Question for TV tech nerds

[I Are Baboon]

What do you think about this Sharp Aquos 46" LCD HDTV?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8220089&type=product&id=1166236338097&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=8220089

It's going on sale at Circuit City for $1500 on Black Friday and I want a 46" HDTV. I mostly watch movies and sports.

Seems like a pretty good deal but I don't know much about HDTV technology or what to look for.



TV haters need not reply.

[Westy]

I'm not a hater but that $1500 could buy you a very nice bike frame.

[I Are Baboon]

Can't I have both?

[Da Peach]

I seem to remember that one being pretty nice when I bought my 37" toshiba last year, for a couple hundred bucks more than you'll be paying for that one. Plus it's 1080p, which mine isn't, but that may not matter that much to you if you're not a TV nerd. Which I'm not.

Looks like a good deal. Go for it.

[Westy]

Can't I have both?


I forgot the new wealth that the credit system will bring you mods. Buy me one while your at it.

[I Are Baboon]

Buy me one while your at it.
A frame or a TV?


Peach, thanks for the input!

[Westy]

A frame or a TV?


Peach, thanks for the input!

I would be grateful for either but would prefer a frame, 23.5" TT.

[narlus]

1080p seems to be the next big push, but unless you are a heavy gamer or have/plan to buy an HD-DVD player, there will be little to no TV broadcast content for a while.

it's kinda like having an exotic sports car for a commuter. yeah, you can go to track and open it up, but how often will you do that?

[SK6]

I was wondering about that because we're in the market for one as well. We have Comcast and the box we have does HD, but only 1080i. However I figured that getting the 1080i now will save me in the long run.

[syadasti]

1080p seems to be the next big push, but unless you are a heavy gamer or have/plan to buy an HD-DVD player, there will be little to no TV broadcast content for a while.

it's kinda like having an exotic sports car for a commuter. yeah, you can go to track and open it up, but how often will you do that?

Except for the fact the price difference isn't that significant these days.

I would check out http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ to see which TV are good bets right now and see what deals are available.

[Mike B.]

Lots of info here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=845752

The recent Samsung LCD sets have some banding issues and inconsistencies in screen quality. The Black Friday CC ad I saw didn't have the set you linked to. It does have a different 46" Samsung LCD for $1300 though. I believe it was a 64u model.

Found the CC ad: http://www.ashuc.com/fatwallet/ccall.pdf

My BF approach on items such as this is go this week and look at it when you have time and there is no mad rush. If you like, buy it then and go in for a price match on BF. I always use my AmEx with return guarantee so if they fight the price match I'll go through AmEx for my refund/return. I'd rather give the thing up and score a deal elsewhere than pay the full price. My card also doubles the manufacturer warranty so I don't ever purchase an extended warranty even though they aren't a bad idea on HD sets.

[binary visions]

For $1500 I'd snap it up. The 46" panel is reputed to be one of the nicer ones that Sharp is still making (rather than outsourcing).

There will need to be a fairly sizable shift in transmission infrastructure before anyone considers broadcasting a 1080p signal, but there will be more and more movies released at that resolution. Since you're not a tech junkie who will be upgrading a lot, at least this will give you the option to choose a HD DVD or Blu Ray player and enjoy its full output.

I love my home theater PC attached to my HDTV. Watching movies is as simple as scrolling through the list and double clicking my choice :D. Jenn and I have been watching Planet Earth in 720p and it's absolutely outstanding in HD.

edit: MikeB: price matching... that's genius. I am suddenly more interested in Black Friday sales.

[I Are Baboon]

1080p seems to be the next big push, but unless you are a heavy gamer or have/plan to buy an HD-DVD player, there will be little to no TV broadcast content for a while.

it's kinda like having an exotic sports car for a commuter. yeah, you can go to track and open it up, but how often will you do that?

Honestly I don't know too much about that 1080 technology or HD-DVD stuff. I was just looking at the ad and read reviews online. I'm looking for a good quality flat screen HDTV that isn't too expensive. $1500 seemed like a good price for a good TV. The difference between buying this and buying the exotic sports car is that I'm only spending $1500 here.

