I would consider getting an LG 42LH50, but discounts on LG's are hard to come by. 
Posted on 02/15/2010 9:18:24 AM PST by RayChuang88
I am right now seriously in the market to get a new 40" to 42" flat-panel HDTV to replace my old 27" Mitsubishi CRT television set.
Right now, my primary choice is the new 40" Sony KDL-40EX500 (I had considered the 40" KDL-40VE5 but most places wanted US$200 more for the set). From what I've read online, most people like it, and the suggested retail price of US$899 is quite attractive, especially since the KDL-40EX500 has 120 Hz refresh rate.
I would like to hear suggestions on alternatives from LG, Samsung, Sharp and Toshiba that I should consider (I'm willing to pay between US$800 to US$1,049 street price). I might consider getting a Panasonic 1080p plasma but I do have concerns about the peak power usage of a 42" plasma panel, which can reach around 300 watts.
No sweat. A great suggestion for some is NOT a great suggestion for all.
Ray, my only comment on the subject would be to think about the reflective qualities of the screen. I have always stayed away from screens where windows or lights behind you, could be reflected in the screen.
Give this some thought, and if you choose to get a reflective screen, at least you will have considered the pros and cons up front.
Take care and good luck to you.
Saturday evening my wife and I viewed a Sony 3D prototype. Wow. They will be out about mid-year 2010. Of course they will be $5,000 or so at first.
The 3D effect did not require the red/blue glasses, but did require other polarized or some such glasses. The effect was startlingly good. It was crisp, clear, and the depth was amazing, no color degradation at all.
From what the sales person was saying, there may be about three 3D cable channels to start, with one of them being sports oriented.
Can you imagine seeing a football game in 3D, the football headed toward you right into your living room? Wow.
Amazing...
Got a 42" Samsung plasma. The lighting can be a problem at times but I think the picture is better than an LCD.
Paid $650 for the 720p at BJ's.
For my daughter we would like to get 1080P 24" and be able to hookup Direct TV/Time Warer Boxes with ease as well as computers.
If you’re going to spend the money, get a plasma. I’ve got a Sanyo 50” plasma that I just love. Superior picture and quality. Yes, it does use a little more electricity, however, it’s worth it.
Got the coax from my cabbel attached to the back of it and with the remote can swich with monitor mode on the PC to TV mode via the cable connection.
Is it this one: M237WD-PM 23" LCD Monitor with Built-in Digital TV Tuner - 1080p, 1920x1080, 20000:1 Dynamic, 5ms, 2x HDMI
I think that is it,...price is better if that is where you might buy it....course I have had mine for several months.
I got a very similar deal as you did, but I got mine from Sony Style. Luckily there’s a retailer here in my hometown, so I got the 52” XBR9 and got a PS3 for bluray and streaming movies, a new mid-to upper line 7.1 receiver and a FIVE year warranty.
Interestingly, I went to Best Buy during the buying process and layed out the same deal (I was asking them to match) but they wouldn’t match-and I wasn’t asking for a five yr warranty as I didn’t know the Sony factory extended warranty was an extra yr when I was dealing. I am extremely happy with the purchase. (They let me walk out over $149 on the package)
Just to make you aware of that ......
Anandtech article...right now it's a big deal for Gamers
Beginnings of the Holodeck: AMD's DX11 GPU, Eyefinity and 6 Display Outputs
Second your recommendation of Monoprice for cables, adapters, converters, etc. I have been a satisfied customers for years.
We bought a 50” inch Panasonic plasma. We really like it. I like the fact you can get a good view from anywhere in the room.
I prefer LG, they use a IPS panel that has great color and viewing angles
I would consider getting an LG 42LH50, but discounts on LG's are hard to come by.
Yep, like others, get a Vizio at Costco.
1) LG 42LH50
2) Samsung LN40B650
3) Sony KDL-40EX500
I might consider the VIZIO VL420M if the picture quality is decent.
Don’t buy SONY anymore. Last two things, a multi-disc DVD theatre system and an under-the-cabinet CD/radio sucked.
However, Sony flat-screen TV’s have a far better reputation. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the new KDL-40EX500.
Sony & Samsung use PVA panels which are also very good. If possible watch a standard def dvd on your final choices, that is where the picture quality of the diffenent brands will really show. All tvs look good with a high def signal, but only a few look good scaling 720x480 to 1920x1080 resolution.
Happy shopping!
Mmmmm, plasma.
I’ve had a plasma since 2006, no problems and it looks so much better than the 42” LCD we bought last year for the bedroom.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.