What do I need for a tv setup?

#1
TheDeeble

TheDeeble

Guy on the Couch
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May 6, 2007
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#1
Allright, after months of procrastination I'm buying a new tv. I'm upgrading from a 25" tube to a 40+" 1080p. Uncertain between plasma/LCD. Been told plasma is the way to go if it's mainly for gaming/movies.

I'm pretty much out of the technology loop the past few years. Cables? Recievers? Anything else I do or don't need? I just bought a house and the living room is already wired for surround sound. 4 speakers mounted in the corners.

Anyone know if these are any good? Respectable? Crap?

KLH Audio Products

Will also be getting a ps3 or 360. Undecided about which, but I could probably search and find discussion about that.

Thanks for your advice.
 
#4
#4
Plasma is good if there isn't much light in the room. Otherwise LCD is the way to go.

You'll probably need an HDMI Cable (Check to see if the certain TV has enough, ..etc)

You're gonna need to get an HD receiver from your cable/satellite company and upgrade your package, ..etc

I don't know enough about surround sound to help you out though.
 
#5
#5
Just dont buy any tv's that are marked with "RCA", even though they will be cheaper, dont get one...........you will thank me later
 
#6
#6
Get an LCD with at least 120Hz refresh rate. Don't go cheap on the TV either. Samsung, Toshiba, or Sony are the one's to look at. Stay away from the off-brand Tv's. Also, if your not going to buy a Blu-Ray DVD player, remember that Standard Definition isn't going to be as clean on the new TV as it was the old TV.
 
#7
#7
Myself i prefer DLP over LCD and Plasma but DLP's are getting harder to find with everyone wanting "flat". Besides that LCD hands down. Alot cheaper than plasma and just as good if not better picture. HDMI cables for sure, and more than likely you will need multiple's. For gaming and high def video go with the PS3. If you want a Xbox360 you can always pick one up later but at least you have bluray and unlimited gaming options.

For surround sound I've always had good luck with phillips on the cheap end and if you got more to spend bose is a no-fail choice.
 
#9
#9
Walmart and other places have already had 1080p BluRay players for $129.99 on sale. These are only going to get cheaper.
 
#10
#10
Vol1312 said:
Myself i prefer DLP over LCD and Plasma but DLP's are getting harder to find with everyone wanting "flat". Besides that LCD hands down. Alot cheaper than plasma and just as good if not better picture. HDMI cables for sure, and more than likely you will need multiple's. For gaming and high def video go with the PS3. If you want a Xbox360 you can always pick one up later but at least you have bluray and unlimited gaming options.

For surround sound I've always had good luck with phillips on the cheap end and if you got more to spend bose is a no-fail choice.
Click to expand...

:lolabove:
 
#11
#11
Vizio is the way to go. It is basicly Sony, but at a cheaper price. I have heard that the people who were designing the Sony Flat Screens decided to leave the company and make vizio. So most people think its some cheap brand, but it is actually just as good if not better than all the other major brands.

I have a 26' LCD Vizio and it is great. It will look great in my dorm next year. I also have Bose Surround sound, it is a sub that is easily hidable, and 2 small speaker looking things you place at your tv, and it is quality stuff. The best surround sound I have ever personally heard. I'd look into that. JMO.
 
#12
#12
Vizio was started by William Wang and 2 other guys in California.

Wang started making monitors under the name MAG Innovision (I've used plenty of these cheap monitors). He then started making monitors for slot machines, etc. With borrowed money from friends and family, he started Vizio with 2 friends.

He broke first into Costco stores selling monitors and has obviously moved to tvs as well now. In February, they canned their plasma department and now only do LCD tvs. As of August 07, they are the world's largest LCD seller in the US.

The company was expected to generate more than $2 billion in sales last year and still employs less than 100 people, most of which do customer support.

Vizio is a solid company and will soon be introducing 240Hz LCDs like everyone else.

