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(OT) Buying a new tv-- little help please......

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  • (OT) Buying a new tv-- little help please......

    Down to 2,,, Sony xbr2 model LCD at 1080P or Sharp Aquos 62U model LCD at 1080P---

    Have checked C-net, don't have access to Consumer reports--

    Any thoughts?

  • #2
    MD, all I can tell you is that I bought an Aquos a little over a year ago, and I have been VERY happy with it. No problems and a just a great picture. It's a cleaner image than my Samsung DLP, and that TV has been a little quirky, to boot. The Sony might be a great TV, but I've had oor luck with other Sony models in the past and now pretty much stay away from them. I ALMOST bought one when I bought the Aquos. The picture quality was so close that to my eye, I could have gone either way. But considering the difference in price AND my luck with Sony, I went to the Sharp. no regrets.
    http://shop.cafepress.com/content/global/img/spacer.gifOK, let's try this again...

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    • #3
      Thank You, that helps.

      I have always had good luck with Sony, (hey I'm sure it's 50/50) but I agree that with the price difference is to be condsidered.

      Comment


      • #4
        I have a 42" Panasonic plasma which has been going strong for nearly four years now. It still looks beautiful. I also purchased a 37" Westinghouse 1080p LCD last year. While the blacks aren't as black, and the depth of color isn't quite as rich, the picture still looks great.

        I'd suggest taking a ride to Delaware and visiting a Sam's Club or Costco. Check out fatwallet.com and search for the size tv you want. The forums provide great links to deals all of the time.

        You might also want to check out avsforums.com, it has a very large membership with many professionals that post. I used to be hooked on Sony, but have been very happy with that Panny. (for the record, it was also a floor model!)

        If I was to purchase another tv, in my opinion, I'd stick with plasma. But, everyone has their own personal preferences and try to view the tv's in a place where they don't have them the picture at the brightest setting. Many of the big chains have changed the way they display the tvs so you can get a more accurate idea of what it will look like at your home.

        Finally! My plasma is glass, which reflects the light. The LCD, on the other hand, doesn't reflect any light or images from lamps, etc. This is something to consider also. It's a little easier to watch the LCD in brighter lighted rooms, while the plasma, to enjoy the experience, requires more subtle lighting to bring out the true colors.

        Good luck!

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        • #5
          Here's a link to the Sharp discussion thread on fatwallet. (good deal at Costco now)

          http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/717694

          So... when is the party to break in the new tv?

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          • #6
            Good mention on the avsforums, great board. I considered a Panny at the time as well, and could have probably gone that way and been happy as well. Sony is just overpriced, IMO, and trading on a name the USED to be very good.
            http://shop.cafepress.com/content/global/img/spacer.gifOK, let's try this again...

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            • #7
              I sent this to rspurr a while back who was making the same decision...if you have trouble accessing these links, let me know and I will grab them for you.

              *****

              Look at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/elec ... /index.htm

              and

              http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/elec ... /index.htm
              Eliminate distractions, create energy, fear nothing, and attack everything.

              -Andy Reid

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              • #8
                MD it's funny you posted this today since I just spent a 3 day weekend and my in-laws and they are looking at new flat screens - so what was lying around? Three versions of the Consumer Reports about flat screen TVs and I read all of them twice!! The bottom line is that the LCD has the new 1080p available and that's not out yet in plasma version. In their opinion there's not much of a difference in picture quality between 1080p and 720 definition unless you get a screen larger than 42 inches - then you start to see a difference. As for the need for the 1080p besides the larger screen they suggest that getting 1080p might make sense if you want to ensure that the TV you buy now will be able to display the best picture down the road as more and more programs begin to utilize the higher definition format. And as PhillyJack points out, the LCD screens are better at dealing with high glare locations - those are areas that plasmas don't do well in.

                They had the Panasonic LCD and the Panasonic Plasma both rated #1 (in the case of LCDs they were rated #1 & 3) and the Sony was #2.

                One other thing to consider is the need for a cable card. If you plan to hang the TV on a wall where you won't be able to use a converter box, then getting a set that has a cable card option is a good idea. That allows the card to be installed which de-scrambles basic and premium cable channels directly so you don't need a box. Plus the cards usually have a $2 a month fee instead of a $6-9 charge for the converter box. The down side there is that you won't be able to use Tivo or DVR technology on that set. I know the Panasonic that was rated #1 had the card available - not sure about the Sony.

                They also said that they were testing the Aquos now (it's going to be rated in the next TV ratings issue) but the early impressions "were very good".

                My take on it was that either the Sony or Panasonic LCD televisions would be an excellent option with the 1080p. That's just my impression after reading the Consumer Reports on the TV's this weekend. Hope it helps!
                Official Driver of the Eagles Bandwagon!!!
                Bleedin' Green since birth!

