HDTV question

[gh4chiefs]

I'm in the market for a second TV, a smaller, probably 40 or 42 inch TV for my upstairs. I've been looking around a few places and my head is starting to spin with all the choices. So I've got a general question and a more specific question.

First, I recall reading that if your screen size is a certain size or smaller, then 720p is good enough and you really can't tell the difference if you jump up to 1080p. Does anyone know what size screen that is?

Secondly, and this is the specific question, has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with the Wal-Mart brand of HDTV, Vizio? (Yes I know, it's Wal-Mart, but I'm trying to be objective and not have a knee-jerk reaction.)

Thanks in advance.

 

[ladyheather69]

Well, we have both a 32" and a 52" hdtv. I don't ususally set tv to anything other than 1080p so I couldn't tell you about that. However, sometimes the 52" after a power outage(which isn't the tv but the hd receiver)goes back to the lower spectrum at 480 or whatever...and I can tell the difference.

I have no experience with Wal-Mart tvs.

We did have a serious issue with our 52". it is a Sony Bravia, same as the smaller one. we ended up having a lcd panel problem. It took Sony 7 weeks to get the problem figured out and get us a new tv. It was a total hassel. And it really left a bad taste in my mouth for Sony. Usually they are top notch with repairs and customer service....not this time

Buyers beware

Good luck

 

[Sheep]

First, I recall reading that if your screen size is a certain size or smaller, then 720p is good enough and you really can't tell the difference if you jump up to 1080p. Does anyone know what size screen that is?

37" is the number I've read in most places, though some people also say 42" as the threshold where 1080p doesn't matter.

Secondly, and this is the specific question, has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with the Wal-Mart brand of HDTV, Vizio? (Yes I know, it's Wal-Mart, but I'm trying to be objective and not have a knee-jerk reaction.)

I've read that Vizios tend to not last as long as the competition--apparently the sets have significant issues that don't appear until later on including dying prematurely. From what I gather, it seems to be a matter of "you get what you pay for".

 

[gh4chiefs]

We did have a serious issue with our 52". it is a Sony Bravia, same as the smaller one. we ended up having a lcd panel problem. It took Sony 7 weeks to get the problem figured out and get us a new tv. It was a total hassel. And it really left a bad taste in my mouth for Sony. Usually they are top notch with repairs and customer service....not this time

Buyers beware

Good luck

Wow, that kind of surprises me. I know there are some Sony haters around, but I've always thought they had pretty good electronics. I guess any company can have a lemon once in a while though.

First, I recall reading that if your screen size is a certain size or smaller, then 720p is good enough and you really can't tell the difference if you jump up to 1080p. Does anyone know what size screen that is?

37" is the number I've read in most places, though some people also say 42" as the threshold where 1080p doesn't matter.

The reason I asked is because I was set on a 1080p model but then I saw this 42 inch 720p plasma model that looked very good.

Secondly, and this is the specific question, has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with the Wal-Mart brand of HDTV, Vizio? (Yes I know, it's Wal-Mart, but I'm trying to be objective and not have a knee-jerk reaction.)

I've read that Vizios tend to not last as long as the competition--apparently the sets have significant issues that don't appear until later on including dying prematurely. From what I gather, it seems to be a matter of "you get what you pay for".

Yeah after I posted this thread, I suddenly remembered cnet.com and went there. People didn't speak to highly of the Vizio, so I agree, if it's cheap to buy, it's probably cheaply made although sometimes you pay for the brand name and it turns out to be the same thing.

I'm leaning toward this TV now. http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/site...24 months on all TVs $999 & up-_-Panasonic 42

 

[clint g]

I actually have a Vizio tv and it works really well. its about a year old now (a 20 or 22 incher) That said, I wouldn't be shocked at all if it were to die earlier since it was a cheaper TV. As of now though, no issues

 

[Trekker4747]

I've a... 38(?) Inch widescreen LCD TV that is only 720p. Looks damn good enough for me.

 

[Arrqh]

First, I recall reading that if your screen size is a certain size or smaller, then 720p is good enough and you really can't tell the difference if you jump up to 1080p. Does anyone know what size screen that is?

