Won a Flat Panel... What would you do?

[Kayne314]

Well, I won a 46" Samsung LN-T4661F. It arrived yesterday.

I already have a 42" Panasonic TH42PZ700, calibrated and installed.

I decided at Christmas that I didn't need 2 big flat-panel TVs in the house, and told my parents that I would give them one. In anticipation of giving my parents the start of a new home theater, I gave them the Onkyo 605 Receiver, I had. (I already upgraded to the 705.) I have since bought a clearance set of Klipsch reference surround speakers for my parents to go with the 605.

I'll be heading back to visit my parents this spring, and will be bringing all this with me to install for them.

Here are my questions.

1) Would you keep the 46" LCD for yourself, and give your family the 42" Plasma, or vice versa? ( I've only had the Plasma about 3 months.)

2) What other goodies should I get for them to go with their new home theater? ( No PS3 suggestions please, my parents are technophobic about it.) My remaining budget is about $600.00 Canadian dollars.

This is the first time I've been able to feel like a big-shot with my family, and I don't want to make the wrong decisions.

I'm also thinking I should get them a Harmony remote for them to make it even easier. I'll be doing the install and set-up for them, but after that they'll be on their own. We live a 1000 miles apart.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

[PeechCobblerPie]

honestly, i'd keep the 46" for myself. I'd take a 42" for free from a family member any day of the week and would be happy they won the other one. It would be kind of selfish of them to be thinking "well, why didnt he give us the 46?" idk, theres my opinion, hope it helps!

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Kayne314

Well, I won a 46" Samsung LN-T4661F. It arrived yesterday.

I already have a 42" Panasonic TH42PZ700, calibrated and installed.

I decided at Christmas that I didn't need 2 big flat-panel TVs in the house, and told my parents that I would give them one. In anticipation of giving my parents the start of a new home theater, I gave them the Onkyo 605 Receiver, I had. (I already upgraded to the 705.) I have since bought a clearance set of Klipsch reference surround speakers for my parents to go with the 605.

I'll be heading back to visit my parents this spring, and will be bringing all this with me to install for them.

Here are my questions.

1) Would you keep the 46" LCD for yourself, and give your family the 42" Plasma, or vice versa? ( I've only had the Plasma about 3 months.)

2) What other goodies should I get for them to go with their new home theater? ( No PS3 suggestions please, my parents are technophobic about it.) My remaining budget is about $600.00 Canadian dollars.

This is the first time I've been able to feel like a big-shot with my family, and I don't want to make the wrong decisions.

I'm also thinking I should get them a Harmony remote for them to make it even easier. I'll be doing the install and set-up for them, but after that they'll be on their own. We live a 1000 miles apart.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

It sounds like you've got all of the bases covered. But, you didn't mentione if they already have a BD player. If they don't, then that should be part of the extra $600 investment. Other than that, the Harmony remote is a great idea (especially if they are "techophobic"). Maybe even a nice wall mount so that you can hang the TV on the wall? I honestly can't think of anything else unless you want to think about some nice viewing furniture or a nice A/V stand for their equipment. Unless, you buy a bunch of movies for them?

[Kayne314]

They don't have high def at all. This will be the first big upgrade for them in about 15 years.

Would you suggest a Blu-ray player, or an HD Satellite System maybe. I think the Harmony remote is a for sure purchase. I can get it at cost ($90.00 or so) so that still leaves me with about $500 to spare.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Kayne314

They don't have high def at all. This will be the first big upgrade for them in about 15 years.

Would you suggest a Blu-ray player, or an HD Satellite System maybe. I think the Harmony remote is a for sure purchase. I can get it at cost ($90.00 or so) so that still leaves me with about $500 to spare.

Hmmmm.... BD player vs HD satellite, eh?

It's a tough call because of extra cost of HD channels, at least they would have control over where that money would be going if they had a BD player. On the other hand, would they use the BD player as much as the HD satellite?

Looks like that is a question that you will have to find out the answer through casual discussion with your parents.

[Stephie_is_a_dork]

Originally Posted by Kayne314

They don't have high def at all. This will be the first big upgrade for them in about 15 years.

Would you suggest a Blu-ray player, or an HD Satellite System maybe. I think the Harmony remote is a for sure purchase. I can get it at cost ($90.00 or so) so that still leaves me with about $500 to spare.

satellite is a monthly expense, so I would go with a Blu-ray player...and don't forget the HDMI cables!

[DealsR4theDevil]

Originally Posted by Kayne314

Well, I won a 46" Samsung LN-T4661F. It arrived yesterday.

I already have a 42" Panasonic TH42PZ700, calibrated and installed.

