Major Decision Time - LCD TV!

[What the Heck]

Ok, it's time to get a new TV I think, and my options are:

Vizio - 32"
Sharp, Sony, Samsung - 32"
Vizio - 37"

I watch tv shows and sports programming, my kids are out of the house, so no games played on it. Here is how I see it:

Vizio - 32"
Pros - price, seems to be an excellent tv
Cons - some negative reviews

Sharp, Sony, Samsung
Pros - solid names in TV's - even considering a Poloroid
Cons - price is higher

Vizio - 37"
Pro's - much larger tv
Cons- higher price

Any experts out there? (this is the DIS, there is always experts out there)

 

[DawnCt1]

Did you check here for opinions?

http://reviews.cnet.com/televisions/

 

[DawnCt1]

Here's the page.

http://reviews.cnet.com/tvs/?filter=500961_113205_500963_88670_&tag=mncol;srt&sort=edRating7+desc

 

[ntsammy5]

As already pointed out Cnet is a good source for reviews - my advice is to get the biggest screen size you can afford that doesn't over power the room -

 

[ImMarcik]

I have a Vizio and haven't had any problems with it.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

We have a Samsung 42 inch and we have had it about 2 years or so and we love it have not had any problems at all with it. Awesome picture quality.

 

[TLSnell1981]

We have two Sonys, a Samsung and an LG. We are very pleased with them all. IMO, it's worth a few extra dollars to get a good tellie....even if you have to go down a size.

 

[lucas]

We have a 40" Sony.

 

[bumbershoot]

We have a 32" Vizio and have enjoyed it very much. Be sure to get the HDMI cables, it makes a huge difference. Oh why can't I ever remember the name of the website where you can get them for waaaaaay cheaper than in the stores? Before buying them at huge cost at a store, look around online for a store that sells cables at much much lower cost.

Do get as big as you can without really overwhelming the room, though. We rent, and bought the best size for our smallish apartment. Now we're in a big condo and it could be bigger. If only we knew we were moving so soon!

 

[JessicaR]

Read up! Sony or Samsung would be my choice.

 

[ameraumi]

I bought DH a 37" Samsung LCD last month and we love it.

I researched it, spoke to my techie brother, and found that Samsung has the best tvs out right now.

 

[crazelion]

Vizio - 37" - I have 37 inch Vizio and I love it. It shows a beautiful picture. Looking sports is great. Watching movies like watching in theater.

If get another LCD HDTV it is be Vizio for sure.

I bought mine at SAm's Club for a excellent price.

 

[bicker]

Do keep in mind that a 32" diagonal HD screen is shorter (top to bottom) than a traditional (4:3 aspect) 32" diagonal screen. When you switch to HD, you really should go up at least one step in diagonal screen size, just to maintain what you have.

HDTV prices have become better predictors: You get what you pay for, now: Generally, the more expensive sets are higher quality, higher reliability, and/or offer better customer service. Samsung is just about the best out there right now. It is also just about the most expensive.

The best source for HDMI cables (really all cables) is http://monoprice.com I wouldn't buy cables anywhere else. However, the difference between HDMI and component cables is visually inconsequential, especially at these small sizes. (Yes, 37" is still small. My 50" is about double that size, and it is no where near the largest set they're selling -- those are more than double the size of my set.) If you don't mind the five cables (Red, Green, Blue, Right, Left), then component cables are fine. Either HDMI or component cables will be so much better than what you've be using before (composite cables, or S-video, or RF/coax).

 

[mjkacmom]

After a lot of research, we're getting a Samsung.

 

[vetrik]

I just bought a Vizio 32" plasma at Walmart on Thanksgiving weekend for $437 (the LCD is currently $457). I really love it! We're very happy with it so far, and it's a nice step up from our 27" CRT. It's so fun to watch things in HD.

I wanted to keep the same entertainment center, so 32" was the biggest I could go. Budget was the most important for me, so that's why I went with the Vizio. Overall, the reviews I've read have been pretty good for this tv - I was just so surprised to see a 32" plasma!

 

[Kathi OD]

We bought a Samsung about 10 months ago. Our friends tried to talk us into a Sony, but we did some research and found out that the Samsung came off the same line as the Sony and was a couple hundred dollars less expensive.

When our "Sony friends" came over, they couldn't tell the difference and actually thought we had bought the Sony. It was more money than the Vizio, but Vizio didn't have the long-term repuation and so we were willing to pay a little more. We've been very happy with our purchase.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We got a 32" Sony Bravia 2 years ago for our bedroom. LOVE it!
We got a 40" Sony Bravia for our family room 1 year ago. LOVE IT!

You can't go wrong with a Sony or Samsung from what we learned while researching. We got them on sale at Best Buy and used our 12% off reward member coupons.

 

[5Slays]

We have a Vizio 37" in the living room that works great!! We love it.

In the study, we have a 25" Sanyo, the one complaint I have about that TV is that sometimes, the sound comes through faster than the picture. So what people are saying does not match how their lips are moving.

 

[southurnmimi]

I'm addicted to TV!! We were having problems with our Sony we purchased in 2005. We had the extended warranty. After several trips by the repair shop, Sony offered us a new 52" Bravia with the 120Hz(whatever that is!) for $800. We jumped on it!!!

The day the TV was delivered when I got home, I could not believe how totally awesome the picture is!!! It's like you're attending a play and the people onscreen are right in front of you. Almost like 3D. It is amazing.

My son came over, saw the picture quality and that weekend he was at BestBuy and got the Samsung Touch of Color. They are both amazing TVs.

 

[lucas]

We just bought a 40" Sony Bravia. Some of the channels are fantastic. Some have yellow in the faces in the background. Is this a problem with the tv or thru Comcast?