Now in the market for 40"-42" flat-panel HDTV.

Vanity | February 15, 2010 | RayChuang88

[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.

[RayChuang88]

That’s great except for two things: manufacturer and model number.

[NormsRevenge]

I’d check the samsungs out, we just bit for a 46 inch led lcd backlit model a month ago for the Olympics.

prices have fallen since we bought it and will continue too.. if ya want to spend the extra dough that is.. LCDs work just fine too.. Wish we had room for a bigger one .. :-)

[oh8eleven]

I suggest you evaluate on-line via CNET and BestBuy.
Head to your local retailer and compare first hand ... then wait for a sale if possible.
Personally, I've had a Sony 42" LCD for 5 years w/o a problem. I considered replacing it just before Christmas and after my evaluation of what's available, I'd stick with Sony.
The Samsung LED is a close second.

[CharlesWayneCT]

I just bought a 55 inch Visio. I like it, but be warned, it doesn’t look that good when driven from a composite or analog cable input. It looks great driven digitally from an HDTV cable or fios box, and the X-box looks incredible fed from the HDMI interface.

[mountn man]

My buddy has his own home audio visual business. I was checking out his latest project, a 5000 sq foot home, worth about $1.5-$2.0 million. He installed a couple of tvs in the range you mentioned.

He used to do a lot of Samsungs, but started to get bad ones about 10% of the time. I asked what he prefers, he said Sonys and LGs. He really likes LGs...A lot!

Check out Abt appliance. They usually have great prices.

Abt.com

[Michigan Bowhunter]

I install DirecTV. All of the sets are pretty good. IF you only receive a standard definition signal, you may not be all that impressed. The TV’s all perform well but one of the most important things we all have to understand is the connections are the single most important factor. If you have DirecTV or Dish Network, make sure the installer uses all new lines and new fittings. If installed properly, you will have the ability for the equipment to deliver the best picture to the televisions tuner.

Buy an inexpensive HDMI cable.....DO NOT waste your money on a big MONSTER cable......you couldnt tell the difference if you tried.

My personal favorite are the Vizio product line.

[RayChuang88]

I’m looking at the Best Buy website right and they mention the Toshiba REGZA 40XV645U 40” 120 Hz LCD for US$700. Anyone tried this model and know how good is the picture quality?

[savedbygrace]

If you decide only based on picture quality, go with the Panny plasmas. They cannot be beat.

But whatever you do, stay away from Toshiba.

If the Panny plasmas are out of the running, then consider this: I’ve been in the video business as a shooter and editor or many years, and my eyes are well trained for noticing tiny differences in the video image. To get an idea of the monitors most people choose between, I went to WalMart recently.

I examined each very carefully, realizing the ‘room’ lighting was lousy and worked against seeing the images as they would appear at home.

Of all the 1080p monitors lined up on the back wall, I chose the Sony Bravia 46” Class 1080p LCD HDTV, KDL-46S504. It’s not as good as the Panasonic plasmas, but it’s better than anything else WalMart sells. IMO.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-46-KDL46S504/12460936

Note: WalMart sells a 50” Panasonic 720p plasma, but I was only looking for 1080p, so I ignored it. If that’s not a limiting factor for you, WM is selling it cheap right now:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Panasonic-50-TC-P50C1/12565692

[cbkaty]

I have a Samsung Plasma and a Vizio LED...the Vizio has the best picture, hands down.

[RayChuang88]

Thanks for the suggestion but 46" is out of the question due to fitment issues in the family room.

I'm still leaning towards the Sony KDL-40EX500, unless someone can talk me into a better 40" to 42" LCD 120 Hz flat panel....

[Varda]

For a plasma to run at peak you'd have to have it in torch mode with the contrast turned all the way up. That would burn my retinas off. I still like my plasma (4 years old) better than current LCDs. It probably costs a couple dollars a month more to run one although I can't tell any difference in my electric bill when I have it on all the time and when I don't. (I have it set in user mode with the contrast about 25% of maximum).