I decided at Christmas that I didn't need 2 big flat-panel TVs in the house, and told my parents that I would give them one. In anticipation of giving my parents the start of a new home theater, I gave them the Onkyo 605 Receiver, I had. (I already upgraded to the 705.) I have since bought a clearance set of Klipsch reference surround speakers for my parents to go with the 605.

I'll be heading back to visit my parents this spring, and will be bringing all this with me to install for them.

Here are my questions.

1) Would you keep the 46" LCD for yourself, and give your family the 42" Plasma, or vice versa? ( I've only had the Plasma about 3 months.)

2) What other goodies should I get for them to go with their new home theater? ( No PS3 suggestions please, my parents are technophobic about it.) My remaining budget is about $600.00 Canadian dollars.

This is the first time I've been able to feel like a big-shot with my family, and I don't want to make the wrong decisions.

I'm also thinking I should get them a Harmony remote for them to make it even easier. I'll be doing the install and set-up for them, but after that they'll be on their own. We live a 1000 miles apart.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Keep the Plasma!!!! I would sacrifice 4" for superior picture quality.

My friend just got a brand new Sharp Aquos and my Pioneer Elite blows it out of the water in PQ. Even though mine is only 720p/1080i, I have the higher contrast ratio, better black levers, better color saturation, and better color accuracy. All his has on me is the extra resolution and while that is a plus, resolution is neither the only or the biggest factor in picture quality. Watching his LCD made me appreciate my Plasma all the more!!!

Keep the Plasma!!!

[quest88]

Originally Posted by DealsR4theDevil

Keep the Plasma!!!! I would sacrifice 4" for superior picture quality.

My friend just got a brand new Sharp Aquos and my Pioneer Elite blows it out of the water in PQ. Even though mine is only 720p/1080i, I have the higher contrast ratio, better black levers, better color saturation, and better color accuracy. All his has on me is the extra resolution and while that is a plus, resolution is neither the only or the biggest factor in picture quality. Watching his LCD made me appreciate my Plasma all the more!!!

Keep the Plasma!!!

just to remind you it's a pioneer elite!!! Of course it's going to look better or at least I would think so for the extra cash you paid for it. Anyways go for the larger screen and a stand alone don't forget to get and OTA antenna if they don't have cable or satellite for there local HD channels.

[DealsR4theDevil]

Originally Posted by Kayne314

2) What other goodies should I get for them to go with their new home theater? ( No PS3 suggestions please, my parents are technophobic about it.) My remaining budget is about $600.00 Canadian dollars.

Every other Blu-ray player right now does not have an ethernet port. If they are technophobes about the PS3, do you really think they are going to be able to update firmware via their computer and burning a disc?

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by DealsR4theDevil

Keep the Plasma!!!! I would sacrifice 4" for superior picture quality.

+1

The Panny plasma is worth the loss of 4".

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

If I had a choice, I would keep the Samsung and sell the Panasonic for extra cash but it would be thoughful to give it to a loved one.

[Kayne314]

Originally Posted by DealsR4theDevil

Every other Blu-ray player right now does not have an ethernet port. If they are technophobes about the PS3, do you really think they are going to be able to update firmware via their computer and burning a disc?

What about the Samsung BDP1400? It has an ethernet port. I could hook that up no problem. I'm not sure my parents would use the 2.0 features anyhow.

Any advantage to matching brand-names? Samsung TV + Samsung player.

That, and the PS3 bluetooth remote kinda shoots the whole Harmony remote thing in the foot.

[DealsR4theDevil]

Originally Posted by Kayne314

What about the Samsung BDP1400? It has an ethernet port. I could hook that up no problem. I'm not sure my parents would use the 2.0 features anyhow.

It's not about profile 2.0, its about all firmware. They need to keep it up to date or certain discs just wont play.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Kayne314

What about the Samsung BDP1400? It has an ethernet port. I could hook that up no problem. I'm not sure my parents would use the 2.0 features anyhow.

Any advantage to matching brand-names? Samsung TV + Samsung player.

That, and the PS3 bluetooth remote kinda shoots the whole Harmony remote thing in the foot.

Advantage to matching brands? Other than the prestigious look of having the same company logo being prominent through the home theatre area... none whatsoever.

[Sylin]

Make it a poll!

I say hook up both TV's, decide which one YOU like best, and give them the other one. They're your parents... they won't think less of you for making an informed decision.

[PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD]

Keep the PANNY! Are in insane not to?

[MrParrott]

buy your parents a Blu-ray player and a subscription to netflix for a year.

[Go Blu]

You can never have too many HDTV's.
Time for a new BR player eah!

[CptGreedle]

I'd keep the better one for myself, have it calibrated, and give the other one to my family.
Spread the BD word! HDTVS for everyone!

[Manny]

Defintely get them a Harmony remote, it makes life so much easier.

Keep the plasma as well and I really liked the idea of giving them a Netflix account for a year