37" is the number I've read in most places, though some people also say 42" as the threshold where 1080p doesn't matter.

The thing is that it's A) totally subjective and B) dependent on view distance. A small set will have a noticeable difference in resolution between 720 and 1080 if you sit close enough. Of course, if you're mostly watching actual TV and not Blu-Ray, nothing is in 1080p anyway.

 

[Starbreaker]

Vizio is not manufacted by Wal-Mart.

 

[BigFoot]

Here's my personal take on 720p vs 1080p. It all depends on what you'll be watching and the viewing distance. Unless you plan to watch a lot of HD material, there's no point in getting a 1080p TV. Also, at 40" to 42" size, your viewing distance should not be greater then about 7' if you want to be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p. It does depend on your eyesight a bit.

 

[gh4chiefs]

Vizio is not manufacted by Wal-Mart.

Well duh, nothing is manufactured by Wal-Mart, it's their featured (i.e. cheap) brand of HDTVs. As a general rule, I'm very reluctant to buy expensive consumer electronics at Wal-Mart. I don't have a bias against Wal-Mart, but I've heard enough to know that maybe quality control isn't the best in Wal-Mart sold products.

Here's my personal take on 720p vs 1080p. It all depends on what you'll be watching and the viewing distance. Unless you plan to watch a lot of HD material, there's no point in getting a 1080p TV. Also, at 40" to 42" size, your viewing distance should not be greater then about 7' if you want to be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p. It does depend on your eyesight a bit.

7 feet will be about my viewing distance for this TV if I get it. And I plan to get a blu-ray player to hook up to it at some point (probably another PS3) to take advantage of the 1080p if I get it.

Thanks to everyone for your responses!

 

[BigFoot]

^ In that case I would definitely recommend you get a 1080p. The other advantage to getting a Full HD TV (when watching Blu-rays that is) is that you get full pixel mapping where 1 pixel on the Blu-ray is displayed on exactly one pixel on the TV, so no scaling what-so-ever needs to be done.

EDIT: btw, I've got a 46" Full HD LCD that I watch from 8' and there's quite a bit of a difference betwen 720p and 1080p, though 720 still looks great (much better then regular DVDs).

 

[gh4chiefs]

Thanks, I'm leaning towards that 42" Panasonice Plasma TV from Circuit City. It's got pretty good reviews from the users and CNET seemed like they liked it pretty well.

 

[Bloodwhiner]

Must See Video about HDTV. It really blows away a couple myths and helps make the selections understandable.

 

[gh4chiefs]

Well I've kind of switched gears since my last post, and now I've kind of gone back to looking at LCD tvs. I tell you what, all the choices you're confronted with are enough to make your head spin.

 

[Bloodwhiner]

Keep an eye on the Dealnews website too. I've seen some real good prices listed on good brands.

 

[gh4chiefs]

One of things I'm running into is that I research a model, pick one out, and then none of my local BB's or Circuit City's have the model in stock and I don't really want to have it shipped.

For example, Best Buy released their Sunday circular this morning and I saw a Samsung that was highly rated and seemed like a good deal with 3 year free financing. So I'm like ok, I'll get it. But when I checked availablity on line, none were available at ANY of the BB's in the area, not even KC and St Louis. How retarded is that? Advertise a special and then don't have it?

Of course I just need to drive over to BB. Sometimes their website isn't always accurate.

 

[Bloodwhiner]

Call them to check stock or go there and get it rainchecked. I'm betting they'll get one in by midweek if you request it.

 

[Sheep]

I got my Aquos LCD from Onecall.com a few years back. Including shipping, the total price was still cheaper than any brick and mortar store by several hundred dollars.

I don't think there's any reason not to go online as long as you stick with a reputable online retailer.

 

[gh4chiefs]

Well as it turns out they did have one in stock and I got it. This is what I ended up with, a Samsung 46 inch LCD 1080p. I got it home and got it setup, I think I went a little overboard.


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...+HDTV&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1202649424693

 

[BigFoot]

^ Good stuff.