the STB...

 

I purchased Samsung S5053 (50" Plasma) back in late October off amazon.com. Initally I was little concerend buying what I called such big purchase online but at the time it was at least $300-400 less than CC/BB plus there was no tax for my state (NC). Basically from start, I saved about $500 or more buying it off Amazon than local retail stores. Came to find out Amazon offers to match their OWN price within 30 days of receiving the product. After 10 days, price went down $110 so I called in and of course I got credit back to my credit card. Another 15 days go buy, it goes down $170 more. Thinking they wouldn't match their price twice within 30 days, I still made the call anyway. What do you know, I got another credit for $170 back to my credit card. Bottom line? I bought my tv for $2060.00 with no tax. Parents bought same tv during labor day weekend for $2499+tax at CC so that roughly brings total to $2700. So yea, I used all that saving for home theater system and some pocket change. Can't complain.

Do I love it? ABSOLUTELY!! I'm not saying this is how you should look at your TV purchase, but I convinced myself to stay away from DLP with 1080p capability b/c I figured it would take years and years before my cable provider (Time Warner) start providing true 1080p quality and also all the rental DVDs at blockbuster to replace theirs with blue-ray or HD DVDs. You'll find alot of ppl on this forum emphasing importance of having 1080p resolution. I would agree to certain extent but that's capability that you can't truly take advantage of as of right now. I admit, in near future they would be enjoying their TV's in better resolution but mind you it would cost them alot more too.

Some ppl will try to convince you to stay away from Plasma due to their limited life-span. I set my brightness/contrast to about 55% - 60% and based on that number, I could keep my TV for at least 8-10 years. TO ME, that's more than plenty. I'm only 23 years old and hopefully within next 8-10 years, I'm successful enough to upgrade to even bigger plasma tv. Plus having 50" Plasma on any walls is art itself. You'll love it! I did convince one of my friend to get one for his new townhouse.

As far as brand goes, I think someone above mentioned pioneer being one of the better ones. I do agree to certain extent but if you are simply trying to stay within your budget, I think Samsung would be your best choice. Hopefully this would help you some.

 

costco is always a option

 

I believe BB or CC only offers to match their local retail stores only. I tried to have CC in Charlotte to match CC in Atlanta but I was denied due to different supply/demand.

If you are okay with taking little risk of having it delivered off internet sites, give it a try. I highly recommend Amazon.com. Plus if there is anything wrong w/ it when you receive your product, simply return it and they'll bring you another one. Also they do offer free shipping on large tv which took about little more than a week. (gives you enough time to purchase all the necessary cables HDMI, Component off internet for cost saving). Juniorbean directed me to monoprice.com and it worked fantastic!!! $25 bucks shipped for 10 ft HDMI cable which is well over $70-80 at retail.

 

cc and bb will match their online prices.

the LNS4051D was 1299 online plus i used a 10% off coupon in store so after taxes it was 1240. in store it was 1399

 

Same. I never use the function built into any of my TV's, but I use the function on my DVR regularly.

 

Definately is (although they don't take a CC), I remember reading on an AV forum a little while ago that costco was getting this mitsu that had the same internals as their higher end models (but I don't remember the model # )


Bayou,


I really want 1080P because I will buy a PS3 and I don't want to have to upgrade when 1080P starts comming through my cable. is it worth it to look for one in that instance?

 

I was impressed recently at Sharp's New Aquos Models i saw on display... took a quick look @ comcast shopping and this is a 52'' LCD http://shopping.comcast.net/search_g...2/search=1080p

cheapest tv on comcast shopping over 50'' and 1080p

 

Best buy has this on sale for $1899, is it just a no brainer?

 

They take AMEX.

 

I saw some really nice Samsung DLP's (I think) 56" at that price range and yes they were 1080p... it's too bad you can't buy from Costco cause ALL Their DLP's come with the matching stand AND not to mention already great price...

 

I meant to say "at Fry's"


and I just remember... Costco.com DOES take the other major credit cards... but then you have to pay shipping...

 

Yea, the reason I wanted to put it on a card was so adrienne could build some credit. Luckily she just got an amex card

 

^^^I'd take a little visit to Costco then before you buy... but the only Samsung DLP I've seen IN store lately is a 67" w/stand @ $2999.99. It might be temping, but make sure you have a room for a TV that size...

 

\

I wish, just can't swing that right now

 

Superbowl party @ Scott's and Adrienne's house this year

 

btw, if I buy from best buy, should I get the extended warranty?

 

I bought mine from B.B. 2 years ago (yeah, I actually didn't buy a TV from Costco) and didn't opt for the extended warranty, it would've been a 3 year warranty... and so far so good...

but definitly do that reward zone thing... I think I got like $300-$400 in reward money!!! (which went right back into my Home Theater)

 

I went and looked at the 67" at costco and really wasn't happy w/ the picture. I'm not sure what it was. But I think i'd be better off w/ the 56" and a PS3. The cool thing is that costco does have those stands included.

 

well, maybe the... unpleasant, warehouse florescent lighting do much justice...

you're not far from Fry's... you should check it out. They have them all, AND it's in a darker enviroment, it'll give you a better viewing experience.

I love the Samsung line because of the black trimming too... something about it... (well, the Mitsu's are black too)

 

B.B. has the 1080p Sammy 56" right now for $2g (sale price)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1138085296639

with the reward zone, I believe you get 5% back, it would be $100 (unless they don't have it anymore... or less than 5%)

*I think I saw "free shipping" somewhere in there...

 

it's actually $1899 BTW, can I sign up for reward zones when I purchase it?

 

yes...

but just so you know... the reward money can only be used @ B.B.... its not like a rebate where you get a check...

back then, there was a charge for the reward zone, I think its free now...

 

oh, BTW... they don't send you the reward zone money right away, I think they wait past 30 days or something, to make sure you don't return the item (in this case, your TV) AFTER they issue the reward zone vouchers...

 

okay, so I just re-read the "fine print" on the reward zone... I think a $2000 purchase you'll only be gettin' back around $40... but it IS free to sign up for the reward zone...

 

56" Samsung DLP (1080p) $1899.99 @C.C.

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/OID/...d/addToCart.do

 

Frys has the 56" ont heir website for $1699, will best buy match that even though it's not in their advertisement

 

Does anybody know if DLP is good for gaming? Any posible burn-in or some sort?

 

is it an ad in the paper? or internet? If it's an ad in the paper... you can walk in with it... and B.B. will match it.. or even beat it by 5% (not sure if they still do that-the 5% thing)... if it's internet special... sometimes they won't... (I think).