flat-screen tv recommendations

[sweetcell]

so, i'm capitulating and joining the modern world: i'm buying a flat-screen TV (to be hooked up to Fios' HDTV service) and getting my 1080p on.  this is a whole new world for me.  the tv will be in a bright room with lots of windows, so i'll be going for a LCD screen.

anything i should keep in mind while shopping?  which manufacturers are regarded as makers of the best sets?

is the step up from 120Hz refresh to 240Hz worth the price increase?

best place to hunt for deals? 

danke.

[kosmo vinyl]

dunno about deals but I heart my Pioneer Plasma bought a couple years ago, it was the first flat screen picture I was truly impressed with...

[ggw]

Love my Sharp Aquos. Hate my Sony.

[Herr Professor Doktor Doom]

My Sharp Aquos LCD has served me well for many years now.

This gives you a pretty good rundown on things to consider:

http://www.cnet.com.au/plasma-vs-lcd-which-is-right-for-you-240036500.htm

[chaz]

I much prefer plasma over LCD.  Panasonic is the way to go for plasma, or if you can find one, Pioneer.  I have one too and love it.  Cue up the plasma vs. lcd debate....just a better pic in my opinion.  The only area pic wise where lcd wins is if you have a very very bright room with lots of windows and glare.  Plasma has caught up alot in terms of power usage, and many of the knocks against it (burn in etc) are nothing more than urban myth at this point.

The most important advice:  Go as big as your budget and room will possibly allow.  Noone has ever said "gee i wish i'd gotten a smaller tv".

[eros]

I got my last TV (Mitsubishi 73" DLP) here.  Great service and they'll match or beat the prices at Best Buy, etc...

And LED smokes LCD or plasma....kinda wish I had gone that route.

[James Ford]

Noone has ever said "gee i wish i'd gotten a smaller tv".

Who is this Noone guy (gal?) that some of you are always referencing?

[ggw]

Noone has ever said "gee i wish i'd gotten a smaller tv".

Who is this Noone guy (gal?) that some of you are always referencing?

Peter Noone, formerly of Herman's Hermits.  After the reunion tour fell apart he went to work for Best Buy.

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

Noone has ever said "gee i wish i'd gotten a smaller tv".

Who is this Noone guy (gal?) that some of you are always referencing?

Peter Noone, formerly of Herman's Hermits.  After the reunion tour fell apart he went to work for Best Buy.

Damn, beat me to it.

[brennser]

listen to chaz - he knows what he's talking about.....

[ggw]

Plasma vs LCD

What's an LED TV?

2010 HDTV Buyer's Guide

[Driveway]

I got a 37" Vizio a couple weeks ago.  Love it. 

I got this model:

http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-VA370M-37-Inch-Full-1080p/dp/B002VPDL12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268238600&sr=8-1

The price changes on it all the time, I got mine for $468.  A steal.

[kosmo vinyl]

I'm no self proclaimed expert on TVs, just know what I like and don't like...

My impression is that LCDs are better choice if you watch a lot of sporting events because they tend to be brighter.

My impression of a good plasma is that it handles Blacks better and more suited if you watch a lot of movies.

My boring story about HDTV, is that when I used to support the Information Age exhibit at Museum of America History in the late 90s, and they had on display a prototype tube HDTV which had a truly amazing picture.  And every HDTV LCD or Plasma I saw after that paled in comparison to it, until I saw the Pioneer I own today and the reviews of that TV at the time backed it up.  The only HDTV that came close were those 250lb tube models Sony used to sell.  Of course try convincing ones wife to let you buy a 250lb TV 

Also as far as what size to get, it's best to get buy off from the significant other before proceeding 

[kosmo vinyl]

And never ever buy a TV being marketed to douchebags

http://twitpic.com/z30k0

I'm still not quite sure what exactly the "dudes" in this ticket are reacting too...

[godsshoeshine]

i have 3 sharp aquos lcd tvs. i like them