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Everything posted by len_mullen
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>>> Official Black Friday 2008 HDTV Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
Reviews are good: CNET, ConsumerSearch, AVS Owners Thread. I have the 720p pn50a450 and like it a lot. Some are saying this is a price mistake (still showing $1k for me online), so good luck! PS I see the problem. xbox is out of stock, so bundle is not available. Too bad. Maybe next week -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 HDTV Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
I dunno. I got the BB deal on the Samsung 50 inch 720p plasma + htib. I didn't expect that to be the rock bottom price at the time, but it was very good and exactly what I wanted delivered to my house. Nothing in a BF ad has instilled remorse in me. I wouldn't even swap that deal for the 1080p above (I wanted a HTIB and have no interest in an Xbox), but I still expect prices to be lower going forward. How much lower and on which sets is the question. The BF ads this year are so poor that I wonder if retailers used leaked ads to set a baseline so we would jump on better than or comparable deals before BF. Earlier shopping is best for them, right? Maybe there will be supplemental BF deals or deals will be better after BF. No matter, getting what you want for a good price is better than getting a great price on something you don't want. Since you bought from Newegg (excellent merchant, IMHO), return is not likely for you. My advice is to stop looking at the tv threads/deals and enjoy your new toy. -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 HDTV Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
Another Better Than Black Friday sighting: 50 inch 1080p Plasma plus Xbov for $999.98 @ CC. Good deal on the TV plus an Xbox. Tough to beat. They won't ship and returns could become dicey as time passes, but no lines, either -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 HDTV Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
It's not the signal, it's the technology. The motion blur is due to how the pixels are lit, their shape, and their speed. If it doesn't bother you, don't worry about it. Anyone who watches sports should be aware of the problem. Watch a little hockey on the LCD and see if you can live with the blur. Another problem with LCDs is that their colors change with age. The prism works the same, but the backlight changes colors. You can easily see this on any older computer monitor. Good reading here: http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/ Still best to look at TVs in a showroom. A lot of showrooms. Plenty power their sets with an HDTV signal. Stand back as far as you sit from your TV at home. At the same size and price, the only time I would choose LCD over plasma is for a windowed room. The glass screens tend to reflect. This can be mitigated by mounting the TV so the screen leans a couple degrees forward, but it's an issue. -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 HDTV Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
Yes vertical as well as horizontal, but it's not bad as some say... http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtv/lcdtv-misconceptions.shtml Best to visit a store and try for yourself. -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 HDTV Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
I think they are. The motion blur on all but the fastest, most expensive LCDs is a deal killer for me. Most people see this if you point it out, but some don't mind it. You should really go watch a hockey game on a big LCD and see for yourself. -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 HDTV Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
Good info here... http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=8_nuC&m=1jNCsR6HuXQTuH&b=Q4ubsboseIKf_eWFTnsFmw http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6792632-1.html?tag=rb_content;rb_mtx http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6844370-1.html?tag=rb_content;rb_mtx http://reviews.cnet.com/720p-vs-1080p-hdtv/?tag=rb_content;rb_mtx http://www.daniele.ch/school/30vs60/30vs60_1.html http://www.consumersearch.com/plasma-tv http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ Your eyes matter more than other people's opinions. Best thing to do is spend some time in front of sets. Start by measuring the distance from your viewing area to where the set will be. That matters because if you are sitting six feet back from a 42" tv, you will be hard pressed to distinguish 720p from 1080p (http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/hondar_2008/resolution_chart.jpg). Visit a few stores. My Walmart feeds s-video to their HDTVs, so the picture is not so good to begin with. Try to see a lot of programming. A blu-ray disc of dolphins frolicking is going to look good on all sets. High motion (sports) will challenge a lot of expensive TVs. Most of the differences (price, image retention, picture quality) between lcd and plasma right now are slim. - LCD will look better in a bright room (plasma is glass/reflective) - LCD uses less electricity - Plasma is better for motion - Plasma looks better in a dark room (deeper blacks, richer colors) - Plasma looks better from wide angles (when you are off to the side of the set or looking down on one) There is more variation between brands than technologies. Most rate Pioneer and Sony plasmas at the top, but Samsung and Panasonic are right there for a fraction of the cost. I have a 50 inch Samsung 720p plasma and I like it a lot. -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 HDTV Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
The reviews on the Newegg TV are good and you really don't want to carry a HDTV home on a cold winter day. -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 VIDEO GAME Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
It went from $150 to $100 to $150 in September. Now it's $100 -- I'm guessing that $150 will be back. -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 HDTV Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
Just a pat on the back for me. Newegg has a $499.99 42" 720p lcd. I can't vouch for the quality, but I definitely nailed this and DESERVE a t-shirt -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 LAPTOP Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
Case by case, of course, but the walmart laptop was very capable. It only lacked in video capability, so I think it would be fine except for games. -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 LAPTOP Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
You'd be seriously wrong. The walmart laptop would happily run photoshop. Requirements are here. -
Oh yes they drop the price! Nintendo Wii Bundle w/ 2 Games, 3 Remotes, 3 Nunchuks $224.00 That's what I call a door buster -- if you are looking for a WII
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>>> Official Black Friday 2008 LAPTOP Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
No, it was a pretty decent inexpensive machine... Main Features include: * SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW drive with double-layer support * Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic * 160GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive (SATA) * Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (shared) * 15.4-inch High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen (1280 x 800) * 2048MB DDR2 System Memory * 2.00 GHz Intel Celeron Processor 575 with 667MHz FSB * 1 microphone-in and 1 Headphone out * 3 USB 2.0 ports * Wireless Option - 802.11b/g WLAN * HP Imprint finish and Integrated Microphone * Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN * 6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery Not sure about office, but HP (owns Compaq) ships with trial version of Office plus Microsoft Works. As a student, you should be able to get Office on the cheap anyway. Not rubbing it in -- just trying to understand what you are looking for. Right now, there are no good deals out there. Keep checking in in case there is another pre-BF deal. -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 LAPTOP Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
You need to provide some information if you want useful help. The best BF laptop deal may have been yesterday at Wal-Mart. Why did you pass on that one? If I were shopping for a laptop, I would have definitely grabbed that one -- you can always return it if something better comes along. -
Have you already purchased the PS2? $30 GC with PS2 at Walmart Saturday.
