42" or 46" - Suggestions?

[rgratto2]

My parents are buying me an HDTV as a graduation gift. I've been looking around a little, and feel that either the 42 or the 46 inch range would be appropriate. They haven't given me a specific price to date, but I feel as though they would like to keep it < $1500, probably more towards the 1k-1.2k range if possible.

I went to the local Frys for the first time, and looked at their wide array of displays a bit. Unfortunately, this was in more of the preliminary stages of searching, so I didn't take good notes (shame on me). There was a 42" LG for $1.2k which looked nice. Otherwise, I've been looking at this Samsung a bit. I've seen it get as low as $1350ish.

Can anyone offer me any suggestions or point out anything to look for? All I'm really aware of is the number of HDMI ports (preferably 1.3?), and I have a general understanding of the contrast ratio.

 

[TRD Supra]

I wouldn't recommend samsung as most of their TVs have a cloud problem with the panels. The new Toshiba's are great looking. The new Toshiba 42RV530U $1199 at bestbuy so more in your guessed range. Also check 46RV530U and Toshiba's XV series. The new Sony's if cheap enough might be worth looking at.

These are of the 42" RV530U
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/AznDVL/TV/DSC00140.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r128/Stealthman80/TheatreMarch08-2.jpg
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13723054&postcount=543
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13583261&postcount=322


Also from what I can remember from Toshiba's press release on these TVs that the SD channels are unconverted or something like that.

 

[rgratto2]

Thanks for the post. Whats a cloud problem? Also, what does it mean to have unconverted channels? I'm a noob with these things

Edit: The amazon reviews for that toshiba model are lookin pretty good, this one is hilarious: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2VIG0MBSSOSNX/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm I am not listening to the Portal song. Anyone have any 46" suggestions?

 

[TRD Supra]

Well I have been looking at the toshiba my self and looking at all the comments about the TV on avsforums and people with vga/component 360 or what ever else over those DO NOT get 1080p to work but if you have a hdmi 360 your fine. So if you dont have a HDMI 360 I would look back into the Samsung and if you get a good then youll be fine, if not just return it right away for a new one. Same with LG.

 

[MentatYP]

Haven't seen any clouding complaints on Samsung's 550 series myself. I bought the 46" version, and it's great. Best Buy carries them, so you should be able to go to one and check it out yourself. Not the best test, as those TVs are never properly calibrated, but it should give you some idea.

 

[rgratto2]

I actually went to worst buy yesterday and found both the toshiba and samsung models. It was hard to differentiate too much because they weren't right next to each other, but they both looked quite nice (well, most TVs did really...).

I was mostly comparing the 42 inch to the 46 inch to see what size I found more appropriate. I think that I'm gonna go 46 - dont want to have any buyers remorse if I go too small.

I am hoping for some deals on it for the holiday. What should my COA for it be? I have heard of people buying it early from BB, then if it goes on sale, getting a price adjustment. The bummer to that idea is that my sales tax is a whopping 10.25%, which makes amazon'ing it tempting.

Edit: Oh, I am a wii owner and soon to be PS3 owner, no 360.

 

[MentatYP]

What's Amazon selling it for now, $1600? I got mine when it was $1500 at Amazon and missed out on getting a price adjustment when it dipped into the $1400s, but you might be waiting a long time if you're waiting for the prices to go back down to that level again. $1600 shipped is a good deal I think, and their return policy is great if you are unlucky enough to need a replacement TV sent out--the delivery crew delivers the replacement set and hauls away the defective one.

 

[rgratto2]

I'm pretty sure I saw it at $1350 when I was first looking about a week to a week and a half ago, I didnt realize how good of a deal that was :-(

What is amazons price adjustment policy?

 

[MentatYP]

You have to call them to get the adjustment, but within 30 days of purchase if their price goes lower than your purchase price you will get a refund of the difference. That only applies buying directly through Amazon, not through their affiliates.