LCD TV brands that produce strong products...

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by i_bleed_Cubby_Blu

it's not nearly as good, not even close. i own a 46" sony xbr9, 32" sony xbr6, vizio 42" 1080p, and samsung 40" LN40A650

but it's good, definitely, and with its cost, a very smart purchase for many people...

but trust me, it doesn't come close to matching samsung and sony (the top 2 imo) in any way, or even brands like LG, phillips, sharp. no offense, i'm a vizio owner too, just speaking my opinion.

Well of course, nothing can compare to a Sony or Samsung (I've had both brands in other sort of smaller electronic devices and couldn't agree more) I'd be the first to say that. But I don't have Sony or Samsung HDTV money and I'm sure a lot of people that are just getting into the HD movement may not either (while others do). In that sense, I don't think Vizio's are a bad entry into getting your feet wet in the HD dept.--especially if money is a concern.

...now maybe when I get that top dollar job one day, lol, I'll gladly aim higher and bigger. But until then, I'm cool w/ my Vizio.

[Septimus Prime]

Is Vizio really much more affordable than other brands? I got my TV for only $800 or so, and you can get a Sharp Aquos for like $500.

I know it's much cheaper than the 8 series or the XBR series, but I don't think that's even close to being an apples-to-apples comparison.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by i-Dak

Well I think its a good product. I'm doing no different than everyone with Sony and Samsung.

Tru but the proofs in the pudding!! The Samsung's & Sony's look much better than a Vizio!! Put them side by side and its cookies mane!! Again I aint knockin the Vizio but u pay for what u get!! Im sure it does a coo job in all, but the Sammy's & Sony's do amazing jobs is all most of us is saying!! There is a big difference trust me!! Got Em!!

[SillyMammo]

Originally Posted by Bluubyu

Happy Samsung owner here. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

I'm in agreement with most everyone that Samsung and Sony are the top 2 for LCD.

[Branden]

from my personal experience:

i've owned a variety of LG products (LCD monitor, wireless mouse, DVD burners, cell phone, and more), every single one stopped working within 2 years of purchase (respectively: stuck pixels, no sync, coasters, no charge).
thus i haven't purchased an LG product in the past 2 years, and i intent to steer clear of LG for some time yet regardless of how appealing their price/feature ratio is.

right now every PC monitor and HDTV is a samsung or sony and every single one, some upwards of 4 years old, is going strong.

[steve1971]

Sony all the way. I have had Sony products from radios, tv's, computers you name it and they have all been solid and outstanding products that have lasted a long time. My current HDTV the Sony KDL52S5100 has had NO issues and so far has delievered stunning quality picture performance and I could not have asked for more in an HDTV.

So again for me its Sony all the way.

[lojack1976]

My LG set has been going strong for 2 years now. Its an excellent LCD and of course the newer models are much better. From what I've seen in comparing various TV's you have to look at them model by model and this goes for all of the manufacturers. The lower end Sony's aren't very good IMO whereas the lower end Samsungs seem to be very good, but lacking a lot of the features offered in the high end models. LG seems to be on the Sony side of things...the lower end ones are not nearly as good as the higher end ones. Your best bet is to settle on the budget and then compare what's offered by all manufacturers at that price point.

[walwalka]

Between my folks and I we own most of the major brands in the television market. I own two LG's and a samsung my folks own one Sony one sharp and a Panasonic. Out of the six HDTV's we own I would say that my LG's are the better built tv's in the smaller sizes 40 and below. The samsung was a ln37a550 and it is now used to dry my cloths in the basement. It is only 8 months old and the backlight went out on it. I have talked to samsung 8 or 9 times had 7 different techs out and then they say they won't fix or replace it. My samsung 204b LCD monitor is one year and eight months old and it has a flickering backlight and sometimes gets stuck finding a signal. I work for the company who pushes samsung the hardest Best Buy and we see more samsung back for repair then any other manufacturer. One of my co workers has a saying and it is "there are two types of samsung customers one whose s$&@ is broken and one who is waiting for their s $&@ to break." now I'll sell a samsung I have no problem with that. If you are satisfied and have had a great experience with them awesome for you I'm happy for you. I have had absolutely no luck with them as a company. My parents have had good luck with all of their lcd's the Sony and sharp's picture quality is kinda blah. I would expect that since Sony gets their panels from sharp. They love it on the other hand and lots of people do. I find that they are just riding what they have until oled, that is fine no issue I know it is expense. Over all for price and quailty LG has it hands down in my book. If you are looking for 42" and over tv don't push out a Panasonic plasma. I love my folks 50" Panasonic 800u I think it is can't remember the whole model number. It is all really personal opinion and you can't dismiss what you like even if it isn't the best. Nobody needs the BEST we all want it though as long as you are happy with your purchase. Don't be afraid to test drive a TV buy it and take it home for a few day and see if you like it. now to be advised the store where you bought is going to hate you so try not to do it more then once.

