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I have $2000, buy me a TV...

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Though the flat screens keep getting better.
I doubt you'll get a truly great one for $2000.
In regular Tvs, Panasonics have terrific pictures and are very reasonable.
So, you could go wide screen in a panasonic and have money left over for
A nice DVD recorder or SAT Radio! :biggrin:
 
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id check out dlp stuff. not as slim as a plasma, but a lot smaller than trad big screens. very good quality for a good price. go to hhgregg (one up on sawmill) they usually have people who are actually know stuff and i can usually haggle them for a hundred bucks or so.
 
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I was at the best buy at Polaris about a month ago. They had an open box special on a 60" DLP for $2100. I don't know if it is still there but it might be worth your time to check it out for a great deal. It was originally 4000 greenbacks.
 
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ShopNBC (a TV shopping channel) usually has some for < $2000.

example

V37697_400.jpg


A sensational package featuring a big screen DLP HDTV from a leader in the electronics industry, as well as a coordinating TV stand to complete your home entertainment set-up!

Samsung 50" Built-in HD Tuner DLP HDTV
Take the screen image to astonishing new levels! That's what Samsung set out to do when it designed the incredible HL-R5067W 50" HDTV television. You want to see shows, movies and games in up-close and personal high-definition splendor? Then you've got it with this spectacular television!
This TV offers a host of connections for DVD, DTV, PC, HDTV and more. It's even Cable Card Ready, so you can enjoy digital cable without an additional box or remote. There's also never any risk of burn-in or screen aging with this DLP from Samsung, so you can be sure to have years of worry-free enjoyment. Everything looks better on a Samsung DLP with its exclusive Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) picture enhancement technology, which ensures a bright, crisp image from every source!
Features: Cinema Smooth 720p Light Engine: releases the maximum power of the next generation of DMD microdisplays for a film-like picture. It creates an image with no visible pixel structure, accurate shading and better low-light detail.
Faster Color Wheel: the 2.6" color wheel spins at 10,800 rpm for smooth fast motion video and has seven color segments for accurate colors. It achieves film-like transitions without pixel breakup and is whisper quiet.
Next Generation DLP Chips: new-generation microdisplays have switching speeds twice as fast as previous generations and up to 1,000 times faster than competing micrdisplay technologies. This results in a crisp, bright picture and deep, rich colors.
DNIe - Digital Natural Image engine: Samsung's exclusive DNIe makes the sharpest and clearest images possible. Five image processors and a 6x density enhancer ensure the best picture from any source. DNIe guarantees the truest colors and highest contrasts. Specifications:
50" DLP Cinema Smooth Gen-5 HD display
Table-top design
Aspect ratio: 16:9 for widescreen viewing
Resolution: 1280x720
Contrast ratio: up to 2500:1
Brightness: 900 cd/m2
Color wheel: 7 segments/10,800 rpm
Built-in high-definition TV tuner/decoder
Digital cable ready
Digital comb filter: 3D Y/C
3:2 pull down
Display formats: 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i
Dual tuner Picture-In-Picture (PIP)
Split screen display
On-Screen TV Guide
Inputs: HDMI, three S-video, 15-pin D-sub, two component video, DVI, three composite video/audio, YPbPr, two RF, antenna
Outputs: optical audio, headphone jack
Interfaces: two IEEE1394 Firewire, G-link, cable card slot
Two 15-watt speakers
Single panel DLP lamp (standard/dynamic): 100W/120W
Includes remote control and user manual
Dimensions: 34.25"H x 14"D x 46.54"W
Weight: 72.8 lbs
Warranty: one year parts and labor
50-54" DLP TV Stand
Attractive design and outstanding craftsmanship distinguish Corporate Images' DLP TV stand from competing products. This handsome stand provides the stability you need to protect your valuable investment, along with dazzling looks that add a dash of flair to your home or office decor. This stand represents durability built for lasting performance using only the finest, most resilient materials. Features:
Suitable for 50-54" DLP televisions
Tinted tempered glass top shelf
Wire management
Open face concept
Black finish
Manual included
Dimensions: 19.75"H x 19.5"D x 54"W
Weight: 77 lbs
Warranty: one year parts and labor NOTE: ShopNBC does not refund original shipping charges or reimburse the cost to return items.


other tvs:
http://www.shopnbc.com/SearchM/Defa...egory|prop|price&cm_re=NAV-_-1000|1999.99-_-N
 
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Thanks for all of your help gentlemen.

The TV needs to have the ability to be installed by Saturday, it's a birthday present. So that kind of rules out internet purchases. But that is good to know for future reference.

As far as brands, are there any that are head and shoulders above (or below for that matter) than the rest?

I have always had great luck with RCA, but the colors seem to be a little darker than the rest.

I noted the Panasonic recommendation.
 
