Best HDTV ($600-$800) to buy for X360? (continued)

Sorry for originally posting this in the Xbox 360 section.

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=27056757&page=0

Anyway:

Basically I've narrowed it down to these four. Specifically, I'll be using this just for gaming with an Xbox 360.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05771009000P?mv=rr

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05775039000P?keyword=PN42B450&sLevel=0

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05771849000P?mv=rr

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05775809000P?keyword=42PQ30&sLevel=0

Currently, I own an LG 22" and have never had a problem with it, but at that size the picture was never breathtaking or anything. It did its job and gave me a nice HD picture but now I'm looking for something a little bigger and a little more serious.

After having recently doing some homework on televisions, I kinda noticed that all four of those t.v.s are filled with a bunch of "eye grabbing" buzzwords. Stuff like 600Hz (where the human eye can't tell past 240Hz), "blazing fast response times of 6 ms" (fast, but I've seen them much lower), "dynamic" contrast ratios of certain high numbers (where it's the static or native that matter most). I'm sure they are nice t.v.s, but there are probably a few better ones if you don't mind spending another $100 or so. I've seen some really nice ones right at the $800 mark, but after tax, it'd go up a bit. Of the ones listed above however, I'm kinda leaning towards one of the plasmas. I'd look around a bit more if I were you and stay away from those t.v.s with a lot of "buzzwords" if at all possible.

After having recently doing some homework on televisions, I kinda noticed that all four of those t.v.s are filled with a bunch of "eye grabbing" buzzwords. Stuff like 600Hz (where the human eye can't tell past 240Hz), "blazing fast response times of 6 ms" (fast, but I've seen them much lower), "dynamic" contrast ratios of certain high numbers (where it's the static or native that matter most). I'm sure they are nice t.v.s, but there are probably a few better ones if you don't mind spending another $100 or so. I've seen some really nice ones right at the $800 mark, but after tax, it'd go up a bit. Of the ones listed above however, I'm kinda leaning towards one of the plasmas. I'd look around a bit more if I were you and stay away from those t.v.s with a lot of "buzzwords" if at all possible.

joseph_mach

No, I totally agree with your point regarding "buzz words" but that's definitely not what spurred my interest in the above televisions. I just like the size of those televisions and their prices. But I'm really having trouble deciding between plasma and LCD.

I definitely have played on my parents' plasma and the picture was amazing and vivid. Actually, playing on that plasma was probably the best picture of any television I've ever played on. However, the interface of Hitman left a ghosting or a burn-in in the television, which totally freaked me out (and them; the plasma was like $10,000 or something ridiculous). I don't know I've always had it engrained in my mind that plasmas aren't ideal for gaming. The way they should be "broken in" for the first 100 hours, always have that tendency for burn-in, will only last so many years because of the gas inside gradually fading, and most being only 720 is definitely a turn off.

I'd go with the 40" samsung lcd, like you said, plasmas burn in and fade over time. An lcd would probably be much better for an xbox only tv, plus the 1080p is more future proof if you ever plan on watching any blu rays. samsung is almost constantly rated above lg in consumer reports for quality and picture, but it still might be a good idea to try the couple out in person. Just do what i did and bring your xbox to the store, if you are serious about buying a tv they will have no problem letting you do it to compare quality.

I'd bet the plasma has the best picture of the 4 (Look at the 50" Samsung and Plasma also as I've seen them for $800 in stores). The burn-in problem has been greatly reduced in modern plasmas so you shouldn't experience what you experienced with your parents. The fade is another plasma myth as new plasmas wouldn't have noticeable fade for a very long time (Panasonic's rate their's at 60,000 hour half-life). Also, 1080p/720p is entirely dependent on the distance you sit from the set. For a 40" set, you would not be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p at 5 feet (You will not even see full 720p at over 8 feet). See the chart: http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html One of the features that most is overlooked when comparing TV's is off-axis viewing. LCD's have a major issue with off-axis viewing aside for their motion lag. rastan

Hmm that link's pretty interesting. Thanks. But, alas, I am still torn between plasma and LCD.

you should save 200 more and get this beast. 47` 1080p 120Hz philips. much better brand then LG

http://www.walmart.com/Philips-47-LCD-HDTV-1080P/ip/10965944

you should save 200 more and get this beast. 47` 1080p 120Hz philips. much better brand then LG

http://www.walmart.com/Philips-47-LCD-HDTV-1080P/ip/10965944

monson21502

[QUOTE="monson21502"]

you should save 200 more and get this beast. 47` 1080p 120Hz philips. much better brand then LG

http://www.walmart.com/Philips-47-LCD-HDTV-1080P/ip/10965944

larry45

I was never under the impression that Samsung is superior to LG. I thought they were on the same page.

