My TV exploded, what to buy?

[Boyiee]

So my TV pretty much exploded, and now it is time for a new one.

I didn't want to spend to much, I was hoping to stay under $500 for a 40-42inch flat screen, but a few popped up just over my price limit and I'm not sure what to do now.

Here are some options I found.

Sceptre 42inch $450
Toshiba 40inch $500 Free 2day shipping
Panasonic 42inch $548 Free 2day Shipping
Sony 42inch $545 Free 2day shipping

Or do I go cheap and grab something for like $400 (or less) from walmart, some weird brand.

[Tajin]

I like LG and samsung along with sony.

[Caiyuo]

Are you looking for a TV that size because of constraints or to get the right price? There's a 50" Panasonic Plasma on sale for $550 if you've got a Fry's nearby: http://www.frys.com/product/6994057

Barring that, do you have a preference for LCD or Plasma?

[Boyiee]

My TV was a 42 or 46 inch DLP so the size is because I don't want to downgrade, I could go bigger if the price were right.

I have no real preference on type as long as it's not another DLP.

I don't have a Frys anywhere near me as far as I know.

[Boyiee]

some of those tvs are smart tvs or have some type of wireless capabilities, does that mean I can somehow stream videos from my pc to them without needing to use my PS3?

[archibaldcrane]

Usually that means they have built-in apps for Hulu, Netflix, etc. (which is nice if you use them) For PC streaming I just use HDMI, but I don't know what wireless streaming capabilities TVs have.

[Boyiee]

I'm starting to lean towards these offbrands and/or 60hz instead of 120hz TV's.

429-449 plus tax, making them around 480 here, and I can walk out with one today from bestbuy. It's hard to pass that up. I don't see the need to get a larger tv or a 120hz tv. Bestbuy has a Sharp for 450 that I could walk out with, solid brand but 60hz. Or I could grab some brand like Insignia, get the 120hz and also walk out with it. These would come out to around $480 total and I'd have a new tv today. Or as mentioned, I could risk shipping damage and dead pixels and get one of the super highly-reviewed ones I linked off of amazon with free 2day, so it'll be here wednesday.

I haven't used my PS3 for anything other than a media server to stream movies and the walking dead since FF13 (the first one) came out. I rarely touch any console games period. My TV is pretty much just for white noise and movies/football games, and I probably will be away at a dorm in fall and won't be able to bring it with me. It's hard to justify over $500, the issue is mainly offbrand or not.

[Omnipotent]

There is only 3 solid brands for TVs: Sony/Samsung/LG. Get the Insignia, they have better picture than Sharps.

[Boyiee]

Sony was one of the options but its $100 more than the insignia. I'll probably pick up the Insignia later than if its a good brand, it'll be harder to pass up on it after looking at it in store too.

[Kalmado]

There is only 3 solid brands for TVs: Sony/Samsung/LG. Get the Insignia, they have better picture than Sharps.

No Panasonic love? From what I've read and discussions I've had with a few stores, the pecking order for TV's is: Panasonic>Samsung>other. Maybe it's lighting in the stores I've went to, but I don't like the look of LG's.

We're looking at a few models at sam's club. You can get similar at costco. I'm pretty much set on this for $550. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/50-pana...navAction=push
Full 1080p HD
600HZ Sub-field Drive
Media Player (movie & photo capable)
Game Mode
Wide Viewing Angle
Environment-Friendly Panel, Mercury and Lead Free
Long Life Panel
Power Saving Functions, Intelligent Auto Standby

Paul's TV also had this Samsung for $479 before Black Friday. I think it's a decent deal if it's under $500 but I'd rather get the Panasonic for a little more money.

[Omnipotent]

Panasonic does make fantastic Plasma's, but.... I don't touch Plasma, I'm a LED fanboy. Samsung's color has become a lot more "Fake", where the colors vibrancy and balance is becoming out of control and has way too much Hue. I would say LG makes some of the best 40's right now, with Sony making some of the best high end LED TV's which are only sold at Magnolia Best Buys, followed by Samsung. I've worked at Best Buy for 3 years, and this is just noticing the plethora of tv's coming in and out. Also we have a couple workers there who I would trust with ALL my TV information, seeing how they live and breath TV's

[Kalmado]

Ah that makes a lot of sense. I'm not super tv savvy by any means and I don't really use my tv all that much. I only recently started playing my xbox more since I don't play ffxi anymore. I currently have a 32" lcd I purchased when they were semi new. For what my wife and I use our tv for, the 50" plasmas from sam's club seem to be the best bang for our buck.

