Probably Going In On a 50 inch TV Next week. Recommendations?

[Mini 9]

For this sale-period (Friday through Tues/Wed?) Fry's Electronics has a $599 51" 1080 plasma. I almost bit yesterday. But we really desire something bigger.

[vision63]

The Lakers game is on at 3:30 Pacific Time, so you better forget about the internet and run over to Costco. They'll tack on an extra years warranty and share the taxes with the city you live in.

[Grateful11]

I'll take picture quality over size anyday. That's why we went with the Vizio 55" 240Hz 10,000,000 to 1 contrast ratio.
Many people think it's 3D without glasses.

http://www.vizio.com/via-hdtvs/xvt553sv.html

[deckeda]

chopper wrote:
Going to probably need Netflix streaming capability built in. Do most have that now?

Last year it was popular on mostly higher-end models. This year you'll see it on lower-end models, too.

Or buy an Apple TV refurb for $85 (which does Netflix well) and don't worry about it.

[Ted King]

You really can't go by how a set looks in a store. There are many variables that may not apply to your home that happen in stores - different lighting, video source (splitting signals, etc.) and settings on the TV's, for example. It's probably better to look at a place like cnet that does reviews:

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

Until recently if you were in the market for a big HDTV plasmas were cheaper. I think they probably are still a bit cheaper but the difference seems to be less than it used to, so I agree with the advice above - just look for a TV that has good reviews, features you want and for a good price and don't worry about whether it is plasma, CFL LCD or LED LCD (this is especially true because you say that the TV will go into a darker room - since plasmas look better in a darker room than one that has the potential for a lot of glare).

[MacJeepster]

Grateful11 wrote:
I'll take picture quality over size anyday. That's why we went with the Vizio 55" 240Hz 10,000,000 to 1 contrast ratio.
Many people think it's 3D without glasses.

http://www.vizio.com/via-hdtvs/xvt553sv.html

Second this model of Vizio. The full-array LCDs with local dimmIng create a superior picture. Consumer Reports loves it.
Warning! This will ruin the experience of going out to the movies since the cinema picture is comparatively so fuzzy.

-mj

[jdc]

Another vote for that 55" vizio.

Has great reviews and I mentioned it to my neighbor when he said he was looking for a new tv.

Got it at Costco and I helped him set it up.

Really a beautiful set. Even the case is good looking.

[Ted King]

MacJeepster wrote:
[quote=Grateful11]
I'll take picture quality over size anyday. That's why we went with the Vizio 55" 240Hz 10,000,000 to 1 contrast ratio.
Many people think it's 3D without glasses.

http://www.vizio.com/via-hdtvs/xvt553sv.html

Second this model of Vizio. The full-array LCDs with local dimmIng create a superior picture. Consumer Reports loves it.
Warning! This will ruin the experience of going out to the movies since the cinema picture is comparatively so fuzzy.

-mj
cnet rates that HDTV as "Excellent":

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/v...22871.html

You specifically mentioned that you would be looking for a 50" TV - Vizio offers a 47" (the one linked to so far is a 55" ) of the same series so if you are looking for a smaller HDTV. You should be able to find the 47" for less than the 55" unless some outfit is having a great blowout sale on the larger one.

[vision63]

Ted King wrote:
[quote=MacJeepster]
[quote=Grateful11]
I'll take picture quality over size anyday. That's why we went with the Vizio 55" 240Hz 10,000,000 to 1 contrast ratio.
Many people think it's 3D without glasses.

http://www.vizio.com/via-hdtvs/xvt553sv.html

Second this model of Vizio. The full-array LCDs with local dimmIng create a superior picture. Consumer Reports loves it.
Warning! This will ruin the experience of going out to the movies since the cinema picture is comparatively so fuzzy.

-mj
cnet rates that HDTV as "Excellent":

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/v...22871.html

You specifically mentioned that you would be looking for a 50" TV - Vizio offers a 47" (the one linked to so far is a 55" ) of the same series so if you are looking for a smaller HDTV. You should be able to find the 47" for less than the 55" unless some outfit is having a great blowout sale on the larger one.
On this high spiritual day, let it be known, that I'm morally opposed to smaller. Fill the walls with massive screens rippling with endless Friends, Frasier and Seinfeld reruns. We are soldiers. We will prevail. 50" is the new 27".

btw, I have that 47" Vizio that you mention and it's a stellar performer so far. My earlier purchased 47" Vizio, which was excellent too, was replaced via Costco after something "popped" and the screen dimmed. Costco was military when it came to affecting the repair. And that was in the second year of the free extended warrantee.

[silvarios]

Will Collier wrote:
Ignore all the marketing hype and sales nonsense... just go look at as many screens as you can, and pick the one your eyes like the best..

This isn't possible. Most TVs are not set up in rooms with appropriate lighting nor are most TVs tweaked for picture quality.