Help buying a TV

[northern33]

Looking for a little guidance in buying a new TV.

So I have done some research on my own and have narrowed down what I'm looking for:
- 32"
- LED or Plasma - although leaning toward LED
- 720p (I know 1080p is ideal but was told that in 32" and smaller TV's there is not a huge difference in performance)
- connectivity to a PC
- budget: $450 (before taxes)

I won't be watching in HD with it immediately (hopefully will eventually) but I would like something that lasts for a while and does not become technologically-extinct in 2 years.

I am not very tech-savvy so any advice on particular brands or specific models would be much appreciated. Also, where are good places to buy TV's? I know of the main stores like Futureshop and Bestbuy.

[jvincent]

I didn't think they made plasma's at 32" in which case one question is answered.

How far are you sitting from the TV? Unless you are really close, 1080p probably won't be much benefit.

Unless there is a real space constraint, I would really encourage you to look at a larger size. 37" minimum.

[Sakuraba]

two words of advice for your particular situation: Wal Mart

[northern33]

I didn't think they made plasma's at 32" in which case one question is answered.

How far are you sitting from the TV? Unless you are really close, 1080p probably won't be much benefit.

Unless there is a real space constraint, I would really encourage you to look at a larger size. 37" minimum.

I am buying it for my room initially...so until I'm done school in May I will be sitting relatively close due to space restrictions. However, I hope to transition it into a living room TV when I move out. I actually like the size of 32" TV's...we have like a 60" plasma at home now and it's great but definitely excessive IMO. If the price is right I would spend a little more and get a 40"...but nothing larger than that.

[Weazl]

Samsung LED

[northern33]

two words of advice for your particular situation: Wal Mart

Checked it out today...good prices but their selection for 32" LED TV's sucked. They had a 40" samsung for $680 something that looked sweet but a little too pricey for my current budget.

[spackler]

Dell runs some pretty good specials on TVs from time to time.

[northern33]

I know it's not a major brand but just stumbled across this from the Brick:
https://www1.thebrick.com/brickb2c/j...navAction=jump

Seems like a pretty good deal

[nokids]

Wait two more months. The best time to buy a tv is boxing day. The Brick and BestBuy had some very good deals last year.

[jeffc]

my advice. Don't fret about it. Any name brand you get will look great and once you get it in your living room you won't be comparing against the other ones. If you can wait and fight the crowds, boxing day is great, as well as early new year as they are closing out old models. Though at that price level, the savings will be minimal.

Costco has a great return policy if you don't like it for some reason and lots of good selection for the size and specs you want:

http://www.costco.ca/Common/Category...=en-CA&topnav=


Personally, I would go bigger as it looks much smaller on the wall that it does in the store. We have a 46" Sony LCD in the family room and I could have gone a bit bigger. We sit about 10 ft away. We only run HD Cable on it so far and it is phenomenal.

[northern33]

Wait two more months. The best time to buy a tv is boxing day. The Brick and BestBuy had some very good deals last year.

Good call...would hate to buy one now and then that TV or a similar model is $150 cheaper after Christmas.

my advice. Don't fret about it. Any name brand you get will look great and once you get it in your living room you won't be comparing against the other ones. If you can wait and fight the crowds, boxing day is great, as well as early new year as they are closing out old models. Though at that price level, the savings will be minimal.

Costco has a great return policy if you don't like it for some reason and lots of good selection for the size and specs you want:

http://www.costco.ca/Common/Category...=en-CA&topnav=


Personally, I would go bigger as it looks much smaller on the wall that it does in the store. We have a 46" Sony LCD in the family room and I could have gone a bit bigger. We sit about 10 ft away. We only run HD Cable on it so far and it is phenomenal.

Ok - thanks for the advice. I may just hold off until after Christmas and hopefully grab a 40" on sale. I'll probably have a little more money to spend around that time too.

[Nat Williams]

I've been really impressed by the Dynex tv's in that size range. Far from being a name brand, but a really good picture for the price. Not sure how well that holds up as you increase the size, but for a 32, you can't beat the price, and the quality is there.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...50b326d144en02

[jeffc]

I've been really impressed by the Dynex tv's in that size range. Far from being a name brand, but a really good picture for the price. Not sure how well that holds up as you increase the size, but for a 32, you can't beat the price, and the quality is there.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...50b326d144en02

if its anything like the 2 portable DVD players we've had from them then I would stay away. They both lasted about 6 months before going kaput.

[Nat Williams]

I've had one for 2 years (37"), and know 3 other people with tv's from the same line, 32"-40" I believe. No problems for any of us yet

[Kiwi]

Well, I can say been there, done that. First, get a bigger size, as 32 will be small before you know it. You may not notice now but the tv formatting is moving towards larger tv's so I'd definitely go bigger, push your budget. Yes it may be $2-300 more than you can afford, but over 5-10 years that's only a few $ /month. As a struggling student, your TV will all you'll be able to watch for a few years anyways. Next, buy quality, both equipment and service. I'm a big fan of Bleeker Stereo and TV, and YES they are more expensive, but they do carry only quality, and stand behind their product. They will negotiate, IF you do your homework. Sure Costco will take it back, but what you going to watch? Bleeker will come out, make it right or get you a replacement (and no I don't work for them). When I bought a stereo at Bleeker last year I looked at the LED which were relatively new (at least to me). Spoke to a sales person, a guy who had worked there for 20 years + who said that the LED will retain their sharpness and outlast anything on the market now. He also said that they will still be going strong when the technology makes them obsolete. Buy something that will last, will meet your mid-term goals (not today, not 10 years from now) and from someone who will stand behind it. Enjoy!

[Nat Williams]

Does Bleekers still charge a restocking fee? If so keep that in mind if you're unsure about the tv size...would be a shame if you had to return one and get dinged a 20% (or whatever it is) restocking fee to exchange for a tv w/ better dimensions for your room.

P.S. not saying a restocking fee isn't justified, but with all the liberal return policies out there it is something to consider.

[Kiwi]

That's a good point Nat, and I believe that most retailers have that now. My original stereo purchase at Bleeker was not a good fit and I took it back a day or two later. I bought something more appropriate and there was NO mention of a re-stocking fee (although it was on the original invoice).

[northern33]

So I have picked a TV.

I am not very good with technology so I have a couple questions:

1. If I'm hooking the TV up to a blue-ray player do I need HDMI cables? If so, is there much of a difference between "high quality" and "lower quality" HDMI cables? I saw some at Winner's for $12.99...would those be decent? Because I have also seen some for $50+...
2. I have a Macbook Pro laptop and I want to be able to hook it up to the TV. How do I go about doing that?

Thanks in advance!

[jeffc]

Yes to hdmi and winners cables are just fine. Don't spend any more than that

[northern33]

Yes to hdmi and winners cables are just fine. Don't spend any more than that

Thanks Jeff

Anyone know about hooking up a macbook to a TV? I know I can probably talk to someone at futureshop or bestbuy but seeing if anyone here knows first

[jeffc]

Check the outputs on the laptop. My hp laptop has hdmi output.

[Weazl]

Go to www.monoprice.com and order HDMI 1.4 cables, best price around!