Help with a new tv

[memphislawyer]

My Sony Trinitron WEGA is on the blink. Cuts on for three seconds, no picture, sound only, then cuts off, and then light at front blinks 6 times. From what I gather on googling the problem, it is an IC on the board and those need soldering kits. Repairs are $200 or more I am expecting. And the thing is huge to have to lug to the truck and what not. The TV is HD ready and is not a flat screen, but has a tube. I think it is a 36 inch screen. I am also thinking that for around $400 at Best Buy, Walmart, Sears or HG Gregg, I can get a new tv, flat screen, with better picture. But I don't keep abreast of LED, LCD, plasma, etc. So, anyone gone through this and got ideas of what I should grab? I see some Vizios and Sonys at Walmart just strolling by the TV section with some decent prices. Suggestions?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

We have four Vizio LED flat screen TVs. LEDs backlights last much longer than LCD bulbs. I think Vizio for the money and great vivid colors are great. We've had no problems with our Vizio TVs. I researched practically every brand before buying.
HD

 

[vitanola]

Same thing happened to my father's Sony three of months ago. He purchased a 50" Hisense LED set at Wal-Mart for about $550, three hundred dollars less than he spent on his Sony a decade ago. I initially thought the set to be ludicrously large, until I watched a movie on same. It was really a revelation! Pictures that I had seen a dozen times seemed entirely fresh and new.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I also suggest looking for a good sound bar with cordless sub to put across the room. Makes for a great sound system to compliment the exceptional larger screen viewing. A theaterlike experience..!!
HD

 

[memphislawyer]

Three vizios, any ideas among these?

http://store.vizio.com/outlet/e3db420vxb.html

http://store.vizio.com/outlet.html/e420ia1b

http://www.walmart.com/ip/VIZIO-E390I-A1-39-1080p-120Hz-LED-2.95-ultra-slim-Smart-HDTV/23565842

 

[Edward]

LEDs last longer than both LCD and Plasma. They give much better blacks than LCD, pretty much as good as plasma. Not prone to the 'screen burn' problem you see on some heavily-used plasma screens (an issue given that every channel these days seem to insist on having its logo on the corner of the picture). Sound system definitely a bonus! Yet to decide whether to go for a full 5.1 or compromise with a soundbar, myself... I'm keen on the former, but the latter, if it sounds anything like the thing, would seem to be quite the space (and wiring) saver...

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I think I might choose no. #2. How big is your room?
I have a 42" in my bedroom..and a 46" in family room. I think those sizes keep the better sharpness intact. Either link seems a good buy though.
I wasn't interested in internet connection or 3D..but for those prices those additions aren't that much more. Look at them in the store if possible..then make your choice. Ask about the certain features to see if you really need or want them.
HD

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Edward..I really had to think about what kind of sound system that I wanted...but the soundbar and wireless sub is so easy to set up..and really does sound good. I have a Polk sound bar in the family room and Vizio in the living room. Both have cordless subs. The Polk probably sounds better(much more expensive..got it on sale)..but the Vizio isn't far behind in sound.
HD

 

[HudsonHawk]

#2 and #3 are the same TV, just with #2 being a little bigger. I'd go with the bigger one.

 

[memphislawyer]

I read up on a plasma here

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-500-tv/

I watch mostly at night, and maybe Saturday and Sunday for football during the day. Room is on the smaller side, and usually just me (going through a divorce, so in a smaller condo at present). Dont really watch anything online, no gaming for sure, and I have a tablet with wifi. Who knows, could do the net flix thing, so I think having internet capabilities is going to be a good thing as far as #2 of the Vizios.

I had gotten the Sony Trinitron Wega about 7 years back when HD was first coming out. It is a picture tube tv, and I guess from reading that there are capacitors which limit voltage and one or both of them went bad. 27 screws or so to get to the board and you have to have the parts and be able to solder and remove soldering. Estimates are $200 minimum and for that, the costs to consider a new tv are an option.

I do leave the tv on during the day for the dog, he grew up that way when wife and i lived together.

The Samsung is 51 inches and that may be over kill. I am thinking my Sony is 36" and it was not a flat screen so a 40" flat screen may be bigger than what I am used to. Only reason to go above 46" to me is better price or value considerations.

