Hey everyone. I just moved into my first new home over the weekend!!!

Now I need to hang a 52" Flat Panel LCD on the wall. $1500 is the max I will spend cause I've seen them out there in that price range.

So, what do have? What do you recommend? What should I definitely NOT buy?

Thanks!

 

Dude, you should be able to find a helluva nice flat screen for $1500 in this economy. I saw a nice 50" Panasonic at Wal-Mart for $1,200. Yeah, Wal-Mart. The cheapest 52" was a Sanyo for $1,600. I haven't seen a 1080p flat screen with a bad picture yet. They all look good to me. Oh, congrats on the house. You may want to use that money for a refrigerator first. - Og

 

Congrats on the new house! Does it have a garage for your hotrod?

I have always had good luck with Panasonic, RCA and JVC tv's. I have never been a big fan of Sony stuff.

 

It really depends on what you watch, and what you will want to watch. Im actually shopping for a 52" right now as well, but I'm gonna pony up a little more cash so I can get a 120hz 1080p. If you watch a lot of HD or BluRay or plan to in the future, you might consider spend a couple hundred more to get a little better quality. Don't get me wrong. A 60hz 1080 looks awesome too! I actually am quite impressed with the 32" 720p that I use in the bedroom.

 

You watch TV in the bedroom? Wow! I thought that room was just for sexytime! - Og

 

 

He didn't say what he was watching on it.

 

Im sure Ill watch some blu ray. But with a 9 month old in the house, the amount of times i get to actually sit down and make it through a whole movie is pretty much never. I just want the most bang for the buck. Ive seen the 120hz's and they certainly are amazing, but the 1080p 60hz is plenty for me.

 

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/52-lcd-tv.html

There are the best rated. Some are in your price range.

 

Some tv's are a bit cheaper but they will only be 720p not 1080p. You also have to check the resolution output if you have satelite or digital cable. I know my Motorla digital box only displays in 720p so it's not going to make a difference in picture quality on your tv until you move over to blu ray which is 1080p. I have this battle as of right now because there is a $ 700 difference between the two tv's and I rarely watch movies so I don't know how mcuh I care. I already have HD with my 42" plasma and it looks amazing with 720p. The Hz just makes the picture refresh faster with fast moving camera shots like watching hockey thus making it clear opposed to the picture digitizing. I personally prefer plasma as I have many friends with LCD's and they aren't near as clear and vivid as my plasma tv. One of my friends is a GM at Best Buy and heighly recommends the Samsung tv's. Samsung is actually making some of the parts used in other manufacturers tv's.

 

A 120Hz refresh rate tv is probably going to add about $500 extra on the price tag. The 60hz 1080P Panasonic Plasma's are great. Since your going 52" I would take a Plasma over an LCD. For more information take a look at Crutchfield and shool yourself b4 purchasing.

 

Do ya mind if I ask what you plan on using the TV for? Reason I ask, is because unless you're watching BluRays or playing video games all day, you might be better of picking up a plasma. I don't want to turn this into a plasma vs lcd debate, or even a 1080p vs 720p debate.. but I picked an LG 720p 50" plasma last year and I love it.. I'm an avid movie watcher, and when your sitting at a normal distance from the TV in your living room (8-12 ft away) they look all the same. Aside from that, there are very few signals out there in true 1080p resolution aside from BluRay.. Even HDTV isn't actually true 1080p.. as far as choosing plasma or lcd, plasma is generally cheaper, and looks better.. and burn-ins are really a thing of the past, so don't let people tell you otherwise..

IMO Plasma is the way to go either way.. You can pick up a Samsung 50" 1080p plasma for $1499 from BestBuy..
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1206141605017

but.. if you have to go with LCD, I'd say go with the 52" Sharp Aquos 1080p, its $100 more at $1599, but it is 2" bigger and LCD, if you absolutely have to have LCD..

dollar for dollar.. you'd be better off picking up a 50" 720p plasma.. Like the Panasonic 50" 720p for $999
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1200703056300

 

Great input guys, thanks so far, its all very much appreciated. It never fails, if I need some good info, I know Ill get it around here no matter what the topic. And the fact that everyone responding isnt driving a Chebby or a Dod-gee makes me feel much better inside

Ive noticed that lately its become next pretty tough to even find a 720 anymore. I guess I would prefer to stick with a 1080 so as everything progresses, I will be up to date...at least for the next 5 minutes until everything goes to some super uber insano 3D picture.

So, Zeruin, You say Plasma, Huh? Last time I went through this...about 3 years ago, I think I remember hearing not to get Plasma...and to be honest I really dont remember why anyone said that.

If plasma gives me the best overall picture for the price in a tv thats 50" or more, than Ill start looking into those as well.

 

Plasma

 

What ever your choice don't forget to check Costco and Criagslist for good deals.