
Official Black Friday HDTV Discussion Thread
#1
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Posted Aug 13, 2011 - 6:43 pm
#2
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Posted Oct 6, 2011 - 7:37 am
#3
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Posted Oct 6, 2011 - 1:17 pm
Come on, Luck be a Lady.
Daddy want a 50" (+) Panasonic Plasma for under $500!!!
You and me both! Well, I'd like LED, but a cheap-but-decent 50"+ HDTV is definitely on my target list. You could get your Panny for under $500, since 50" Panasonics are down to $599 already at Costco. 720p though, but still, they look pretty good!
#4
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Posted Oct 6, 2011 - 1:42 pm
You and me both! Well, I'd like LED, but a cheap-but-decent 50"+ HDTV is definitely on my target list. You could get your Panny for under $500, since 50" Panasonics are down to $599 already at Costco. 720p though, but still, they look pretty good!
Don't get me started on the 1080p stuff...

720p is just fine by me. Its certainly not worth paying extra for a format where the human eye can't tell the difference in most living rooms/family rooms in the nation, let alone the fact that pretty much nothing is broadcast in true 1080p...
#5
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Posted Oct 7, 2011 - 1:56 am
Don't get me started on the 1080p stuff...
720p is just fine by me. Its certainly not worth paying extra for a format where the human eye can't tell the difference in most living rooms/family rooms in the nation, let alone the fact that pretty much nothing is broadcast in true 1080p...
I've read that starting at 50"+, you can start to see the difference between 720 and 1080 but they both look essentially the same to me at 50" when I see them on display, so I'd probably be happy with 720 as well. We currently have a 720 42" Panasonic plasma in the living room, and it looks fantastic.
Over Labor Day weekend, HH Gregg had a LG 50" plasma for $499, so keep your eye out - you may find a similar deal between now and Black Friday, and not have to wait in the BF lines! Good luck!
#6
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Posted Oct 7, 2011 - 5:31 am
#7
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Posted Oct 7, 2011 - 6:30 am
#8
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Posted Oct 7, 2011 - 7:45 am
My setup will have the 50" plasma mounted above the fireplace approximately 11 feet from where my head is when I'm sitting on the couch. 1080p would make no discernible difference in my setup. So I'll happily keep that extra couple hundred dollars in my bank account.

Here's the chart:

#9
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Posted Oct 9, 2011 - 10:47 am
#10
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Posted Oct 10, 2011 - 6:33 am

Rebecca
"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."
#11
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Posted Oct 10, 2011 - 10:15 am
Personally, I think Panasonic makes the best Plasma's out there right now (since Pioneer stopped making the Kuro's) and definitely the best Plasma's for the money. Plus, they gave me some really incredible service when the TV needed service 6mo after buying it. They went WAY above and beyond.
With your setup, I think you're right in that you don't need to waste your money on 1080p.
I think the entry model 42" Panasonic right now is the TC-P42X3 and it looks like the going rate is about $500.
Amazon has it for $501 w/ free shipping right now.
Best Buy has it for $499 plus tax and no shipping if you pick it up in store.
The key to ANY HDTV purchase is going to be in the calibration though. Get a calibration disk like the one reviewed here. Not only will it help you set your TV up properly, it will also educate you on why you're doing what you're doing. It's supposed to be superb.
Edited by Pnambic, Oct 10, 2011 - 10:27 am.
#12
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Posted Oct 10, 2011 - 2:54 pm
Rebecca
"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."
#13
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Posted Oct 10, 2011 - 3:02 pm
Rebecca
"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."
#14
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Posted Oct 10, 2011 - 5:14 pm
#15
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Posted Oct 10, 2011 - 8:19 pm

