May need new big-screen, probably already a thread for this, merge when found

[Trim]

I've got about 5 years on my 55-inch Sony rear-projection TV.  A week or so ago, message on the screen said the lamp would die soon, ordered one off amazon for $40 to have when it happened.  It happened.  Put the new one in, all good, but as of this morning the message is back saying that lamp would die soon.  I've got another one en route just in case.

Need recommendations for a new one if I find this lamp thing isn't going to work out.  Need 55-60 inch, would prefer Sony (I have their credit card), do not want 3D, don't think I care about smart tv/wifi as I've got PS3 and blu-ray with that stuff plugged in already.  Being thin or light isn't that important; I liked the rear-projection because my place and the stand I had was plenty big for it and I got more bang for the buck, but I guess those aren't made anymore.

Also, if I decide to give up on the current TV but it still works great so long as you keep feeding it lamps, it'll be great for a Wichitan's basement theater room or something.

[ChiComCat]

You can find ridiculous 70-80 inch projection tvs now for around 1k.  I've used tigerdirect.com before and like them fine.  Got a refurbished LCD tv about 7 years ago and its still going strong.

[Mikeyis4dcats]

Sony sucks.   Get a new credit card.

[steve dave]

I have this one. I know nothing about TVs but it looked good at the store and looks good in my living room.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+55%26%2334%3B+Class+-+LED+-+1080p+-+240Hz+-+Smart+-+3D+-+HDTV/4756881.p?id=1218522131355&skuId=4756881

EDIT: no, this one ^. it says 3d but I didn't even buy the glasses and all the good TVs are going to be "3d" now anyway so that really isn't a feature to avoid or anything.

[Pete]

I went to Costco, and bought the cheapest 50" LCD they had.  Works great.

[Trim]

I have this one. I know nothing about TVs but it looked good at the store and looks good in my living room.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+55%26%2334%3B+Class+-+LED+-+1080p+-+240Hz+-+Smart+-+3D+-+HDTV/4756881.p?id=1218522131355&skuId=4756881

EDIT: no, this one ^. it says 3d but I didn't even buy the glasses and all the good TVs are going to be "3d" now anyway so that really isn't a feature to avoid or anything.

I think the one you linked the first time was the same thing but without 3D and $400 cheaper.  That's what I'd been planning to get but am opening this up for discussion here at goEMAW.com.

The main problem is not having a place to put the old TV yet if I were to go buy a new one this afternoon.  I suppose I could put the new one off to the side and we'd have a hell of a setup for watching football on Saturday.

[ben ji]

Someone please explain to TV noob ben ji LCD vs LED vs Plasma.

Also 1080 vs 720.

I have heard that LCD and 1080 are the best but how much difference to they make?

I bought my last TV(37 inch flat, not sure on other specs) for $300 from my old Boss's son who needed money to buy beer and drugs...hmm, this story should go into other thread about when you realized you didnt fit in at work.

[puniraptor]

Someone please explain to TV noob ben ji LCD vs LED vs Plasma.

Also 1080 vs 720.

I have heard that LCD and 1080 are the best but how much difference to they make?

I bought my last TV(37 inch flat, not sure on other specs) for $300 from my old Boss's son who needed money to buy beer and drugs...hmm, this story should go into other thread about when you realized you didnt fit in at work.

its 2012. dont get 720. They probably dont even make 720s anymore. Just go to bestbuy or walmart or some crap, and pick out the one you like best, then find it online for cheaper.

[Saulbadguy]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+55%26%2334%3B+Class+-+LED+-+1080p+-+240Hz+-+Smart+-+3D+-+HDTV/4756881.p?id=1218522131355&skuId=4756881

[Daiji]

I'm quickly running out of bars in Wichita that I hang out in and watch the games. If the list gets any smaller it will be Old Chicago and my house. And then shortly after it will be only my place. I just want to get a jump on updating my TV now before that happens.

I fixed your post for clarity. You're welcome.

[ChiComCat]

LED is brighter than Plasma.  LCD used to be the alternative to plasma for fear of burn in, which really doesn't happen much anymore.

I would make sure you have actual refresh of at least 120 hz as most tvs say trumotion 120 hz which means 60 hz.  Other than that, 1080 and do what the punraper said.

[Mikeyis4dcats]

Someone please explain to TV noob ben ji LCD vs LED vs Plasma.

Also 1080 vs 720.

I have heard that LCD and 1080 are the best but how much difference to they make?

I bought my last TV(37 inch flat, not sure on other specs) for $300 from my old Boss's son who needed money to buy beer and drugs...hmm, this story should go into other thread about when you realized you didnt fit in at work.

1080p vs 720 - This is the pixel density.   1080p is true HD, 720 is lesser quality.    Depending on the size of the set, and how far you will sit from it watching, it may not matter.    For instance, for that 32" tv in the bedroom, 720 is fine.      If you put a 65" in the family room and watch from the couch 7 feet away, you will want 1080p.

LCD - type of screen.   Generally good for situations where there is a lot of lighting or glare, as they don't have as much of a problem with reflection.  Pixels illuminated by flourescents.
Plasma - different type of screen.   Generally better blacks in picture quality, bad for rooms with lots of backlighting because of glare.    Older sets used to be energy hogs, but they have gotten much better.  Do not have a backlit screen.   Image burn-in is largely a thing of the past unless you intentionally abuse a set.
LED - Generally speaking this is NOT LED tv.   This is LED LCD, which is different.    Here, LEDs around the edge of the screen illuminate the pixels, whereas a TRUE LED set has individual LEDs for the pixels.     LED LCD is ore expensive than LCD.

