Well, we're to the point where Muffy has decided she'd really like a new television. What that translates to is that we are getting a new television sooner rather than later. And by sooner rather than later, I'm talking about Christmas.
Personally, I don't see the need. We have a 19 year-old 24" Sony in the family room that is doing just fine. Oh sure, it takes a moment or two (or three) to warm up, and it sometimes really, really, really doesn't want to turn off, but I find it meets my viewing needs in all respects. We even have a 10 year-old 26" Sharp in Muffy's sewing room for backup. I watch hockey, football and SpongeBob on the tube, and cartoons and old movies on DVD. That doesn't require HDTV with TIVO.
At least not in my world.
But since this isn't my world, I have now been tasked with coming up with a couple of televisions to choose from. The problem is, the technology involved in televisions passed me by quite a while ago, and I really, really, really don't want to spend a whole lot of time fucking around trying to figure out what to buy. I suppose I should care enough to actually want to know the difference between plasma, LED and LCD, but truth be told, I'm just a fat, burned-out middle-aged guy who wants to win the lottery and be done with it.
The ol' apathy meter's a bit on the high side on this one...
So, that's where you folks come in. Most of my commenters sound (surprisingly) like they have some education and are gainfully employed, so I'm assuming the rest of you fit that mold. Given that, I'm sure a few of you actually know facts 'n stuff about what televisions technologies and brands are the best to buy. Tell me about them. Not in detail, mind you. Just give me enough that I can bullshit my way through a purchase with my wife watching over my shoulder. And please, do not recommend things that cost thousands of dollars.
I don't have an issue with you spending thousands of dollars. Nothing is too good for Muffy!
Try Cnet reviews, google etc. We have a Sony Bravia and it is wonderful. You can see the rubber flake off a Nascar tire as it slides around the track. Hockey and any sport is absolutely awesome in HD. Discovery and all the rest are great too. For a sound system look into last years recievers and a decent speaker system like Paradigm. Bose are wonderful but too freaking spendy. I like our Yamaha reciever. Do some research and don't get sucked in to spending tons on cables. If you have an electrician friend buy the stuff wholesale. Look on line and again, research.
Posted by: Maxx | October 27, 2009 at 09:27 PM
Well, that is a tough nut to crack right there, sir. I have been avoiding the issue of High Definition TV for some time now. I maintain several older sets, nothing flat screen and nothing extravagant. There has been a fundamental shift in how you buy a television in that you now have to connect it to a basic service provider (I use Verizon FIOS and it is fantastic), you have to add audio equipment, speakers, use special cables and you might as well have them come and install it for you. Without even trying, you can spend $4,000.
Here's what I do know--LCD can be more efficient, power-wise, than the plasma. I tend to prefer Sony, and if I were looking for something reasonable, I'd go with this:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1218062424675&type=product
That's an LCD, 32 inches, and you can get it for $699. Need something bigger? Need more bang for your buck?
Here's a 40" for a little more:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1218062117241&type=product
I used to use Circuit City; when they collapsed in an incompetent heap, I rounded my shoulders and went to Best Buy. So far, they haven't made me throw anything.
Your mileage, it just might vary.
Posted by: Norman Rogers | October 27, 2009 at 11:02 PM
I'm a luddite as well, so depended on the techie propeller heads at my work place for advice. Their advice was: head to Costco or Best Buy and get a tv a size up from what you think you need. Don't worry too much about doodads and gadgets...go for price. Plasma or LCD...that's a matter of taste (LCD if you want to use a computer with it). Response time and refresh rate is only really important to people who watch a lot of sports. Display Technology is LCD or Plasma - matter of taste. Now, these are the same guys who will spend all manner of bucks on computer and electronic equipment, but they said televisions are changing too quickly to matter..ergo, price is a big factor.
I have to say that I love mine. And I love HD.
Posted by: jane2 | October 27, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Sharp's Aquos has served me well. No complaints. I prefer LCD over Plasma, but either way.... I second jane2's comment on response time/refresh rate. Get something with at least 120hz (I think "hz" is correct, anyway at the very least 120 something or others with regard to speed. If more, even better.). Might as well get a 5.1 speaker system, or something equivalent--like the front speakers that bounce the sound off your walls to give you a surround experience with less speaker intrusion--as the cost isn't very much and it sure makes watching movies and music programs a better experience. As a fellow luddite, I'll only add that whatever brand you go for, stay with the brand for the whole set up. If Sony, then get the Sony dvd recorder/player, Sony's specially compatible or recommended and thus easily integrated speaker system, etc... Set up is easier and the use is seemless and you'll only need one remote control. Like is built to like like.
Posted by: harlan | October 28, 2009 at 12:06 AM
I bought a new LCD flat thingy TV for my ladyfriend last Christmas. Good value, good price (<$700 for a 37" screen,) and it has a great picture. Go for price is what I found out.
On the down side, I bought a similar TV for my place up in the Sierras. I never knew that LCD TV's could actually freeze to death. I really need to add more insulation up there.
