What to look for in a TV these days?

[Cap'n Ken]

We're facing the possibility of needing to buy a new main television for the household. Our old DLP set has gone into some mode where it literally takes 15 minutes for it to come on - and even if that's related to the consumable bulb that requires replacing from time to time, TVs seem to be getting so cheap nowadays the wisdom of replacing that $100 bulb is fading fast.

But it's been six or seven years since I've looked seriously at TV technology and what things you should consider when you buy.

LED, LCD, Plasma ... Hz ... contrast ratio ... brightness as measured in cd/m2 ... response time as measure in ms ...

What matters? I don't think I have any interest in 3D, I don't think I have interest in some proprietary Internet TV inclusion. I think I can figure out what inputs/outputs matter to me.

When I see TVs (I'm looking probably in the 42" - 48" range) are sets that start as low as $400 or so but range probably to $800-$1000 depending on specs. Discounting obvious low-end 720p sets and whatnot, it's hard to know what specs matter.

[hfranks]

You should probably be posting this question on the eavthug.net site. 

[Cap'n Ken]

You should probably be posting this question on the eavthug.net site.

Qua?

[hfranks]

You should probably be posting this question on the eavthug.net site.

Qua?

I was being facetious and implying that people who steal TVs would have the answers.   

[Cap'n Ken]

You should probably be posting this question on the eavthug.net site.

Qua?

I was being facetious and implying that people who steal TVs would have the answers.   

Ah. I imagine this question also presents an issue for the thugs - if some big flat-screen TV might have cost $400 new or might have cost $1000 new, how can you tell if it's worth hauling to the car before the entry delay timer expires and the alarm goes off?

Which raises the larger question - do thugs still go after TVs?

[LBurt]

This Lifehacker post has a lot of advice about what to look at/not worry about when buying  a new TV.
http://lifehacker.com/5865431/what-all-of-the-specs-on-hdtvs-mean-and-when-to-know-when-it-matters

[angryuser]

Let me know if you can't see this thread without logging in. Lot's o good advice therein.
http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=33659&highlight=hdtv+learn

Summary:

Plasma - Better colors and motion. Can be victim of burn in if you watch anything without movement for an extended period of time. Like the ESPN logo on the bottom right. (not as bad with the newest ones)

LCD - Better longevity. Typically cheaper. Uses less energy.

LED - better colors than LCD but not as good as plasma. only an inch thick. IMHO not worth the money yet.

Pretty much all TVs in stores have at least three HDMI inputs. I recommend not worrying about the number of HDMI inputs and just get a 5.1 Audio receiver (the intro Denon is $350 bucks and is nice, just got one) with an HDMI internal switch.

Get as high of a hertz as you can in your price range, especially with LCD and some with LED as it really helps motion.

I have a plasma and an lcd. I much more the plasma as the colors are just richer. Blacks are darker. The glare's an issue if you have a lot of windows in the room though. I personally don't give a shit about 3-D or led tvs at the moment. I'd figure out the most you want to spend, then get the largest, nicest (best reviewed) plasma or lcd you can get.

more links:
http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-tvs-plasma-tvs/
http://lcdtvbuyingguide.com/hdtv/led-vs-lcd.html

[Cap'n Ken]

Let me know if you can't see this thread without logging in. Lot's o good advice therein.
http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=33659&highlight=hdtv+learn

Summary:

Plasma - Better colors and motion. Can be victim of burn in if you watch anything without movement for an extended period of time. Like the ESPN logo on the bottom right. (not as bad with the newest ones)

LCD - Better longevity. Typically cheaper. Uses less energy.

LED - better colors than LCD but not as good as plasma. only an inch thick. IMHO not worth the money yet.

Pretty much all TVs in stores have at least three HDMI inputs. I recommend not worrying about the number of HDMI inputs and just get a 5.1 Audio receiver (the intro Denon is $350 bucks and is nice, just got one) with an HDMI internal switch.

Get as high of a hertz as you can in your price range, especially with LCD and some with LED as it really helps motion.

I have a plasma and an lcd. I much more the plasma as the colors are just richer. Blacks are darker. The glare's an issue if you have a lot of windows in the room though. I personally don't give a shit about 3-D or led tvs at the moment. I'd figure out the most you want to spend, then get the largest, nicest (best reviewed) plasma or lcd you can get.

more links:
http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-tvs-plasma-tvs/
http://lcdtvbuyingguide.com/hdtv/led-vs-lcd.html

So Plasma is no longer the belle of the ball in terms of "hot" technology but still the performance leader barring issues like glare and whatnot?