BIGGIE:
also, i am reading up that maybe 50 inch is what i want to do, in that this is usually the smallest size that they say to get for a family room or living room

 

[gtdean48]

Got a plasma in the great room. Only issue I have had is when lights are on in the kitchen behind me causing reflections. Had a corp apartment that had a Vizio LED in it. Both 1080p which only comes into play when watching blue-ray movies. My High-Def AT&TUverse isn't that high, not sure it will be unless they run fiber to my house. Had a Vizio sound bar in the corp apartment & that was a worthy addition as HD recommends.
Size is based on how far back are you going to be seated during normal viewing.
Also, I don't care looking up at a TV over the fireplace, JMHO

 

[HudsonHawk]

Got a plasma in the great room. Only issue I have had is when lights are on in the kitchen behind me causing reflections. Had a corp apartment that had a Vizio LED in it. Both 1080p which only comes into play when watching blue-ray movies. My High-Def AT&TUverse isn't that high, not sure it will be unless they run fiber to my house. Had a Vizio sound bar in the corp apartment & that was a worthy addition as HD recommends.
Size is based on how far back are you going to be seated during normal viewing.
Also, I don't care looking up at a TV over the fireplace, JMHO

The picture on a plasma simply can't be beat. But, as you point out, they have a glass front, which a) makes them much heavier than LCD or LED, and b) means they reflect light, so if you have a room that gets a lot of sunlight or light from another room, you can have issues with glare.

 

[Edward]

I think I might choose no. #2. How big is your room?
I have a 42" in my bedroom..and a 46" in family room. I think those sizes keep the better sharpness intact. Either link seems a good buy though.
I wasn't interested in internet connection or 3D..but for those prices those additions aren't that much more. Look at them in the store if possible..then make your choice. Ask about the certain features to see if you really need or want them.
HD

I'm not big on the notion of 3D either. Wouldn't turn it down if it happened to be on there at the right price, but honestly I don't see myself being bothered with it. It's fine for the occasional cinema experience, but having looked into it with TVs, it loses much of its impact when you shrink it down like that. Worse, I can't be bothered with the glasses. Fine for the odd couple of hours in the cinema, but they'd be a pain at home - especially over the top of my prescription glasses, and I'm damned if I'm gonig to go to contacts just for watching the box. When they develop 3D you can view with the naked eye, then I might be interested (though I find it mostly superfluous anyhow... the BBC screened Big Liz in 3D on Christmas Day last year.... I honestly can't imagine what 3D would add to that as an experience!).

Web connection, now that's another matter. Here in the UK all the key players in terrestrial television offer online, on-demand catch-up services. Most of the time I watch far more of the TV I really want to see on one of those databases rather than linear broadcast. The idea of being able to fire that up on the main TV is great. It's the way TV is going, really... rolling news, significant cultural events broadcast live, and, if you must, live sports aside, there's really no reason to be stuck with the limits of linear broadcasting schedules any more. I'd much rather just have access to all the content via a database I can trawl at will.

Edward..I really had to think about what kind of sound system that I wanted...but the soundbar and wireless sub is so easy to set up..and really does sound good. I have a Polk sound bar in the family room and Vizio in the living room. Both have cordless subs. The Polk probably sounds better(much more expensive..got it on sale)..but the Vizio isn't far behind in sound.
HD

I think I'll have to compare them. If my room was much smaller, I'd jump on the sounbar approach, but at 11 x 15 it's just at the size where it may or may no make a difference. A quality soundbar seems to be about the same price as a set of very good speakers, but the space saving is very attractive if it can bounce the sound around well enough to simulate L/R/Front/Rear sounds.

also, i am reading up that maybe 50 inch is what i want to do, in that this is usually the smallest size that they say to get for a family room or living room

The advice I was given was that for watching from thriteen feet away, I should be looking at something between 40 & 60 inches. Can't imagine a 60 in my room! I'll probably end up with somewhere between 42 and 50. It's surprising how much bigger the eye can cope with when the picture is as sharp as modern Hi Def. The trade-off, of cours,e is that the bigger they are they more power they drain. If memory serves, plasma is significantly heavier on electricity than LCD or LED.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

The picture on a plasma simply can't be beat. But, as you point out, they have a glass front, which a) makes them much heavier than LCD or LED, and b) means they reflect light, so if you have a room that gets a lot of sunlight or light from another room, you can have issues with glare.