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fanaticbuckeye;619234; said:
As far as brands, are there any that are head and shoulders above (or below for that matter) than the rest?

I have always had great luck with RCA, but the colors seem to be a little darker than the rest.

I noted the Panasonic recommendation.
Click to expand...
A few months back, Consumer's Digest reviewed a bunch of HD TVs.

Panasonic was tops for plasma TVs. The top rated 40" plasma cost about $3,000 at that time (spring), and can probably be had now, for about $2500, maybe less. My older borther bought one for about $2700 back around May, and he loves it.

Sony was tops among the tube TVs. I've had one of their 34" sets for around 4 years, and it's great. I bought mine for about $2k at the time, but wouldn't recommend it today, because the sets are 200+ pounds, and are not nearly as sleek as the plasmas, LCDs, or DLPs. Probably get one today around $1,200 - $1,500.

My younger brother bought a 50" Samsung DLP from Sams club about a year ago. It's also a very nice TV, and he said the newer ones are even nicer.

I don't recall which manufacturer had the highest rated LCDs, but it might have been Sharp. I don't think they make very big sets though. Would probably do fine with a Samsung or Sony set. Bravia's (Sony) might be over priced. There are also a number that are now for sale that have 1080p resolution, so you might want to compare the quality and price of those sets as well.

In general I know that Hitachi makes very good TVs, but I can't remember where they ranked with respect to the various types of HDTVs. I'm pretty sure that they have very good DLP sets. Not sure about their plasmas or LCDs though.
 
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http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com has some pretty good info. they seem to really like Panasonic and Pioneer in the plasma.

TOP 10 42" PLASMA TVS
1 Panasonic TH-42PH9UK
2 Panasonic TH-42PX600U
3 Pioneer PDP-4270HD
4 Hitachi CMP4221U
5 Panasonic TH-42PX60U
6 Samsung HP-S4253
7 Toshiba 42HP66
8 Philips 42PF7321D/37
9 Pioneer PDP-425CMX
10 LG 42PM1M

TOP 10 50"+ PLASMA TVS
1 Panasonic TH-50PH9UK
2 Pioneer PDP-5070HD
3 Panasonic TH-58PX600U
4 Pioneer PDP-6070HD
5 Samsung HP-P5581
6 Toshiba 50HP66
7 Hitachi 55HDM71
8 Panasonic TH-50PX60U
9 Samsung HP-S5053
10 Panasonic TH-58PX60U

I'd probably go with a plasma due to the huge decrease in depth (4" vs. 14-18") of the set.
 
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The one you showed in the top most post sounds like a reasonable price for an HDTV - Plasma - 50" 1080i (720p) product. It probably isn't the best price you can get however - though to achieve that you will need to order in, and you do not have the luxury of time.

If your home (or the home in which this is going) is served by Cable (Digital) or Satellite - (Dish / DirectTV) then you will definitely the need for the built in tuner.
Plus, I would insist on seeing how well or poorly the Plasma TV you had in mind does with a lower quality feed - only seeing great HDTV OTA until you get the HD chnnels plugged in can be frustrating. Finally, think of getting an upconverting DVD player within the same budget (or better yet, an upconverting DVD player / recorder).

The former DVD player would take about $100 off your budget.
The latter (recorder) about $250.
So that really leaves $1750 to spend on that 50" plasma. :(

But, one way to accomplish that goal is to buy a monitor, rather than a tuner equipped TV, if you are feeding a Cable Box or Satellite box then for under $1800 you have very similar specs.
One example - lacking only the Contrast ratio of the Sams product is at Wal-Mart.

Otherwise I'd plunk down the bucks for the SAMS product, better contrast ratio.

Either way though, get them to show you some OTA signals at 480i - most of what will be fed into that screen will still be lower resolution - important that it still look good.
 
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sandgk;619831; said:
Finally, think of getting an upconverting DVD player within the same budget (or better yet, an upconverting DVD player / recorder).
Click to expand...

FWIW upconverting DVD players are a bit overrated since pretty much any modern fixed resolution display (Plasma, LCD etc) is going to have an internal scaler that does a better job than the one on the DVD player.
 
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Muck;620156; said:
FWIW upconverting DVD players are a bit overrated since pretty much any modern fixed resolution display (Plasma, LCD etc) is going to have an internal scaler that does a better job than the one on the DVD player.
Click to expand...

This is excellent info!

And I have had horrible luck with shipping TVs!
Don't do it!
UPS is brutal!
 
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Muck;620156; said:
FWIW upconverting DVD players are a bit overrated since pretty much any modern fixed resolution display (Plasma, LCD etc) is going to have an internal scaler that does a better job than the one on the DVD player.
Click to expand...

Mmm - not in my opinion. I beg to differ on that.
 
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