I was never under the impression that Samsung is superior to LG. I thought they were on the same page.

larry45

according to CNET, LG makes an absolutely amazing LED LCD.

[QUOTE="larry45"]

I was never under the impression that Samsung is superior to LG. I thought they were on the same page.

Scoob64

according to CNET, LG makes an absolutely amazing LED LCD.

TC (larry),

Maybe you should buy online instead of from Sears?

Heres a Panny plasma 42" 720p

and here is an LG plasma 42" 720p - both new, under $650 - tax free, free shipping, and the website is CNET verified.

oh, and dear Lord, do NOT buy from Wal-Mart unless you want older models at new model prices... and Philips' TVs are a complete joke compared to LG...

TC (larry),

Maybe you should buy online instead of from Sears?

Heres a Panny plasma 42" 720p

and here is an LG plasma 42" 720p - both new, under $650 - tax free, free shipping, and the website is CNET verified.

Scoob64

[QUOTE="Scoob64"]

TC (larry),

Maybe you should buy online instead of from Sears?

Heres a Panny plasma 42" 720p

and here is an LG plasma 42" 720p - both new, under $650 - tax free, free shipping, and the website is CNET verified.

larry45

Yeah, I'd definitely go with plasma if it were me for that budget... the only way I'd go LCD is if I could get an LED LCD and thats out of your price range. On the whole (especially the ones I sent you), Plasmas will have better contrast ratios that non-LED LCD televisions... and even the best plasmas still exceed LED LCDs in contrast ratios... in case you are not familiar with contrast ratio, that and color accuracy are the main things you want to look at in terms of picture quality in flat panel televisions high-def TVs... the closest you can get to achieving CRT level contrast ratios while still gettin that beautiful high-def flat panel resolution/sharpness the better :)

If you can extend your budget by $30, I'd get this

$829, tax free and free shipping.

This'd be awesome -high-def plasma with excellent contrast and 600Hz to control motion blur (which is good for gaming)... I have a 42" currently, but really wish I had gone for the 50 in retrospect- and plan on upgrading to a 50 soon... this one is a really good deal considering the size and technology.

If you can extend your budget by $30, I'd get this

$829, tax free and free shipping.

This'd be awesome -high-def plasma with excellent contrast and 600Hz to control motion blur (which is good for gaming)... I have a 42" currently, but really wish I had gone for the 50 in retrospect- and plan on upgrading to a 50 soon... this one is a really good deal considering the size and technology.

Scoob64

crazywayne287, wherever you are, i'm going plasma.

crazywayne287, wherever you are, i'm going plasma.

larry45

720p Panny for $600! It's actually what I'm using exactly right now for 360+TV, and I'm liking it quite a bit. There's a ton of information on it at AVSforum.

crazywayne287, wherever you are, i'm going plasma.

larry45

oh, and dear Lord, do NOT buy from Wal-Mart unless you want older models at new model prices... and Philips' TVs are a complete joke compared to LG...

Scoob64

[QUOTE="larry45"]

crazywayne287, wherever you are, i'm going plasma.

monson21502

alot of people still use plasma TVs for gaming, mainly because when LCDs first game out ghosting was a huge problem. Now LCDs are as good as plasma, I own a Vizio 42in plasma and here soon ill be upgrading to LCD. A few key things to look for in a TV is contrast ratio, the higher the number, the better. Next is you want at least 120mhz, which most TVs now have. Next make sure you have a decent 6-8 ms response time. Another thing is I would go with 1080p. Even though most games are only 720p here soon, xbox games will start going even higher in resolution. And one last key thing is size and distance, measure the distance you will be sitting from the TV and multiply it by 4in. example, if you are sitting 8 feet away, do not get a tv bigger then 32" this is so you don't see the pixels as bad and you dont hurt your eyes