Best Buy has the LG 42LH30 on sale for $799.99 and the LG 47LH30 for $999.99.

My thumbs now hurt I typed this on an iPod touch ugh...

[mjbethancourt]

Originally Posted by rpneuss

I agree. I have gone from a Sony to Samsung and I am very happy! 55LNa950 totally smokes my xbr 4 which has been jettisoned!

Of course. Those TV's aren't even in the same class. The A950 is a local-dimming LED-LCD, it's a completely different generation ahead of XBR4. Try comparing it to an XBR8, the other local-dimming LED-LCD on the market, that's a fair comparison, and they are both awesome. Sony and Samsung are the two best brands, the rest of the pack is a bit behind. The Vizio bang-for-the-buck argument is not a good one, because the truth is that there isn't much of a price gap at all between Vizio and some of their better competitors (but the performance gap isn't so small). Of course a Vizio is a lot cheaper than an XBR9, but it's price is comparable even to some of the lower lines in Sony and Samsung.

Finally, I would recommend against an LG. I hear nothing but complaints about them, and I've been quite unimpressed with their picture.

[rpneuss]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

Of course. Those TV's aren't even in the same class. The A950 is a local-dimming LED-LCD, it's a completely different generation ahead of XBR4. Try comparing it to an XBR8, the other local-dimming LED-LCD on the market, that's a fair comparison, and they are both awesome. Sony and Samsung are the two best brands, the rest of the pack is a bit behind. The Vizio bang-for-the-buck argument is not a good one, because the truth is that there isn't much of a price gap at all between Vizio and some of their better competitors (but the performance gap isn't so small). Of course a Vizio is a lot cheaper than an XBR9, but it's price is comparable even to some of the lower lines in Sony and Samsung.

Finally, I would recommend against an LG. I hear nothing but complaints about them, and I've been quite unimpressed with their picture.

Well I would have maybe thought about an XBR 8 if it wasn't 3 thousand dollars more!

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by Skyler17

Hey,

I am not looking for a VS here I just want to know some brands pro's and con's. I currently will be getting an LG because it seems like the best bang for your buck based on the picture and specs. I just want to know what others think.

Aloha,
Tara

If you really are a calibration nut, LG will be right up your alley.

[HHX]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

Of course. Those TV's aren't even in the same class. The A950 is a local-dimming LED-LCD, it's a completely different generation ahead of XBR4. Try comparing it to an XBR8, the other local-dimming LED-LCD on the market, that's a fair comparison, and they are both awesome. Sony and Samsung are the two best brands, the rest of the pack is a bit behind. The Vizio bang-for-the-buck argument is not a good one, because the truth is that there isn't much of a price gap at all between Vizio and some of their better competitors (but the performance gap isn't so small). Of course a Vizio is a lot cheaper than an XBR9, but it's price is comparable even to some of the lower lines in Sony and Samsung.

Finally, I would recommend against an LG. I hear nothing but complaints about them, and I've been quite unimpressed with their picture.

The A950 has a glossy panel...the XBR8 has that dull looking matte one I always prefer the picture on a glossy screen TV. You think a Pioneer Kuro would ever look as good with a matte screen ??? not a chance.

Anyway, I own 3 Samsung LCD-type TVs and 1 30" slim HD tube TV. all work like champs. 46a950 backlit LED, 46B640 LCD, 32A650 LCD. I'm really happy with all of them, never had a problem.

Samsung and Sony I think make the best overall LCD-based televisions at the moment. Or if you have the dough - get a NuVision now those are sexy....

[steve1971]

If money is a problem then go with Vizio because as of late they are getting better. But if money were no issue then for me it would be Sony. Why? Because I have had nothing but good experiences with all of their products.