[binary visions]

The number just refers to the lines of vertical resolution. p stands for progressive (which means every line is filled in), i stands for interlaced (which essentially means only half the lines are filled in, or half the resolution).

1080p means 1080 lines of vertical resolution. 1080i means 540 lines. 720p means 720 lines... etc.

[Mike B.]

Found a CNET review of the 52" version: http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-and-plasma/sharp-lc-52d64u/4505-6482_7-32572268.html?tag=sub

Kind of interested in this myself, would look good over my fireplace and free up some space from the 50" LCD rear projection I have now. Buying local would be a safeguard if the banding was annoying.

BV: the price match is kind of nice since you cruise in at 10am with beverage of choice in hand, well rested from the feast the day before, instead of standing out in the cold.

[MtnBikerChk]

Anyone have a pickup truck we can borrow? LOL

[binary visions]

Beware of comparing reviews of different sized LCDs. The panel is completely different in the 52" version, since they don't just add more pixels around the edges to make it larger, so consequently performance can be completely different.

[oldskoolbiker]

I just want to throw out one tip. DO NOT buy any cables from CC or BB. They are insanely over priced. And when you get your HDTV, you'll need Component cables for your DVD, HDMI or DVI cables for your cable/satellite box. Usually components only come with basic cables, not the HD connection cables. CC & BB sell those cables for like $40-$100 each. I recommend partsexpress.com

Here is an example. The cheapest HDMI cable on the CC website is $38.00. On partsexpress.com their cheapest is $18.00.

[binary visions]

I agree with that completely. Actually, I'd recommend monoprice.com as they are generally even cheaper than partsexpress.com and sell some very nice cables.

[Westy]

part sex press.com

I'm checking that out after work.:twitch:

[Secret Squirrel]

That 46" Sharp looks like a good deal. Go fo it.

The 3 HDMI inputs is what really stands out to me...I like that companies started doing that. Now you can plug more than one HD device in at one time...that rulez. Good point on the cables and price matching too. I'll have to look into that when I start shopping again....

[LordOpie]

That TV looks good to me! It'll last you for years as your buying technology that won't get outdated any time soon. We bought a 42" LCD 1080i/720p for $1400 last year, FYI FWIW.

One advice tho, unless you're comfortable hanging that thing on the wall, just hire someone to do it.

It took me several hours to get it up.

I don't regret it one bit as it was fun, but my stud finder wouldn't penetrate the wall well enough, so I took off the dry wall to see what's up. Turns out that where we were hanging -- the built-ins -- were built up and somehow got two layers of dry wall on top of some supports. Kind of confusing. What I wound up doing was attaching it directly to the interior support studs and rebuilding the drywall around it.

It is not as clean and professional as I'd like, but it's hidden and it made putting the wires though the wall to connect TV to components much easier.

[gonefirefightin]

If you have a frys nearby I would reccomend searching there. much better deals on flat screens

[SK6]

Anyone have a pickup truck we can borrow? LOL


Yup.[][/]

[syadasti]

If you have a frys nearby I would reccomend searching there. much better deals on flat screens

Yeah SAMSUNG LNT4665 $1799 (http://shop2.outpost.com/product/5178546?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) for example and its not even BF...

Best Buy charges $2,339.99 for the same set "on sale"!

[Transcend]

I have last year's model of the 46". I ended up picking it up as I got a killer deal and in store it was quite clearly the winner image wise. The store I was at was using a blue-ray DVD feed and it was the winner in quality by a large margin.

I use 1080p for my xbox (and the rez when i plug in my laptop) and it is fantastic.

We had to take it out of it's box to fit it in the backseat of the car.

[Pat...]

A 1080p flat tv connected to my computer, on the wall next to me would be so awesome.

[gonefirefightin]

A 1080p flat tv connected to my computer, on the wall next to me would be so awesome.

you just want to " be a part of" the porn you are downloading

[Pat...]

Damn, you're good!

[I Are Baboon]

I was reading that Circuit City has a 15% restocking fee if we return the TV? What the hell kind of donkey crap is that?

Tweeter does price matching if you find the product cheaper somewhere else up to 30 days after the purchase, and I don't see anything about a restocking fee with them.

