buying new HDTV and need advice

Hi Everyone,

I am looking at this beautiful 32" LCD and i need some good advice.

Sony Bravia KDL-32M4000/R

^^ is the TV im looking at.
It is a very new TV from sony they just came out with it in June.

I Love! the color at the bottom. and although it looks amazing the Screen portion is what is really important, and With a pricetag of $899 plus service plans, im not so sure its really worth it.
Im not very savy with the specs of these new HDTVS(which is why im asking for help) but the contrast ratio is only 9000:1.

So i need some help.
Is there other options out there?
Is this TV really worth it.Would a samsung be better?

And what specs should i look at so i can be a "smart" consumer?

Thanks all

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I would say Contrast ratio is one of the most important things to consider. More so than the resolution information. I am about to buy a Samsung with 30,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio....I"m upgrading from a Samsung that had 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio....really make sure its a good Contrast. The blacks make the blacks darker and the whites appear whiter.

ALso make sure it does 1:1 Pixel Mapping if it is for gaming at all.

I would say Contrast ratio is one of the most important things to consider. More so than the resolution information. I am about to buy a Samsung with 30,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio....I"m upgrading from a Samsung that had 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio....really make sure its a good Contrast. The blacks make the blacks darker and the whites appear whiter.

ALso make sure it does 1:1 Pixel Mapping if it is for gaming at all.

JohnD212

Wait, 1:1 pixal mapping, what is that and should it be listed in the specs sheet?????

Bump,

you know what honestly im thinking twice about going with the sony and instead get a 1080p 32 samsung, here is the link

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=SAMLN32A550

tell me what you guys think compared to the sony( KDL-32M4000/R)

and anyother advice would be awesome

1:1 pixal mapping the guy was talking about above, i still have no idea what that is

Bump,

you know what honestly im thinking twice about going with the sony and instead get a 1080p 32 samsung, here is the link

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=SAMLN32A550

tell me what you guys think compared to the sony( KDL-32M4000/R)

and anyother advice would be awesome

1:1 pixal mapping the guy was talking about above, i still have no idea what that is

kramer0024

Basically, whenever you have to watch something in, let's say, 1680x1050 (Lower resolution than your TV's native resolution) on your Full HD screen (1920x1080 which is 1080p), the image will be:-

1. Stretched or somehow slightly distorted ("distorted" is not kind of the right word here but you get the idea) because 1680x1050 is 16:10 aspect ratio whereas 1080p is 16:9
2. Blurry because the pixels will have to be bigger so as to fit your screen

Anyway, with 1:1 pixel mapping, you will not get the aforementioned issues but you will, however, notice black bars around the image and depending on the actual resolution being played, the image will be shrinked down.

and regarding the entire 1080p vs. 720p thing...remember that most tvs that are the 1080p models are considered their step up model...if you get the 720p model its usually considered more their budget line...thus it usually has lower contrast ratio's plus it might also have other limitations. I've learned all this over the last few weeks. 1080p isn't going anywhere and if you've been to a Best Buy lately...you'd find that almost ALL the tv's are going to 1080p...rather you can see it or not...its going to be the future...if you want to keep your tv long term...and not have buyers remorse...I say go 1080p....no one ever says...wow I wish I hadn't bought a tv too good...but very often people say ...wow...I wish I'd bought a better tv when I could.

Just my opinion....

to me Samsungs are just as good(or close enough) as Sony's and they are less money. although the Bravia's are awesome I think they are over priced.

I like Panasonics or Samsungs just my 2cents