I am looking to buy a new tv.
I am not sure what to get there are so many out there.
I am quite sure It'll be at least 42inches. flat screen of course. Now should i go with LCD or is it finally safe going with a plasma or is it still risky I need opinions!!!! What brand name to go with?? i have been looking up all tv's online and there are always good and bad reviews for all. Costco has an Avai (sp?) for a GREAT price but i see that some have found that there is an annoying sound coming from the TV or should i just go with tried and true, Sony, or LG etc......
If anyone has their favs out there pls let me know! thanks

Hi..I had done a lot of research before we bought our tv almost 2 years ago. We bought a Sony Bravia XBR Lcd 40 inch tv. The picture quality is amazing!! We are very satisfied with our tv. I would recommend Lcd over plasma anytime. Plasma uses more hydro than Lcd to run as well. I prefer the pure lcd over the rear projection lcd as well. I find the picture is better and I also like the fact that you can mount the tv on the wall.
Thats only my opinion..I'm sure you'll get many..!!

The true SONY experience.
We have a 50 in Sony Grand Wega. We are very happy with our TV too.
If anything were to go wrong with Plasma it is extremely costly and hard to find someone to fix. Go with the LCD.

Plasma TV's use up LOTS of electricity.

LCD's use less electricity than CRT's (traditional TV's with tube).

I would go with LCD based on that alone.

There isn't much difference between LCD and plasma since both are electricity pigs.

As for TV recommendations, it depends on your budget and the type of usage. LCD are better for gaming. While the latest plasmas are hard, but not impossible to burn in....much improved technology over the earlier models. Plasmas are better for fast motion like movies and sports...but need to have a darker room to perform it's best. LCDs can perform in well lit rooms. Plasmas have better blacks (ie. contrast) than LCDs too.....if you watch a lot of dark movies, the plasmas still rule.

Both current generation LCD and plasma are rated for 60,000 hours of usage....that's 6.8 years at 24/7.

Some of the best buys in the sub $1500 range include the 37 inch Sharp LCD 37D43U for $1299 plus taxes at Costco. It's so popular that most Costco's currently don't have it in stock....check your local store to see if you are lucky.

This week, Costco has the 40 inch Samsung LCD LNS4041D for $1699 plus taxes minus $200 manufacturers rebate....ends on April 22, 2007 (assuming if it's in stock). My local Costco has sold out of this TV very quickly.

For plasmas, I think that Future Shop is clearing out the Panasonic 42PX60 for $1599 plus taxes. Was around $2000 over Boxing Week. The 50 inch Panasonic 50PX60 has been seen recently for $2500 including a FREE stand that is worth several hundred dollars. The PX60 units don't have PC inputs (for use as computer monitor). The higher priced PX600 does have a PC input, but cost several hundred dollars more and are now hard to find.

All the PX60 units are being cleared for the new 7x models which have arrived or soon will be.

Dave

Thanks Dave for all that info

Ok , so i have an Xbox but rarely play it, so i would use my TV mostly for movies, and sports. If I read what you wrote correctly, you say that plasmas and LCD are about the same for life time expectancy. Now the room i would watch tv in has basically great natural light so does that naturally kick out the idea or plasma?

I am willing to go to the (max) 2500$ range. I have been using the sony vega from a couple of years ago for the last few months, but now that i have a place of my own i cant see going back the the old fashioned 27 inch tv.

i am so confused!, spending so much money on one thing has me walking in 3 directions at once.

So I will only be using the tv for normal shows, movies, sports. If gaming it will be rare. tons of natural light in the living room. i wont use it for the computer at all. so that points 50/50 for plasma and LCD. grrr

Radish,

How far are you (the main viewing position) from the TV? Is your $2500 budget with or without taxes?

I forgot to mention that plasmas are generally available and quite often offer better value at 42 inch sizes and up. LCD flat panels rule below 42 inches....but the LCD have increasing this size (but it's generally pricier than similarly sized plasmas).

If you want to maximize the size of the TV and want a flat panel, the Panasonic 50PX60 plasma is pretty nice....if you can wait, the prices will probably drop a bit more....the problem is if you wait too long, you may not get one since they are now discontinued....once they are gone, they are gone. I just checked the FS in Kamloops, it appears that they are out of stock. The website says that the 50PX60 with free stand is only available in Eastern Canada. Maybe you can print off a copy of the website price at FS and get a local store to pricematch it.

If that's too rich for your budget, the 42 inch Panasonic plasma model, 42PX60, is good too. Panasonic plasmas are highly rated by the latest Consumer Reports and by many home theater enthusiasts.

Costco also sells the Panasonic plasmas....slightly different model number....PX6 (with a few minor differences in features). I don't think that they pricematch other stores like Future Shop, London Drugs or Visions though. But Costco has an awesome return policy....have a 30 day price protection policy (if their price drops within 30 days, you can get the difference back...so I am told). I think that I had seen the Panasonic 50PX6 at Costco for around $2679 plus taxes minus $200 manufacturers rebate.

To summarize, the Future Shop deal on the Panasonic 50PX60 with FREE stand is a pretty good deal at $2500 plus taxes....but availability will be tough.

