Shopping For 26" Or 32" New Tv

[debmidge]

Hi All

I am looking for advice as this is the first TV I'll be purchasing in 15 years and I

know a lot has changed in TV's in these past years.

Is HDTV worth it?

What is meant by the "ratio" on the screen (pixels?) What ratio is the best for

clarity?

What TV is best for sound quality (without installing separate speakers). I do not

need stereo-type system as I am in an apartment and do not want a problem with the TV

sound bothering my neighbors...... But I do want good quality picture with

clear sound.

Is SONY still a good brand to rely on? How about Samsung?

I am very confused and could use the help of someone who knows more

than I do.

[*lee-lee*]

once you get HD, you'll never want to go back! my cable company is terrible and every so often our HD channels get messed up and we're forced to watch on non-HD and it's like torture. seriously, the picture is so fantastic - clearer, crisper, brighter colors.

my boyfriend and i bought a new tv in March. it's a 42" LG 1080i LCD and we love it. i don't know much but i say stay away from the cheap-o brands like Vizio. my parents have a 50' Panasonic and the picture is fantastic. one of my girl friends has a 40" Sony Bravia and her picture is really great too.

here's where i sound like an idiot...1080 pixels is better than 720, though i can't explain why! the higher the number the better the clarity maybe?

if you're going to spend the money on a new tv, i say spend a little extra to get at least a 37" or 40". it's very worth it and you'll be pleased.

if you go to best buy or some place like that, don't let them talk you into buying the expensive HDMI cables you need to hook it to your cable box. they tried to charge us something like $80 for what you can get at Walmart for $20. (you do need that cable but you don't have to over pay for it.) my cable company actually surprised me and provided the cable for me at no charge! somehow we ended up with 3 of them for 1 tv!

you can always go look at the tv's at Best Buy to check out their pictures. write down the models and check the reviews online. you can buy a membership to Consumer Reports online for like $5/month and then just cancel it when you're done. we do that all the time when we're making big purchases.

good luck - let us know which one you decide to get!

[jerseyangel]

We've had our 32" Sony/HD for about a year and a half now and love it. The picture is beautiful, and the HD does make a big difference. We've not had a bit of trouble with it (knock wood )

I know nothing about pixels

[debmidge]

once you get HD, you'll never want to go back! my cable company is terrible and every so often our HD channels get messed up and we're forced to watch on non-HD and it's like torture. seriously, the picture is so fantastic - clearer, crisper, brighter colors.

my boyfriend and i bought a new tv in March. it's a 42" LG 1080i LCD and we love it. i don't know much but i say stay away from the cheap-o brands like Vizio. my parents have a 50' Panasonic and the picture is fantastic. one of my girl friends has a 40" Sony Bravia and her picture is really great too.

here's where i sound like an idiot...1080 pixels is better than 720, though i can't explain why! the higher the number the better the clarity maybe?

if you're going to spend the money on a new tv, i say spend a little extra to get at least a 37" or 40". it's very worth it and you'll be pleased.

if you go to best buy or some place like that, don't let them talk you into buying the expensive HDMI cables you need to hook it to your cable box. they tried to charge us something like $80 for what you can get at Walmart for $20. (you do need that cable but you don't have to over pay for it.) my cable company actually surprised me and provided the cable for me at no charge! somehow we ended up with 3 of them for 1 tv!

you can always go look at the tv's at Best Buy to check out their pictures. write down the models and check the reviews online. you can buy a membership to Consumer Reports online for like $5/month and then just cancel it when you're done. we do that all the time when we're making big purchases.

good luck - let us know which one you decide to get!

Unfortunately, my living room is too small for a screen larger than 32". Any larger and I feel it would feel like sitting in the first row at a movie theatre....

Do I need HDMI cables if I do not buy a TV with HD? I am going to pay them (the store) to deliver the set and install it. So I might be stuck purchasing cables from the store anyway.

I don't totally trust Consumer Reports --- several years ago we purchased a few items they recommended that & the items were not up to our expectations.....I forgot what they were....

Ok yes, they were a bathroom scale and toaster....... . The one they recommended toasted only one side of the bread; so we had to get another toaster to replace this one.

[*lee-lee*]

Do I need HDMI cables if I do not buy a TV with HD? I am going to pay them (the store) to deliver the set and install it. So I might be stuck purchasing cables from the store anyway.

nope, you don't need HDMI cables if you're not going to use the High Def. you'll just hook the cable wire to the back of the tv.

I don't trust Consumer Reports --- several years ago we purchased a few items they recommended that the items were not up to our expectations.....I forgot what they were....

oh, well i don't blame you then!

[debmidge]

Thanks to all for your suggestions and help.