[Boyiee]

I've also seen a few 50's for under 600 which are super tempting, but it's for a bedroom it just seems like too much. I think my DLP that blew up was 46 diag, and while there is room where it is for a larger TV it just seems like it'd be too much. Hell, the 46" DLP is actually kinda big.

I'm really digging the LED, so 60 or 120hz I think that's what I'm going to grab as long as it stays under 500 and bestbuy has it in stock. Other than one westinghouse model, their prices are mostly competitive with amazon, except I think amazon is tax free... but 30$ to walk out with it wins in my book.

Personally I'd love to go to PC richard and try and work in some sort of deal for speakers too, as I know they at least negotiate, but then I'm definitely looking at a $600 day. Such a shitty time for this to happen with Christmas around the corner, thanks student loans.

Heh, I'll probably end up walking out with a soundbar or something shitty like that too now that I think of it. I can't stand built in TV speakers.

[Omnipotent]

I got my 55 Sony LED from Best Buy with my discount and some perks for 400 . The TV is amazing, 120HZ, it's not smart but who needs that nowadays when everyone and their mom has a PS3 or a desktop hookup. I really recommend staying away from RCA/Westinghouse/Sharp/Toshiba/Coby. They don't last very long, and their picture is sub-par. You rock the NFL forums all day Boyiee, if you get a 60hz, I will kill you. Spend the money and get a 120hz, for fast paced things like sports, it makes a difference. Obviously go 1080p, and don't worry about smart features, they tend to hike up the price, and typically you can't actually find a TV without it nowadays anyway. That Insignia is your "best buy", you'll love it.

One or the other
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....5177480&catId=

[Omnipotent]

Also: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/LG+-+2.1...dbar&cp=1&lp=1

This is what I have for my soundbar, amazing quality and the bass has some good sound. Has a wireless sub, so you can put that anywhere respectably.. The Bluetooth feature is the best option with it, being able to sync my phone or laptop up with it and listen to music makes it worth all the money. It has 2 Opticals and is solidly made.

[Boyiee]

Totally bought the insignia and the lg sound bar you linked. They had a Samsung sound bar too for the same price but I went with your recommendation since it also had more reviews on amazon and a few more watts.

Thanks for the help, happy I opened up tappy talk while in best buy to check the thread. Can't wait to watch the Pats game tonight while I don't write a paper.

The tvs took a bit to sort through since they have the expensive ones mixed in with the cheap ones and it was hard to compare visually. The insignia was on an end cap a good 50 feet from the other 40-46ers I was looking at. One Samsung non-led looked awesome and almost sold me but I went with the insignia anyway.

[Omnipotent]

I am SO glad you didn't get that Samsung sound bar, it sounds like dookie pookie, my friend learned that the hard way. You'll be happy with your choice, Insignia isn't a bad brand, it gets alot of slander because it's a "Best Buy" brand, but for the price... nothing beats it.

[Boyiee]

The soundbar may have been a better purchase than the TV, holy shit this thing is great for rooms not large enough for surround. Fucking USB support, Bluetooth, amazing. I have a USB stick in it with music to listen to when going to sleep, and I was streaming from my phone before. I love it.

[Omnipotent]

Good shit, I gotchu

[Boyiee]

My TV's sound randomly turned off at one point during the football game, wouldn't come through set (hdmi) or soundbar (optical), nor did changing the channel make a difference as they all had no sound. Turned it off and back on (it at least starts up surprisingly quickly) and everything was fine and has been for hours since.

Not really sure where the problem was centered, since it could have been the cable box or HDMI, but it was strange. Keeping receipt, although I really don't want to spend the same or $50 more for 2inches LESS. I think if I return this for a different TV for any problem at all, I'm going for the LG 47inch thats on sale for 580 and saying fuck it. Really hope it doesn't come to that though.