Advice On My First HDTV... - Blu-ray Forum

dahoover · 07-16-2009, 02:55 AM

Hello everyone, I just graduated college and am looking to buy my first HDTV!

I have it pretty much narrowed down to these 2 tv's:

Sony 40" 1080p 120 Hz (KDL40V5100)

http://hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp...BrandStore=All

Sony 46" 1080p 60 Hz (KDL46V4100)

http://hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp...BrandStore=All

They are both the same price, so basically I would just like to know which you would recommend, the extra 6" or 120 Hz?

ZedsDead · 07-16-2009, 03:13 AM

well the size of the room your viewing it in, might be an important part to this equation. If I had to pick, I'd say go bigger vs going for the 120 hz. I have a 120 hz and the improvement over 60 hz isn't anything I would consider mind blowing, but I know some people are much more perceptive/sensitive to it than I am.

dahoover · 07-16-2009, 03:24 AM

Thanks for the advice!

The viewing distance isn't a problem or I would just get the 46", I just didn't know how much of an upgrade 120Hz is over 60Hz.

Creeping Deth · 07-16-2009, 03:44 AM

Right now Crutchfield has a great deal on a Sony KDL-40XBR7 for $1,199.99
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158KD40...DL-40XBR7.html

ScarredLungs · 07-16-2009, 04:15 AM

Those are nice TV's. How did you arrive on those options? Size or price or both?

Creeping Deth · 07-16-2009, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dahoover

Thanks for the advice!

The viewing distance isn't a problem or I would just get the 46", I just didn't know how much of an upgrade 120Hz is over 60Hz.

If viewing distance isn't a problem, then I would go with 120Hz.

dahoover · 07-16-2009, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvm

Those are nice TV's. How did you arrive on those options? Size or price or both?

I knew I wanted a Sony HDTV and I cant really afford the new XBR's so I thought these would be great options.

dahoover · 07-16-2009, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creeping Deth

Right now Crutchfield has a great deal on a Sony KDL-40XBR7 for $1,199.99
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158KD40...DL-40XBR7.html

That is a great deal but I really want to order from a B&M store as opposed to online.

350gt · 07-16-2009, 04:28 AM

Go with the 120hz, if not you will eventually want to upgrade. If your not one for smooth motion, you can always turn it off.

Are you stuck on sony?

Creeping Deth · 07-16-2009, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dahoover

That is a great deal but I really want to order from a B&M store as opposed to online.

Crutchfield is a great online store. I've ordered my Blu-ray player, and Receiver from them, and they have always shipped everything well packaged. Plus they have free shipping and don't charge sales tax.

dahoover · 07-16-2009, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350gt

Go with the 120hz, if not you will eventually want to upgrade. If your not one for smooth motion, you can always turn it off.

Are you stuck on sony?

I am almost 100% positive I want a Sony, but if you have some other recommendation don't hold back.

ScarredLungs · 07-16-2009, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dahoover

I knew I wanted a Sony HDTV and I cant really afford the new XBR's so I thought these would be great options.

If you do not mind me asking what is your price range? Sony is a good choice.

ScarredLungs · 07-16-2009, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dahoover

I am almost 100% positive I want a Sony, but if you have some other recommendation don't hold back.

Sony is my first choice, Samsung would be my second. They have nice TV's too.

dahoover · 07-16-2009, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvm

If you do not mind me asking what is your price range? Sony is a good choice.

Well I would like the HDTV to be around $1,000 because I am going to get a warranty from whatever store I get it from (either Best Buy or HH Gregg) which will in turn bring it up to $1,200-$1,400 (which is my real budget).

Aclar00 · 07-16-2009, 06:17 AM

I personally wouldn't go with a Sony television (though I've never owned one) because I have a high rate of misfortune with Sony products. From what I hear from most people, Samsung is good.

i-Dak · 07-16-2009, 06:34 AM

I know I maybe blasted by some people on here; I have before on some other forums, but what about Vizio? They are just as good as Sony or Samsung, but they are cheaper. Don't pay attention to the big electronic mags. I would pay more attention to personal reviews by actual people who own them. Not by some over-paid review writer for some magazine that gets paid by the bigger companies any way because they advertise in their mags.

wafi · 07-16-2009, 12:27 PM

I think you should walk into a B&M store, tell them your budget and check out what they have first hand. Once you have done that you can research on the ones that grabbed your attention [PQ and mebbe even AQ wise] here to get feedbacks and user reviews.

TechPro · 07-16-2009, 04:38 PM

dude im on my fifth..its all about what you like...

walwalka · 07-17-2009, 02:32 AM

Best Buy has the LG 42LH40 120Hz LCD on sale for $999

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218067378936

lojack1976 · 07-17-2009, 03:01 AM

Since you plan to buy at the store anyway just go and look at what they have in your price range. I don't think you can broadly compare brands since the top LCD makers are all pretty close overall. Differences in picture can vary by model so I wouldn't say that Sony is better than Samsung or LG in a broad sense.

You will find that competing models may favor one brand while competing models at a different price point favor a different brand. You should really compare what each brand offers at the same price point.

