Help Me Pick Out A New Television (1 Viewer)

[Statorama]

Finally ready to upgrade the TV in the front room. Haven't bought a new TV in about 10 years, so I'm a bit out of the loop.

I hear "Smart TV's" are the new rage, but don't know much about them. Plasma/HDTV...not an expert there either.

What I'm looking for is the primary TV my family will be using for the next 20 years. Max size is about 60''.

Set will be utilized 95% regular television viewing, 5% PS3 gaming / other.

Won't go as far as to say money isn't an object, but I'm willing to pay more for a rock solid set.

I don't have surround sound / theater sound, so sound out of the set is a primary concern.

Picture and sound are ahead of features. Picture/Sound/Features are all primary considerations ahead of cost.

Help Me FBG's. You're my only hope.

 

[Otis]

Link

 

[yhayes]

Check the wirecutter list.

 

[Ilov80s]

It's a front room so I assume that it may be well lit? Plasma a can have issues with glare. You might be better off with LED. Do you have HBO because I believe Samsung is the only SmartTV with HBOGo (and they are great sets).

 

[Dr Oadi]

Gotta be 4K

 

[SlaX]

When looking at sound, you may want to consider a surround system or a soundbar. The sound out of new TV - even on the best ones - aren't very good.

Here are some good 55" smart TVs:

Samsung 55" http://www.sears.com/samsung-55inch-class-1080p-slim-led-hdtv-un55f6300/p-05771471000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

LG 55" Google TV http://www.amazon.com/LG-55G2-55-Inch-LED-LCD-Glasses/dp/B0074WVYNO (Great deal on this TV)

Samsung 60": http://www.sears.com/samsung-60inch-class-1080p-120hz-slim-led-hdtv/p-05771477000P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

 

[Riversco]

I think you want a samsung LED with smart tv, 120 mhz and 1080p

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Get a 21" TV and then tell your neighbors you're practical.

 

[Wooderson]

This TV will not last you 20 years.

 

[VA703]

vizio 55" 240hz led smart tv

 

[JShare87]

Panasonic plasma. The newer models are a while lot better when it comes to glare. There is no better tv for picture quality, and is also great handling motion.

 

[Statorama]

Lots of good stuff in here guys, thanks!

 

[zoonation]

Get a soundbar at least. Sound out of any tv blows.

And lol at lasting 20 years...

 

[INRIhab]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+55%26%2334%3B+Class+(54-5/8%26%2334%3B+Diag.)+-+LED+-+1080p+-+120Hz+-+HDTV/1611413.p?id=1219057058728&skuId=1611413&st=GL_Sale_TV_20130825&cp=1&lp=12


Samsung 55" LED for $800....While I'm not a BB fan at all, I'm moving into a new apartment this week and will probably pull the trigger on this one. I'm not looking for a Smart TV though -- the 55" Samsung Smart TV that someone linked above is $300 more, and I have no idea whether it's worth the added cost. PC Richard has this 60" version for $1000.

 

[Ilov80s]

Panasonic plasma. The newer models are a while lot better when it comes to glare. There is no better tv for picture quality, and is also great handling motion.

If the glare reduction is true, I would vote Panny plasmas as the best. Mine is in my basement and a couple years old. I have friends with brand new LEDs and the picture is not as good.

 

[SlaX]

Panasonic plasma. The newer models are a while lot better when it comes to glare. There is no better tv for picture quality, and is also great handling motion.

If the glare reduction is true, I would vote Panny plasmas as the best. Mine is in my basement and a couple years old. I have friends with brand new LEDs and the picture is not as good.

According to CNET, the glare reduction is true. I can tell on some, but others still show a bit of glare. I've gotten used to it on my plasma.

 

[jason12vb]

Panasonic plasma. The newer models are a while lot better when it comes to glare. There is no better tv for picture quality, and is also great handling motion.

If the glare reduction is true, I would vote Panny plasmas as the best. Mine is in my basement and a couple years old. I have friends with brand new LEDs and the picture is not as good.

I had a 4 year old Panasonic Plasma...absolutely loved the picture compared to my Sony LCD, but the sound was aweful...how's the sound on yours?

I love the LED I replaced the Plamsa with...I think the picture is better and the sound is waayy better. It's also like 1/3 the weight, doesn't give off heat like the plamsa did, and the frame around the screen is only like 1/4"..not sure if plasmas can maximize your space like that.

(should add that I've never paid more than $1,000 for a TV, so my experience might be completely different than those spending more)

 

[JShare87]

Panasonic plasma. The newer models are a while lot better when it comes to glare. There is no better tv for picture quality, and is also great handling motion.