[OG Pooh]

The only brand I would buy is Sony. I have "adjusted" many of my friends & co-workers displays and IMHO, none come close to Sony. Personally, I'm not impressed with Samsung. I have never tweaked any Samsung that looks as good as my Bravia. The main issue I have with them is a serious lack of detail in dark areas. I always bring a couple of discs with me that have scenes I can really evaluate. On my Bravia, I can make out details in dark scenes with the blacks remaining strong. On every Samsung I have ever messed with, I have never been able to keep the level of black deep and still make out details... In other words, if you want deep blacks, you're going to have black blobs... If you want details in the black areas, you're going to have greys not blacks. I know the Samsung people will say I'm wrong, but if you can directly compare a Sony with a Samsung, you will see what I'm talimg about. Sure, a professional calibration would probably take care of this, but why pay for an ISF tech to come out and do what you could do for free with (IMHO) a better brand. I actually had an ISF come to calibrate my Bravia (which I arranged prior to having the set), and he did not have to go into the service menu. He told me he hardly ever does with Sony. I got away with a simple user-menu adjustment, which he performed using Spyder software.

No offense to the Sammy people, but I have simply never come across a Samsung with a picture anywhere near as natural as Sony.

[HHX]

Originally Posted by OG Pooh

The only brand I would buy is Sony. I have "adjusted" many of my friends & co-workers displays and IMHO, none come close to Sony. Personally, I'm not impressed with Samsung. I have never tweaked any Samsung that looks as good as my Bravia. The main issue I have with them is a serious lack of detail in dark areas. I always bring a couple of discs with me that have scenes I can really evaluate. On my Bravia, I can make out details in dark scenes with the blacks remaining strong. On every Samsung I have ever messed with, I have never been able to keep the level of black deep and still make out details... In other words, if you want deep blacks, you're going to have black blobs... If you want details in the black areas, you're going to have greys not blacks. I know the Samsung people will say I'm wrong, but if you can directly compare a Sony with a Samsung, you will see what I'm talimg about. Sure, a professional calibration would probably take care of this, but why pay for an ISF tech to come out and do what you could do for free with (IMHO) a better brand. I actually had an ISF come to calibrate my Bravia (which I arranged prior to having the set), and he did not have to go into the service menu. He told me he hardly ever does with Sony. I got away with a simple user-menu adjustment, which he performed using Spyder software.

No offense to the Sammy people, but I have simply never come across a Samsung with a picture anywhere near as natural as Sony.

All depends on the models we are talkin here! I've never seen a Sony that can even dream about the black levels I get on my A950 backlit Samsung LED And I sell TVs for a living! the shadow detail I get on my 950 Sammy is amazing too so I have no complaints. Actually CNET and HT magazine at some point said that the A950 is the only TV they've tested with black levels that rival the KURO! XBR8 came 3rd (matte screen?!?!). I know there are Samsungs out there which picture isn't quite up there but the A950 and B8500 series will rival and in my opinion beat any Sony LCD/LED you can throw at me... both companies make great TVs though...I'm not gonna lie...but to generalize Samsungs under one "no shadow detail" category is just not serious...

[rpneuss]

Originally Posted by HHX

All depends on the models we are talkin here! I've never seen a Sony that can even dream about the black levels I get on my A950 backlit Samsung LED And I sell TVs for a living! the shadow detail I get on my 950 Sammy is amazing too so I have no complaints. Actually CNET and HT magazine at some point said that the A950 is the only TV they've tested with black levels that rival the KURO! XBR8 came 3rd (matte screen?!?!). I know there are Samsungs out there which picture isn't quite up there but the A950 and B8500 series will rival and in my opinion beat any Sony LCD/LED you can throw at me... both companies make great TVs though...I'm not gonna lie...but to generalize Samsungs under one "no shadow detail" category is just not serious...

Gotta agree with you. I've seen many TVs and only the Kuro beats the 950 in black levels. I'm sure other plasmas rival it but the kuro does beat it. I'm sure the newer panny and samsung plasmas beat it by now but I haven't seen this years plasmas in action. I've never seen the XBR 8 so I can't comment. Even if they are as good as the Sammy I can't see paying the price difference. At the time I bought mine the XBR8 was 7g's. I got mine for 3500. It was a no brainer at the time.

Having said that I am going to keep my eye out for a 60 inch Pio as they are truly awesome!

[brps3]

Sony and Samsung are the top brands. Although I think LG, Sharp, and Panasonic are good as well.

I have a 42 LG and it has been a wonderful tv for a year now.

If you want a bargain tv but dont like Vizio then Sharp, RCA, or Toshiba are good choices.

As for Westinghouse. That is a name brand thats been around since 1886. Their tv's are decent. Not the best but good enough for some.