Rebecca
"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."
#16
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Posted Oct 11, 2011 - 6:20 am
Aside from that, 60hz is where some people were complaining about blurred motion. Plasma's are at 600hz I think. Most decent LCD's have 120 - 240hz refresh rates.
So what are your thoughts on the 120 vs. 240hz debate in LCDs/LEDs? I'm looking at possibly upgrading to 55", and do plan on watching lots of sports and action movies. Of course the sales people in stores are saying there's going to be motion stutter at 120hz, but I'd expect them to say that.
#17
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Posted Oct 11, 2011 - 7:39 am
#18
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Posted Oct 23, 2011 - 3:22 pm
This year continues to be slow for TV sales. Not only do economic conditions remain sour, but the roll-out of 3-D technology has been poor — lacking necessary programming — and so-called "smart TVs" have been marketed confusingly, or in some cases not demonstrated at all. This has led to high inventory levels. The holiday season is the last chance for retailers and set makers to improve their fiscal year.
HD Guru consulted industry contacts, surveyed the best current deals and analyzed pricing trends to come up with our Black Friday price predictions. Come Nov. 25, the biggest shopping day of the year, these are the costs of models — grouped by size, features and brand reputation — that you're likely to see.
If you're thinking about buy a TV anytime soon, consult this list first, so you don't unwittingly pay too much.
This year all sizes are affected. The glut of sets has already produced the lowest prices of the year and we know the holidays will mean "loss-leader" models that stores can offer in outstanding deals. In fact, the areas where we'll see the greatest price drops are in the category of TVs measuring 55 inches and above.
That segment is more competitive than ever, with more new models from brands you probably never heard of (what we're calling "no name"). The no-name models exert downward price pressure from the market leaders. Add in the competitively priced Vizio’s recent drop in market position, along with their own leftover 2010 models, and you have a perfect recipe for crazy closeouts.
As in recent years, the online e-tailers will be leading the charge with the hottest deals and will follow Black Friday TV deals with Cyber Monday specials.
For those of you considering a Vizio or a no-name TV, please read our disposable TV article, where we make the case for purchasing an extended warranty.
Now, on to our predictions:
Smallest LCDs
32-in. 720p no name LCD - $169
32-in. 720p brand name LCD - $249
Mid-size LCD and plasma
40-in. 720p no name LCD - $288
42-in. 720p brand name Plasma - $399
42-in. 720p brand name 3-D Plasma - $529
40-in. 1080p no name LCD - $339
40-in. 1080p brand name 3-D LED LCD - $689
46-in. to 47-in. 1080p no name LCD $399
46-in. to 47-in. 1080p brand name LCD - $499
46-in. to 47-in. 1080p brand name LED LCD - $599
50-in. 720p brand name plasma $539
50-in. 1080p brand name plasma $639
Large LCD and plasma
55-in. 1080p no name LCD - $639
55-in. 1080p brand name 3-D LCD - $799
60-in. 1080p brand name LED LCD - $1099
60-in. 1080p brand name plasma - $999
60-in. 1080p brand name 3-D plasma - $1099
70-in. 1080p brand name LED LCD - $2399
#19
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Posted Oct 23, 2011 - 4:06 pm
I think that signal is going to look bad on most HD sets. They are the wrong shape and would have to scale the picture. If you are not willing to upgrade the box, wait to get the new set. If you REALLY want HD and cannot afford HD Satellite, consider OTA. It's free once you install an antenna and run cables and such.thanks for responding. I have been looking at a Vizio 42" 1080p refresh:60hz contrast:100,000:1. It's at Walmart for $478. Here's my question though...my current Dish sattelite receiver is the DVR 625 model which has a display resolution of 480i. Is that going to look blurry on a screen that large if I set it to widescreen? My receiver doesn't have HDMI connection...just AV connection.
#20
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Posted Oct 24, 2011 - 12:48 pm
Target had one on sale for $499 on clearance. Wouldn't hurt to go check and see. Also, as PP said, keep an eye on pre BF sales. We got a 46" Panasonic 1080 for $499. HHGregg had a deal with a blue ray player additiona for $99.
the target one dropped to $299 today. scored one in NE ohio brand new in box
#21
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Posted Oct 24, 2011 - 4:33 pm

#22
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Posted Oct 25, 2011 - 7:23 am
Its the Sam's club/BJ's version of the PN51D450 which generally means it has all the same specs, except maybe one less HDMI port or something.
It was getting good reviews from AVS forums earlier this year. It's definitely on my short list.
Edited by Pnambic, Oct 25, 2011 - 1:36 pm.
#23
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Posted Oct 25, 2011 - 8:37 am
#24
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Posted Oct 28, 2011 - 6:49 am
Just for reference on price, I picked 2 TV's last year on BF.
32" LG LCD 1080p - $329.99
55" LG Plasma 720p - $649.99
Where at?
#25
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Posted Oct 28, 2011 - 7:10 am
#26
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Posted Nov 2, 2011 - 6:45 am
#27
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Posted Nov 2, 2011 - 8:49 am
So, after reading through the comments on 720p vs 1080p, I'm thinking that for a 32-37" screen, there would really be no difference in viewing at a max distance of 18'. Can someone who knows TVs confirm or deny this?
I'm looking to purchase an LED TV for the living room and it'll probably be 37", if I find the right TV and right deal this BF season. After standing in a few stores, I'm thinking 720 vs 1080 on those sizes doesn't make much difference, if any, but size and distance in a Wal-Mart or Best Buy is really deceptive when compared to my living room. I'm also leaning towards Sony or Samsung display, with LG and Vizio as runner ups, if the price is too good to pass up.
Correct, you'd want to go 720p on a 32-37 class model.
#28
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Posted Nov 2, 2011 - 10:48 am
#29
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Posted Nov 2, 2011 - 2:07 pm
Come on, Luck be a Lady.
Daddy wants a 50" (+) Panasonic Plasma for under $500!!!
Getting closer...
Target has the Panasonic TC-P502C online for $549 right now.
#30
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Posted Nov 3, 2011 - 4:28 pm


"If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything." - Dr. Emmett L. Brown
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