Compare the picture quality and the number of adjustments allowed in the setup menu of each set you are considering. Look for color accuracy, deep blacks, and a good level of shadow detail in dark scenes. See how many HDMI, component, and other connections are offered by them and determine what connections you need.

At the end of the day the picture is the most important thing, so you need to make sure that you like what you are seeing. Styling may be important to you also so consider the exterior design as well. Spend a couple of hours in a few different stores comparing different sets. Not only is it fun, but you will also be much more satisfied with the choice you make versus making a blind buy based a on few recommendations.

07-16-2009, 02:55 AM	#1
dahoover Expert Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Bloomington, Indiana Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:107 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:25	Advice On My First HDTV... Hello everyone, I just graduated college and am looking to buy my first HDTV! I have it pretty much narrowed down to these 2 tv's: Sony 40" 1080p 120 Hz (KDL40V5100) http://hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp...BrandStore=All Sony 46" 1080p 60 Hz (KDL46V4100) http://hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp...BrandStore=All They are both the same price, so basically I would just like to know which you would recommend, the extra 6" or 120 Hz?

07-16-2009, 03:13 AM	#2
ZedsDead Senior Member Member since:Jul 2009 Home Theater Gallery:28 Blu-ray collection:94	hmm well the size of the room your viewing it in, might be an important part to this equation. If I had to pick, I'd say go bigger vs going for the 120 hz. I have a 120 hz and the improvement over 60 hz isn't anything I would consider mind blowing, but I know some people are much more perceptive/sensitive to it than I am.

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07-16-2009, 03:24 AM	#3
dahoover Expert Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Bloomington, Indiana Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:107 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:25	Thanks for the advice! The viewing distance isn't a problem or I would just get the 46", I just didn't know how much of an upgrade 120Hz is over 60Hz.

07-16-2009, 03:44 AM	#4
Creeping Deth Member Member since:Jul 2009 Location:Orange County, California Blu-ray collection:76	Right now Crutchfield has a great deal on a Sony KDL-40XBR7 for $1,199.99 http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158KD40...DL-40XBR7.html

07-16-2009, 04:15 AM	#5
ScarredLungs Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Utah 4K collection:65 Blu-ray collection:1433 Prime collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:4	Those are nice TV's. How did you arrive on those options? Size or price or both?

07-16-2009, 04:28 AM	#9
350gt Active Member Member since:May 2009 Location:teXASS.. Home Theater Gallery:24 Blu-ray collection:20	Go with the 120hz, if not you will eventually want to upgrade. If your not one for smooth motion, you can always turn it off. Are you stuck on sony?

07-16-2009, 06:17 AM	#15
Aclar00 Member Member since:Oct 2007	I personally wouldn't go with a Sony television (though I've never owned one) because I have a high rate of misfortune with Sony products. From what I hear from most people, Samsung is good.

07-16-2009, 06:34 AM	#16
i-Dak Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Ankeny, IA Home Theater Gallery:10	I know I maybe blasted by some people on here; I have before on some other forums, but what about Vizio? They are just as good as Sony or Samsung, but they are cheaper. Don't pay attention to the big electronic mags. I would pay more attention to personal reviews by actual people who own them. Not by some over-paid review writer for some magazine that gets paid by the bigger companies any way because they advertise in their mags.

07-16-2009, 12:27 PM	#17
wafi Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:along the beltway Home Theater Gallery:26 Blu-ray collection:384 Blu-ray reviews: 11 Trading Score:4	I think you should walk into a B&M store, tell them your budget and check out what they have first hand. Once you have done that you can research on the ones that grabbed your attention [PQ and mebbe even AQ wise] here to get feedbacks and user reviews.

07-16-2009, 04:38 PM	#18
TechPro Member Member since:Jan 2009	dude im on my fifth..its all about what you like...

07-17-2009, 02:32 AM	#19
walwalka Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2009 Home Theater Gallery:1 Blu-ray collection:104	Best Buy has the LG 42LH40 120Hz LCD on sale for $999 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218067378936

07-17-2009, 03:01 AM	#20
lojack1976 Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Aug 2008 Location:7 Cities, VA Home Theater Gallery:62 Blu-ray collection:203	Since you plan to buy at the store anyway just go and look at what they have in your price range. I don't think you can broadly compare brands since the top LCD makers are all pretty close overall. Differences in picture can vary by model so I wouldn't say that Sony is better than Samsung or LG in a broad sense. You will find that competing models may favor one brand while competing models at a different price point favor a different brand. You should really compare what each brand offers at the same price point. Compare the picture quality and the number of adjustments allowed in the setup menu of each set you are considering. Look for color accuracy, deep blacks, and a good level of shadow detail in dark scenes. See how many HDMI, component, and other connections are offered by them and determine what connections you need. At the end of the day the picture is the most important thing, so you need to make sure that you like what you are seeing. Styling may be important to you also so consider the exterior design as well. Spend a couple of hours in a few different stores comparing different sets. Not only is it fun, but you will also be much more satisfied with the choice you make versus making a blind buy based a on few recommendations.

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