Mohtalim

Edit: VLSmooth: Added Summary and Details

Summary

• Bought the Sony Sony KDL-46XBR4
  * paid $2793.61 on a new Reward Zone Mastercard
  * got 18-month 0% financing, only need to pay 1% a month for the first 18 months to incur no fees
• Will be getting $165 in Best Buy gift certificate codes in e-mail
  * I'm out $2628.61 when all is said and done
  * they expire 180 days after issue, since I got a Reward Zone Mastercard
• It'll be delivered and installed Saturday, 2007-11-17 starting between 8 am and 11:59 am
  * in stock Thursday night, if I can get a vehicle large enough, I can pick it up Friday and save ~$80, dropping the price to ~$2548.61

Details can be found here.

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Constructive comments and suggestions welcome

Current Leader: Sony KDL-46XBR4

• Summary: 46" 1080p matte screen LCD, 18000:1 contrast ratio, 3 HDMI inputs, ~$2900 wo/extra warranty
• Links: ( CNET Review | Amazon | BestBuy | CircuitCity | Sears )

Current Alternatives

• Samsung LN-T4669F ( amazon | avsforum )
  - has a higher contrast ratio ( 20000:1 )

Requirements: The new TV shall...

• be an LCD
  - not a plasma ( burn in risk + higher cost )
  - not a rear-projection ( poor viewing angles )
  - not a front-projection ( requires controlled lighting and is louder )
• have a contrast ratio of at least 10000:1
• have at least a 46" diagonal viewing area
• have at least 2 HDMI inputs
• not have a glossy screen
  - reflections are annoying
  - this rules out most of the higher-end Samsung LCDs
• support 1920x1080 resolution for normal media
• support 1920x1080 resolution for PC input
  - DVI input not needed, as long as there is DVI-to-HDMI cable support

Other Links

• AVS Forum: LCD Flat Panel Displays
• CNET's Top flat-panel LCD HDTVs
• Consumer Reports Online ( requires subscription )

Edit: Accidentally overwrote the OP, now fixed and up-to-date
Edit: Added Sears, which seems to have the cheapest price

What are you doing with your old tv?

Jason wrote:What are you doing with your old tv?

Realistically, let it sit on the 3rd floor where it currently is, perhaps for an additional roommate. When my parent's visited last (left earlier this month), I set up the 3rd floor similar to a studio apartment minus kitchen.

Alternatively, deal with the hassle of ebay and sell it.

I'm not ruling out the Sony until I see it side-by-side with the Samsung ( most likely at the local Best Buy ). I can definitely tell the difference between a 2000:1 display and my roommate's 7000:1 Sony KDL-40V2500, but I'm curious how drastic the difference between 10000:1 and 18000:1 contrast ratios appear to me.

This research is to prime snap purchases when things go on sale, most likely starting with Black Friday. However, there's still a chance I'll purchase earlier.

I still watch TV on my 13"

I'm very curious. What kind of 1080p inputs are available?

Dwindlehop wrote:I'm very curious. What kind of 1080p inputs are available?

From my research, non-computer sources use HDMI and occasionally component to support 1080p. Component 1920x1080 support can be hard to determine per display since it's not commonly advertised.

For computers, a DVI-to-HDMI cable usually suffices, but often for only one of the HDMI ports. Displays with DVI and VGA (analog) input vary on what they can support. For example, my roommate's Sony KDL-40V2500 does NOT support 1920x1080 via the VGA input, but the Samsung LN-T4661F does. However, I would prefer to use a digital connection for a digital source.

Peijen wrote:300 less than what I paid for. You can check it out at my place

I'm definitely interested in checking it out. That model ( Westinghouse TX-47F430S ) is CNET's Top budget flat-panel LCD HDTV for October 19, 2007 ( link ).

Question from a work friend. If you have an HD Xvid or whatever file that drops frames, can you transcode to a format that is GPU accelerated and play it back without dropping frames?

VLSmooth wrote:

Dwindlehop wrote:I'm very curious. What kind of 1080p inputs are available?

From my research, non-computer sources use HDMI and occasionally component to support 1080p. Component 1920x1080 support can be hard to determine per display since it's not commonly advertised.

For computers, a DVI-to-HDMI cable usually suffices, but often for only one of the HDMI ports. Displays with DVI and VGA (analog) input vary on what they can support. For example, my roommate's Sony KDL-40V2500 does NOT support 1920x1080 via the VGA input, but the Samsung LN-T4661F does. However, I would prefer to use a digital connection for a digital source.

Sorry, I meant content, not input.

Dwindlehop wrote:Question from a work friend. If you have an HD Xvid or whatever file that drops frames, can you transcode to a format that is GPU accelerated and play it back without dropping frames?

