[omnivorette]

So we want to buy a new TV for the house upstate. We are not interested in a huge television - we don't watch very much. But the old one we have is on its last legs. It's a 19" . We want to get something like a 30" . I need to understand LED vs plasma, pricing, etc.

[Evelyn]

CNET gives a pretty good buying guide.

[OTB]

Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, Samsung, in that order of preference. Either of those 4 brands are very good. You want a set that is "1080P" capable. Go to jr.com and price them, they are usually the best in NYC. I bought my SONY 42" there and found the best price on it.

If you use cable they will have to upgrade you to digital cable with Hi-Def service. That means changing your cable box.

Sony KDL-32XBR6 32” Class Bravia XBR® Series LCD is $999 at J and R downtown. You're done.


http://www.jr.com/sony/pe/SON_KDL32XBR6/ Sony 32" $999

http://www.jr.com/lc42d64u-42--aquos-hdtv-...e/SHA_LC32D64U/ Sharp 32" $899

http://www.jr.com/toshiba/pe/TOS_32RV530U/ Toshiba 32" (price must be emailed by site)

[omnivorette]

We have Dish Network up there.

[OTB]

We have Dish Network up there.

So in all likelyhood, you will need a Hi-Def dish and a Hi-Def Dish receiver installed as well. Call up dish, they will send a technician out to replace your dish and your box, and probably increase your monthly fee for the HD service.

[omnivorette]

Plasma vs LCD (is it LED?) ??

[Carolyn Tillie]

How timely - with my new move, I will probably be breaking down and buying myself a television after all these years of only having a projector. I was definitely going to go Plasma and am looking at a 52". I'm thinking of one of these.

[Lex]

Plasma vs LCD (is it LED?) ??

Plasma TVs are heavy compared to the LCDs. That might matter.

Jason is right in general about the 1080 resolution (call it HD TV, phase 2) but on a relatively small screen like 30 inches I don't think it matters much. (Ever notice how sharp the picture on a small screen set seems to be?) The older resolution is 720 and manufacturers are slowly phasing them out. There are deals to be had and the picture is really good.

J&R is a great place to shop. They've got a big video section downstairs and you can see all the sets in action.

[Evelyn]

And, if the tv is going to be in a very bright room, you will want something other than plasma, due to reflection off the screen surface.

[OTB]

Plasma vs LCD (is it LED?) ??

Plasma TVs are heavy compared to the LCDs. That might matter.

Jason is right in general about the 1080 resolution (call it HD TV, phase 2) but on a relatively small screen like 30 inches I don't think it matters much. (Ever notice how sharp the picture on a small screen set seems to be?) The older resolution is 720 and manufacturers are slowly phasing them out. There are deals to be had and the picture is really good.

J&R is a great place to shop. They've got a big video section downstairs and you can see all the sets in action.

She doens't want a 720 because Dish and DirecTV are broadcasting most of their HD channels in 1080i. She wants a 1080p because at least that is usable towards the future standard.

[OTB]

Plasma vs LCD (is it LED?) ??

All the ones I listed are LCD. Plasma technology is being phased out for the most part.

[omnivorette]

I don't see a 28" that isn't 720, though.

http://www.retrevo.com/s/TV?cmpid=Reviews_...CFQOuFQodDwijqQ

[GG Mora]

Plasma vs LCD (is it LED?) ??

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). An LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is effectively just a light bulb.

[Carolyn Tillie]

And, if the tv is going to be in a very bright room, you will want something other than plasma, due to reflection off the screen surface.

I had no idea...

All the ones I listed are LCD. Plasma technology is being phased out for the most part.

And that is news to me as well...

[omnivorette]

(to GG): Ah, doy, thanks.