Looking for... a good TV recommendation
So Arin and I are considering refurnishing parts of our home. I was shocked when she suggested getting a new TV. Well sort of. Our currently serves us well - its a 45" rear projection Mitsubishi (not HD). And if it is anything, it is an eye sore. Hence Arin's desire to get a television that is less imposing then the beheamoth we currently own.
I will enjoy shopping for a TV, but before I begin my hunt - does anyone have any recommendations? Here are my must-have requirements:
- Slim profile/footprint - I don't want to the TV to feel like a piece of furniture
- HD
Pretend I know nothing of TVs (I don't). What else should I be looking for and/or cautious about?
Comments
Go to Costco. I've been through four TVs in the last two years and Costco takes them back without question, for any issue.
I'd go for a plasma, for sure. Much better than anything else for viewing angle. I didn't think that was a big deal, but when I'm sitting on the floor with the kids, DLP got darker, as compared to sitting on the couch. Plasma is perfect from anywhere in the room.
Honestly, I don't care about HD though, because so little content for me is in HD. Also, I think DVDs are technically supposed to look better on the EDTV (not HD) TVs.
Schomer's advice about Costco is good. They will take back anything. We took back a monitor with no cables and no box, and the reciept was about 3 months old. They credited our account, no questions. They also have a great selection to choose from.
Check out Consumer Reports. They did a comparison. Apparently prices are supposed to drop in early fall. We are waiting until then to get one. If you go to Castco (which isn't a bad idea) go fully researched. The people there are unhelpful.
Also, the life span is shorter. Don't expect it to live as long as your current one. They fade. I heard they will last around 5 years before starting to fade.
1) Figure out what HD source you want, cable, satellite, or off-air first. Make sure you are willing to spend $ on HD service first and that you get what you want. No use in getting an HD TV if you don't get HD channels. Likely it will be this remote control that you use to drive your TV.
2) Set a Upper limit to what you want to spend on a TV. Be firm with yourself. There is always a better TV for more money, this is the road to excessive spending. I'm serious, set your limit before you walk into a store.
3) IMHO, LCDs give the best picture and set of features for HD. But make up your own mind.
4) Buy the extended warranty. HD sets are expensive and a relatively new technology. Spending $100-200 for 3 years of complete piece of mind, is worth it.