I gots me some questions about TVs and stuff...

[PaladinZero]

Howdy YABsers!

OK, so here is my situation. I am moving into some nice new apartments soon with my longtime freind and now GF, April. She and I are both getting some 401K checks that we will be using to fill out the new abode with the necessary living thigs, like a TV, washer & dryer, furniture, etc. Anyway, I figure if I'm gonna get a TV, I should get something snazzy. I'm looking into getting a flat panel TV with a good surround system, but for the life of me all the research I've done trying to decide between Plasma or LCD has been far from conclusive. And once I figure that out, which brands/models are the best. I think I've got a good handle on resolutions, refresh rates, contrast ratios and the like, but I just can't decide on what to buy. The plan is to use the TV for both regular TV (digital signal) and movie viewing, with video games as a side. I'll be hooking up a Wii to it and maybe in a year or two a PS3, if there's a reason for me to get one by then. I'm also not gonna shell out the dough for a next-gen DVD player just yet, but settle for an upconverter DVD player, of which I've not done that much research as to which one of those to buy. Plus, if it has a PC input, that's a bonus for me, as playing CoH on it at times would be pretty cool, methinks. And as for sound, I was going to go for an all-in-one unit, but I'm thinking of getting a receiver and hooking everything to it.

So...if any of you read all this and can shoot some suggestions my way or have any experiences you'd like to share, I'd love to hear them!

[thespianphryne]

If you're planing to use it a lot for gaming I would imagine that plasma will do better by you.

I know you've already done the research and all, but here are two more links that might be helpful. Because isnformation is power, baby!

http://www.hometheatermag.com/lcds/805lg/
http://www.flattvpeople.com/tutorials/lcd-vs-plasma.asp

[suedenim]

I went with LCD rear-projection myself, specifically a Sony KDF-42WE655 HDTV, about 2 years ago. Part of my thinking in not going with plasma was that I was worried (over-worried?) about burn-in from watching stuff that's letterboxed or standard-def TV with black bars on the side. Also, I think plasmas were more expensive than comparable LCDs.

I think you'll most likely want to route everything through a receiver, but I've actually never tried doing otherwise. If you're plugging in a lot of stuff, you might not be able to connect everything directly to the TV. One thing to think about is the number of Component Video and HDMI inputs and outputs you have. My TV has fewer than I'd like of both, though I believe newer models will tend to have more.

My LCD looks great for gaming, though I haven't tried PC input yet. I've been playing the heck out of Marvel Ultimate Alliance on my XBox 360 lately, and it's awesome, no graphical problems that my eyes can detect, anyway.

My Sony "upscaling" DVD player works great, and cost like 120 bucks or something, not too excessive. I agree about holding off on a next-gen DVD player. I'm not going to mess with them until the format war plays out.

Whether plasma or LCD, I'd recommend getting an extended warranty on the HDTV set itself, something I'd never do for pretty much any other device. This is all still relatively young technology, and there's a lot we don't know about how well they hold up over time.

Personally, I like Sony products, and all my components are from Sony. I'm not sure this is necessarily wise, and the company has both detractors and fans, but I generally like the way they do things, and some of their proprietary features seem pretty snazzy to me. For instance, there's a "Wide Zoom" aspect ratio setting on my TV, which "fills the entire screen" when watching standard-def TV by extending the sides. Remarkably, it doesn't look at all unnatural - somehow it stretches the sides out without compromising the central portion of the screen (i.e., all the people don't look short and squat.)

[sk716]

I'd have to recommend an LCD over a Plasma at this point. Mostly because the Plasma tech is still pretty new as far as mass market goes and I like to give new tech a year or two to get all the bugs worked out.

As for brands, I'm partial to Panasonic for higher end electronics. After several years of dealing with electronics I see less Panasonic product come back than any other brand name.

My loathing of Sony isn't based soley on my hatred of Playstations, it's also based on years of overpriced Sony crap. Over the last six or seven years Sony has taken to making all of their electronics as well as they make Playstations. Meaning very hit and miss.

[Sharpandpointies]

Sony has decided to back LCD. If that makes any difference.

I bought a Sony LCD (partly for gaming), and am VERY far from being disappointed. :)

[matterconsumer]

I'd go with a model that can do 1080.

If possible go to a store and let your eyes help you to decide.

[Cam63]

...and you need a beer frige', a pool table, a beer frige', a jukebox, a beer frige' and some beer.

[DungeonmasterJim]

Just as a word of caution before you go crazy buying stuff from those 401k checks - Social Security is not going to be in my future and mostly likely your future in the same shape it is now. I have always heard that in general, you should not spend your 401k money except on retirement. 401k success is built on compound interest so in theory, my small amount in my 401k now should make more money over the long haul (30 or 40 years) than someone that dumps a lot of money in but has only a decade or so before retirement.

Also, you get double whacked by taxes when you use that 401k money now instead of rolling it over. I believe you get taxed on taking it early and then get taxed on it again because it becomes part of your yearly income in whatever year you take it.

To partially quote an old store director of mine, "please plan accordingly."

Sorry for the sermon.


DM Jim

[PaladinZero]

I understand what you're saying DM, and I really thought about just putting it into an IRA or something, but I'm just recently out of a really bad marriage and have next to nothing to my name. So with moving into a new place and all, I decided to take the bit i have available to me to purchase some household appliances/enertainment. And as for the Tax hits, I've already taken most of those and we've already budgeted and set back for the hit we'll proably take at tax time.

[DungeonmasterJim]

Sounds like you have a plan then. Buying new things is always fun and the prospect of a new start can be quite rejuvinating. I hope it goes well.

DM Jim - who wants a big screen (30+ inches) with high def for himself. :)