32" LCD TVs - Recomendations?

I've been happy with my circa 1990 Sears 20" CRT for nearly 20 years
..., and unhappy with LCDs for most of their lifespan.

But it seems a modern decent one overcomes most of the issues i've had, and my new home means a much larger viewing distance, and frankly I can no longer read a subtitle.

I am seriously considering a 720P in 32"
It seems that the slightly smaller ones @ 26" are virtually the same price from the same manufacturers (ie: Samsung 26" is only about $80.00 less than there similarly equipped 32" ) so 32" seems the sweet spot.

I am looking towards Samsung, with a nod towards similarly priced Sharp or Sony.
I've also heard a bit about the LGs.

It seems no matter what, it will cost me approx $600.00 (unless I go with an el cheapo like AOC or some other no name)
.. and frankly in all stores I have looked the three "S" manufacturers mentioned above do look a lot better than all the store labels.

Any recommendations?
Is there a higher res LCD Monitor (smaller) that will also do double duty?

There is very little difference in quality between any of the top brands...I have Samsung monitors and TVs...I liked the picture and the controls a bit better than the other brands. Even my 62" Samsung is set up to work as a monitor if you want...I couldn't be happier with the choice.

Stay with a brand name like Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, etc. The next rung down would be LG and some others.

If a 42" isn't altogether out due to size, I do believe the 42" screen represents the best VALUE when it comes to $ per inch.

In a 720p LCD, you should be able to buy a brand name for sub $800 these days. Probably about the SAME as you paid for that 20" tube 20 years ago!

Also, the rule of thumb for LCD vs Plasma: LCD if you have to deal with ambient light; Plasma if you can completely control ambient light ... like it's down in your basement if that makes sense.

dave

Doubtful if it helps as far as the actual discussion goes, but we've got an LG 32inch. Its plenty large and we've been MORE than happy with the picture. We've had it almost a year.

For sure, 42" sets are the best "bang for the buck". I picked up a 1080p Philips that looked to be by far the best looking set, for $875. It has 4 HDMI inputs, a USB 2.0, Two component video, composite video, S-Video, and has an ambient light sensor for brightness and color adjustment. Just seems to have it all. Very black blacks, sharp picture, and accurate color.

Thanks for your input guys..

I MIGHT be able to manage a 37" but no way 42"!
(In fact I'm noticing a mere $100.00 price difference on the 37 vs 32" so it is tempting.,.. )

I love my Samsung 40" LCD TV. I'd like a bigger one... even though I sit only 2-3m from it.

I just bought a Sharp Aquous 32" and am very happy with it.

Sony Bravia 32' flat panel. ($700) Put one in my 'communications center' when I remodeled the house this past summer. Nice unit...light, 720p...would do it again.


.........old

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #6847272
Thanks for your input guys..

I MIGHT be able to manage a 37" but no way 42"!
(In fact I'm noticing a mere $100.00 price difference on the 37 vs 32" so it is tempting.,.. )

Figure out a way and at least pick up a 42 pana plasma th-px42 is 699. It's 720 P but that shouldn't be a problem unless your watching it at 2 feet.

If you can find one locally, Best Buy is offering a Sharp 32" 720P LCD for $398. Hot deal for a brand name LCD.

Link

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #6838105
I've been happy with my circa 1990 Sears 20" CRT for nearly 20 years
..., and unhappy with LCDs for most of their lifespan.

...

Is there a higher res LCD Monitor (smaller) that will also do double duty?

I just replaced my 24" JVC from 1990 with a 32" Samsung LCD and could not possibly be happier with my new TV. Everytime I look at it I wonder why I waited so long.

About using one as a monitor, my new Samsung actually has a VGA plug on the back and I've read in some reviews that it works okay for that. I'll be using it as the monitor for my file server so it's not really going to be taxed very much in that role. I think that if you intend to use it as a monitor then you're really going to want 1080p, which allows a screen resolution of 1900x1080. Some of the higher end LCDs can even manage 120hx refresh at that resolution. If you get a 720p you'd have a max resolution of only 1366 x 768.

I bought mine from newegg.com. Free 3-day UPS shipping, no sales tax and the lowest price I could find from a reputable seller.

I bought a Dynex 37" 720P from BestBuy. Its their store brand. The salesman said they are built by LG, but I don't know if this is correct. It does have one HDMI port, and can be used as a monitor. You can get a good deal if you buy "open box". I got mine for $449.00 + $99.00 for a four year warranty. I've been very happy so far, but this is probably a matter of perspective. This is my first LCD, coming from a 30 year old picture tube.

We got a Samsung 32" LCD a couple of months ago and we love it! I don't know anything about TV's, but my husband used to work in home theater installation, so I trusted him to make a good decision, and that is what he chose.

Getting a new TV is so exciting!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck and enjoy!

My 40" Samsung LCD is connected to my PC via the VGA port, it looks great, though I wouldn't want to use it as a monitor as the resolution is way too low if you're anywhere near it. If you're across the room it's ok for a while. I use it to show photos. The HDMI port gave me problems and VGA worked first time, so I stuck with it.