LCD Television

Bird · Oct 3, 2005

We're considering the possibility of getting an LCD television to set on the fireplace mantel (very likely never light a fire in the fireplace). This Magnavox looks about right; that is, everything except the price. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif What are the opinions about the reliability of something like this?

Chuck52 · Oct 3, 2005

Bird,

We've been looking at 32" LCDs at Sam's. They run from 1K to about 1.6K. What's stopping me now is the idea that even if we get an LCD HDTV monitor, we're still stuck with very little HDTV signal to look at. We're limited to satelite, and I think we would have to pay quite a bit extra for HD content. Wait until we do something, and then you will be able to buy something much better, at half the price, and get HD signals free.

Chuck

Bird · Oct 3, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Wait until we do something, and then you will be able to buy something much better, at half the price, and get HD signals free )</font>

I can identify with that, Chuck. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif We have Dish Network satellite TV. And I, too, looked at what Sam's Club has. I'd just rather buy from a place that has a service facility, although I don't really know that would make any difference. We really aren't concerned about HD except that I figure if I buy a TV, it probably should have that capability. We're just thinking about getting a new TV for two or three reasons:

(1) the Dish Network remote has instructions for programming it so it will also work the TV. That worked fine on the little 20" Magnavox in the bedroom, but will not work on the 27" Philips Magnavox in the living room, /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

(2) the 27" Philips Magnavox is apparently still a good TV, but it does take longer to warm up than it used to take, so my wife thinks it may be on its last legs, and

(3) perhaps the most important reason is this house we just bought has a very small living room with a corner fireplace. We have been unable to figure any satisfactory way to arrange our existing furniture to comfortably watch TV. But the current arrangement would be just fine if the TV were over the fireplace instead of being off to the left of the fireplace. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Naturally, I can't set this big old conventional TV on a 9" fireplace mantel. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

EarPlug · Oct 3, 2005

Bird, For all things regarding TV I refer to AVS Forums.

Look at the Plasma and LCD Flat Panel Displays

Jack

HGM · Oct 3, 2005

I too have been considering it for the same as your #3.

Although I havent come to need it yet, so have little time invested in research. I have heard that the LCD's are a better investment thatn the plasma. The reason is that both have a life expectancy in hours. Apparently, the LCD is near double. Make sure you ask about that when looking at them.

MikePA · Oct 4, 2005

The current issue of Consumers Report has a review of flat panel TVs, including LCDs.

jinman · Oct 4, 2005

Bird, we use over 100 LCD projectors for our classrooms at SimuFlite. We started with them almost 10 years ago and the latest technology is pretty darn good. Projectors are different in design than a TV screen or monitor, but they all share the LCD as the core technology. The only negative I've heard on the LCDs as far as TV goes is long pixel persistency. It causes some small amount of streaking when objects move fast across the screen. So if you are watching NASCAR instead of a tractor pull, you may notice the streaking. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I have HD on DishNetwork at my house now and it is spectacular. Movies and sports events are a whole new dimension of clarity. For $9.95 a month, I think I'll stick with it. We have about six channels of HD and normally we can find a few programs to watch. The outdoors programs are my favorite, with sports next. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Monster Garage I can live without.

Bird · Oct 4, 2005

Jack, there's certainly a LOT of information there. Unfortunately, much of it is far above my head. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I would just like something smaller and lighter with a decent picture and sound to watch TV and maybe occasionally watch a DVD or VCR cassette, but the more I read, the more it sounds like higher prices and shorter life than the old fashioned TVs.

gsxr1100 · Oct 4, 2005

I agree the LCD are poor for Tv; but that is if you get a cheaper LCD projector. I had a 800x600 years ago and was ok. I then got a Epson Powerlite ( up to 1280 x 1024). And boy, night and day here. Nice ones are about $3K to $6K

I know the movie screen helping another 100%. No hot spots and looks much better.