It's finally time to move our MEDIA ROOM into the 21st century. Our main TV is a big ol' 27" SONY....vintage 1987! We don't WATCH much TV, but want to watch more movies...NetFlix etc. Nothing fancy and don't need 3D with glasses etc. Do not expect to be using smart phone apps, iPod links and other jazzy stuff. We'll need a new DVD/blu-ray player, too, and maybe a sound bar...

After everyone gets over laughing that anyone actually has a working TV that's more than 25 years old, with a cabinet that's 20 inches DEEP, then I am hoping that some of you tech savvy folks will give me some advice on the following....and any other items that I'm missing.

Viewing criteria: Cable and Network TV mostly, but some NetFlix and other DVD's. Might be nice to stream stuff from internet (Facebook) and our main desktop (digital pics/ slide show). NO games and NO wii.
Location: It's right next to our computer and the network router, so hard wire of WiFi would not be a problem. Std Comcast Internet Speed.
Size: Somewhere between 42" and 47" (seating about 12' from the screen).
Cost: (hold onto your hats) Within reason, cost is NO OBJECT...since we'll be keeping this for a loooooooooong time, God willing.

The questions:

1 Samsung and LG seem to be the most reliable brands. Opinions on this or any others?
2 720p vs 1080p....whazzat?
3 LCD vs LED backlit? (It will be in a pretty bright room, so I believe Plasma is out)
4 Built-in WiFi or not important?
5 120hz vs 240hz: Why should I care? Now there is 480hz too????
6 How many HDMI inputs? Is 2 enough?
7 Any other connections where more than ONE would be helpful for the future? (LG that I have looked at has 1 each of: Component Video, Audio In, Digital Audio Out, LAN Port, RF Antenna and USB interface)
8 Last but not LEAST, where would you buy? Best Buy? Local specialty TV/audio store? Internet via Amazon, h.h.gregg, etc?

ANY other things that I am missing? I know that Zippy has a lot of this knowledge, but am expecting that there are also other tech-savvy folks here.

Thanks in advance for any advice. We want to go shopping in the next week or two...to take advantage of sales before the new stuff comes out in April...

 

If you want to keep it simple yet have something pretty astonishing, go visit one of the Bose Factory stores and check out their Video Wave II. Available in 55" or 46" sizes. Do NOT look at the price tag first. Just look and listen. System uses a Bose modified Samsung screen.

I'm sure there are systems that can surpass it, but they will have a LOT more bulk, external speakers, and cost even more.

 

Samsung and Vizio are the two I prefer. LED is better for well lit rooms. I just bought a seventy inch Vizio LED "Smart TV" for my living room, and couldn't be happier. I have Vizio LEDs throughout the house. Try as I might, I can see no perceptible difference between 120 Hz and 240 Hz. YMMV.

 

^ I agree...my recent flatscreen purchases were a Vizio for me and a Samsung for my mother. My brother also bought a Vizio for my mother.

 

Thanks for the suggestion and warning, Roy! You really DO lurk on after all I like the Bose "simplicity" and will see where there is a showroom around Philly...

 

Dean and Deb

Thanks for the suggestion of Vizio, and also the affirmation about the LED.

Jerry

 

720 vs. 1080 - think VGA vs. super VGA only different - better resolution -1080 is better unless your provider still broadcasts in 720. I've been away from Comcast so long I have no idea. Some TVs will upcode 720 to 1080 anyway (Sonys come to mind).

LED/LCD backlit is the way to go IMO. You should take a look at the Sharp Aquos offerings for sure:

http://www.sharpusa.com/

I bought the 60" for the pool house and couldn't be happier. I got it for under a grand on Black Friday last year at HH Gregg. You'll want to revise your size thinking as well - bigger is better. The rest of the stuff about connectivity etc. applies to your application and I have no idea how to comment.

 

Jerry-

1 Samsung and LG seem to be the most reliable brands. Opinions on this or any others?
OK. I've got a Samsung DLP, a Panasonic Plasma and a Vizio LCD in the house. They all work fine. The Samsung did have a recall/lawsuit on it, but its an older TV with an older technology.
2 720p vs 1080p....whazzat?
Refers to the resolution the TV can handle. I think today only the satellite companies and Blu-Ray are actually using full 1080p resolution. However, as infrastructure gets upgraded, this may be more prevalent in the future. If you're spending one time now, for a long time, probably doesn't make sense to save $100 and not get 1080p availability.
3 LCD vs LED backlit? (It will be in a pretty bright room, so I believe Plasma is out)
You're choice here. I bought what looked good to me.
4 Built-in WiFi or not important?
If you're close to the router, hard wire. If not, you can get an adapter for WiFi if its not built in.
5 120hz vs 240hz: Why should I care? Now there is 480hz too????
This is the refresh rate. Different technologies inherently need different refresh rates. (LCDs are 60, 120, 240, etc... but a Plasma is 600hz.) I don't think you should care. If it was good enough for 2011, its probably still good today.
6 How many HDMI inputs? Is 2 enough?
This depends solely on how many things you have connected. You're cable box is ONE (You're gonna upgrade to an HD Cable Box, right?). A DVD/BD Player is TWO. Any game console would be THREE. You can probably hook up your PC via another port, or just use your network to get to data you need to.
7 Any other connections where more than ONE would be helpful for the future? (LG that I have looked at has 1 each of: Component Video, Audio In, Digital Audio Out, LAN Port, RF Antenna and USB interface)
Again, depends on what you connect to it. I would look for a TV that supports DLNA. That allows the TV to talk directly to other devices without an interface between (My stereo can read my music collection right from a hard drive without a PC in the middle.)
8 Last but not LEAST, where would you buy? Best Buy? Local specialty TV/audio store? Internet via Amazon, h.h.gregg, etc?
I personally prefer local, even if its a big box retailer. I like seeing and touching, and having a place 10 minutes away to return things too. The price on electronics doesn't move that much that you save a whole lot if you give the big boxes a week or two to catch up. The Internet shoppers will tell you that you save tax, and shipping varies by vendor. It's all about your comfort zone.

That's it, my 6 cents.

 

You should ask how the manufacturer handles in warranty repairs and out of warranty. Some sets require you to package and send it back - OMG can you imagine doing that with a big set. I do think that is an advantage of buying locally but be sure the local store will act as middle man should you need it. When my Panasonic plasma needed a part replacement they sent a serviceman to my house and he did the repairs in one call. Since he works on all sets, he had some stories, and they included some sets having to be returned to California from Michigan.

 

Thanks for these thoughts, Mike....will look at the Sharp Aquos offerings.

Yes, I know that "size matters" here but our ROOM is only about 12' x 15'; plus it will on a low table/stand and be against a glass block "half wall" that is about 60" x 48" tall to a wood cap. Our 90+ year old house doesn't have the bigggggggggggg rooms that you get in Georgia!