OT: Suggestions for 42" LCD HDTV?

[Jem]

This Christmas we may be looking to replace our old 32" JVC CRT 4X3 TV, which has served us well for 8+ years. Our one and only purchased Christmas gift to eachother.

After doing some checking, it looks like the IDEAL size to replace our 32" 4X3, would by a 42" 16X9. (Just slightly larger heightwise). For old 4X3 content, the image would be about 15% bigger than our current JVC. But for 1.78:1 or 1.85:1 content it would be over 100% increase in size over what that type of content looks like on our 4X3 screen.

Anyway...

The long and the short is that we're looking for a decent 42" LCD in the $1500 to $2000 range. I'm pretty sure I don't want DLP since I'm pretty sensitive to the rainbow effect. Plasma might be okay.

We have BASIC cable, and use normal TIVO, and watch DVDs on Progressive scan DVD player. No immediate plans for HD DVD player or HD premium Cable content, though perhaps in the future. Connecting to a Mac or laptop on occasion might be nice.

768p/1080i resolution is problem fine for now, but realize looking for 1080p might give us room to grow (if we're willing to pony up the extra bucks... is it worth it?)

So... any suggestions from those that have gone through this process lately? Any models you are thrilled with (or hate!)

There were some 42" Vizios at our local Sam's club ($1499), but user reports have been a bit spotty.

Thanks!

Cheers,

Jem

OH... and a cool site for comparing effective screen sizes of different size/aspect displays is found here:

http://www.cavecreations.com/tv2.cgi

[NewtonMP2100]

People seem to love the Syntax Olevia. ..seems to be a good mix of quality and excellent price. . .

if you have Microcenter near you they usually have the cheapest price (with rebates) but (I posted a deal recently with the 42 Syntax with no tuners--monitor)


Target is pretty good to. .. currently $1399 with shipping but you can use the 10% Target coupons. Sometimes target has FREE shipping and @ these times they usually sell out of the Syntax tvs quickly.



LINK to Syntax Olevia a Target


check avsforum too. . .

[pinkoos]

I bought a 42" LG LCD TV during Circuit City's Memorial Day Sale.

I actually went from a 50" DLP on a floor stand to the 42" LCD wall mounted. The size difference is negligible.

Prices have dropped drastically in the interval from when I bought the LCD to now. I negotiated down to about $2100 + tax. I've recently seen CC advertise the same TV for as low as $1600.

I went for an LCD over a plasma b/c of potential glare problems with plasmas. Our TV is mounted in our family room which is basically all windows, so glare was a major deciding factor.

I also went for a TV that has a built-in QAM tuner. Almost all of these TVs now have built-in HD tuners, but only some are QAM-capable. QAM-capable TVs allow you to receive HD signals over your regular coaxial cable line (ie, no set top box [STB] required). As far as I know, all cable companies must provide your local HD channels over their cable lines without requiring a STB (and without charging for it). What that means is that when you have your cable coax from your wall plugged directly into your TV, you should be able to get your local HD channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, etc.) without the need for an external over the air (OTA) antenna.

Anyway, I'm very happy with the LG. Here is the link to it on CC's website:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/LG-42-LCD...tDetail.do

(current price seems to be $1800)

[Jem]

Newt and Pinkoos,

Thanks guys! Wouldn't have thought of Target for big displays, but the price does seem pretty competitive for what's offered at Sam's Club. The feedback and rec on the LG is also helpful, not to mention the explanation of "QAM". It would be nice to get the over-the-air HD channels right through my existing cable... for free, no less!

It seems with these new displays there are countless variables and technical tidbits that are all important to understand to some degree (depending on your intended use), and then there is the age-old reliability issue to throw in once you've figured out the rest. Good thing I have until Christmas to figure this all out!

I'll check out the AVSforum too, and see if I can get a sense for general trends of what people over there are happy with... though I suspect there will be no consensus :}

[NewtonMP2100]

Let me add I have the 30" Syntax and me parents have the 30" also. . .the remote is not that good but otherwise. . . nice. ..

AND me sister/brother in law just got the 42" from Target about a month ago. . .they are happy with it. . .the remote is slightly better on this model. ..

NOTE: most tvs that have OTA (over the air) and QAM give you an either or choice. . .meaning you can't use both @ the same time. . .one or the other. . for that reason I got the LG HDTV receiver that I posted a few times here. . .I get the HD channels through my cable and I can watch a channel and record something on a different on my Replaytv. . .


You might wanna wait for the holidays for sales coming up if you're not in a hurry. . .



Here is also a link to deal discussion @ FW




interesting read. . .

[AllGold]

My beef with the Syntax Olevia 42" is the non-removeable shiny glass covering the screen. It is very reflective. Only the 42" has it; the 37" and other sizes are like a regular LCD.

You might also consider Westinghouse. They seem to be one of the few brands that are true 1080 at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, last I checked, their 42" offerings don't include tuners (it's a monitor), but maybe they have new models by now.

Also, 1080i and 1080p are the same resolution (1920x1080). The difference is whether the scan is (i)nterlaced or (p)rogressive. There is currently no over-the-air broadcast at 1080p--and might never be. It's mostly 1080i or 720p. 1080p will be useful for game consoles and future HD disc content though.

[NewtonMP2100]

[quote AllGold]My beef with the Syntax Olevia 42" is the non-removeable shiny glass covering the screen. It is very reflective.

I thought I read somewhere that the glass is anti-reflective. ..I could be wrong BUT I did read that the glass can be removed. . .someone just removed it. . .

the good thing about the glass is that is does protect the screen (good if you have kids that like to touch things). . .it also makes the tv heavier than it should be. ..is there no way to apply an anti-reflective coating on it?

[AllGold]

Sure, it CAN be removed but it's not designed to be.

The ones I have seen in the store didn't appear to have any AR properties. Maybe later models are different.

[NewtonMP2100]

hmm. . I've watched stuff on their tv with no issues but I can see how that might be a problem. . .I will have to take a closer look next time. . .

[MikeF]

Costco: