TV Selection: Two Questions


I want to take advantage of the Circuit City liquidation sale and pick up a flat panel. My budget is about $1,000 (which should be plenty with whatever extra discounts are available.)

1. Most interested in LG or Samsung models. Watch Tv mostly at night, just news, b.s. programming. Movies once or twice a month from cable or DVD. Any recommendations? Want to shopt today.

2. Viewing position is mostly straight on about 12 feet from screen. What size?

thanks!
smwdrtwin

Showing 1 response by learsfool

I just did a ton of research on these issues myself. My viewing distance is about 9 feet, and I ended up with a 50" plasma. According to both the manufacturers and the motion picture organizations, this is just barely big enough for that distance. If you are 12 feet away, you really should have probably closer to 60" - I don't think 50 or 52 would be enough. However, this will also take you over your stated budget, so that may not be an option. Perhaps you could shorten your viewing distance? I was very surprised at how much easier on your eyes it is to go with the recommended size for your viewing distance, and these sizes are much bigger than you would perhaps think.

Also, as far as brands go, Samsung is going to be quite a bit better than LG, whether you choose plasma or LCD. Panasonic is also excellent for plasma, that's what I ended up with. Best of all would be Pioneer, but they were out of my price range, too. But Pioneer, Panasonic, and Samsung are generally considered the big three for plasmas, in that order. I chose plasma for several reasons, mainly because they have much better blacks, which is great for movies, and motion in sports looks much better on plasmas, and plasmas look much better when viewed from an angle. I have also heard that LCD's are slowly being phased out, which is why the stores are pushing them over the plasmas right now, but I"m not so sure I believe that. What I do believe is that the plasmas are greatly superior now. About the only drawback is they do use more power, as someone else said. I am very happy with mine.