CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Moose · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 788 Location: Minnesota

I have been given the task of finding a good flat-screen TV for my brother because, you know, I am into audio/video. The thing is, I am not into digital displays and really don't much about the huge number of models and don't know what the good ones are. I look at them in stores but it's difficult since you can't control the source, not to mention that they're all adjusted differently. I can adjust a set fairly well by eye but you rarely have access to the controls.

Requirements are cheap, around 42" - did I mention cheap? - and not an RP. I tried to sell him on a nice 50" Sony SXRD RP that was being closed out at Sam's for $1050, complete with stand, but was told that all that was wanted was an LCD or Plasma. RP's you see, aren't any good, according to my brothers wife, the expert who doesn't know squat about video. I'm pretty certain she wants a flat screen because that's what all her friends own and because she wants to hang it on a wall even though SHE HAS NO WALL TO HANG IT FROM and has to put it on a table or stand anyway, just like the Sony RP. My other brother owns the mentioned Sony RP and I must say, for a digital, it's very nice and better than any LCD or plasma I've seen.

This week they're hot to buy a 42" Sony Bravia LCD or a Magnavox Plasma something or other being advertised by Target in their weekly ad. I looked at them and was very unimpressed with the plasma and the Sony was so badly adjusted it was hard to tell anything. I saw a lot of stairstepping but I doubt if they'd notice or care. I have half a mind to tell them to go buy it but, no, I am compelled to do my duty.

So - what's the hot ticket in flatscreen TVs around 42" and under $1500? Reliability (yeah, right) is important also. Normally I don't spring for them, but I have recommended the extended warrantee and they're ok with that.

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

Olevia 742i

http://www.olevia.com/en-us/Products/7Series/742iLCDHDTV.aspx#2

Director's Image™
Calibrated 6500K color and a full range of brightness, contrast, color, tint, sharpness and mode controls available to tune image quality.

Big Picture Technology™
Advanced technology displays up to 37% more of analog images and 11% more of digital broadcast images, without distortion.

User Friendly On-Screen Display
Scrolling icon wheel simplifies use and features preset video and lighting modes for different environments and content types.

Firmware Upgradeable via USB
The latest software updates and quality improvements available from the Olevia website, easily uploadable to your TV through its USB port.

OleviaCare™
Live, in-house technical and customer support personnel assure a total quality experience — every time.

7 Series Disclaimer—Speaker Mounting
The 742i and 747i come with horizontal (bottom)-mounted speakers. With purchase of an optional conversion kit, the speakers can be repositioned to a vertical (side) configuration.

Street Price $1649.00

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

or the 542 i

http://www.olevia.com/en-us/Products/5Series/542iLCDHDTV.aspx

PANEL
Screen Size 42"
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Dynamic Contrast 1600:1
HDTV HDTV Built-In
Native Resolution 1366 x 768
Response Time 8 ms
Video Processor MTK MDDI Technology
Viewing Angle 178°/178°
VIDEO
1080p No
2:2/3:2 Pull Down Yes
Color Temperature Adjust Yes
Digital 3D Comb Filter Yes
Progressive Scan Yes
Supported Resolutions NTSC & ATSC with High Definition (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i)
AUDIO
Audio Output 1 R/L RCA Audio
Earphone Output 1 Stereo Mini Jack
Speakers 2 x 20W
I/O PORT
Component Input 3 + R/L RCA Audio
Composite Input 2 + R/L RCA Audio
Digital Input 1 HDMI w/HDCP
VGA Input 15 -Pin D-sub + R/L RCA Audio
Optical Audio Output Yes
Service Port DB-9
TV System Support up to 1080i

Street price $1000.00

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject:

Some of the Olevias have reviewed quite well. Good bang-for-buck. Sony Bravia would NOT be in that same category. There are also some nice Vizio's at Costco that are quite reasonable.

I bought my wife an Olevia 437v for Christmas last year. Looks pretty nice, but it's not as thin as you'd think. You can get a 42" for less now than what I paid for the 37" a year ago.