Unfortunately, I don't know.

For anime at least, groups often release low-quality lower-resolution xvid encodes in addition to high-quality higher-resolution h264 encodes.

Dwindlehop wrote:

VLSmooth wrote:

Dwindlehop wrote:I'm very curious. What kind of 1080p inputs are available?

From my research, non-computer sources use HDMI and occasionally component to support 1080p. Component 1920x1080 support can be hard to determine per display since it's not commonly advertised.

For computers, a DVI-to-HDMI cable usually suffices, but often for only one of the HDMI ports. Displays with DVI and VGA (analog) input vary on what they can support. For example, my roommate's Sony KDL-40V2500 does NOT support 1920x1080 via the VGA input, but the Samsung LN-T4661F does. However, I would prefer to use a digital connection for a digital source.

Sorry, I meant content, not input.

Two 1080p sources that come to mind are PC output and PS3 output. I'll primarily be using it for the former.

Finding a simple TV stand is proving to be a PITA.

(I don't want drawers, cabinets, swivels, etc, etc, etc...)

Best Buy's Store Price Guarantee is extremely tempting.

Store Price Guarantee

Two more great reasons to buy with confidence at Best Buy.
If you are about to make a purchase and discover a lower advertised price offered by a local retail competitor on the same available brand and model, let us know and we'll match that price on the spot.

Already bought? We'll refund you the price difference, plus an additional 10% of that difference up to 30 days after your purchase (14 days on select categories*, 60 days on HDTVs purchased from 6/3/07 through 2/2/08).

This will overlap the holiday season, and price drops already seem to be coming:

fatwallet: Sony 46" XBR4 $2649.99 @ Sears

Also:

Does Best Buy match prices of Internet retailers?
If you made your purchase in a Best Buy store, and you find an Internet retailer with a local retail store honoring its own online prices, we'll match their price, plus 10% of the difference. Internet-only retailers are exempt from our price matching program, as well as Web-exclusive offers. Eligible items must be the same brand and model, and currently in stock at the competitor's store. For purchases made online at BestBuy.com, please refer to the Online Price Guarantee on BestBuy.com.

For reference:

• 12 Tips for Getting the Best Price at Best Buy ( 2007-06-28 )

I took a trip to Best Buy on Friday (2007-10-26) and can definitely tell the difference between the Sony KDL-46XBR4 and the Samsung LN-T4661F, so I'm leaning more toward the Sony.

However, Samsung recently released the LN-T4669F ( avsforum ) which touts a 20000:1 contrast ratio with a matte screen and it's cheaper than the Sony in Best Buy's computer system. Unfortunately, it's not on display at Best Buy yet, but I'll definitely take a peek at that before making a purchase.

Apparently, it's easy to find BestBuy coupons too. Quick process log:

1. Search for "bestbuy coupons" on google ( link )
2. Click on Printable Coupons: Best Buy Coupons
3. Click on 10% Best Buy In Store Coupon

Best Buy Reward Zone - Up to Triple Points (Up to 6% back in Reward Certificates) 11/4 - 12/22
Source: http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/777670

pulverizer72 @ Nov/01/2007 7:40 PM wrote:If you're not familiar with the Reward Zone program, click here first. The everyday Rewards Zone program amounts to 2% back in gift certificates.

Link to flyer.

Starting Nov 4, log on to MyRewardZone.com/holiday. You can pick 1 of the following:

1. Earn $15 in bonus reward certificates (750 points) when you spend > $500
   Amounts to 5% back on a $500 purchase to 4% back on a $750 purchase. If you are spending more than $750 or less than $500, choose option #2.
2. Earn double points when shopping in store before 11AM (except Black Friday, 11/23)
   Amounts to 4% back on any size purxhase. If you are spending between $500 - $750, choose option #1, otherwise, choose this option unless you are exclusively buying the brands in option #3. #2 is probably the best option for most of us.
3. Earn triple points on BB brands (Dynex, Rocketfish, Insignia, Geek Squad, init products)
   Amounts to 6% back on the listed brands. Generally overpriced items unless on sale or clearance.
4. Get a free 6-month trial of geek squad online secured data back-up service, including photos, important files and more.
   Best stated by nafetsnafets @ SD, "yuck"
5. Donate the value of the points you earn to Toys for Teens from the day you choose this reward through Dec 22, 2007.
   Bah, Humbug!

Overall, option #2 seems to be the best choice for most people.

It seems that once you make your choice, you may not be able to change it. Choose wisely.

Thanks to nafetsnafets @ SD.

Samsung 1080p 20000:1 LNT4669 $2299 Free Shipping Frys.com
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/777945

Tempting... I'll look at one tomorrow!