I have been told the new Panasonic plasmas 42PX75 is priced around $1899 on the street (list price is $2199). It's a 10th generation plasma versus the 42PX60's 9th generation plasma.

Dave

Originally posted by DavidY Radish, I have been told the new Panasonic plasmas 42PX75 is priced around $1899 on the street (list price is $2199). It's a 10th generation plasma versus the 42PX60's 9th generation plasma. Dave

thank you thank you thank you! I will check around for the panasonic tv. and ask about the ones you mentioned ,if i practice enough i may be able to make it look like i know what i am talking about and wont get the 'youre a girl lets see how much i can scam you for' attitude. with your help i thank you.
P.S. I will probably be sitting away from the tv ....only about 10ft or so, around there. But i want a BIG tv haha

Originally posted by DavidY Radish, I have been told the new Panasonic plasmas 42PX75 is priced around $1899 on the street (list price is $2199). It's a 10th generation plasma versus the 42PX60's 9th generation plasma. Dave

Dave
what do you mean by 'on the street' to the list price?
thanks again
Radish
P.S. i also was listening in on the consumer report on CBC radio a few months ago and they stated that they would suggest NOT buying the extra insurance on any tv. Do you think that is a wise decision for plasmas as well?

Originally posted by radish Dave what do you mean by 'on the street' to the list price? thanks again Radish P.S. i also was listening in on the consumer report on CBC radio a few months ago and they stated that they would suggest NOT buying the extra insurance on any tv. Do you think that is a wise decision for plasmas as well?

"On the street" is the price that has been reported by recent purchasers of the TV in question. I got this pricing from the Digital Home Canada forum, http://www.digitalhomecanada.com

In order to get this price (ie. $300 off), you may have to get the "extended" warranty for several hundred dollars more. It's a new model, so don't expect much movement in price by an authorized Panasonic dealer. If you are willing to wait for Future Shop's typical Friends and Family sale which occurs several times a year.....you should expect to get 10% off the list price (based on recent F&F sales).

Here are several URLs by CTV's Olson On Your Side column regarding extended warranties on LCD and plasmas and Consumer Reports Picks for LCDs and plasmas.....in summary, Olson says that CR doesn't recommend "extended" warranties on LCD or plasmas:

http://www.bcctv.ca/displayresults....en-20061115.htm

http://www.bcctv.ca/displayresults....en-20061225.htm

http://www.bcctv.ca/displayresults....en-20061215.htm

The FS website has the 50 inch Panasonic plasma 50PX60 with free stand and a home theater system for $2799 before taxes. Not sure if this package is available in all stores.

If you want, I can check to see if the HT system is at all decent.

Dave

Originally posted by DavidY The FS website has the 50 inch Panasonic plasma 50PX60 with free stand and a home theater system for $2799 before taxes. Not sure if this package is available in all stores. If you want, I can check to see if the HT system is at all decent. Dave

i would love that if you could! i appreciate all the help Dave.

I forgot to ask what kind of HD system do you plan on having with the plasma....Shaw HD, Bell ExpressVu or Star Choice, others? HDTVs don't generally show very well with SD (Standard Definition or 480 rez) channels.

The mini HT component system is a Panasonic 5-DVD system. Model number is SCPT650S. Best Buy has the better price ($350 on sale vs. $470 at FS) on this particular component. I couldn't find any reviews....if you have much expectations on the system, then it's probably decent as a home theater in a box. Upconverting is a good feature...especially for your HDTV.

Features of the SCPT650S:
* 1000 Watts of raw power is distributed to 5.1 channels to provide you with a vivid aural experience that's as clear and refined as it is loud.
* The integrated 5-disc DVD player will play many different disc formats and up-convert any standard definition DVD into a beautiful high definition 1080p screen resolution, breathing new life into your old DVD collection.
* The multi-room wireless audio feature allows you to transmit audio signals to speakers in other rooms without the inconvenience of drilling holes and running wires.*
* Connect your iPod or satellite radio receiver to enjoy you digital music collection and favourite satellite radio broadcasting in an audio quality that ear buds cannot match.
* Support for Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Pro Logic encoding lets you enjoy the best sound that surround sound has to offer.
* The sleek sliver casing and speakers look good with any home theatre.
* Included In Box: Remote Control, 2 x "AA" Batteries, System Cable, AM/FM Antenna, AC Power Cord

Originally posted by DavidY I forgot to ask what kind of HD system do you plan on having with the plasma....Shaw HD, Bell ExpressVu or Star Choice, others?

I will have Shaw HD with the TV. and once again thanks for all the investigating youve done for me, i do really appreciate it.

Originally posted by radish I will have Shaw HD with the TV. and once again thanks for all the investigating youve done for me, i do really appreciate it.

No problem. It's a part of my HT addiction program.

One more thing that I recommend is that you do NOT buy Monster branded cables.....while they have decent build quality, they are WAY WAY overpriced. Get some cheap component video or HDMI cables at Costco or Princess Auto. Acoustic Research brands are cheap and pretty decent build quality.

If you are not in a hurry, you could order your cables from a US online company http://www.monoprice.com I have no personal experience with them....but they appear to be quite popular at other deal forums. Ship by US Postal Service if at all possible.

Dave