Also, check out:
http://www.hometheatermag.com/buyersguides/flatpanels/
http://www.ultimateavmag.com/buyersguides/flatpanels/

SC

macgyver655 · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 8508

I often think what I would buy if I wanted a flat screen. So for the past year I have gone to the various retailers (While the other half is in the craft store) comparing the various makes and models. The 2 main things I look for other than clarity are, a white, white and a black, black. This narrows the field very rapidly. In my view, forget plasma. Even high end ones had difficulty with this. Oh, and I am not afraid to play with the controls while I'm there so its not an adjustment factor. So that leaves LCD. (We are discussing flatpanels only, not RPTV) My top choice unfortunatly is in the 3-4 thousand dollar range. In the range your suggesting, aroung 1000, Probably a Vizio. There are some other manufactures in that price range which probably have as good of a pic but my opinion is based on pic/features vs. dollar. Again, just my opinion and I'm sure this can be contradicted.

macgyver655 · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 8508

Oh, I forgot. Those spec sheets they have. They are best placed on a hanger in the bathroom and used accordingly! Laughing

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:46 pm Post subject:

MacGyver, why do you dismiss plasma? Sure, it may not make as bright of a white as an LCD, but unlike the LCD, at least it can actually make a real black! Of course, if you're viewing under in-store lighting conditions, plasmas don't show well compared to LCD because of the high ambient light. Turn the lights off thought and the plasma looks awesome - especially for movies.

If I weren't into projection, didn't have room for any sort of RPTV, and I had to buy something for critical viewing, it would almost certainly be a plasma and definitely not an LCD. For general viewing and high ambient light (like I have in my living room), the LCD is nice.

SC

macgyver655 · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 8508

Brooklyn · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 494 Location: Morgan Hill, CA

Go 1080p if you can. However, if it needs to be cheap then thats likely out of the question.

Moose · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 788 Location: Minnesota

I looked at the 42" Olevia 242TFHD that was sitting next to the two on sale at Target that my brother was considering. 1080 but I'm not certain it was p or not. I don't think it was. Definitely looked better than the plasma and the Sony LCD and a good price - $1099. So that's what I will recommend since it's probably the best in town at that size and his price range. They probably won't go for it as they are not likely to have heard of it and isn't Sony supposed to be the best? Rolling Eyes

CRT_Ben · Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Posts: 1684 Location: Northern Virginia

Moose · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 788 Location: Minnesota

drice1234 · Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 1309 Location: Allen, Texas

Just a few minutes ago I bought 2 AKAI 42" 1080p units off of E-cost.com for $699 each. They are refurb units but for an extra $104.00 I bought the 1 year extended warranty. I have purchased numerous Westinghouse 42"'ers from this same site and have had no problems.
Dan

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

betel · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:25 pm Post subject:

I recently purchased a Panasonic TH-50PH10UKA 50" Plasma. This is a 1366x768 professional panel. Panansonic uses the term professional because it doesn't have speakers or tuner. Physically it looks like a large computer monitor due to the thin bezel. You can buy profesional panels usually somewhat cheaper than TVs because of the missing hardware. The user interface is different as well and has more picture controls such as gamma. Most people don't use the speakers or tuner in these type TVs anyway so why buy them (At least the ones I know). I am very pleased with this display's image and build quality. I opened up a Vizio and it struck me as cheaply built. As for as 720p or 1080p, I'm no expert, but everything I've read says it is very difficult to see the increased resolution of 1080p on panels <= 50" unless you sit very close to the display. The increase pixel density of a 1080p can actually reduce overall picture quality mostly due to reduced brightness. It is generally accepted Plasma is superior to LCD for video as that was what is was designed for. LCDs were designed as computer monitors to display static images and are best used as such.

Moose · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 788 Location: Minnesota

Hmmm - pro panels. I like pro stuff. Where might these be found?

d50q · Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 118 Location: ma usa

i heard the 42 inch insignia tv's at bestbuy are made by lg

betel · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:25 am Post subject:

Here's where I purchased mine: http://www.projectorexport.com/productdetail.asp?level=&catid=0&productid=7998 They sell the 42" version as well. Can't find them at places like Circuit City or Best Buy although they may be able to order them.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

From my understanding the Panasonic's are the better plasmas in the "reasonable" price range.

I have a 42" Vizio 768p set that is in your price range. Sears and Costco offer the 1080p version for about the same price.

Walmart has a new 47" Vizio at about $1300 that is 1080p, seems promising.

Daily use I always recommend LCD. The Vizio has been rock solid so far and a 3-year warranty at Walmart is only $58. No one can top that.

Brooklyn · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 494 Location: Morgan Hill, CA

I guess it depends what they are going to watch. If its only HDTV broadcast and DVD's, then a 720p/768p panel would be fine. However if they plan to have an HD-dvd or blueray player, I would try to get a 1080p. A pro panel might not be a good idea, since they might not want to have to deal with a separate receiver for the speakers, and tuner for air broadcasts.