So true..I remember unloading my son in laws Samsung plasma from my Daughters van with the help of my Wife. Compared to my LED the weight difference was actually amazing. The picture is nice..but man they do run hot..!! After watching it for awhile..then attempting to move it to a better position in the room my Daughter and her husband learned not to do that real quick..!! lol
HD

 

[Gregg Axley]

LED is the way to go, as many have said here.
Depending on the room, 55-60 inch is a good size without being shockingly big.
We've had a Samsung LED LCD Touch of Color for years and really love it.
If you watch any sports, it's best IMHO to pay the bit extra for a 240hz.
Hoosier has made a wonderful suggestion about the sound bar with woofer.
Those make all the difference in the world for movies, and when you get a program that's hard to hear.
Many have several sound settings to help in this situation, to bring out voices only, background noises louder or softer, etc.
Best Buy and Costco aren't the only stores to look at.
I've bought several items from B&H in NY.
Same products, better prices.

 

[ButteMT61]

LED unless you Auvergne the cash for a 4k. We're adding a room in the back of the house and were not sure if we want to do a 4k or projection as we'll use it for movie screenings. The 4k are insane. But for movies, they're almost too good - they don't "feel" like movies. New projectors are really like a theatre.
But if it's a same budget you're working with LED all the way. We currently have 55" Samsungs which we love. If you watch sports, get the high refresh rates.

 

[Gregg Axley]

Now I've learned about a Samsung 9000 4k.
Yet another fact I'll keep from my wife, to save me money.

 

[memphislawyer]

Best buy had an open box Sony bravia 46 inch. Hdl46 kx800. 1040 p and 240 hz. 559. Will have to get an easel. Open box sound bar with woofer for 189. Have not hooked the bar up yet as I need a power strip for it and cable box and blue ray

The had the 50 inch Samsung plasma for 999. 600 hz.

They did not give me the remote for the TV and the cable remote won't change all that much on the TV. I don't watch a lot of movies so if you think the sound bar is worth it I can keep it

May return it for a 50 inch or so vizio. The sony I got is a 2011 model. May be discontinued. 3d and internet capable. TV was originally 1500 new and marked down to 850. I think it was the show room model. Don't know that if having it on all that much shorten s the life of anything. Great pic. Since salesman supposedly not on commission he just wanted me to get a great deal. Did I? They had some 46 to 50 inch's with 60 hz less than 500

 

[HudsonHawk]

Best buy had an open box Sony bravia 46 inch. Hdl46 kx800. 1040 p and 240 hz. 559. Will have to get an easel. Open box sound bar with woofer for 189. Have not hooked the bar up yet as I need a power strip for it and cable box and blue ray

The had the 50 inch Samsung plasma for 999. 600 hz.

They did not give me the remote for the TV and the cable remote won't change all that much on the TV. I don't watch a lot of movies so if you think the sound bar is worth it I can keep it

May return it for a 50 inch or so vizio. The sony I got is a 2011 model. May be discontinued. 3d and internet capable. TV was originally 1500 new and marked down to 850. I think it was the show room model. Don't know that if having it on all that much shorten s the life of anything. Great pic. Since salesman supposedly not on commission he just wanted me to get a great deal. Did I? They had some 46 to 50 inch's with 60 hz less than 500

60 hz refresh rate is a relatively dated spec in the HDTV world. If you're coming from a CRT screen to a true HD LCD or LED, you'll be so impressed by the difference the 60 hz will look great. But if you compare them side by side, you can definitely notice the difference in the 60 hz and the 120 hz or 240 hz. As someone pointed out, watching sports or movies with lots of fast movement is where it's manifested. Me, I watch mostly baseball and Top Gear, so I notice the difference.

 

[ButteMT61]

120Hz is dated now. But it's OK for most things. We now feel like our 55"s are getting "small". For movies, bigger is better.
But don't rule out (if you have budget and space) the projectors. The new screens and hardware are wonderful. And they make a movie feel like a movie.