For image quality, LED LCD and Plasma are best.   Plasma offers the best colors and truest blacks (because of the lack of backlighting).

If you are wall mounting and care about the thickness of the set, then it's LED LCD>Plasma>LCD.


FWIW the best tv I've ever owned was a 42" Panny plasma....wish I'd never sold it.

Also, be wary of Trumotion.    I see some sets (like my parents) that have it, and the image becomes odd looking.    I've tried adjusting the set to no avail, as apparently their set Trumotion cannot be turned off.    DVDs look like home video, flat image depth, jerky movement.   It's very bothersome, at least to me.

[Trim]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+55%26%2334%3B+Class+-+LED+-+1080p+-+240Hz+-+Smart+-+3D+-+HDTV/4756881.p?id=1218522131355&skuId=4756881

So this one, right?  Same but no 3D?  Only other difference I see is 120hz vs. 240 hz refresh (do not know what that means). 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony---55%26%2334%3B-Class---LED---1080p---120Hz---Smart---HDTV/4756863.p?skuId=4756863&id=1218522130334

Just go to bestbuy or walmart or some crap, and pick out the one you like best, then find it online for cheaper.

Will I get that sony tv significantly cheaper online?  I get best buy points on top of the sony credit card points too.

[Trim]

I'm quickly running out of bars in Wichita that I hang out in and watch the games. If the list gets any smaller it will be Old Chicago and my house. And then shortly after it will be only my place. I just want to get a jump on updating my TV now before that happens.

I fixed your post for clarity. You're welcome.

My house is usually the preferred spot.  Funny reason we went to the bar Saturday that I'll tell you when we hoop next.

[puniraptor]

Will I get that sony tv significantly cheaper online?  I get best buy points on top of the sony credit card points too.

probably not a whole lot, except for taxes. worth the convenience to just buy at bestbuy. plus, POINTS!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soap_opera_effect#Soap_Opera_Effect

I would not go with higher refresh rate, its not really useful if you aren't doing 3d, and it just makes everything look Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!) and costs more.

[Mikeyis4dcats]

Will I get that sony tv significantly cheaper online?  I get best buy points on top of the sony credit card points too.

probably not a whole lot, except for taxes. worth the convenience to just buy at bestbuy. plus, POINTS!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soap_opera_effect#Soap_Opera_Effect

I would not go with higher refresh rate, its not really useful if you aren't doing 3d, and it just makes everything look Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!) and costs more.

That's EXACTLY what I was describing....did not know it had a name.

[Trim]

Alright, looks like we've solved part 1 of this situation.

JW, buy my old TV and let's throw it out by the pool. 

[pissclams]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+VIERA+/+55%26%2334%3B+Class+/+Plasma+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Smart+/+3D+/+HDTV/4841545.p?id=1218541222563&skuId=4841545

[Mikeyis4dcats]

BTW Trim, unless you really care about the BB points, that tv is on ebay BIN from Amazon for $1550 free shipping (no tax)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-KDL-55HX750-55-Full-3D-1080p-HD-LED-LCD-Internet-TV-/271059623838?pt=Televisions&hash=item3f1c699f9e

[Mikeyis4dcats]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+VIERA+/+55%26%2334%3B+Class+/+Plasma+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Smart+/+3D+/+HDTV/4841545.p?id=1218541222563&skuId=4841545

if he can control the lighting, this would definitely be my choice.

[Trim]

BTW Trim, unless you really care about the BB points, that tv is on ebay BIN from Amazon for $1550 free shipping (no tax)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-KDL-55HX750-55-Full-3D-1080p-HD-LED-LCD-Internet-TV-/271059623838?pt=Televisions&hash=item3f1c699f9e

I don't want 3D.  The virtually identical Sony TV sans 3D is at best buy for $1400.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+VIERA+/+55%26%2334%3B+Class+/+Plasma+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Smart+/+3D+/+HDTV/4841545.p?id=1218541222563&skuId=4841545

if he can control the lighting, this would definitely be my choice.

Hasn't almost everyone been in my house*?  It's pretty bright in there.

Remember that pig aggy who was wrongly flipping out about IPs being posted and it spiraling into accusations of others trespassing into our homes and posting from them? 

[steve dave]

It's got some other benefits other than the 3D

[slobber]

BTW Trim, unless you really care about the BB points, that tv is on ebay BIN from Amazon for $1550 free shipping (no tax)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-KDL-55HX750-55-Full-3D-1080p-HD-LED-LCD-Internet-TV-/271059623838?pt=Televisions&hash=item3f1c699f9e

I don't want 3D.  The virtually identical Sony TV sans 3D is at best buy for $1400.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+VIERA+/+55%26%2334%3B+Class+/+Plasma+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Smart+/+3D+/+HDTV/4841545.p?id=1218541222563&skuId=4841545

if he can control the lighting, this would definitely be my choice.

Hasn't almost everyone been in my house*?  It's pretty bright in there.

Remember that pig aggy who was wrongly flipping out about IPs being posted and it spiraling into accusations of others trespassing into our homes and posting from them? 

Marilyn, right?

[Saulbadguy]

Plasma sucks ass w/ a ton of natural light, don't do it

[steve dave]

ya, plasmas are for chumps.