Good 42" or more TV

[jokers_greg]

Hey guys, I'm looking to make the switch to HD in the near future. First thing I have to replace is my old TV. What's a good 42" + TV? I've heard good things about samsung, but there's so many other options too. Anyone know any specific models I should be on the lookout for? Obviously price is a factor, so no $2000 setups please lol

[Firey_chasm]

I am in the same dilema, my main choice atm is between the samsung 40a656 and the sony 40W4000

apparently yhr W4000 comes with slightly better picture quality but no 100mhz while the samsung is the reverse(and cheaper)

[jokers_greg]

I am in the same dilema, my main choice atm is between the samsung 40a656 and the sony 40W4000

apparently yhr W4000 comes with slightly better picture quality but no 100mhz while the samsung is the reverse(and cheaper)

having trouble finding those product #s lol. are you sure they're correct?

[Firey_chasm]

the samsung:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=AV-091-SA&groupid=703&catid=1127&subcat=1134&name=Samsung%20Series%206%20LE40A656A1%2040"%20HD%20Ready%20Freeview%20LCD%20TV

the sony:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-KDL-40W4000-Widescreen-Bravia-Freeview/dp/B0018PIBL6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1219067784&sr=8-1

[jokers_greg]

the samsung:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=AV-091-SA&groupid=703&catid=1127&subcat=1134&name=Samsung%20Series%206%20LE40A656A1%2040"%20HD%20Ready%20Freeview%20LCD%20TV

the sony:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-KDL-40W4000-Widescreen-Bravia-Freeview/dp/B0018PIBL6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1219067784&sr=8-1

yeah i keep seeing UK sites. Perhaps there's a diff model # for the north american version?

[Firey_chasm]

I believe the Sony is called 4100 in the US and for the samsung just look for series 6, it might be the 650

[CGR]

How much do you want to spend?

[jokers_greg]

How much do you want to spend?

well i was hoping to find the models that i wanted and see if i can find em used or something. But i guess brand new, a good range would be $1500-$1600? and hopefully i can find one on craigslist or something for $1000

[CGR]

well i was hoping to find the models that i wanted and see if i can find em used or something. But i guess brand new, a good range would be $1500-$1600? and hopefully i can find one on craigslist or something for $1000

Panasonic makes the best IMO. Though I will never buy an LCD, will always go plasma.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8732838&type=product&id=1202650462402

Could probably find that model cheaper somewhere else.

[jokers_greg]

Panasonic makes the best IMO. Though I will never buy an LCD, will always go plasma.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8732838&type=product&id=1202650462402

Could probably find that model cheaper somewhere else.

ah so any plasma from panasonic so long as its 1080p is cool? Any other recommended manufacturers?

edit: anyone else? How's warranty on these sorts of things? Never RMA'd a Tv before...

[doublejack]

I'm with CGR in that I also prefer plasma over LCD, and I also suggest Panasonic. Sears has the exact same TV that CGR linked in on sale for $1200 right now.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=panasonic+42%22&gobutton.x=0&gobutton.y=0&gobutton=find

It is quite a deal IMO.


As far as warranty and RMA, I own a 42" Daewoo plasma (they have since gotten out of the market). My TV came with a standard 2 year warranty. After about 11 months of use I heard a "pop" while watching Hurricane Katrina coverage. A thin red line appeared near the center of the screen. It was one pixel thick and went from the top to the bottom. Obviously something on a control board shorted out and an entire row of pixels was stuck on.

After some initial confusion over what to do, I finally called up Daewoo. They sent me an empty box to send back my old TV in, scheduled a pickup, and after they got it they sent me a new one via air freight. The whole process took about a week. The shipping alone cost them over $300.

My TV has been working just fine now for the past 4+ years and it turns out this was a common problem with Daewoo's and they fixed it by switching to NEC manufactured panels & electronics. Panasonic makes really good plasma TV's, I don't think you'd be sorry for buying one :)

[CGR]

ah so any plasma from panasonic so long as its 1080p is cool? Any other recommended manufacturers?

edit: anyone else? How's warranty on these sorts of things? Never RMA'd a Tv before...

Yes any pana thats 1080p is fine. Technically you wont see much difference between 720p and 1080p 42" panels unless you sit insanely close to the tv. but some people say they can see the difference at farther distances.

As for warranty I have heard mixed results from Panasonic. However every manufacturer has that kind of reputation.

[Firey_chasm]

the samsung series 9 is another possibility, just being released, I am unsure if they are releasing a 40" version though. a thread with some videos/picutres of the TV here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1057727

[radium]

I bought a TH42PX80U not too long ago for 900$ new. Shipping was about 80 bucks, and I must say, it is gorgeous.

Word of warning though, all your cable programming is going to look like total crap on the new HDTV. ATM I have it hooked up to a 360 and the HDMI port on my computer for watching high res movies, it can still display cable just fine, the resolution just looks awful without special HD programming.