[Ryan335]

Title says it all. I'm looking for a new flat panel in the 32" to 37" range...don't really wanna spend over a grand. I don't know that much about tvs but so far the ones that have caught my eye the most are the new samsungs. Anybody know anything about them?

What would you recommend??

[edgarj]

60", save up if you must. It'll be worth it. Unless you're sitting <6 feet from the screen, the res of 1080i/p 3x" monitors will be lost to your eyes. 720p, maybe at a short distance for that size. I sit 15' from mine, and 60" is smallish in terms of appreciating the res on a good HD feed.

[OC Guy]

Ryan,

First, how big is the room you are in and how far are you going to be away. 32" Flat screens are awfully small IMO due to the width/dimensions. It will look much smaller than a conventional TV.

[BMW2006]

I have the Samsung LNS3251D 32" LCD HDTV, and I LOVE it. I purchased it for about 900 dollars 4 months ago, I'm sure it's cheaper now. It was rated top in it's class by consumer reports (type - LCD , size 32-37), It can only do 1080i, but the picture is superb.

The thing about HDTV's is you kind of need state your needs and what you will be using it for, then find a model that meets most (if not all) of those criteria.

For myself, I wanted not only a good HD set, but one that can be used for gaming, not expensive to maintain (no burn out or expensive replacement bulbs) with wide a viewing angle for the room it's going to be in, (couches, lazy boys etc all about 10 feet away in a half - circle.)

This set answered all the needs I had, It has a VGA hookup (for computer games/monitor use), picture is pretty sharp/excellent quality provided you aren't 2 feet in front of the screen. The viewing angle is fantastic, I can't tell you how disappointing it is for someone to show you thier "awesome" HDTV, and the picture only looks good to the two people sitting exactly 11.25 feet away, directly in front of the set. Anyone from the side, or closer, gets to see a bland, dull HD picture where the colors are very, very flat.

It's compact and light, so moving it around is easy also. Perfect set to add to a football party, gaming one etc. without any real hassle.

On the con side, the speakers in the TV are kinda crappy, and inputs are also somewhat limited for what I currently use (2 HDMI, VGA, 2 RCA, 2 S-video, component) But since I run everything through a receiver anyways, it's not a big deal. As with all LCD, it's hard to get a True black out of it, what you get is a very dark, dark, grey, but not really "black". It does a pretty good job for LCD, but you'll find better in different technology.

So I found the set that answered my needs pretty well. Plus I was on a budget. Absolutely noone that has seen it beleives I spent less than a grand on it.

When looking around be sure to look at all the options out there. Plus, when buying an HDTV, bigger does not equal better, or mean it's the right set for you. The number one reason HDTV's are returned, is because they are too big. So bring out the tape measure at home and at the store. When you are out at Best buy or where ever looking at these sets, all mounted on an enormous wall in a wide open retail store, anything under 42 inch will look like a runt. But once you put it in most "family" room settings, it will be plenty of 'set' for it.

Good luck!

-BMW2006

[chicagolab]

32inch is a good size for the average bedroom, and 37inch will be good for a smaller living room

I recently bought 2 Samsungs LCDs
27inch for bedroom (wife didnt want bigger, but 32 is better value)
40inch for living room

[ward]

save up for a 42"

[jun]

the 42" vizios from costco are a good deal and can be had for $1000 with the coupon.. don't know if that's still applicable though.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11225206&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eC at=BC|79|2341|3316&N=4001382&Mo=22&pos=1&No=9&Nr=P _CatalogName:BC&cat=3316&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1 &lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10605-Cat2341&topnav=


guess the coupon is not applicable. 1200 isn't a bad price.

[remmib]

32" are rather small, so got 37".

[Ryan335]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

Ryan,

First, how big is the room you are in and how far are you going to be away. 32" Flat screens are awfully small IMO due to the width/dimensions. It will look much smaller than a conventional TV.

This will be for my college dorm.... 37" will really be a squeeze

[Ryan335]

Is the general consensus to go with Samsung? Thank guys!

[Ryan335]

Originally Posted by BMW2006

I have the Samsung LNS3251D 32" LCD HDTV, and I LOVE it. I purchased it for about 900 dollars 4 months ago, I'm sure it's cheaper now. It was rated top in it's class by consumer reports (type - LCD , size 32-37), It can only do 1080i, but the picture is superb.

The thing about HDTV's is you kind of need state your needs and what you will be using it for, then find a model that meets most (if not all) of those criteria.

For myself, I wanted not only a good HD set, but one that can be used for gaming, not expensive to maintain (no burn out or expensive replacement bulbs) with wide a viewing angle for the room it's going to be in, (couches, lazy boys etc all about 10 feet away in a half - circle.)

This set answered all the needs I had, It has a VGA hookup (for computer games/monitor use), picture is pretty sharp/excellent quality provided you aren't 2 feet in front of the screen. The viewing angle is fantastic, I can't tell you how disappointing it is for someone to show you thier "awesome" HDTV, and the picture only looks good to the two people sitting exactly 11.25 feet away, directly in front of the set. Anyone from the side, or closer, gets to see a bland, dull HD picture where the colors are very, very flat.

It's compact and light, so moving it around is easy also. Perfect set to add to a football party, gaming one etc. without any real hassle.

On the con side, the speakers in the TV are kinda crappy, and inputs are also somewhat limited for what I currently use (2 HDMI, VGA, 2 RCA, 2 S-video, component) But since I run everything through a receiver anyways, it's not a big deal. As with all LCD, it's hard to get a True black out of it, what you get is a very dark, dark, grey, but not really "black". It does a pretty good job for LCD, but you'll find better in different technology.

So I found the set that answered my needs pretty well. Plus I was on a budget. Absolutely noone that has seen it beleives I spent less than a grand on it.

When looking around be sure to look at all the options out there. Plus, when buying an HDTV, bigger does not equal better, or mean it's the right set for you. The number one reason HDTV's are returned, is because they are too big. So bring out the tape measure at home and at the store. When you are out at Best buy or where ever looking at these sets, all mounted on an enormous wall in a wide open retail store, anything under 42 inch will look like a runt. But once you put it in most "family" room settings, it will be plenty of 'set' for it.

Good luck!

-BMW2006

Thanks for the great write up! I am leaning towards the same TV you have... it sounds great!

[DPritchett]

Originally Posted by Ryan335

Title says it all. I'm looking for a new flat panel in the 32" to 37" range...don't really wanna spend over a grand. I don't know that much about tvs but so far the ones that have caught my eye the most are the new samsungs. Anybody know anything about them?

What would you recommend??

Bigger is better ... they say 50" is the new 40". Seriously, there are guides based on your viewing distance, but unless you are right up on the TV, go bigger than 32".