HDTV & LCD set HELP!

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

OK folks I'm biting the bullet on this one. Older set in the "office" took it's final bow about a week ago. I see no sense in not going HiDef at this point. I'm not a television watcher. I watch a few football games and sometimes the news.

DS uses the one up here and he also plays video games. My friend's DH tells me that LCD is the way to go for this type of usage. True?

The room is not large maybe 12x15. So I'm thinking 32inch flat panel?

The current TV location gets southern afternoon sunshine. Should I move the furniture or is glare not a huge problem?

How difficult is it to put these puppies up on the wall? How hard is it to hide the cables?

Called DirecTV < I am an avid hater of Cablevision and the Dolan family because of business deaings with them in my prior life. > and they will do the whole upgrade for $99 one time and $10/month afterwards. So new dish, new receiver, remote and modulator. They swear the other analog set will continue to work. Will it?

Am I missing something in the equation?

I just know this is going to be giving me headaches for a couple of weeks. DH is not going to be helpful, as changing lightbulbs is pretty much his only handyman skill. This is all going to be on me.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

We bought one for my MIL from bestbuy and had them come to install it. We had to get a special type of remote sensor for all the equipment to work.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

We bought one for my MIL from bestbuy and had them come to install it. We had to get a special type of remote sensor for all the equipment to work.

Frank I think mine is coming off a truck somewhere....if you know what I mean. So installation is not going to be an option.

I'm still waiting on brand/model and cost.

[somerville Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close somerville]

If glare is a problem go with an LCD over plasma.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

OK it didn't fall off a truck. I have to pay sales tax and shipping although installation is still not an option.

This is what I am getting for $600 all in:
Sharp - AQUOS 32" 720p Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HDTV - LC-32D43U

Maybe I can pay the DirecTV guy a bit extra?

[jlwquilter Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jlwquilter]

OK it didn't fall off a truck. I have to pay sales tax and shipping although installation is still not an option.

This is what I am getting for $600 all in:
Sharp - AQUOS 32" 720p Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HDTV - LC-32D43U

Maybe I can pay the DirecTV guy a bit extra?

Well, did you get it? Do you like it? Tell all! I was looking at the 42" version tonight at BJs for $1500.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Check out Vizio's at Sam's Club.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Well, did you get it? Do you like it? Tell all! I was looking at the 42" version tonight at BJs for $1500.

Oooops missed this one. Got it, LOVE it. Almost enough to make me watch TV on a regular basis. Nice Sharp Aquos 32inch, the HD does really make a difference. This thing for movies is phenomaonal.

Check out Vizio's at Sam's Club.

Consumer Reports does not rate Vizio very highly.

[lefsegal Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lefsegal]

Perfect for all of those Christmas Specials!

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Oooops missed this one. Got it, LOVE it. Almost enough to make me watch TV on a regular basis. Nice Sharp Aquos 32inch, the HD does really make a difference. This thing for movies is phenomaonal.



Consumer Reports does not rate Vizio very highly.

Lawren,


There are only 2 or 3 tv manufacturers in the entire world for how many brands? Consumer Reports is okay but I don't rely on it completely.

To me, the price is the biggest issue. To my eye, the Vizio picture was as good as other "top" name brands when I viewed then side by side at Sam's Club.

If it goes kaput, then I'll replace it with a newer better model that costs even less. Meanwhile the extra $500 to $700 savings is in my pocket.

[gjw007 Member Find all posts View Profile Close gjw007]

May I suggest looking at TV Reviews: LCD, HDTV, Flat Screen & Plasma Televisions & more - CNET for its television reviews. I have the 32" Sharp 1920 by 1080p model. I have had no issues with it. Samsung and Sony models consistently get good reviews (and some bad ones as well).

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Lawren,


There are only 2 or 3 tv manufacturers in the entire world for how many brands? Consumer Reports is okay but I don't rely on it completely.

To me, the price is the biggest issue. To my eye, the Vizio picture was as good as other "top" name brands when I viewed then side by side at Sam's Club.

If it goes kaput, then I'll replace it with a newer better model that costs even less. Meanwhile the extra $500 to $700 savings is in my pocket.

Very true Mike and I would have thought twice about the Sharp had I been paying a retail price as there are other nice HD LCD sets out there that are priced more competitvely. I was leaning towards the Westinghouse initially.

I just like to get a feel for products and reliability factors with CR.

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

Lawren,
I know you already have yours but for other folks looking at them, my son has the 47' Westinghouse and he loves it. We have seen it and it is clear as a bell. He lives in a studio apt in Manhatten it is perfect for him. The Westinghouse like many others has the option of also using it as a monitor so he hooks his computer up to it now and then and sits back on his bed and has a 47" computer screen.
I have also heard very good things about the Vizio models.
I have never had a Sharp LCD panel but have had several Sharp tube models and have always been very satisfied with them.

[tennisWalt Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tennisWalt]

I have a Vizio 42 Inch HD LCD

Lawren,


There are only 2 or 3 tv manufacturers in the entire world for how many brands? Consumer Reports is okay but I don't rely on it completely.

To me, the price is the biggest issue. To my eye, the Vizio picture was as good as other "top" name brands when I viewed then side by side at Sam's Club.

If it goes kaput, then I'll replace it with a newer better model that costs even less. Meanwhile the extra $500 to $700 savings is in my pocket.

I agree with you. I love the picture and the price was the best.

Walt

[kbletzer Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kbletzer]

HDTV is the way to go. Try to stay away from the sun....it glares off the shiny surfaces. We have a 42" in our large family room and it seems to be perfect for the space (20X20). It's mounted over the fireplace with the cables hidden. We have moved with this TV 2 times since 2005 and really got used to putting this sucker up on the wall. They can be pretty heavy. If your space is smaller I would suggest a smaller tv as it might overwhelm the room. Check to see if the tv comes with the wall mount. We purchased a smaller tv 32" for the bedroom at Walmart and mounted it ourselves. It wasn't hard. You can get a strip at home depot that hides the electric cords or have an electrician pop in the cable and outlet right behind the tv.
Good Luck!