[binary visions]

WTF?

Are you sure? I bought my TV from circuit city and inquired about the return policy before I bought it, since it was kind of an impulse item. They said I had 30 days with no restocking fee. Maybe it's only online that they charge a fee?

[binary visions]

In-store returns, this is the only restocking fee restriction I see:
Digital cameras, camcorders, desktop PCs, notebook PCs, monitors, printers, scanners, projectors, PDAs, mobile video, GPS and radar detectors must be returned within 14 days of the sale date, and (except where prohibited by law) are subject to a 15% restocking fee if returned opened or in a non-factory sealed box.

No TVs.

[I Are Baboon]

Hmmm....

Of course I could always go there and ask them about it. :lighten:

[narlus]

why would you need to return it?

[I Are Baboon]

why would you need to return it?

I don't know. Why would you return anything?

You don't like it.
It doesn't work to your satisfaction.
It breaks.
It makes you look fat.


Have you never returned something you bought?

[syadasti]

It makes you look fat.

Change the aspect ratio newb:bonk:

[narlus]

I don't know. Why would you return anything?

You don't like it.
It doesn't work to your satisfaction.
It breaks.
It makes you look fat.


Have you never returned something you bought?

yeah, i return stuff for reason #3. there shouldn't be a restock fee for faulty equipment.

if i'm spending decent $$$ on something, it won't be a rash decision, so i'm pretty sure that reasons #1 and 2 will be known prior to my taking ownership of it.

haven't figured out a good way around #4 yet.

[Da Peach]

I'm sure you won't need to return it.

Buy it and enjoy. Especially if you're going to HD from regular TV.

[LordOpie]

you will not return this.

You'll exchange it if it's broken, but you're gonna be wow'ed! You'll keep flipping back-and-forth between a network that has both regular and HD broadcasts and wonder how you lived before.

[MtnBikerChk]

Honestly, I'm just nervous if they decide not to honor the price match - ie: if they say it's part of a limited quantity, then that's in their price match policy that says they don't have to honor it.

SO in that case, I take the tv and return it - and rebuy it.

that's why I had IAB read the return policy. I mean that's a LOT of money to save on that set!

edit: LO - we have HD in our bedroom on a 26" set and LOVE it - that's why we're going to the living room with a BIG screen :) and I've ordered cables from monoprice before too!

[I Are Baboon]

We could have this in time for Thanksgiving night football!!

Oh wait, Comcast screwed us out of the NFL Network.

[LordOpie]

we have HD in our bedroom...
bow chicka bow wow?

[LordOpie]

We could have this in time for Thanksgiving night football!!

Oh wait, Comcast screwed us out of the NFL Network.

Screwed as in they charge for it or they no longer carry it?

As I said before... call them, ask for it for free for six months since you know others that got that deal. Cancel. Reconsider providers during the off-season.

You HAVE to have the NFLN! :D

[binary visions]

I can just see it.

MBC: "We need a price match for the set we bought several days ago."
CC Employee: "Sorry, we don't price match our black friday sales."
MBC: "Well, the TV is in the car, please send someone over to the return desk to take it back."

:D

[narlus]

Honestly, I'm just nervous if they decide not to honor the price match - ie: if they say it's part of a limited quantity, then that's in their price match policy that says they don't have to honor it.

SO in that case, I take the tv and return it - and rebuy it.


is the price match for a period of time *after* your sale, or *at* the sale? i guess one way around that is to straighten out that detail w/ the sales guy prior to the sale, and if it's for a 30 day period afterwards, get it in writing.

[MtnBikerChk]

I can just see it.

MBC: "We need a price match for the set we bought several days ago."
CC Employee: "Sorry, we don't price match our black friday sales."
MBC: "Well, the TV is in the car, please send someone over to the return desk to take it back."

:D


You are exactly right - that's how I'm picturing it too!!

I've read the pm and return policy - I think we're good to go.

[mogulskr]

Hey, Costco is putting that set on sale as well. Problem is all it says is $300 off and they don't give the final price. The good thing with Costco is they extend the mfg warranty 2 years.

