Need TV purchase assistance

[crazeazn]

I want to purchase a new TV for my parents. This what the room looks like. They currently have a 37" Sony Plasma from 2003 but clearly the room needs a substantially larger TV but I have some restrictions.





Distance to TV to where my dad in first photo is about 20ft. However, as you can see there are cabinets/shelf behind the TV's position which limits my base size to about 11". The actual depth from the front to the back (tv shelf) is more like 2.5 ft, so if the base is not completely centered, I could have a larger base. I would like another Sony plasma as the colors are fantastic but that seems to be not an option. The TV is used primarily as a "monitor" as I have a mac mini plugged in via DVI, which I know is not used anymore. All they watch is dramas via websites. There is a full A/V system to the left of the TV. Don't need 3d, or fancy schmancy ****. Color/Picture is the biggest priority.

Suggestions? I think I will have to go to a big box retailer to purchase b/c of the base issue. :(

[JJOC]

The samsungs get the best ratings. We got one earlier this year (46") and have really been pleased with it.

[boostedsilvafox]

I couldnt help myself but those paintings are really good :) who paints? and as far as the tv goes best bet is take a tape measure to a bestbuy and write down your measurements and then go back home and double check yourself im sure the last thing you want to do is buy a tv and then it doesnt fit.

[groovyone]

Personally, I'd stick with Sony or Samsung. If you want the best blacks the back lit LED TVs with local dimming are even with or even surpassing plasmas.

[Night Owl]

I picked up a Samsung 3D LED "Smart" TV a few months ago and couldn't be happier. Like you, I don't "need" 3D or the Smart part, but finding one without these features gets more difficult by the day. Just because it has them doesn't mean you have to use them.

Look into the LED. They are magnificently thin (maybe 1/2 the thickness of a plasma? Maybe less?), which would give you some additional room to work with. I went to a big box with the measurements I needed to work with and a tape measure.

[crazeazn]

I think I found a panasonic plasma that I like. In the second picture you can see where my dad is sitting so the viewing angle can be extreme. So I'm pretty sure I'm going the plasma route. I looked at the manufacturer whitepapers and it looks like I will be okay as most of these tvs are barely 2 inches thick so I have alot more room to work with base wise. Having an old house really mucks things up. Oh and mom paints...alot oil/watercolor. I used to paint but havent had time.

Panasonic - VIERA / 55" Class/ Plasma / 1080p / 600Hz / 3D / HDTV - TC-P55GT30

^ OOO I'm a spammer :P

[mchong75]

Personally, you still can't be a plasma when it comes to picture quality. Panasonic (Viera series) is still one of the top leaders in plasma manufacture.

If you do decide to go with LCD / LED, I'd stick with Samsung or Sharp.

[merock]

Loving my Samsung 55" smart LED.

[ggeen]

Go for one of the new LED/LCD televisions. I have a Samsung 6500 model and the TV is about 1.5" thick. The pedestal on which it sets and swivels is about 10" deep.

[Melissag]

We just purchased a new Panasonic a month ago. My husband researched the brand and we went with plasma based on our viewing habits.
I just don't like the way sci-fi movies are rendered on LCD's even in "cinema" mode (you can tell they are on a set). My husband likes to watch the Texans on the weekends and plasma supposedly renders motion better. So based on both of these we chose plasma.

From what I understand it is also good to have it "calibrated" if the TV will be viewed from a variety of angles, but we haven't had this done yet.

[mchong75]

Originally Posted by Melissag

We just purchased a new Panasonic a month ago. My husband researched the brand and we went with plasma based on our viewing habits.
I just don't like the way sci-fi movies are rendered on LCD's even in "cinema" mode (you can tell they are on a set). My husband likes to watch the Texans on the weekends and plasma supposedly renders motion better. So based on both of these we chose plasma.

From what I understand it is also good to have it "calibrated" if the TV will be viewed from a variety of angles, but we haven't had this done yet.

LCD has come a long way but the refresh rate is still no where near 600hz that a plasma has. I think 240hz is the current LCD.

The current LED's are better than LCD's. Refresh rate of 600 to 960 depending on the model of the set.

[crazeazn]

I just bought the plasma, but of course they dont have it in stock.

[groovyone]

I bet the Sony and Samsung LED TVs are in stock...

[crazeazn]

they had the sony LEDs but the picture sucked unless you bought the XBR. I ain't paying 2x the price. and the viewing angle on the LEDs arent as good :P

[groovyone]

blah blah blah