[insan0]

Which raises the larger question - do thugs still go after TVs?

Hair is the hot theft item these days.

[insan0]

Most TV's labled LED are actually LCD TV's with LED lighting in it instead of fluorescent.  True OLED TV's are rare and expensive.  The LED/LCD TV's have exactly the same screens, but with the LED lighting the case becomes very thin, the lights last longer run cooler and use less energy.

[angryuser]

Let me know if you can't see this thread without logging in. Lot's o good advice therein.
http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=33659&highlight=hdtv+learn

Summary:

Plasma - Better colors and motion. Can be victim of burn in if you watch anything without movement for an extended period of time. Like the ESPN logo on the bottom right. (not as bad with the newest ones)

LCD - Better longevity. Typically cheaper. Uses less energy.

LED - better colors than LCD but not as good as plasma. only an inch thick. IMHO not worth the money yet.

Pretty much all TVs in stores have at least three HDMI inputs. I recommend not worrying about the number of HDMI inputs and just get a 5.1 Audio receiver (the intro Denon is $350 bucks and is nice, just got one) with an HDMI internal switch.

Get as high of a hertz as you can in your price range, especially with LCD and some with LED as it really helps motion.

I have a plasma and an lcd. I much more the plasma as the colors are just richer. Blacks are darker. The glare's an issue if you have a lot of windows in the room though. I personally don't give a shit about 3-D or led tvs at the moment. I'd figure out the most you want to spend, then get the largest, nicest (best reviewed) plasma or lcd you can get.

more links:
http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-tvs-plasma-tvs/
http://lcdtvbuyingguide.com/hdtv/led-vs-lcd.html

So Plasma is no longer the belle of the ball in terms of "hot" technology but still the performance leader barring issues like glare and whatnot?

Yeah, looks like the gap between them and the lcd herd is closing. But you can get really really good lcds. I did, actually. Only have a plasma because I won it in a raffle at BrandSmart. But comparing them back to back it's an obvious difference. And my lcd tv is a good one with 120Hz, 1080P, etc. I've seen other better lcds and they still don't have the richness a plasma does. Though, if you're not looking side by side, it's not something you'll ever worry about.

[Ripken]

After you do your research and know a few TVs you would consider, check http://dealnews.com/ twice a day and get a 4 star or 5 star deal and you will be very happy.

[Cap'n Ken]

After you do your research and know a few TVs you would consider, check http://dealnews.com/ twice a day and get a 4 star or 5 star deal and you will be very happy.

Oh, I've got Dealnews in my RSS. Love it. It's their constant flow of TV deals that has me wondering exactly what you look for.

[awh]

What matters? I don't think I have any interest in 3D, I don't think I have interest in some proprietary Internet TV inclusion. I think I can figure out what inputs/outputs matter to me.

I always thought built in apps for TV were kind of stupid.  But the TV I bought had them and I find I really like them. It is really nice not to have to turn on an extra devices to watch Netflix or hulu or to stream internet radio. Its also nice to only need one remote and not have to use a keyboard.  And I found the quality of the streaming was better than I was getting from my computer, although I admit that probably has more to do with my graphics card than anything else. 

I wouldn't choose a TV because of the apps.  But if you are comparing two you like and one has them and one doesn't, I might let it weigh in the decision.

[insan0]

What matters? I don't think I have any interest in 3D, I don't think I have interest in some proprietary Internet TV inclusion. I think I can figure out what inputs/outputs matter to me.

I always thought built in apps for TV were kind of stupid.  But the TV I bought had them and I find I really like them. It is really nice not to have to turn on an extra devices to watch Netflix or hulu or to stream internet radio. Its also nice to only need one remote and not have to use a keyboard.  And I found the quality of the streaming was better than I was getting from my computer, although I admit that probably has more to do with my graphics card than anything else. 

I wouldn't choose a TV because of the apps.  But if you are comparing two you like and one has them and one doesn't, I might let it weigh in the decision.

Heard a writer from CNet the other day say not to pay more than $100 for the built in apps, because for $100 you can buy a roku, apple tv or google tv to do all the same stuff.  Nice to have, but don't pay a lot for it.  Also most blu-ray players have all these apps too.