For COMPUTERS, TELEVISIONS and PROJECTORS, Costco extends the MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY to two years from date of purchase.

The return policy is one of the best anywhere, here it is for TVs.

THE RETURN POLICY FOR TELEVISIONS, PROJECTORS, COMPUTERS, CAMERAS, CAMCORDERS, IPODS / MP3S, AND CELLULAR PHONES IS 90 DAYS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE.

Looks like Nov. 19th you can order, not sur eif they will be in the stores, but I bet the will.

[MtnBikerChk]

Hey, Costco is putting that set on sale as well. Problem is all it says is $300 off and they don't give the final price. The good thing with Costco is they extend the mfg warranty 2 years.

For COMPUTERS, TELEVISIONS and PROJECTORS, Costco extends the MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY to two years from date of purchase.

The return policy is one of the best anywhere, here it is for TVs.

THE RETURN POLICY FOR TELEVISIONS, PROJECTORS, COMPUTERS, CAMERAS, CAMCORDERS, IPODS / MP3S, AND CELLULAR PHONES IS 90 DAYS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE.

Looks like Nov. 19th you can order, not sur eif they will be in the stores, but I bet the will.


WHOA thanks for the heads up!! We'll be sure to check that out as well!

[binary visions]

Fools, all of you. Why would you buy a Sharp when you can have EyeFi 47" 1080p goodness (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5006894) for less money! It does 1080p... but has no digital inputs :think:

[Transcend]

Hey, Costco is putting that set on sale as well. Problem is all it says is $300 off and they don't give the final price. The good thing with Costco is they extend the mfg warranty 2 years.

For COMPUTERS, TELEVISIONS and PROJECTORS, Costco extends the MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY to two years from date of purchase.

The return policy is one of the best anywhere, here it is for TVs.

THE RETURN POLICY FOR TELEVISIONS, PROJECTORS, COMPUTERS, CAMERAS, CAMCORDERS, IPODS / MP3S, AND CELLULAR PHONES IS 90 DAYS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE.

Looks like Nov. 19th you can order, not sur eif they will be in the stores, but I bet the will.

Just be aware however that the manufacturers warranty is void. You can ONLY get warranty through costco, not through the product manufacturer. It is like this for almost all electronics at costco, and is why they have a liberal return policy. They are not an authorized seller for most items, they are gray market most of the time. Legal, but goods obtained through non official distribution channels.

[MtnBikerChk]

Fools, all of you. Why would you buy a Sharp when you can have EyeFi 47" 1080p goodness (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5006894) for less money! It does 1080p... but has no digital inputs :think:

Hey I got my $499 laptop at Wal-mart with the Lindows operating system! GOOD STUFF!! :monkeydance:

[Westy]

Fools, all of you. Why would you buy a Sharp when you can have EyeFi 47" 1080p goodness (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5006894) for less money! It does 1080p... but has no digital inputs :think:


Long as I can plug in mah rabbit ears.

[syadasti]

Hey I got my $499 laptop at Wal-mart with the Lindows operating system! GOOD STUFF!! :monkeydance:

$400 and ultraportable solid state storage...

Can runs windows or OSX too:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220244

[I Are Baboon]

:picsstfu:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/mtbbaboon/IMG_0294.jpg

[binary visions]

:clapping:

[LordOpie]

congo rats.

For anyone that even remotely enjoys TV, there's nothing like a BIG HDTV :D

[Transcend]

We had to take it out of the box to get it in the car. :)

[MtnBikerChk]

FYI, Ladies....there's no better way to get your husband to clean the basement then by letting him have a 46" tv in there to watch while he vacuums :)

I honestly think it's TOO big for the room - lol but I'll deal with it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/mtbbaboon/IMG_0303.jpg

[LordOpie]

lol and nice!

[I Are Baboon]

Looks like Nov. 19th you can order, not sur eif they will be in the stores, but I bet the will.

FYI, I went to Costco Friday afternoon and they did not have any Sharps on the floor in any size. This may be just an online sale, and they charge $100 for delivery of this TV online.

Circuit City did not have this TV on the floor. We had to ask for it. The guy who sold it to us was very hush-hush about the Black Friday sale, but MBC go the info out of him. :D

[Secret Squirrel]

FYI, Ladies....there's no better way to get your husband to clean the basement then by letting him have a 46" tv in there to watch while he vacuums :)

I honestly think it's TOO big for the room - lol but I'll deal with it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/mtbbaboon/IMG_0303.jpg

My wife says the same thing about our 46" dlp...Tell ya the truth...after a year of having it...I think a 62" would fit perfectly!

[narlus]

is that a crystal wine decanter to the right of the right of the Pledge?

:busted:

congrats looks like a great set!

[I Are Baboon]

is that a crystal wine decanter to the right of the right of the Pledge?

:busted:

congrats looks like a great set!

Nah, that's a vase. I had just started cleaning when I took that pic. I took down those little shelves on the wall. One of the cats knocked something off one of the shelves a while back and shattered the back of our old TV. We're trying to limit cat destruction opportunities. Of course I can think of one way to eliminate that...

[berkshire_rider]

FYI, I went to Costco Friday afternoon and they did not have any Sharps on the floor in any size. This may be just an online sale, and they charge $100 for delivery of this TV online.

Circuit City did not have this TV on the floor. We had to ask for it. The guy who sold it to us was very hush-hush about the Black Friday sale, but MBC go the info out of him. :D

NFL on HD = :clapping: Too bad the first game you watched on it was the Giants and Detroit, and not the Pats.

[Da Peach]

. Of course I can think of one way to eliminate that...

Wall mount?

[berkshire_rider]

Wall mount?

I'm guessing changing the total number of cats they own to zero. No cats = no accidents around the tv.....

[MtnBikerChk]

Wall mount?

I think my big tough guy husband was hinting at getting rid of the cats.

Truth is, they love him and he loves them :busted:

[I Are Baboon]

I think my big tough guy husband was hinting at getting rid of the cats.

Truth is, they love him and he loves them :busted:

Lies. All lies.

[Da Peach]

I meant the cat.

[MtnBikerChk]

Lies. All lies.

"daddy, can we watch football?"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/mtbbaboon/cadence2-1.jpg

[Secret Squirrel]

Awww...a pussy and a box...two of my favorite pasttimes.

[Transcend]

How did that damn cat infiltrate an otherwise manly thread about big ass TVs?

[Da Peach]

I thought my cat joke was pretty manly...

[binary visions]

How did that damn cat infiltrate an otherwise manly thread about big ass TVs?

Same reason we let you in :monkeydance:

[MtnBikerChk]

How did that damn cat infiltrate an otherwise manly thread about big ass TVs?

Because Cadence likes the big tv too.

2 paws up!

[Secret Squirrel]

Because Cadence likes the big tv too.

2 paws up!

Your cat's name is Cadence...Awesome.

[MtnBikerChk]

Your cat's name is Cadence...Awesome.

Her sister is Velocity. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/mtbbaboon/IMG_2307.jpg

[MtnBikerChk]

FYI, the circuit city ad is officially on their website now. AND I just called to confirm that they'll "price adjust."

There's a 10% off coupon for web orders QYAQRL4A9R (emailed to me) and I've read about people ordering it online, with the coupon and selecting in store pick up for Friday. Just thought I'd pass that along to y'all.

NICE!

[binary visions]

Did you know Circuit City offers 10% off to AAA members? Get that adjusted on Friday as well if you didn't already get the discount.

http://www.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/ZipCode.woa/wa/route?area=CircuitCity&

[binary visions]

Damn, now that I'm thinking about it, $1350 for a 46" 1080p Sharp Aquos is a great deal. Too bad I don't have the bucks for it.

[Da Peach]

Damn, now that I'm thinking about it, $1350 for a 46" 1080p Sharp Aquos is a great deal. Too bad I don't have the bucks for it.

6 pages in and NOW you decide to think about it?

[binary visions]

6 pages in and NOW you decide to think about it?

n00b, it's only 3 pages, and it was $150 more on the first page :D

[MtnBikerChk]

Damn, now that I'm thinking about it, $1350 for a 46" 1080p Sharp Aquos is a great deal. Too bad I don't have the bucks for it.

