[Danberg]

Our present 57" rear projection TV (a lemon in my opinion) is starting to go on the fritz again.  I'm at the point of not wanting to put any more $ into serviceing it (6 yrs old, already spent 40% of it's value on service).

I want a 55" or larger LCD to replace it.  Seems that is an unusual request.  The vast majority of LCD TV's seem to go to 52", or the prices go up stratospherically, with very limited availability.

Is the LCD industry on the verge of offering larger screens as a norm, at resonable cost? 

Any sources of information or suggestions?  Projection TV is out, due to location of windows in our TV viewing room. 

[fsimms]

I have been looking at 55" TVs recently.  New at it so take my advice with a grain of salt.  The new Samsung 55" LED TV's are pretty good.  I would probably buy one myself if I didn't have to worry about my bright room with a glass wall.  The glare on the screen would be too much I think.  I don't think that would be a problem in a media room.   Local people have sales starting at $2500 and you could get one for $2000 on the internet.   One possibility would be a Visio 55" LED from Sam's.  They have a 4 year trade in without buying a waranty.   If it breaks, then they would give me a new one

Bob

[Doublej]

www.avsforum.com is the place to go.

55+ still appears to be plasma territory, although there are likely to be announcements about new models and prices at CES in two weeks.

[fsimms]

55+ still appears to be plasma territory

Doublej, why do you say that?  I am just curious.

Bob

[Doublej]

'cause everyone I know with a set bigger than 55" has a plasma. I think it's a combination of the lower price and the fact that they are sports fans and hence prefer plasma.

I think a 65" Panasonic plasma can be had for $2500 vs. ~$4500 for a 65" LCD.

[zybar]

'cause everyone I know with a set bigger than 55" has a plasma. I think it's a combination of the lower price and the fact that they are sports fans and hence prefer plasma.

I think a 65" Panasonic plasma can be had for $2500 vs. ~$4500 for a 65" LCD.

Plus plasma still looks better than LCD.  aa

While LCD's have definitely closed the gap, I have yet to see one that is equal the best plasma tv's out there.

George

[sdeen]

Our present 57" rear projection TV (a lemon in my opinion) is starting to go on the fritz again.  I'm at the point of not wanting to put any more $ into serviceing it (6 yrs old, already spent 40% of it's value on service).

I want a 55" or larger LCD to replace it.  Seems that is an unusual request.  The vast majority of LCD TV's seem to go to 52", or the prices go up stratospherically, with very limited availability.

Is the LCD industry on the verge of offering larger screens as a norm, at resonable cost? 

Any sources of information or suggestions?  Projection TV is out, due to location of windows in our TV viewing room.

Well, there's the refurbished Samsung LN55A950 50" LCD TV that can costs you for around 2.8k. While on the other hand, there's a Sony Bravia XBR KDL55XBR8 55" LCD TV that is priced at about 3.7k. Sony is tops among the lcds having an outstanding LCD TV ratings of 92.

[Rocket]

Hi,

I keep hearing that lcd's are much cheaper to operate than plasma tv's.  Is this true?

I bought a cheapy 42 inch chinese no name plasma tv a couple of years ago and it is still going strong.  At the time I thought that lcd/plastma's would be better with more features in the future and I didn't see the point in spending more on an expensive model.

Regards

Rod

[zybar]

Hi,

I keep hearing that lcd's are much cheaper to operate than plasma tv's.  Is this true?

I bought a cheapy 42 inch chinese no name plasma tv a couple of years ago and it is still going strong.  At the time I thought that lcd/plastma's would be better with more features in the future and I didn't see the point in spending more on an expensive model.

Regards

Rod

Rod,

LCD's are indeed cheaper to run, but people need to look at absolute costs and not just percentages.

For example, one of the best plasma tv's out there (Panasonic TC-P50V10) will consume roughly $55/year in electricity and is considered "fair" in terms of energy consumption.  While one of the best LCD tv's out there (Samsung UN55B8500) will consume roughly $29/year in electricity and is considered "good" in terms of energy consumption.

While the plasma display uses almost twice as much electricity as the LCD display, you are talking about an extra $2/month difference.  I just can't imagine that somebody would or should base their purchasing decision on this area. 

Buy the tv with the best picture/features for the money.

George

[zybar]

Our present 57" rear projection TV (a lemon in my opinion) is starting to go on the fritz again.  I'm at the point of not wanting to put any more $ into serviceing it (6 yrs old, already spent 40% of it's value on service).

I want a 55" or larger LCD to replace it.  Seems that is an unusual request.  The vast majority of LCD TV's seem to go to 52", or the prices go up stratospherically, with very limited availability.

Is the LCD industry on the verge of offering larger screens as a norm, at resonable cost? 

Any sources of information or suggestions?  Projection TV is out, due to location of windows in our TV viewing room.

Well, there's the refurbished Samsung LN55A950 50" LCD TV that can costs you for around 2.8k. While on the other hand, there's a Sony Bravia XBR KDL55XBR8 55" LCD TV that is priced at about 3.7k. Sony is tops among the lcds having an outstanding LCD TV ratings of 92.

I know it is a personal preference, but I would select many tv's (for far less money) before taking the Sony XBR8 (BTW, they are now on the XBR10).  LCD models from Samsung and LG, as well as plasma models from Panansonic and Samsung offer a better picture.  There is also a lot of positive press around the newest Vizio (yep, Vizio) and it might be right up there with some of the best displays available.

George

[mcgsxr]

I have seen the new 47 120Hz Vizio, when I was shopping for my plasma (smaller) and liked it very much.

[Phil A]

I'm actually looking for one about that size for the bedroom to replace my current 42 inch Vizio LCD (which I'm going to move to the kitchen).  I bought a mount (with a Costco coupon a couple of mos. back) that swivels and will handle up to 56 inches.  Costco will have a $500 coupon on a 60 inch LCD (I think Samsung) that will make it $2k.  The coupon will be effective Jan. 7 thru Jan. 24.  They also will have a coupon on a 52 inch Sony Bravia (I think $200).  Vizio has announced a delay in their internet TVs (which I can live without as I can connect my laptop if I really want) - http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10402386-1.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave

So I'm hoping for some deals in January on the older Vizios (either the 55 inch LCD or 55 inch LED).

[Phil A]

Thru Feb. 7, Costco has an instant $300 off the Vizio 55 inch LED making the price $1,599.99.  I might be picking one up for the bedroom system tomorrow.  I've had the (Simplicity) swivel out mount (handles 37-56 inch TVs) I got with a Costco coupon a couple of months back and I've still somehow managed to avoid upgrading my currrent TV

[honesthoff]

Danberg,

The March issue of Consumer Reports is out now and tests over 130 TV's.  Their top-scoring 55" + set is the Samsung PN58B650 Plasma at $1950.00 retail, and their top-scoring LCD is the LG 55LH90 at $2500.00 retail.  I would encourage you to pick up a copy and read the entire article.  Also, cnet has always provided useful TV reviews.

[eg1]

I went with the LG55LH40 because I didn't think I needed a refresh rate above 120 and the price was good -- YMMV.

[woodsyi]

I settled for Samsung UN55B7000 55-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV for the same reason I didn't think I needed 240 Hz.  Perfectly fine viewing with daylight through 2 windows behind the TV.   Thinness is a big bonus.

[Phil A]

I bought the 55 inch Vizio LED on Saturday (pictures in my gallery) and moved the 42 inch LCD to the kitchen.  Was a minor pain getting the 55 inch on the swivel out mount but it looks good.  I've only watched a small piece of one Blu-Ray and a bit of the Grammy Awards.  Both looked great and if I get a chance later I'll pull out the Colorimeter.  I like Costco's policy on TVs extending the warranty for a full 2 years (and 90 days to return).

[penthouse-D]

Try to find a Sony 55 XBR 8. The TV was 7K. They are closing them out. I'm watching mine now.AWESOME

[eclein]

I love my SONY!! But I also love JBL's--LOL!!!
Refresh rate of 120 is noticeable over 60...go 120 or over imho.