Yet Another Thread on LCD TVs - Anybody Have Any of These LCDs?

[ufojoe]

Narrowed our search for a 40-42" LCD down to these four. Anybody
have any of these or have opinions? I like the Samsung but I hear the
frame is reflective and in a bright room, (our living room during the
day) it can be distractive. We'll be 10 feet away from the tv and
with the 40-42" screen, I didn't feel the need for 1080i. Am I
right? I read most of the posts on here about this subject.

I'm going crazy!

* * * * *

Samsung LNT4042H 40" LCD HDTV

$999.00

Heard this one handle SD very well...

* * * * *

Sony Bravia KDL-40S3000 40" 720p LCD HDTV

$1185

Doesn't have fine tuning on cool/warm settings. Has 3 or 4
standard settings. Should I care?

* * * * *

Sharp Aquos LC42D43U 720p 42" LCD HDTV

$1168

Heard the sound sucks on this one...

* * * * *

Toshiba REGZA 42HL67 42" 720p LCD HDTV

$1130

[BucFan9720]

If your going to get an entry level set, get a plasma instead. If your concerned about the reflection, get the Samsung HPT-4264 which has a thinner glass frame and is available for the same price, if not lower than the sets you mentioned and will give you MUCH better picture quality. I own the 4254 model which has the thicker glass and even that has very little reflection, and the PQ is incredible on it. And the best thing about it is there is pixel-shift technology which eliminates burn-in.

[oregonbucfan]

Dont want to hijack UfoJoe thread, has anyone heard that you cant have plasma TV in high elevations? I heard that from a neighbor up where I live... just curious cause I plan to buy a new TV soon.

[Boid Fink]

At least get 1080i...spend the extra 200 bones, get a 1080p!  At 40" plus, it makes the PQ a bit better.  If you are going to own it for 5-10 years, get the better TV. 

[mjs020294]

As you know Joe I recently got a Toshiba 42" LCD but it was the 1080p version.  We have it in the bedroom and I am very happy with it overall.   It does SD very well but that might have a lot to do with it being smaller than our family room TV.  

We have had the LCD/Plasms/DLP debate on here a few times, and I have read lots of professional reviews.  Now I have had the chance to compare LCD to DLP over a few weeks on a daily basis I am even more convinced the DLP is the better picture.  The LCD's color saturation is great, and it creates white and light colors better but the DLP has far superior contrast and blacks.  Our DLP is a much more realistic picture, and even my techno-challenged wife can see the difference.

The picture on the LCD is still pretty damned good though and I would definitely recommend one if it suits your viewing room.

[ufojoe]

Thanks, guys. The room I am in is VERY bright. AWI, I'll have to check out that TV. My wife
is so set against a plasma. Because of the glare.

MJS, we want a light tv. Aren't the DLPs cumbersome?

Boid, on a 40"-42", I have read (and see with my own eyes) that there is no difference
between 720p and 1080i. So why even bother? I'm definitely open to the 1080i if
a case can be made for one.

[mjs020294]

My DLP is in a built in, so you only see the screen.  Most people that come in think it is some sort of flat panel.  If you have the space and are buying a TV solely on the picture quality the Samsung LED DLPs are great.  Obviously everyone is looking for something different.  I love the LCD in our bedroom, it looks great, the picture is much better than the old CRT TV and we now have extra space on the floor of a new chair.

If you get a LCD you will be very happy with it because you will not have anything to compare it to, apart from your old CRT TV.  I am fortunate to have two very new TVs, and the DLP is a more realistic picture.   It is great for watching movies, and having the full surround sound in the family room also adds to the experience.

720p, 1080i, 1080p, that is the question?  A lot might depend on your HD supplier.  Some transmit in 720p, and other are 1080i.  Also, a 720p might produce SD TV better than a 1080p TV, they are all different.   You will be fully future proof with the 1080p version, and you will also be able to get a Blue Ray player quite cheap next year and enjoy full 1080p for movies.  TV size is also a consideration when you increase the pixels.  You simply aren;t going to see much difference between 720p and 1080p on smaller TVs unless you sit a couple of feet away.

Do a little research on the models you are looking at, google for reviews, and take a good look in the store.  At the end of the day you can't go far wrong and you will love your new TV.

BTW - Tigerdirect currently had the Toshiba 42HL167 REGZA LCD TV 1080p for $1049, $129 shipping but no tax.  I had the same model from them and the shipping was great.

[ufojoe]

Do a little research on the models you are looking at, google for reviews, and take a good look in the store.  At the end of the day you can't go far wrong and you will love your new TV.

BTW - Tigerdirect currently had the Toshiba 42HL167 REGZA LCD TV 1080p for $1049, $129 shipping but no tax.  I had the same model from them and the shipping was great.

Thanks again. I've done way too much research already! Yesterday, I settled on a different set four times
and changed my mind each time. Just need to suck it up and make a decision. I'm happy with my old tv
so I'm sure I'll be fine with whatever we get. Not too much room here for a DLP.

[ufojoe]

>As you know Joe I recently got a Toshiba 42" LCD but it was the 1080p version. 

Which model?

[mjs020294]

>As you know Joe I recently got a Toshiba 42" LCD but it was the 1080p version.

Which model?

It was the 42HL167 REGZA but I didn't really check them out first.  It was a can't miss purchase on black Friday, although I did like the look of the model.  We are very very happy with it so far, no complaints what so ever.  I have a couple of friends that swear by the Sharp Aquos TV, and I know the Samsungs and Sony's are highly rated.

All the LCDs are very good, I doubt you could tell the difference if you covered the frame and logo up.

[ufojoe]

OK, here's my question/scenario...

One tv is 42", 720P and hooked to a Blue Ray DVD player...

The other is a 42", 1080i and hooked to a Blue Ray DVD player...

Do I see a difference since it's such a "small," screen?

The other thing is, which tv of the four I mentioned, show the SD channels
the best? I wish I knew that one since many of the channels I will be watching
are SD.

I'm over thinking the hell out of this but the Blue Ray 720/1080 question is
an important one for me.

[mjs020294]

I would have to say no you wouldn't see the difference on 42" TV between 720p or 1080i.   There really isn't a huge difference in the number of pixels:

720p = 922,000 pixels / frame
1080i = 1,037,000 pixels / frame
1080p = 2,074,000 pixels / frame

The 1080p TVs do potentially have an advantage, and you would be future proofed.  It is only $50 more for the Toshiba 1080p at Tigerdirect, and I am sure you can find the other brands with similar saving in the new year. 

This is one of the most informative articles I have read on TV resolutions:  http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/284986.html