What 40" HDTV to buy!?!? HELP!

[LawrenceJanis]

Okay so I was about to hit "place order" on amazon.com for the Samsung LN40A550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, but then......

^^^^*story starts in the middle*^^^^

I will be attending college next year so I decided I needed a smaller TV from my current 46" set (unfortunately it will be left at home). I started out at 32"...and then I was frustrated that 1080p would be useless at such a small screen size. So I broke up with the 32" screen size idea, and started steadily dating a 37" screen size...unfortunately, I still feel like 1080p on that screen size would be wasted. So I dumped her and moved onto, I believe (not really), a 40" HDTV, keeping in mind my dorm is almost as limited as a HD-DVD

I did a bunch of research, keeping a decent budget in mind (I would only spend around $1200 on a chick at college), and landed on the Samsung LN40A550. In addition I started cheating on her with a Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-40S4100. Now here is where it starts getting sticky...

The Samsung LN40A650 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color is SMOKING HOT. She literally made it hard for me to keep it in my pants, except she wears that tacky red color—like HD-DVD—but I think I can forgive her for it. There is only one problem, she is more money than the hot chick without the Touch of Color (Samsung LN40A550). So I wanted to make a move on the Samsung with the Touch of Color, but she was a little intimidating...and expensive.

After my love triangle...or rectangle (I'm so confused with how many tvs i have gone through) I hit "add to cart" for the Samsung LN40A550 because she was in my price range. I was about to place the order, but then I didn't know what chick to fall in love with.

So HELP!!!

p.s. I know its weird, but i did reference my future TV to a girl in this post...just don't tell my real girlfriend, she gets jealous when I spend time with my ps3 and tv.

p.s.s. I will be using the TV as my computer monitor (macbook pro *DVI-HDMI*) and PS3 for blurays and games.

[SAM LN32A650]

32' with 1080p is not useless. (it is a common misconception) keep in mind LCD tvs you want to get a correct range because some times big is not better.. if you are sitting 6-8.64 feet far get a 32. 8-10 37. 40+ 12

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by LawrenceJanis

Okay so I was about to hit "place order" on amazon.com for the Samsung LN40A550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, but then......

^^^^*story starts in the middle*^^^^

I will be attending college next year so I decided I needed a smaller TV from my current 46" set (unfortunately it will be left at home). I started out at 32"...and then I was frustrated that 1080p would be useless at such a small screen size. So I broke up with the 32" screen size idea, and started steadily dating a 37" screen size...unfortunately, I still feel like 1080p on that screen size would be wasted. So I dumped her and moved onto, I believe (not really), a 40" HDTV, keeping in mind my dorm is almost as limited as a HD-DVD

I did a bunch of research, keeping a decent budget in mind (I would only spend around $1200 on a chick at college), and landed on the Samsung LN40A550. In addition I started cheating on her with a Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-40S4100. Now here is where it starts getting sticky...

The Samsung LN40A650 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color is SMOKING HOT. She literally made it hard for me to keep it in my pants, except she wears that tacky red color—like HD-DVD—but I think I can forgive her for it. There is only one problem, she is more money than the hot chick without the Touch of Color (Samsung LN40A550). So I wanted to make a move on the Samsung with the Touch of Color, but she was a little intimidating...and expensive.

After my love triangle...or rectangle (I'm so confused with how many tvs i have gone through) I hit "add to cart" for the Samsung LN40A550 because she was in my price range. I was about to place the order, but then I didn't know what chick to fall in love with.

So HELP!!!

p.s. I know its weird, but i did reference my future TV to a girl in this post...just don't tell my real girlfriend, she gets jealous when I spend time with my ps3 and tv.

p.s.s. I will be using the TV as my computer monitor (macbook pro *DVI-HDMI*) and PS3 for blurays and games.

This all sounds like more of a problem that Dr. Phil should advise you on.

But, seriously, the ultimate decision is yours. So many people make these decisions based on the asthetic look of the TV casing first and foremost. Why not do some footwork and see all of your options in action? The picture quality is what matters most. Personally, when I was shopping for my TV, the SONY Bravia LCDs cleaned the floor with the Samsung models. However, I was dead set against plasma. If plasma is your thing, Samsung is a good choice. As for size, 40" 1080p should be the absolute minimum being considered in order to enjoy Blu-ray at optimal potential.

