Anybody buy a 46" TV recently?

[iaJim]

I'm looking at Sonys, and there is a big range of prices for the same size set. Is the bargain set just fine? I have cable with HD and SD, and watch both. Also have a Blue Ray disk player.

Any suggestions? I'm looking at the KDL-46vl160 at Costco.

[raz]

FWIW, the wife really liked the 46" Sharp Aquos at Costco.

Since my target was a 40" (showed her the 42's as my initial bargaining position), I didn't argue.

[Billybob]

Take a look at consumerreports.org.

They may have problems rating computers, but they do a good job on TVs.

[Don Kiyoti]

Samsung LCDs are highly regarded. I have a 46" (ancient - nearly a year old) and I like it very much.

[dk62]

Billybob wrote:
Take a look at consumerreports.org.

They may have problems rating computers, but they do a good job on TVs.

I would tend to disagree. Once I bough their top "home theater" pick (this was some time ago, age of CRTs) and it turned out it had a well-known issue with all A/V inputs that they did not discover - they tested only the RF input (!!!). What a waste of time getting it returned. I am a subscriber to both the internet and the print editions, but I take their recommendations with a grain of salt.

[AlphaDog]

I've been told that the brands beginning with the letter "S" are all fine sets. I chose a Samsung in March, and I've been very happy. I have one friend who bought a Sharp and another who bought a Sony a couple of weeks ago. All of us are happy!

However, isn't your real question about this specific set? I found this discussion about the model you're looking at on the AVS Forums, and you might want to read through it.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1145961

[BernDog]

There are many who feel whatever money you spend on a TV is worth it if it improves quality. In my circumstances, though, the form-factor itself was the main factor in my purchasing decision. I bought a 46" Sharp (not Aquos) last BF for $800 at Sears. I use it in a brightly lit room for watching casual TV and videos for the kids. No gaming. No dedicated theater with optimum conditions, etc... I needed something to fit above my fireplace as there's no other good place for a TV in our living room. I previously had a 27" CRT next to the fireplace and I hated it.

There is a lot of good knowledge out there, particularly on this site, but make sure whatever you buy fits your use and your level of discernment. Don't pay more than you need to, even for a better TV, if you won't notice the difference.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

What you get out of a new TV depends on the time you spend shopping and comparing specs, and a little luck. You can get a great TV for a incredible price if you are in the right place at the right time.

Fry's put this Samsung LN46B550 on one day sale closeout yesterday. It is about $265 off the best price in January.


I was very tempted by this price. I would have bought it in January at this price but then I decided to wait for prices to drop after the digital transition after TV shopping for my Mom. Now I want a LCD (or plasma) with over 1600:1 native contrast ratio, 14 bit panel (both those essentially describe the same thing) and at least 120 Hz. I am now waiting for price drops on the Samsung LN-46B750 LCD or Panasonic TC-P46G10 Plasma.

[Lee3]

I bought the 46" Sony 46V4100 for $1000 from BEst Buy and am happy with it. Especially when I bought an upscaling DVD player. I like the Sony because it has a non gloss screen so it doesn't show my windows reflecting. It isn't 120 HZ, but I don't notice.

[Grateful11]

Get 120hz with whatever you get, we have a Sharp Aquos 46" and I can definitely tell a difference.