If the glare reduction is true, I would vote Panny plasmas as the best. Mine is in my basement and a couple years old. I have friends with brand new LEDs and the picture is not as good.

I had a 4 year old Panasonic Plasma...absolutely loved the picture compared to my Sony LCD, but the sound was aweful...how's the sound on yours?I love the LED I replaced the Plamsa with...I think the picture is better and the sound is waayy better. It's also like 1/3 the weight, doesn't give off heat like the plamsa did, and the frame around the screen is only like 1/4"..not sure if plasmas can maximize your space like that.

(should add that I've never paid more than $1,000 for a TV, so my experience might be completely different than those spending more)

I would never spend over 2,000 dollars on a tv, and not have a surround sound system with a halfway decent receiver. I don't think I've ever heard how the sound is on my Panasonic gt30.

 

[Mr. Ected]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+55%26%2334%3B+Class+(54-5/8%26%2334%3B+Diag.)+-+LED+-+1080p+-+120Hz+-+HDTV/1611413.p?id=1219057058728&skuId=1611413&st=GL_Sale_TV_20130825&cp=1&lp=12


Samsung 55" LED for $800....While I'm not a BB fan at all, I'm moving into a new apartment this week and will probably pull the trigger on this one. I'm not looking for a Smart TV though -- the 55" Samsung Smart TV that someone linked above is $300 more, and I have no idea whether it's worth the added cost. PC Richard has this 60" version for $1000.

How does this one compare to the Vizio E-Series 55" Class (54-5/8" Diag.) - LED - 1080p - 120Hz - Smart - HDTV? I can get that one at Costco for $750, with an extra year of warranty.

 

[Ilov80s]

Panasonic plasma. The newer models are a while lot better when it comes to glare. There is no better tv for picture quality, and is also great handling motion.

If the glare reduction is true, I would vote Panny plasmas as the best. Mine is in my basement and a couple years old. I have friends with brand new LEDs and the picture is not as good.

I had a 4 year old Panasonic Plasma...absolutely loved the picture compared to my Sony LCD, but the sound was aweful...how's the sound on yours?)

No clue, I have an Onkyo surround sound system.

 

[Popinski]

Thoughts on this LG 50" for $700? http://www.costco.com/LG-50%22-Class-1080p-120Hz-Smart-LED-HDTV-50LB6100.product.100108067.html I always assumed Samsung was at the top in terms reputation of big name companies, but is LG up there too?

And why would this Vizio 55" with similar specs be cheaper at $680? http://www.costco.com/Vizio-55%22-Class-1080p-120Hz-Smart-LED-HDTV-E550i-B2.product.100100315.html

 

[phowler13]

Did panasonic discontinue their plasmas? Was looking for a tcp50st60 and finding mixed information.

 

[SlaX]

Thoughts on this LG 50" for $700? http://www.costco.com/LG-50%22-Class-1080p-120Hz-Smart-LED-HDTV-50LB6100.product.100108067.html I always assumed Samsung was at the top in terms reputation of big name companies, but is LG up there too?

And why would this Vizio 55" with similar specs be cheaper at $680? http://www.costco.com/Vizio-55%22-Class-1080p-120Hz-Smart-LED-HDTV-E550i-B2.product.100100315.html

Yes, LG is #2 in terms of sales right now. Visio is cheaper because they sale at cost. Not bad TVs either.

Did panasonic discontinue their plasmas? Was looking for a tcp50st60 and finding mixed information.

Yes, unfortunately, Panasonic closed down their manufacturing plants for plasmas. Their shortsightedness of this also left them in the cold this year because they weren't prepared with new LEDs. Panasonic is gonna have a bad year. It's unfortunate too, because I find their TVs are top notch with Samsung. I might suggest Samsungs PN51F5500 or PN51E8000 as a good substitution if you can't find the Panasonic you're looking for.

 

[Mohawk]

Sharp 55" 4 colors- LED .... awesome pic.

 

[Osaurus]

Thoughts on this LG 50" for $700? http://www.costco.com/LG-50"-Class-1080p-120Hz-Smart-LED-HDTV-50LB6100.product.100108067.html I always assumed Samsung was at the top in terms reputation of big name companies, but is LG up there too?

And why would this Vizio 55" with similar specs be cheaper at $680? http://www.costco.com/Vizio-55"-Class-1080p-120Hz-Smart-LED-HDTV-E550i-B2.product.100100315.html

Was thinking about this one in 55". http://www.samsung.com/us/video/tvs/UN60H6400AFXZA Anyone have one?