Vizio is getting into higher end audio for the home now as well. Can't say I'd ever recommend a Bose product unless you absolutely need the simplicity of their systems. For the price, Bose is usually not a top performer. But, lots of people will pay for simplicity and don't want to worry with setting up different devices, etc.
 
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#13
#13
Vol1312 said:
Myself i prefer DLP over LCD and Plasma but DLP's are getting harder to find with everyone wanting "flat". Besides that LCD hands down. Alot cheaper than plasma and just as good if not better picture. HDMI cables for sure, and more than likely you will need multiple's. For gaming and high def video go with the PS3. If you want a Xbox360 you can always pick one up later but at least you have bluray and unlimited gaming options.

For surround sound I've always had good luck with phillips on the cheap end and if you got more to spend bose is a no-fail choice.
Click to expand...

if you have more to spend you pick Bose? Sorry but there are lots of better options at that price point. I anxiously await your post telling him to make sure and buy Monster cables :p

avsforum will have plenty of suggestions on better ways to set up a system and great info when you get to the point of comparing tv's.
 
#15
#15
Picked up a samsung 55 1080 p 120htz LCD last week on sale at bb for 1899. Cant complain with that one.
 
#17
#17
Go lcd. Plasma may have a slightly overall better picture but lcd has more benefits. Its better for gaming and it is less prone to burn in. Even the new plasma tvs that have burn in protection still get it. Anything that has something on the screen that doesn't move will burn in and you can see it when you turn the channel. It goes away after a while but still annoying. Just about all the newer HD tvs have a tuner built in and you can just hook up an antenna and get HD channels. If you have cable you can get some HD channels without upgrading. You can get NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and probably a few others. Thats with just the coax straight into the tv no box. If you want ESPN HD or other premium channels in HD you will probably have to upgrade. As for the gaming system with a ps3 you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone and get a blu ray player and a game system. If you have an HD tv a blu ray player is a must and if you get a 360 your gonna have to buy a separate player. Your gonna need an HDMI cord too. As for the place to get it you can't go wrong with wal-mart.
 
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#18
#18
govols/cc said:
Go lcd. Plasma may have a slightly overall better picture but lcd has more benefits. Its better for gaming and it is less prone to burn in. Even the new plasma tvs that have burn in protection still get it.
Click to expand...

Burn-in is basically a myth now days.
 
#20
#20
wrgn said:
Burn-in is basically a myth now days.
Click to expand...


Well get you a plasma, watch sportscenter for 10 minutes and turn the channel. I promise you will be able to still see the ticker at the bottom. It eventually goes away but its still there. Its usually worse with video games because most all games have something that pretty much stays on the screen that doesn't move the entire game.
 
#21
#21
govols/cc said:
Well get you a plasma, watch sportscenter for 10 minutes and turn the channel. I promise you will be able to still see the ticker at the bottom. It eventually goes away but its still there. Its usually worse with video games because most all games have something that pretty much stays on the screen that doesn't move the entire game.
Click to expand...

Do you have the plamsa cranked up to Vibrant +30 or something? I do not have that problem even with a decent time spent on channels with tickers. I used to worry about it when I first used the TV (and noticed it a time or two then), but I don't even consider it anymore.
 
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#22
#22
You put SportsCenter on for hours on my plasma and you wont see any signs of burn-in. Now, if you left it on there for 4 days straight, I might get worried.
 
#24
#24
I've never heard anyone say "I wish I had gone smaller." I agree, 50" is probably min I'd look at today unless it's for a bedroom or a side tv somewhere.
 
#25
#25
govols/cc said:
Well get you a plasma, watch sportscenter for 10 minutes and turn the channel. I promise you will be able to still see the ticker at the bottom. It eventually goes away but its still there. Its usually worse with video games because most all games have something that pretty much stays on the screen that doesn't move the entire game.
Click to expand...


You must have a really cheap plasma. Is it a RCA by any chance??
 
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