School me on TV's

Nice sized tax refund coming, thinking about getting a new TV in the 60-65" range. Want something a bit higher end, but no idea what to get. I have two Samsung flat screens - I seem to really like the pictures on those. But they are smaller sets, only 32". I have no tv in my living room and have a pretty big wall space reserved for a tv there. The room has two big (almost floor to ceiling) windows in it, so it gets fairly bright during the day.

So, do I go plasma, LED, LCD? I'd love a plasma because I like to watch sports and fast moving action flicks. But I've heard plasma's - at least older ones - do better in dark rooms. I know that whole "burn in" thing is pretty much a thing of the past now, too, because of newer plasma technology.

My budget is in the $2500-3000 range.

Also, what is the deal with HDMI cables? I have Verizon FIOS and the set top boxes that I have now come with HDMI cables. Do I need to buy "new" ones to maximize the picture? They seem pretty pricey so if I could avoid buying new ones that would be good, but if the Verizon stock ones are crap, of course I don't want to cheap out. Thanks for any advice/input.

 

Hdmi cables pass a digital signal of ones and zeroes. Cable quality doesn't impact digital signals as strongly as analog signals. A cheapy Hdmi cable is fine. Do NOT buy one from the big box store. Go to monoprice.com and get a cheap cable. I have been running their cables for years with NO issues.

 

LED is the newest technology (light emitting diode). I have a Samsung and it's incredible. Basically the picture of plasma without the screen-burn. It's definitely an adjustment when watching the images it brings. I'd suggest this.

LCD (liquid crystal diode) is the old workhorse. Not as good of an image as either the other two, and not as fast of a refresh rate (for sports and games). Cheap, but still worth it. Matte screens means less light reflection, which, as you know, can be annoying.

Plasma is being phased out, but gives a beautiful image. They are filled with gas, have glass screens, and owners have tended to get "screen burn" if an image is paused too long. Maybe it doesn't happen as much now. These tv's don't last as long (up to ten years). Amazing contrast ratios, and extremely fast refresh rates. Can be had for very cheap now.

HDMI cables carry all your data (audio/video) for HD. The more in the back the merrier as you'll be attaching more and more things in the future (BluRay player, audio receiver, etc). Monster will sell them up to $100, but all you really need is a $6 one from Amazon.

I'd suggest an LED Samsung over 52". Hope this helps a little!

 

Or just continue using the Verizon cables. They will be fine.

 

LED, 120hz ,1080p, HDMI is fine

 

I have a plasma because at the time (3 years ago) it was the only way to get high refresh rates for sports. LCDs had motion blur problems when I was buying my TV. Now, all that is fixed and you can get an LCD TV with LED backlights that is both quick and with no worry of burn-in.

Just keep your old cables, they'll work fine. Buy new ones when you need them for other accessories at Monoprice. I even have a 30' cable from them to the back of my PC. Works great!

 

Plasmas have the deepest blacks and the colors are more vibrant but they aren't as good in well lit rooms due to their glossy screens which causes quite a bit of glare. Your best bet is an LCD with a backlit LED light engine. They get pretty close to plasmas as far as vibrant colors are concerned and LCD screens have a matte finish which works best in a room that has a lot of natural light. Obviously, 1080p and 240 hz refresh is what you want. 3D will also end up in your price point but that will be a personal decision.

Digital is digital. Do not spend a lot of money on HDMI cables. You can order them from monoprice.com for a good price.

I use my projector a majority of the time but I have a 50" LG plasma and a 50" Toshiba LCD downstairs and the LG is better for watching regular shows and the Toshiba is used for the xbox mainly with a little bit of tv watching.

 

I highly recommend an LED TV. The picture is incredibly bright and vibrant. I've never been a fan of Plasma, and I feel that LCD's are outdated.

The Samsung 42" 3D LED TV that my friend has is ridiculous.

 

I highly recommend Samsung! they hands down make the best LED/LCD TVs on the market, Ive bought 3 Samsung HDTVs the past 5 years all of which are still being used and still look just as good as when i Brought it home. SAMSUNG FTW!

 

Yes 120Hz is plenty! also a bit of info. The human eye cannot tell the difference between 720p and 1080p if the TV is less than 36"

 

I'm going to purchase a 60" LED LCD 3d tv today. B&H photo has a sharp 60" LED 240hz 3d on sale for around $1800 after a $500 instant credit (ending tomorrow). By far the best deal I have seen and I have been looking for 60" TV's since Xmas. Free shipping, no sales tax, no brainer. Their site is down until later on this evening however.

 

Some plasma's like mine have an anti glare screen. It helps but does still have glare. You can see the difference in the screen, mine looks kinda textured compared to the glossy finish. But you have to consider where the windows are in relation, mine isn't too bad since the big window is kinda away from the tv. But I do think the plasma's have a bit better picture. It's give and take. And I agree about the cable's, BB tried to push their $100 cables on me. I went to Wally World and paid like $15 or so and it looks great! Not that I'm trying to brag but I've went to friends houses and didn't think they had HD since their picture didn't compare. Some of which have the high end cable's and some have LCD's.

 

LED all the way!

 

I can't even tell the difference from my bedroom (720) 42" to the living room (1080) 50". Actually the bedroom has a better picture. But I think the bedroom tv is a slightly higher quality tv. It was our living room tv until we moved in the new house with a bigger living room. I loved my 42 Panasonic so much I bought the other bigger one for the living room with the same specs but haven't been as happy with this one.

 

Supposedly the human I can't detect anything more than a 60 hz refresh rate but go to a store and watch basketball or hockey on a big TV with a 120 hz refresh rate and verify that you can't pick up on the motion blur before you buy. I have noticed it on some TVs.

 

Mine does as well but it still is more glossy than an LCD. I have two windows that are right next to the Plasma but there is a covered porch in front of the windows so it never gets direct sunlight through the windows. I still love watching the Plasma though. Also check out AVS forums for more info. Local dimming is also a nice option to have if you are a movie buff.

 

That's an awesome deal! I'm in the market for a TV like the OP as well.

The Samsung 60in LED 7000 model looks pretty bad ass with the 0.2in bezel, but the best I could find it was at Magnolia for $2650+tax so thats a bummer.

 

My friends TV has 240 Hz refresh rate and it makes you feel like you're watching something in slow motion sometimes...it's hard to describe. I think it's because the transitions are so smooth.

 

The same exact model but with 120hz instead of 240hz even at best buy was under 2000. but 1800 for that TV is an excellent price! I paid 2400 for my 46" samsung the first model 120Hz debuted.