Originally Posted by SAM LN32A650

32' with 1080p is not useless. (it is a common misconception) keep in mind LCD tvs you want to get a correct range because some times big is not better.. if you are sitting 6-8.64 feet far get a 32. 8-10 37. 40+ 12

This is not true! I sit 10 feet from a 52" 1080p Bravia and it is beyond beautiful. In fact, I think that the TV is too small for me at that viewing distance!!! A movie theatre by comparison has a much larger field of view if you break it down to distance from screen. And nobody complains about that. Viewing distance all depends on the quality of the TV. I can stand 4 feet from my TV and still have an amazing picture. Any closer and it starts to become noticeably pixelated (don't think that's the right word though).

[ProvenFlipper]

Originally Posted by SAM LN32A650

32' with 1080p is not useless. (it is a common misconception) keep in mind LCD tvs you want to get a correct range because some times big is not better.. if you are sitting 6-8.64 feet far get a 32. 8-10 37. 40+ 12

I'm sorry, but there is no way that I would watch a 40" TV from 12 ft away, if it were my main tv. I sit 6ft. from my 50" and every day I toy with the idea of a 56". 32" 1080p is useless unless you are like 4ft from it.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by ProvenFlipper

I'm sorry, but there is no way that I would watch a 40" TV from 12 ft away, if it were my main tv. I sit 6ft. from my 50" and every day I toy with the idea of a 56". 32" 1080p is useless unless you are like 4ft from it.

Yeah, over 10 feet is bad for forty inch.
I have a forty inch and sit at around 7-8 feet. I am thinking about a fifty inch now.

I say get as big as you can afford. You will still want bigger then....

[SAM LN32A650]

well thats what it is on the ideal range chart.
and once again 32' lcd with 1080p is not useless

[SAM LN32A650]

Where should I sit to get the best viewing experience?

The ideal viewing position for best picture quality is directly across from the center of the screen. A larger viewing angle—the area in front of the screen that provides optimum viewing—means better picture quality for people sitting to the far right or far left of your TV. All three of the televisions HP offers feature an ultra-wide viewing angle of 170 degrees for optimum viewing anywhere in the room.

To determine how far you should sit from the screen, divide the screen size (measured in diagonal inches) by five. The resulting number—in feet—is the approximate distance for ideal viewing (e.g., if you have a 50-inch screen, you should sit approximately 15 feet away).

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by SAM LN32A650

Where should I sit to get the best viewing experience?

The ideal viewing position for best picture quality is directly across from the center of the screen. A larger viewing angle—the area in front of the screen that provides optimum viewing—means better picture quality for people sitting to the far right or far left of your TV. All three of the televisions HP offers feature an ultra-wide viewing angle of 170 degrees for optimum viewing anywhere in the room.

To determine how far you should sit from the screen, divide the screen size (measured in diagonal inches) by five. The resulting number—in feet—is the approximate distance for ideal viewing (e.g., if you have a 50-inch screen, you should sit approximately 15 feet away).

Wasn't the teacher's favourite in math class I'm guessing?

[SAM LN32A650]

i copied that information from www.tvinfo.com

[allstar780]

if you can do a 42" you should go for the 800 series panasonic 42 inch. its a much, much better TV... MSRP is $2,300 but it is worth it. (and you can probably get it for around $1700

EDIT: yup... amazon has it for $1700

[xAyoFoolx]

or you can go with this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00142MUDS?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

def. better than the sammy 550

[callas01]

7-10 feet max for a 40", I sit 7'4" from my samsung and think a 46 would be nicer, but my wife would kill me, I got the sammy just before xmas. then she said no more tv's for at least 5 years.... women don't understand.

I dont know where your going to school, but the dorms @ UCR could not handle more then a 40-42" TV, personally I would get the sammy a550 lcd because you will have many a fools in there playing video games. also, you can save a little and get some extra movies or games.

PS, get a couple of chick flicks so you can get the girls in your hall back to your room to watch a movie... that is of course unless your current girl friend is going to the same college as you.

pps kick the roommate out before you start the movie.

ppps always wear protection, the girls in the dorm halls tend to get around

[LawrenceJanis]

Originally Posted by SAM LN32A650

32' with 1080p is not useless. (it is a common misconception) keep in mind LCD tvs you want to get a correct range because some times big is not better.. if you are sitting 6-8.64 feet far get a 32. 8-10 37. 40+ 12

Thanks for the suggestion, but I believe you are referring to the screen size seating chart of an 4:3 television. Below I have posted the screen size viewing distance of a 16:9 screen

Screen size Viewing distance range

30" 3.75-6.25 feet
34" 4.25-7 feet
42" 5.25-8.75 feet
50" 6.25-10.5 feet
56" 7-11.75 feet
62" 7.75-13 feet
70" 8.75-14.75 feet

[LawrenceJanis]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Yeah, over 10 feet is bad for forty inch.
I have a forty inch and sit at around 7-8 feet. I am thinking about a fifty inch now.

