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General discussion

TV Purchase Advice

by hokied07 May 28, 2013 8:12AM PDT

I need to buy a new TV. I'm getting a new place and will be mounting it above the fireplace.

I'm thinking LED, 50", and about $1000. I honestly don't really care about 3D. My wife and I will be finishing the basement eventually and that is where money will really be spent on a home theater room.

I've looked at the following TVs:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-KDL60EX64...2949324&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-KDL-50R55...pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-UN55ES.../dp/B007B9PP1C

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-UN55EH.../dp/B0074FGSBY

I've always been a SONY guy, and I'm thinking that is the way I'll go.

Any advice would be appreciated.

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2 Posts

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You can't go wrong with LEDs

by wpgwpg May 28, 2013 8:30AM PDT

The July Consumer Reports has ratings on TVs, so you'll probably want to check that out. I have 4 different brand HDTVs, 2 LED and 2 LCD. The LG is LED and the Sony is LCD. They both have equally great pictures. One thing to be aware of with the LEDs is that because they're so thin, the sound isn't usually as good as with the LCDs. Of course if you're going to use external speakers, that won't be a concern. I have to say I haven't had the first problem with any of these, the LG is 2.5 years old, the Sony about 15 months. Setting up the LG was a breeze, but I had to spend a couple of hours on the phone with Sony to get the SD channels set up so they didn't get overly stretched width-wise.
One thing I've read (but can't say from first hand experience) is that putting a TV above the fireplace is not a good idea. I don't know if that's about heat or viewing angle or something else, but I'd recommend you check that out.
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Good luck.

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Thanks

by hokied07 May 28, 2013 10:01AM PDT

Thanks for the advice. The thing with the TV above the fireplace is that there really isn't another option. Both sides of the fire place will have builtins so above the fireplace is really the place for it.

We won't be using the fireplace much, and I figure I'll get some kind of mount that will allow you to change the angle of the TV.

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