Opinions on HD LCD purchase

  • Thread starter Thread starter Casio
  • 11 comments
  • 846 views
Casio

Casio

Born From Jets
Premium
Messages
7,956
Messages
BradleyH131
I walked in a store the other day (looking at buying a T-Shirt noless) and saw they were selling a Toshiba 32" LCD from $1600 down to $1050, it looked a lot like this one so I believe the model to be 32HL67U. Reading through the overwhelmingly positive Amazon customer reviews, I'm thinking this might not be a bad deal. It's approximately 300$ cheaper than the equivalent Samsung/Sony models and 350$ cheaper than a Panasonic guy on another store told me to get.

But I have a few questions. First up, has anyone had experience with this, or any other Toshiba set? Is it worth shelling out the extra money for a different brand such as Sony? And alternatively, is it worth waiting another 6 months for the 1080P sets to come down in price?

Also, if I got this set, I'd like a decent upscaling DVD player. I've never even looked at them so I don't know where to start, although some quick googling shows the Sony DVP-NS75H to be ok?. If a good one can be had cheaply I would get that and hold out until the PS3 drops a bit. Or does the PS3 display DVDs well enough to warrant the extra outlay?
 
If I were in your position I'd wait to be able to get a 1080p set and a PS3. But I'm a bit biased because I jumped directly from standard def to 1080p and the first HD content I watched was on the PS3...Granted, there isn't a huge difference that I've noticed between the two resolutions, the most noticeable thing is that text is sometimes sharper. Even so, you'll be wishing you had bought a 1080p TV later on. 1080p is going to be a standard that lasts for quite a while I think.
 
I just came back from the store my friend works at and he'll do me a deal on a 32" Panasonic for under 1000$ which is an absolute steal. The thing about getting 1080p is that it's for my bedroom and I have no idea where I'm going to fit a 32" screen never mind a 40" which seems to be the minimum for 1080p. I can get that screen, a PS3, and an upscaling DVD player for the price of a 1080p set.

But again, I guess it's only about 800$ more....I don't know. I'll see how my finances go over the next couple of weeks.
 
I had similar plans about a year ago but I ended up settling for a $500 27" 720p set, and I've been pretty satisfied overall. It meets my needs, its about the right size for my living room, but I too plan to update soon-ish. Maybe.

It sounds like a pretty decent deal, but I'd wait for the 1080p prices to come down a bit. A lot of people say that Bravia is overrated, but yeah, its the standard of the industry. If you can afford it, eventually, go for it!
 
Well my mate who works in the store reckons Sony have really dropped their game. The Sony is more expensive than the Panasonic and he's still recommending the Panasonic. He's even buying a 1080p Panasonic next week over the Sony because of the better quality.

I have to say side by side the Panasonic did seem equal best with the Samsung, with the Samsung having slightly better whites but the Panasonic much better blacks.

This is the Panasonic
 
I would have to disagree with your friend about Sony dropping the ball on TV's. They Bravia range is still a regular group test and award winner, in fact in this months What Hi-Fi (UK home cinema magazine) the Sony KDL-32P3020 won a 32"/£500 group test, with the Panasonic TX-32LMD70 coming a close second behind it.

Don't get me wrong I don't think you will go far wrong with either a Sony or Panasonic set, and both the ones I have mentioned above handle 1080P as well. That said at this kind of screen, unless you at sat very close, then 720P is going to do you fine.

I personally am a great believer in you get what you pay for, particulalry in regard to Home Cinema. You can get cheaper TVs, but I think its false economy.

In regard to an upscalling DVD player, the PS3 does a very good job of it, certainly good enough that a seperate upscalling DVD player (unless you want to invest as much in one as you would spend on a PS3) would be a waste of money. You would be better of putting the money into a PS3 and a small surround sound set-up.

Regards

Scaff
 
I have this 32" Aquos and I love it.

click forThe details

tellc32d62upic2h174tf9.jpg


Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) Resolution

for the sharpest picture possible.


10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and 6ms Response Time1

produces spectacular picture quality.


Dual HDMI™ Inputs and Dual Component

for the ultimate in terminal flexibility. All inputs are compatible with 1080p sources.


Enhanced Black Level

provides the deepest, most accurate black of any flat panel TV.


High Brightness (450 cd/m2)

AQUOS LCD Televisions are very bright. You can put them virtually anywhere – even near windows, doors or other light sources – and the picture is still vivid.


Wide Viewing Angles (176º H x 176º V)

Sharp's AQUOS viewing angles are so wide, you can view the TV clearly from practically anywhere in the room.


Built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC Tuners

provide access to DTV and analog TV channels.


AQUOS Platform

provides high-performance video processing for the brightest, most vivid colors and images.
Click to expand...
 
I have that same tv for my room, except 26 inch and 720p. And we are looking to get a 46 inch 1080p one for the tv room downstairs. I love the Sharp ones.
 
Changed my mind on the Panasonic, ended up with a great deal on this.

dsc00278yv4.jpg


KDL-32V3100. Pretty decent so far if I do say so myself, although I've only had it a couple of hours.
 
Yummy.

dsc00291ee1.jpg


However, is it normal for the fan on the back on the TV to produce an audible whirring noise? You can't hear it unless the TV is muted or on low volume.
 

Latest Posts

Back