I say get as big as you can afford. You will still want bigger then....

I wish i can go as big as I want, however, I will be living in a dorm next year, and space is cramped. My second year of college I will get an apt. and bring my 46" TV that will be left all alone at home and my soon to be *new* 40" HDTV, soooo I will be set

[LawrenceJanis]

Originally Posted by SAM LN32A650

Originally Posted by SAM LN32A650 View Post
Where should I sit to get the best viewing experience?

The ideal viewing position for best picture quality is directly across from the center of the screen. A larger viewing angle—the area in front of the screen that provides optimum viewing—means better picture quality for people sitting to the far right or far left of your TV. All three of the televisions HP offers feature an ultra-wide viewing angle of 170 degrees for optimum viewing anywhere in the room.

To determine how far you should sit from the screen, divide the screen size (measured in diagonal inches) by five. The resulting number—in feet—is the approximate distance for ideal viewing (e.g., if you have a 50-inch screen, you should sit approximately 15 feet away)

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Wasn't the teacher's favourite in math class I'm guessing?

hahaha its all good, thats why we have calculators and TI-84 plus' now

[LawrenceJanis]

Originally Posted by allstar780

if you can do a 42" you should go for the 800 series panasonic 42 inch. its a much, much better TV... MSRP is $2,300 but it is worth it. (and you can probably get it for around $1700

EDIT: yup... amazon has it for $1700

Are you talking about the Viera? Yeah they are really nice, however, I usually steer clear of plasmas, also, they are ssssooo expensive haha. the max I will pay is probably 1500 with shipping off amazon--who knows, I may cheat and go over budget, because i know we all do

[LawrenceJanis]

Originally Posted by xAyoFoolx

or you can go with this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00142MUDS?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

def. better than the sammy 550

DAMN!!!! that contrast ratio is sexy, I like that it can produce deep blacks, which is hard to get from an LCD. CNET.com said it produces inaccurate greens though but the blues and reds were accurate

[LawrenceJanis]

Originally Posted by callas01

7-10 feet max for a 40", I sit 7'4" from my samsung and think a 46 would be nicer, but my wife would kill me, I got the sammy just before xmas. then she said no more tv's for at least 5 years.... women don't understand.

I dont know where your going to school, but the dorms @ UCR could not handle more then a 40-42" TV, personally I would get the sammy a550 lcd because you will have many a fools in there playing video games. also, you can save a little and get some extra movies or games.

PS, get a couple of chick flicks so you can get the girls in your hall back to your room to watch a movie... that is of course unless your current girl friend is going to the same college as you.

pps kick the roommate out before you start the movie.

ppps always wear protection, the girls in the dorm halls tend to get around

hahahahahaha. excellent idea. Yeah i was thinking that. The A550 would probably be a good idea, it does get really good reviews for an LCD, and I have always had a good history with samsung. now do you think i should go with the touch of red? or no.

whats UCR? and my dorm will be cramp, the 40" will easily take up the whole desk. My friend at Duke got a 56 inch DLP, they use both desk in the dorm for the TV. I guess they dont get much studying done

[callas01]

Personally not a big fan of the red, but i think the 650 gets you most of the same features if that what you want. you are most likely only going to stay in the dorm for one year, then begging to move to an apartment, I say by something not to expensive like the 550 or 540 samsung to get you though the first year, then move to an apartment, bring the 46" tv from home & set that up in your apartment living room, and throw the 40" in your apartment bedroom, that way you can watch tv away from your roommies.

UCR = University of California at Riverside

[LawrenceJanis]

Originally Posted by callas01

Personally not a big fan of the red, but i think the 650 gets you most of the same features if that what you want. you are most likely only going to stay in the dorm for one year, then begging to move to an apartment, I say by something not to expensive like the 550 or 540 samsung to get you though the first year, then move to an apartment, bring the 46" tv from home & set that up in your apartment living room, and throw the 40" in your apartment bedroom, that way you can watch tv away from your roommies.

UCR = University of California at Riverside

O thats hella cool. Im coming from the washington dc area and going to the Univ. of Washington--im west coast at heart. But yeah, I'm feeling your advice.