? about LCD tv

[Judy]

One of the things I enjoy so much about this Board is that I've yet to see a question for which someone doesn't have an educated answer. So, my question is: In looking to buy a 37" or 42" LCD tv, where would one look to get a decent deal?
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
Judy

[DaveM]

Hard to do better than to go to somewhere like Best Buy or Circuit City where they'll have display models of every imaginable size up and running. Look through them....go back and forth and see which one has a picture that seem most comfortable to you. Do this before you study specifications--you may find that the most technologically advance unit isn't as comfortable to your eyes, everyone's vision being a bit different.

And do try to look only at units within your size range. If you dawdle over the real monsters they'll have running, everything else will look tiny by comparison!

I'm not sure if this is still true but at one point not that long ago, better than 90% of the LCD monitors and TVs out there had screens that were made by the same company or at least using the same components. So if you find a "cheap" one that's an oddball brand, don't be too concerned about buying it provided the warranty and features are comparable.

I bought a Norcent (ever heard of them?) DVD player this way for $69.95 at a time when decent units averaged around $300. It has never caused the slightest problem, and I'm still using it with beautiful results. As I'm still using an "ordinary" TV, there's simply no need to consider anything "better". Spent the money on BIG SPEAKERS for the surround system....mind, I still want bigger ones. You can never have too much speaker, I guess.

[RedjackRyan]

the only thing i'd add to Daves advice would be, don't be afraid to ask for the Floor Demo model.. you can save quite a bit that way. Beware of the dreaded Bestbuy extra value protection plans that they will try to hammer down your throat. You don't need them, the manufacturer warranty will be more than sufficient, those extended service plans are nothing more than an idiot tax..

[Judy]

Thanks, guys. Since I live an hour away from Best Buy and Circuit City, I'll be getting my chores done today and go over either tonight or tomorrow. Appreciate the input.
Judy

[Amy in Vermont]

I also took advantage of the guys at work in the media services dept.. asked their advice.

They really like Samsung right now, and when I went up to Best Buy and did the look-see, the Samsungs were clearly superior to tothers in my size and price range. I have yet to purchase, just looking.

[DaveM]

I can remember when Samsung was "Brand X"....now they make some quite good stuff. Their digital cameras really aren't bad at all--and they're cheaper than practically every other maker.

[Wildflower Fever]

I have a Samsung 42" HD Flat Screen TV. I bought it a few years ago (horribly out of date already, of course) at Best Buy and I love the picture. Unfortunately my cable (Comcast) reception has always been subpar with it excluding the digital or HD channels. But when I watch DVD's (with appropriate $100 three color patch cords) the color is amazing. Especially blue water, reds, fire, etc., it's disturbingly lifelike. The only drawback is the sheer weight and the size of the "back end" of the TV. I've seen Samsung's LCD's and would definitely recomend one, as well as their higher end DVD players, and actually I like their cell phones. Perhaps I should get some freebies for all this Samsung plugging. Although they used to be somewhat of a "brand X", I don't think I'd lump them in with, say, Audiovox, or Soundesign.:D If you're ever looking to update a 2 channel or surround receiver/amplifier, I strongly recomend Denon, it has very accurate and clean sound at both the lowest and highest levels.