My advice would be:
Don''t go to showrooms to compare picture quality. That tells you very little.
Take professional reviews with a grain of salt.
Consumer reports is worthless.
Best web site for learning more and the best user reviews: AVSforum

[Dallas59]

2005 Sharp 26in LCD HDTV, 2007 Philips 47in LCD HDTV, 2009 LCD 32in HDTV. All run 24/7 and no problems. You can download updates for your TV from the Philips website via USB flash. Once you go LCD you don’t go back. No more lines or tiny squares.

[Eska]

I bought a 61 inch Rear project Samsung 5 years ago for 2300 bucks; still cookin at least 8 hours a day. Only 720, but I'm happy. I've replaced 2 bulbs, one color wheel, and 2 fans myself; easy to do, online details. I'm buying a mitsub diamond 82 inch this summer, waiting on price drop before football starts. Should be around 2500 by then.

I really like the bigger tvs, especially for football, hockey, and nascar.

[redangus]

If your main concern is power usage get an LCD, if your top priority is picture quality then go with the plasma. No LCD will give you the PQ, black levels, color accuracy or viewing angle of a good plasma. Viewing angles on LCDs suck. The LCD manufacture’s specs will tell you can watch the LCD from 140-176 degrees off center, that is BS. One consideration though concerning the plasma, how bright is the room you are going to have the TV in? LCDs can be turned up to torch mode and overcome high ambient light, plasma do not do as well under those situations. Normal day time light is not a problem, but if the TV is in a room with massive large windows opposite it then you may want to go with the LCD.

[oh8eleven]

Buy an inexpensive HDMI cable.....DO NOT waste your money on a big MONSTER cable......you couldnt tell the difference if you tried.
Great advice. I bought an up-converting DVD player three years ago - on sale for $75 - and they tried to sell me a Monster HDMI cable for $89.
I got it at WalMart for about $20.

[redangus]

For the record I have a 50 inch Pioneer Elite. They are no longer being made which is too bad because they have simply the best PQ period. My wife, who is not a big A/V person, actually went to pick it out at BB. She was first drawn to the Sony Bravia, but after seeing the Pioneer she actually called an said it was the only one she would buy, it was that much better. The Panny are good TVs. I have a 10 year old 47 inch RPTV in the basement. It has never had a problem. Good luck in your search.

Lastly whatever you buy have it professionally calibrated. It cost a little money, about $300-400, but it is worth every penny. Also the comment on the cables is dead on. The big expensive HDMI cables are not worth the extra cost. Just buy some good quality cable for a reasonable price and you will be very happy.

[The Duke]

The big issue with HDTV viewing satisfaction is *glare*. If the screen is reflective then you really need to put it in a room with no windows. If you have such a room, then plasma is a great option (I've never seen a plasma TV that was not highly reflective).

If you are putting it in a room that has windows and/or lighting that you can reposition, then LCD is the best technology (very few LCD's have any glare at all - with my Samsung LCD being one of the few exceptions unfortunately :( ).

Just my two cents.

BTW, a Sony PS3 is the perfect compliment for an HDTV. It can add blue-ray, Internet connectivity, and games with one purchase. However, one should also get the $15 remote control for it so that you're not using a game controller to play movies.

[meyer]

Any opinions on Mitsubishi? They use a thinner bezel around the screen so I can get the most amount of screen into the space in my cabinet. At this point, I can get a 40” Mitsubishi into the spot where a 35” CRT would go. The model I'm looking at is 36.7 inches wide and the space is 37.5 inches wide so I have almost an inch of free space. Height is not a problem since somebody arbitrarily decided that we needed wider screens.

[philetus]

Get at least 240 hz. I personally like Samsung.

[oh8eleven]

Anyone tried this model and know how good is the picture quality?
Remember, quality is subjective.

Toshiba REGZA 40XV645U 40” 120Hz LCD:
* poor RGB performance
* Obvious motion blur and significant artifacting
* Poor viewing angle and reflective display