Posted by: Allen | October 28, 2009 at 12:08 AM
p.s. whatever you get will last for a long, long time, knock on wood, so go big. Lots of folks go too small, then find themselves in a brand new world with the flat screen, and liking it, and only wish the screen were but a little bit bigger. Repeat. Repeat again. Instead of ending up with three flat screens, buying the really big one first can indeed be economical. Then again you ain't "lots of folks" so feel free to throw this advice out: but don't go smaller than 40" and sometimes the really large screens, last year's model with decent hz, can be had at a bargain.
Posted by: harlan | October 28, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Steve Graham at Tools of Renewal had a lot of posts on his quest for a new TV.
Just whatever you do, don't go OVER 40" or you'll be an official ecological criminal in California...
Posted by: richard mcenroe | October 28, 2009 at 01:58 AM
I thought I was the only guy to put a band-aid over the clock on my VCR because I couldn't figure out how to set the time on the damn thing.
Generally speaking LCD TVs have a sharper image than plasma displays. They display solid colors more uniform. LCD TVs are more expensive. They also have better angle viewing, when you are looking at the TV from the side.
Skip projection TVs, the bulbs only last a year, they cost around $100 and are a pain to replace. Read Consumer reports and I say go for a 40 inch 1080 Sony, Samsung or LG.
Finally you cheap bastard. I can remember our family got our first color TV in 1965. It was a Magnavox console that had a AM/FM stereo and record player. My mother bought it and and when my father saw the price he exploded! It was $349 which was a lot of money back then. He was pissed until Sunday night. Then we watched Bonanza in color and he was converted. Your first HD football game will do the same thing to you.
Your TV is going to cost you a little more than $1,500. Get used to it.
Posted by: DonnieDarko | October 28, 2009 at 09:44 AM
For God's sake.
Just go to Best Buy and buy an RCA or whatever name brand flatscreen TV for a few hundred bucks and be done with it.
The clerk will guide you. That's her job, and she's trained to give you the information and advice you need.
Don't make it more difficult than it has to be.
Posted by: Guesst | October 28, 2009 at 11:12 AM
We have a new Panasonic TC-L37S1 which works fine, (cost about $800).
At first, the audio sounded distorted - that was due to a menu setting that activated the audio compressor within the TV by default.
Posted by: EdK | October 28, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I'm going to have to get a membership at Costco, because Hell will freeze over before I step into a Best Buy store.
Posted by: Dennis The Peasant | October 29, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Sorry, can't help you Dennis. I haven't bought a TV since 1987.
Posted by: Eric Blair | October 29, 2009 at 08:58 AM
One more comment: the sound on my $700 Costco-purchased TV(double the warranty at no extra cost..thanks, Costco!)is sufficiently good that I haven't even hooked up my home theatre system yet. And it's been a year.
I should warn you..the downside of a Costco membership is you'll buy that $700 tv...then you'll see a heck of a deal on oh say a blu-ray...then as you're going to the check-out, there are the amazing serving plates Muffy will just have to have....then there's the deli....and the coffee....and and and....that TV will cost you about $2394734.
Posted by: jane2 | October 29, 2009 at 11:20 AM
jane2's absolutely right about the evil powers of Costco. Once upon a time, I avoided shopping there because the deals didn't seem all that great to my jaundiced eye. Unfortunately, I got a gift membership there four years ago. Within six months I had upgraded to an Executive membership and I still shop there almost weekly even though the closest one is about 25 miles from my house.
On the bright side, their sliced provolone and shredded mozzarella are perfect for use in Steve Graham's 10 minute street pizza recipe and cost a few bucks less to boot compared to a grocery store. Ditto the huge tubs of sour cream, 10 pound bags of golden potatoes, 4 packs of butter and the huge bag of shredded cheddar if the Hash Brown Casserole floats your boat. Your arteries may come to regret that membership to Costco but hey, life is for living, right?
Posted by: HayZeus | October 29, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Check out Ultimate electronics if there's one around and shop online first.
Posted by: Maxx | October 30, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Whatever TV you purchase, don't get this accessory with it.
Posted by: 13monsters | October 30, 2009 at 07:03 AM
First, chuck out all the above advice regarding "get the biggest one !" Get the one that fits the space available and the viewing distance, unless you want to remodel your house around a stupid television. The wife might want to go bigger than your current 24", but if the new one doesn't fit the space, you're going to be moving furniture and/or buying new furniture. Trust me on this one. Unless you're so flush that you can devote an entire room of your house to some sort of home theater type deal, be rational.
The TVs here are used mostly for watching DVDs and weather forecasts. The stuff on broadcast TV doesn't generally warrent more than a 9" B&W with rabbit ears and those old analog dial tuners.
Of course, I didn't even have a cell phone until I was stuck without communications of any sort in the aftermath of hurricane Ike. Live and learn...
Posted by: Mike C. | October 30, 2009 at 07:26 AM
I should add--no, don't care for Best Buy.
Costco--true story. Know a fellow who returned a couch. It was two years old. Barely used. There was no receipt.
They gave him cash back. Over $2,000.
Yes, Costco has a VERY liberal return policy.
Posted by: Norman Rogers | October 30, 2009 at 11:57 PM
But, umm, why would you want a TV set? They don't show the international rugby over there and that's the only thing anyone actually watches, isn't it?
Posted by: Tim Worstall | October 31, 2009 at 06:57 AM