[freedumb2003]

self ping to check back when people with these things weigh in.

I also have a 10-yo 30” tube and am thinking it is nearing the end of its life.

[Andyman]

I bought a 42” Visio at Costco for $699. 1080p, 240 hz, 4 HDMI inputs, and it is an American company, and the last time I looked, was built in FREE China (Taiwan).

I got it two weeks ago and and been VERY happy with it.

[Uri’el-2012]

Visio

[G Larry]

Go to CNET.com and all of your questions will be answered.
>www.cnet.com<

[votemout]

I shopped for awhile and finally bought last Nov. Amazon has real deals on occasion. You may have to wait til your model is on sale. Costco has great prices, but may not have your brand. Good luck!

[newfreep]

My 18 month 40” Samsung has been perfect to date. It also was one of the first 120HZ models and now Samsung has 240HZ models for better reproduction of fast action. HIGHLY recommended!

[NEMDF]

42” Samsung, about 18 months old, very happy with it. Smaller Sony Bravia in bedroom, about 6 months old. It is okay but the remote is awkward (too many buttons too near the bottom), and it seems to take too long to “warm up” before you can give it any instructions, although it is probably just a few seconds.

[BuckyKat]

We’re extremely happy with our 46-inch Samsung LCD. The picture is phenomenal. I like the swivel feature in the pedestal. We have a very well-lit living room in the daytime, and there’s very little glare. We purchased it at a base exchange in December for around $800.

[votemout]

The item in post 3 looks good. We got the 240 mhz feature on a 52” Samsung and the number of HDMI plugs is a good start. Consumer Reoports has some recent articles on TVs, you may have to go to your library or subscribe to get their report online.

[Kakaze]

We have two 42" Smasung plasmas and a 46 " Sony lcd.

All 3 are around 3 years old and we love them. I know a few years ago Sony had a problem and samsung actually made their screens for a bit.

I don't think you can go wrong with either brand.

[bmwcyle]

http://www.nextag.com/Samsung-8000-Series-46-526104603/prices-html

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Sharp.

[Patrioticdale]

I bought this tv a few months ago. Excellent tv with 120hz refresh rate. Here’s the specs.
Specifications:

Display Area: 42”
Display Type: LCD
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1920 x 10
Screen Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Response Time: 2.7 ms
Signal Compatibility: 1080p
Compatibility: VESA (200 mm X 200 mm)
Condition: New
Audio Ports: 5
Speakers: 2
Inputs: RS-232
S-Video
PC
RGB
HDMI In
Remote Control In (IR)
HD Component
Outputs: Audio
Digital Audio Out
HDMI Ports: 4
Power Consumption: 231W
Height (inches): 27.1
Height with Stand (inches): 28.9
Width (inches): 40.4
Depth (inches): 4.4
Depth with Stand (inches): 11.6
Check out tigerdirect.com for some of the best prices out there.

[libertarian27]

I second researching on CNET.
I bought a particular 52” Samsung model based on their reviews and am quite happy.

[romanesq]

Personally I find the performance of Sony of late a bit underwhelming and the price a bit higher.

As you are coming from the old technology, you might want to consider looking at Panasonic on both LCD and plasma they have very good value.

The 37” S1 is very good and the 42” plasma is superb. They have new energy savings too. Check out the AVS Forum for more on all of this.

Best,
Romanesq

[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.

[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

[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.