Actually, it's $1,299 minus 10% = $1,169. And you said you'll be in NH this weekend right? No sales tax in NH :) If you get their credit card it's no interest for 24 months too.

How can you NOT get it?!

[binary visions]

Do you think the airline would let me place it in the overhead bin?

[syadasti]

http://www.amazon.com/customersvote

Next Wed. 200 people will get Samsung LNT4661F 46" 1080p LCD HDTV for $719 :D

[I Are Baboon]

Do you think the airline would let me place it in the overhead bin?

Just check it. I am sure it'll be fine. :monkey:

[MtnBikerChk]

http://www.amazon.com/customersvote

Next Wed. 200 people will get Samsung LNT4661F 46" 1080p LCD HDTV for $719 :D

wth is that?

and why is the sale price so cheap (before the $719)?

[Westy]

I usually just wait until after Xmas and cruse the Crutchfield headquarters outlet for the scratched return items.

[syadasti]

wth is that?

and why is the sale price so cheap (before the $719)?

Its like a Black Friday promo only it spans multiple days online...

Amazon normally has really low prices for the most part.

[binary visions]

wth is that?

and why is the sale price so cheap (before the $719)?

It's not even really a sale, it's basically a "prize." If you're among the lucky customers picked, you get the TV for what is essentially a giveaway price.

The sale price is just a good price.

[MtnBikerChk]

Its like a Black Friday promo only it spans multiple days online...

Amazon normally has really low prices for the most part.

well I signed up for it! LOL If I win, the Sharp is going back!

[binary visions]

Since LCDs are actually fairly portable, I think I'm going to just start buying a new TV every 30 days at Best Buy. I can watch it for a month, return it, and get the next latest and greatest :D

[syadasti]

Since LCDs are actually fairly portable, I think I'm going to just start buying a new TV every 30 days at Best Buy. I can watch it for a month, return it, and get the next latest and greatest :D

Isn't Costco 90 days for computers and TVs:busted:

[MtnBikerChk]

Since LCDs are actually fairly portable, I think I'm going to just start buying a new TV every 30 days at Best Buy. I can watch it for a month, return it, and get the next latest and greatest :D

Best buy probably has a restocking fee. they suck.

[I Are Baboon]

well I signed up for it! LOL If I win, the Sharp is going back!

Living room.

[syadasti]

Best buy probably has a restocking fee. they suck.

Officemax doesn't. I just got a 24" MVA matrix LCD from them and used it for 14 days and decided I wasn't sure about the risk as mine had some button issues the first day or so I had it - I can buy it again if I like for $50 cheaper on Friday/Saturday :D

Also Dell doesn't. There is a minor ghosting/shadowing issue inherent to all LCD to some degree. For the model I had you could notice this with a testing utility on the extreme settings. They were offering a full refund with shipping cost covered on my model until 11/8 - I got mine in August and figured I'd just buy something cheap and then upgrade to latest and greatest later. They processed the return credit super fast too. Can't beat that service:happydance:

[syadasti]

Living room.

Mount it flip down like a visor for the second row in the pathfinder :D

[binary visions]

Living room.

Thank God one of you is thinking straight.

[I Are Baboon]

Thank God one of you is thinking straight.

MBC was prepared to return this tv and buy a $2700 one if the price match wasn't honored. So, keeping the one we bought plus the $700 Samsung still leaves us ahead of the game. :monkey:

[narlus]

Best buy probably has a restocking fee. they suck.

those damn loophole closers. :plthumbsdown:

[MtnBikerChk]

those damn loophole closers. :plthumbsdown:

well I just meant they suck overall. And it doesn't help that 1 (or more) of their employees once helped themselves to my credit card and went on a shopping spree. Luckily, amex noticed that I'm not the type to go to an auto parts store and make 3 $600 purchases in 1 day :rolleyes:

[I Are Baboon]

Well we got our price guarantee honored! Circuit City wasn't happy about it but we did get the refund (over $1000!). Of course, we ended up spending that money anyway. :rolleyes:

Black Friday is a frikkin nightmare, but man are there some good deals to be had.