Finally getting a new TV (another thread...)
 

So I'm gonna bite the bullet and get a new TV at the end of the month before I move into my new apartment. After researching for months and following prices I decided to get these items:

TV:
Samsung 46" 1080P 60Hz LN46B550 - $999 (Only available at future shop right now)

Home Theatre:
Sony Bravia 5.1 HTSS360 - $340 (Visions)


Hopefully the TV goes on sale somewhere between now and when I buy it. I'm pretty sure I saw it (or a similar B500 or B530 model) on sale on boxing day and missed the boat. Even at $999 it's a pretty good deal. I was hoping to buy the stuff at Visions but they only carry the B530 model (lower contrast ratio and fewer component inputs - the latter of which is irrelevant to me). Pretty much it's the best 46" 60Hz LCD I've found and the price ain't bad either. I'd be willing to downgrade to the B530 if it ever drops below $900 but right now they are pretty much the same price.

The HTIB I picked because I need something under $400 and that's the only one that supports HDMI source audio and has 3 HDMI inputs (PS3, Xbox 360, Shaw HD box). I live in an apartment and can't have anything too loud but I wanted something better than the built-in TV speakers.

What do you guys think? Think I can get any sort of deal if I buy them both at FS?

I bought the B530 from Visions, got it on sale for Boxing Day! Couldn't be more happy with it, great TV for a great price! Was tossed up between Sony or Samsung but after researching and checking them out, decided on the Sammy

How much was it on boxing day? Maybe I can talk them back down to the sale price.

for the tv go to vision and bargin since you are going to buy something else from there. the thing a vision is if u buy a set like tv and home theater system they will throw in like a free tv stand and other stuff plus give you half off a hdpvr and other stuff

$999 for a 46 inch 60hz LCD is too much money. watch any sports or action movies???

yeah, not a good buy.. id return it because after boxing day they had a sharp for $999 and it was 120hz 1080p 46 inch @ futureshop.. i was gonna buy it.. but decided to wait to see what 2010 has in store.

except Samsung tv > SHarp tv

Your right about that but
60hz < 120hz

Go plasma and get 480hz to 600hz

I have no interest in getting a 120Hz TV. I don't think it looks better even in the few circumstances where it makes a difference. I would only get it if it were cheaper than a 60Hz one.

Also it's a very bright room so Plasma is out.

I watch HD Canucks and game regularly on my (now old) Sharp 46" 60Hz, and you guys make it sound as if it's unbearable.

I have never once said to myself "it's choppy".

You guys need to realize that it's not just the refresh rate that makes a difference. In fact, the refresh rate alone makes very little difference (if you can even spot the difference). It's the anti-judder and "smoothing" video processing that comes with some 120Hz+ TVs that creates majority of the "enhancement" that you guys are referring to. It's essentially an artificial enhancement performed by processors that come with newer TVs. Some like it...some don't. In some instances, the artificial processing makes things look fake...so like all things in life, there's a trade-off.

Basically, the "120Hz" and "240Hz" is more of a marketing ploy (and judging by the comments in this thread, it works). If you guys want the smoother image, you want a TV with "video processing" technology. Not just a 120Hz or 240Hz TV.

This is a good article:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6792632-1.html

Or if all of this gives you a headache, go with a Plasma. These new LCD technologies only exist to address the short comings of LCD technology.

It came to aprox $1040 taxes in.

And the whole 60hz, 120hz. I find it barely noticeable, just another marketing ploy.

I have a 120hz....although there is a difference but PERSONALLY I don't like the "soap opera effect" from the 120hz. I leave it on low.

Frankly, I wish I bought a 52" 60hz LCD over a 46" 120hz LCD for the same money. Just my opinion. Everyone has there own preference.

for reference, you eyes run at a max of 72Hz.

Newer plasmas have very good anti glare coatings so having a bright room should not be that big of a problem.

Looking at Samsungs website they don't even have any 60 hz tv's anymore. The one at FS must be an old model.

Yeah they started phasing them out with the introduction of the 7 series LCDs. The 7 series is too expensive and the 6 series doesn't offer enough of an improvement to warrant the extra $400 in my opinion. Thus why I'm trying to get my hands on a good 5 series before they are all sold out.

I went to FS today to get an idea of my total cost and neither of the salesmen I talked seemed interested in giving me any sort of deal even if I buy the TV, HTIB and a Shaw HD cable box. Gonna check out Visions tomorrow and see what kind of deal they can give me on the B530 model withe the HTIB and a shaw box. If I can save a few bucks on the B530 at Visions it will be worth it over the B550 at FS I think.

if you go to walmart, they have the tvs side by side and check out the vizio 120hz vs some other brand and with the movie UP...you will notice the difference...its just at times you will see the difference....

OK so I looked around a bit more and I'm now trying to decide between these three models:

Samsung 46" 1080P 60Hz LN46B550
Toshiba 46" 1080P 120Hz 46XV640U
LG 47" 1080P 120Hz 47CL40

Based on what I saw today the Toshiba surprisingly looked the best. It's the first 120Hz TV where the difference I noticed actually looked better. The LG has the best specs (highest Contrast ratio and lowest response time) but didn't look any better in the store compared to the other two. Anyone have opinions on these? They are all roughly the same price so i'm not taking that into account.

Looking at a TV in store is not going to really you anything about picture quality. CES is going on right now so expect prices to drop in the next few months on last years models.

I picked up that samsung tv today! LOVING IT

:haha::thumbsup: good choice

I went again today to compare how they looked and went with the Toshiba. Here's why:

After reading as much as I can about specs and user experience on AVSforum I came to the conclusion that the Toshiba and LG are roughly equivalently good TVs. While the Samsung is a great 60hz TV these 120Hz models were the same price. I liked the aesthetic look of the Toshiba (The stand, border and particularly the remote) over the LG. Also the Toshiba has a lot of customizability when it comes to user settings. Ultimately the LG didn't seem like it was $100 better so the Toshiba was the best choice in the end. Also buying with Costco I have 90 days to change my mind.

It's for my new apartment next month so I'll let you guys know when I get it set up with the HT and new stand. Maybe post some pics