Suggestions For New Television

[ORD_Buckeye]

So, my seven year old HP (rebranded Panasonic) TV just decided to not turn on this morning. I'm pissed as hell because it's worked beautifully the entire time I've had it, great picture etc. The power button still shows red, so power is going to the unit, it's just that nothing happens when I push it or the remote power button.

Any suggestions based on the below parameters would be greatly appreciated.

• No fucks are given about 3D
• Is plasma still the best picture relative to LCD and LED?
• I know that, unfortunately, it's going to be made in China, but I won't buy from an actual Chinese brand/company.
• A computer monitor input would be nice because my current laptop doesn't have an HDMI output, and I watch a lot of tv streamed from my computer.
• Does a Wifi enabled television allow me to stream Hulu/Netflix etc. without first going through a computer?

 

[jwinslow]

A computer monitor input would be nice because my current laptop doesn't have an HDMI output, and I watch a lot of tv streamed from my computer.

What kind of laptop do you have? You could always consider a different output plug/converter rather than making the TV adapt to your computer.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

For the price plasma still has the better overall picture, IMHO. I would buy a Panasonic, they are the plasma gold standard since Pioneer bailed, leaving all there plasma secrets with Panasonic. Earlier this year I got a Panasonic vt50 on sale, last years top of the line. Holy crap the picture is NICE.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

[*]Does a Wifi enabled television allow me to stream Hulu/Netflix etc. without first going through a computer?
[/LIST]

Yes if they have the app, most new WiFi TVs have the Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon app

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

What kind of laptop do you have? You could always consider a different output plug/converter rather than making the TV adapt to your computer.

It's a Toshiba with only a monitor output for video, which has worked great with my current television. I'll probably get a new computer later this year with HDMI output, but I'd prefer not to have to buy both a tv and laptop at the same time unexpectedly.

Currently, I have a 42" screen. It's a city living room, so I'm not looking to go gargantuan (so rarely get to use that in a sentence). I'll either keep the same size or go up to no more than a 50" screen. The weight of plasma is not a big deal either. I have cool old 1960s era console stereo that I use a television/home theatre stand, so I don't plan on wall mounting it. A lighter LCD/LED is great, but I don't want to sacrifice picture quality for weight.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

I'm assuming that there are video output VGA to HDMI converters that would allow me to use the current computer on a new tv without a monitor input port?

Also, I'm assuming that, like with everything else, the lifespan of a new tv is less than it was only a few years ago. I bought this tv for a thousand and had 6 1/2 years of perfect service out of it. So that amortizes out to around $150/year. I don't mind spending a thousand again, but not if the thing is going to burn out in two years. Do I have any chance of getting a television that will last 5 years? I'm thinking that an expected cost of not much more than $200 a year is reasonable.

 

[backabuck]

In May I picked up a Hitachi 46" LED 1080P 120Hz (3 HDMI) for the loft area and it is the best picture I have seen anywhere........ever! Got it at Sam's Club for 648.

Everyone said Samsung but I wasn't worried since I have a 57" Hitachi in another room that has been running great for 8 years. It's an LCD (no LED) and the difference in picture quality is incredible.

The strange thing is in the stores I couldn't tell much difference in the picture quality LCD vs LED/LCD, but in the home it's a BIG difference..........different power levels or cable hook-up or something. Oh yes, and the power consumption is less (LED).

 

[OHSportsFan]

I'm assuming that there are video output VGA to HDMI converters that would allow me to use the current computer on a new tv without a monitor input port?

Also, I'm assuming that, like with everything else, the lifespan of a new tv is less than it was only a few years ago. I bought this tv for a thousand and had 6 1/2 years of perfect service out of it. So that amortizes out to around $150/year. I don't mind spending a thousand again, but not if the thing is going to burn out in two years. Do I have any chance of getting a television that will last 5 years? I'm thinking that an expected cost of not much more than $200 a year is reasonable.

I've been out of the TV buying game for about 5 years now- completely satisfied with my 42" Samsung plasma- but I've been eyeing a second one casually the last couple months.

Good news for you, I don't think you'll need to come close to $1000 to get what you want. Just my non-expert opinion. Don't have much else in the way of specific recommendations.

 

[jwinslow]

I've been out of the TV buying game for about 5 years now- completely satisfied with my 42" Samsung plasma- but I've been eyeing a second one casually the last couple months.

Same here, except I'm holding off on the second screen (the 27" computer monitor / second screen helps there).

Good news for you, I don't think you'll need to come close to $1000 to get what you want. Just my non-expert opinion. Don't have much else in the way of specific recommendations.

There was a 4K television selling recently for about 1500-1700. Manufacturers keep stuffing in gimmicks to keep the prices inflated because quality HDTVs are dirt cheap these days.

 

[3074326]

I'm getting a Panasonic ST60 next week. Great pictures and features, including wifi, apps and 3D. Great reviews across the board, and it's only $1000.

 

[jwinslow]

I'm out of the game too. As with almost any product inquiry, I recommend searching slickdeals by title (specifically their forums). It is a great way to find sales and more importantly what the typical sale is for the product(s) you're looking for.

 

[Zippercat]

I've been looking at the 60 inch Panasonic plasma. If you watch a lot of sports, the higher refresh rate of the plasma blows away the LED/LCD sets in the under $1,000 range. For example, with a baseball broadcast you can see the seams on a pitch (I'm talking real time, not just slow motion replays) but with the standard LED/LCD sets the pitch is a bit blurry.

Of course, if you want to spend a great deal more, there are now some LEDs that have a refresh rate that exceeds the Panasonic plasma.

 

[BUCKYLE]

So which is the best out of LED, LCD, and Plasma...

1. Picture
2. Life

 

[jwinslow]

I've been looking at the 60 inch Panasonic plasma. If you watch a lot of sports, the higher refresh rate of the plasma blows away the LED/LCD sets in the under $1,000 range. For example, with a baseball broadcast you can see the seams on a pitch (I'm talking real time, not just slow motion replays) but with the standard LED/LCD sets the pitch is a bit blurry.

Of course, if you want to spend a great deal more, there are now some LEDs that have a refresh rate that exceeds the Panasonic plasma.

Exactly. You can get a phenomenal picture from a budget plasma which looks even better compared to the lousy budget LED/LCD picture quality. There are some high end LEDs which are terrific but for that price you could have 2+ HDTVs.

 

[Zippercat]

So which is the best out of LED, LCD, and Plasma...

1. Picture
2. Life[/QUOT

Picture: Your mileage may vary. Factors will include your input sources (the old Garbage In/Garbage Out applies here too), intended use (sports, indoors, outdoors, daytime/nighttime, movies, gaming and so on) and budget. Look at lots of them in various settings....trying to duplicate what you want/need....and find the best balance for you. There simply is NO BEST and one size/type does not fit all. I still love my older 42 inch Panasonic plasma but my 32 inch LED Visio in the kitchen is great for that location too.

Life: For most of us, the technology will change and you'll probably want to replace it before it's ready for the scrap heap. My brother claims you can extend that date by buying bigger. He says get the largest one you can fit/afford because "nobody ever says 'I wish I had gotten the smaller one.'"