                "Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many." - Mike Willey

                ”Enjoy The Ride!!!” - Bob Marcus

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                • #9
                  Whatever you do make sure if you go the LCD route make sure you see football in action before you purchase. LCD can have something called motion blur which means any fast moving action(like a football game or any kind of action movie)will blur . My friend had one that blurred and had me take a look at it and it was horrible.

                  Just make sure you see what you want in action and get what looks the best to you. Each different kind of set have it's pros and cons. Just make sure you get what fits your needs.

                  I was going to go with a Samsung DLP but don't want to be changing a bulb every two or three years. The damn things cost anywhere from 200-300 bucks. Same thing with a rear projection LCD too. Now I am leaning toward a Panny or Samsung Plasma. Burn-in is basically non existent anymore.

                  PhillyJack gave some great advice. FRESH is also right about Sony being overpriced. I used to LOVE Sony tube televisions but their newer stuff is not worth the price IMO. There's too much good stuff out there to overpay for a Sony.
                  FRESH > cancer

                  I hate everything the Cowboys stand for. If you think they are America's team, then you support everything that is wrong with America. The excess, the greed, the lack of maturity, the lack of responsibility, the lack of control. - Luzinski's Gut

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                  • #10
                    Blitz, I haven't had to replace the bulb for my DLP...yet. But almost from the beggining the lamp has had to cycle and periodically be "reset" before coming on. It'll be fine for several months, but then the lamp won't want to come on. I usually end up pulling the back panel, pulling the lamp out, plugging it back in...and it's fine again. Weird, but I'm not the only one to have that problem according to posts on avsforums.

                    The Sharp has been P E R F E C T. Almost a year and a half now. Of course, it's only a 720, not the 1080 that they are pimping now. Technology changes SOOOO fast. Who gives a damn, all I know is I've got a GREAT looking picture.
                    http://shop.cafepress.com/content/global/img/spacer.gifOK, let's try this again...

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                    • #11
                      What's funny is, any mentions of reliability on a model is almost pointless now. By the time a model has been around long enough to even be termed reliable, it's out of production and obsolete.
                      http://shop.cafepress.com/content/global/img/spacer.gifOK, let's try this again...

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by FRESH
                        Blitz, I haven't had to replace the bulb for my DLP...yet. But almost from the beggining the lamp has had to cycle and periodically be "reset" before coming on. It'll be fine for several months, but then the lamp won't want to come on. I usually end up pulling the back panel, pulling the lamp out, plugging it back in...and it's fine again. Weird, but I'm not the only one to have that problem according to posts on avsforums.

                        The Sharp has been P E R F E C T. Almost a year and a half now. Of course, it's only a 720, not the 1080 that they are pimping now. Technology changes SOOOO fast. Who gives a damn, all I know is I've got a GREAT looking picture.
                        I've heard of the problem you're talking about with the lamp. One of the guys at Circuit City where I was looking was telling me that they get quite a few Samsung DLPs returned for that reason.

                        From the research I have done about different TV's I have yet to hear anything negative about Sharp Aquos. How are the colors? Do you see any blur? Because if I decide to go LCD I am going Sharp.

                        As long as you like what you see that's all that matters. IMO 1080p is a bit overrated anyway. Most people won't ever notice a difference unless they go over 50 inches. Even then you won't notice much of a difference unless you sit close enough. A lot of people buy 1080p but never sit close enough to take advantage of it. Cable will not be going 1080p for a LONG time if ever and I will not be buying blu-ray or HD-DVD any time soon. So for me 720 is more than good enough.
                        FRESH > cancer

                        I hate everything the Cowboys stand for. If you think they are America's team, then you support everything that is wrong with America. The excess, the greed, the lack of maturity, the lack of responsibility, the lack of control. - Luzinski's Gut

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                        • #13
                          I have a sharp D90 (last year's 1080p model) and there is no motion blur. Very nice picture.

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                          • #14
                            I have a 37" Aquos lcd that I purchased last year. I love it! I did a lot of research before I bought and I thought I got the most bang for my buck with the sharp.
                            Stand for the flag you assholes!

                            Eagles, Flyers Phillies fan since 1977. GO O'S!!

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                            • #15
                              Sorry to hijack your thread MD...but statler, Zepster and FRESH how are the black and white levels on your televisions? Sorry to be bugging any you but any info will be GREATLY appreciated because I haven't quite made my mind up yet, LOL. The more I hear about Sharp the more intrigued I am becoming.


                              Once again, sorry MD If we ever get to meet up you can smack me with a chair like this.
                              FRESH > cancer

                              I hate everything the Cowboys stand for. If you think they are America's team, then you support everything that is wrong with America. The excess, the greed, the lack of maturity, the lack of responsibility, the lack of control. - Luzinski's Gut

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