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i sent them a note via their contact link. just a thank you for making our shopping easier.
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Give us ideas for more contests & win a BF t-shirt - CONTEST OVER!
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
I think an obvious opportunity would be a photo of the first person in line at any store...or at a specific store. Let's see some people in line! -
Stealing or Getting Lucky.... What do you think?
len_mullen replied to maplegirl's topic in Deal Finder & Deal Discussion
I don't believe in karma, but I do believe in paying for what you take, so I would (and actually have on several occasions) return the item and make amends. -
Upgrade Or New Black Friday Computer???
len_mullen replied to deelite's topic in Deal Finder & Deal Discussion
No more integrated video for me. I just added an 8600gts plus 2g of ram to my 6112a for $20 AR. They also have a Thermaltake 500w PS for $35 AR. If you missed out on the hp PC, check out the SR5610F for $350. Not amazing deals just great prices on very good desktop computers. PS EVGA has a 'step up' program that allows you to upgrade your card to a more powerful card down the road. -
Traveling for the Holidays? How does this affect your BF shopping?
len_mullen replied to mcwalker's topic in 2008
One of our BF traditions (though it's not an annual event by any means) is to blast off to Jefferson New Hampshire when I get home. There is a theme park called Santa's Village and it opens for Christmas Time. The first weekend of Christmas Time happens to be the long Thanksgiving weekend. We drive up Friday when I return from shopping, arriving in time to check in. Then we take a dip in the pool and eat supper right at the Cabot Motor Inn and Restaurant. After supper, we head to Santa's Village. If you go in late in the afternoon, they give you a ticket for the next day -- which means no waiting when the crowds show up. We spend a couple hours in the park then head back to the Cabot (less than a mile away). Next day, we spend as much time as we like at the park before crashing for a second night. The following morning, we have breakfast, take one last swim, then head for home. It's a great way to start the Christmas season. -
>>> Official Black Friday 2008 HDTV Discussion Thread <<<
len_mullen replied to Brad's topic in 2008
Aren't we already seeing better deals? Plenty of people have bought and rave about lesser brand and bare bones TVs, but they don't look as good to me (I picked a 720p plasma over a 1080p lcd). If you're hoping to snag a cheap set on BF, visit the stores now to make sure you will be happy sitting in front of it. So far (I know, one flier), I think pre-BF deals are better. -
I have the PN50A450. It has the same specs as the PN50A400, so maybe Sears gets a special part number? Anyway my Samsung 50" 720p plasma looks great. No motion problems on sports (watched the Pats this Sunday). Blu-ray is breathtaking. I had hoped to see better BF prices on TVs (I paid $977 for this set plus a 1200w 5.1 HTIB inc upconverting 5 disk dvd player and will be getting $50 cash back from Best Buy -- shipped free). So, I don't think you will need to wait in line for a deal like this, I do like/recommend the set. Looks like it is going on sale at CC for $930 after code 3LAF35ZAA5 (can't confirm, site is updating). Can't stand in line for $30. For people concerned about 720p vs 1080p, I urge you to use your eyes, but here is some professional analysis of the value of 1080p... http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6810011-1.html 120hz lcd... http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6810011-1.html and the obligatory lcd vs plasma... http://www.cnet.com/1990-7874_1-5108443-2.html?tag=rb_content;rb_mtx There's lots more out there, but plasma looks better at the same price point, lcd is better in a brightly lit room, and 1080p only matters when you are *very* close.
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Not under $30, but here is a $50 AIO shipped free.
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Upgrade Or New Black Friday Computer???
len_mullen replied to deelite's topic in Deal Finder & Deal Discussion
Or you can get the PSU and 8600gt from newegg. You have to stomach a little rebate risk/hassle, but the AR price is $55