Need flat screen tv (and dvd?) advice

[AmyAnne]

As a reward for sticking with my exercise program, I am buying myself a flat-screen tv to watch while I am on the treadmill. (And if I stick with another month I am going buy the Downton Abbey season three dvd set!)

I am sure that we are one of the outliers in America who do not own a flat screen tv. So I am wondering about the size I should get. I don't want super-huge -- it has to fit on a 24-inch wide shelf that I am moving in front of the treadmill. Is 24 inches a good size for the money? Or is 19 inches really just as good?

Also, I do want to be able to watch dvds on the tv -- should I look for a tv/dvd player combo, or buy the dvd player separately?

 

[seashoreCM]

I would get a separate DVD player and TV. That way, if one part breaks you don't have to throw out the whole thing.

I would look for a "1080p resolution" model, although these are hard to come by in the smaller sizes. The next step down, resolution wise, is 720p (or 768p which is for all intents and purposes the same).

 

[Fyrefly]

You ought to decide size by how far away you're going to be. I know people that use 19" screens for work - that's a large computer monitor!

I know you have a shelf you're moving but flat screen TVs are much, much lighter than the tubes you're used to, so you can probably go out a bit on either side or even easier, mount it to the wall.

Amazon.com recommends the minimum TV size should be your viewing distance/3 and the maximum should be viewing distance/1.5

So if you're 5 feet away from the screen, that's 60 inches/3 = 20 inches. But you could go as large as 40. You might want to grab some newspaper and cut out screen sizes and see which one looks comfortable to you. Having an HD TV is pointless if you have to squint to see it!

And as PP suggested, buy a separate DVD player. You can get a DVD player + nice TV cheaper than a crappy TV/DVD combo and if the DVD player breaks you don't have to replace the entire thing.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

As a reward for sticking with my exercise program, I am buying myself a flat-screen tv to watch while I am on the treadmill. (And if I stick with another month I am going buy the Downton Abbey season three dvd set!)

I am sure that we are one of the outliers in America who do not own a flat screen tv. So I am wondering about the size I should get. I don't want super-huge -- it has to fit on a 24-inch wide shelf that I am moving in front of the treadmill. Is 24 inches a good size for the money? Or is 19 inches really just as good?

Also, I do want to be able to watch dvds on the tv -- should I look for a tv/dvd player combo, or buy the dvd player separately?

Just wanted to mention that flat screens are not measured on the diagonal like older tvs. We have a specific opening in our entertainment center we were trying to fit but we measured diagonally and then got the TV home and found out it was 1/2 a inch too wide. Maybe everybody else knew that but we were bummed to have the extra hassle of exchanging the TV.

19 inches is pretty small.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[wiigirl]

I would reccomend getting a 32" or better and a blu-ray player that is internet enabled.

32" Sceptre is around $200, a sony blu-ray player with hulu/netfix is around $40, and a mounting bracket is $30. (Amazon.com prices)


...or tech.woot.com has a 47" 3d tv for $480.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

Just wanted to mention that flat screens are not measured on the diagonal like older tvs. We have a specific opening in our entertainment center we were trying to fit but we measured diagonally and then got the TV home and found out it was 1/2 a inch too wide. Maybe everybody else knew that but we were bummed to have the extra hassle of exchanging the TV.

19 inches is pretty small.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

They are measured diagonally just like the old ones were.


Originally Posted by AmyAnne
As a reward for sticking with my exercise program, I am buying myself a flat-screen tv to watch while I am on the treadmill. (And if I stick with another month I am going buy the Downton Abbey season three dvd set!)

I am sure that we are one of the outliers in America who do not own a flat screen tv. So I am wondering about the size I should get. I don't want super-huge -- it has to fit on a 24-inch wide shelf that I am moving in front of the treadmill. Is 24 inches a good size for the money? Or is 19 inches really just as good?

Also, I do want to be able to watch dvds on the tv -- should I look for a tv/dvd player combo, or buy the dvd player separately?



If it is going to be right in front of the treadmill you do not need or want a very big screen.
This is a recommendation for size vs viewing distance that a number of places suggest.
Minimum TV dimensions = Viewing distance / 3
Maximum TV dimensions = Viewing distance / 1.5

 

[hops&dreams]

As someone who just bought our 2nd flat panel, I wanted to recommend checking out Sams Club's prices. We were floored by how much less they were for the name brand TV's, even over Target or Meijer's Christmas prices. For our first one, we went with a brand we weren't familiar with, but got good reviews. We've had that one for 2 years and love it. The one we just got last month is the same brand (Vizio, maybe it's spelled Visio?)

Also you can get a separate DVD player for almost nothing now. I got a Sony one at Target for work for $40? if that.

One last thing - think about wall mounting the TV. Especially with a treadmill nearby, the TV might bounce or jiggle a bit, especially if you're not on the ground floor with a slab or solid ground/dirt beneath you. Just a thought...

 

[AmyAnne]

Thanks for all of the input. The formula for figuring out scrren size based on distance is especially helpful - I had no idea.

I did move the shelves in front of the treadmill and am about to go do my 3 miles. I see if anything seems to shake from being so close to the treadmill.

My plan (as is usual with electronics) is to pick out something at Costco. I have found that they generally do a good job of offering pretty good quality at a pretty good price. Maybe not the absolute best deal I could find, but close enough.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Thanks for all of the input. The formula for figuring out scrren size based on distance is especially helpful - I had no idea.

I did move the shelves in front of the treadmill and am about to go do my 3 miles. I see if anything seems to shake from being so close to the treadmill.

My plan (as is usual with electronics) is to pick out something at Costco. I have found that they generally do a good job of offering pretty good quality at a pretty good price. Maybe not the absolute best deal I could find, but close enough.

Costco has extra warranty too

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[eandt]

Have 2 Vizio's........love them both. Great price, great quality....