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BEST flat screen TV in the 40"-48" range
by RFlorio - 10/20/06 6:11 AMOK, I've been reading up on this site on the pros and cons of LCD vrs. Plasma and I don't want this to get into that debate AGAIN.
My parents just moved into a new condo and are looking to get a flat TV to put up on their wall above a fireplace (gas) that they probably will never use (fireplace that is). They would like to get the biggest set that they can fit into that space (if I remember right it is 48"-50" wide), price is not an option. They WON"T be hooking up a receiver with external speakers or anything fancy they just want the BEST TV with the BEST picture that will last.
Veiwing angle wil probably not come into play as the way the wall is set up it is on an angle and can be seen from just about everywhere in the room. They will play DVD's and watch TV, that is about it.
They were looking at the Sony Bravia model # KDF-40S20L1 at Sam's club $1,900. Now when I search this site, I can't even find that model number, is this an old model?????
THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ALL YOUR HELP,
Ralph
Sony Bravia model # KDF-40S20L1
by jcrobso - 10/20/06 7:36 AM In reply to: BEST flat screen TV in the 40"-48" range by RFlorioWell sometimes Sam's club will buy up lots of last years models. Sometimes Sony, Pannasonic, etc. will make a "special" model # for Sam's or Costco. The exact same set but with a slightly different model #.
Also look a plasma set in the 40" size.
Here is a link for a Sony LCD. John
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=KDL40S2010&Dept=tvvideo&CategoryName=tv_flatpanel_32to40
SONY IS MANUFACTURING SOME (4) GREAT 46" LCD'S.............
by Riverledge - 10/21/06 2:56 PM In reply to: BEST flat screen TV in the 40"-48" range by RFlorioSEE THE WEBSITE;
http://www.sonystyle.com
river.
I agree...Sony XBR2
by Dan Filice - 10/21/06 3:17 PM In reply to: SONY IS MANUFACTURING SOME (4) GREAT 46" LCD'S............. by RiverledgeThe Sony XBR line has always been better than the Bravia. I know, it's confusing because the XBR also says Bravia, but the plain Bravia ISN'T an XBR. Anyways, the new XBR2 has received rave reviews here on CNET and other review websites. I read that it even comes with a spare bulb (worth $250). The 46" and 50" and up are very expensive, but you said price wasn't an issue. The reviews here mention that the SXRD Sony's have slightly better blacks, but the XBR was given better overall color reproduction, especially in the difficult greens. I love the "floating" screen look on some of the new sets. And, the new XBRs are 1080p. The Bravia you looked at over at Sam's Club was the 720P set. If you wanted to buy that 720p set, I would recommed the 720p XBR Bravia, which has the better video engine. I had the pleasure of installing both the 720p Bravia and XBR sets, and the XBR, to me, had a better picture.
Be careful!
by oldscubaguy - 12/10/06 4:53 PM In reply to: I agree...Sony XBR2 by Dan FiliceI have a KDL-40XBR2 and I love it.
However, I got lucky because mine has a July 2006 build date.
There have been reports that the later builds have an issue with clouds. Visit http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=748779
before you buy.
sony kdl xbr2
by badkarmamahn - 10/21/06 3:24 PM In reply to: BEST flat screen TV in the 40"-48" range by RFlorioif money really is not a factor, then the new sony flat panel kdl xbr2/3 series would be the best LCD picture. problem: no split screen/PiP. JMHO
THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP
by RFlorio - 10/24/06 8:40 AM In reply to: sony kdl xbr2 by badkarmamahnThey are going to get the Sony XBR 46", now all I have to do is find them the best deal.
THANKS AGAIN,
Ralph
GREAT CHOICE......SONY 46 " XBR 2........... CONGRATS.....
by Riverledge - 10/24/06 5:53 PM In reply to: THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP by RFlorioBEAUTIFUL set. Take the time to tweek it, and you'll be happy for a long time.
Best watching, river.
HDTV or SDTV ??
by NewsyL - 10/24/06 11:20 AM In reply to: BEST flat screen TV in the 40"-48" range by RFlorioSo are they going to subscribe to a HDTV/Digital service with a converter or will most of their viewing be of legacy SDTV over the set's built in QAM tuner? Or will they be sourcing OTA?
Most LCD's I viewed did a very poor job with SDTV. I haven't seen the new XBR's as yet but I was not impressed by the original XBR's abilities with SDTV.
.
SORRY, BUT MOST MANUFACTURERS COULD CARE LESS...............
by Riverledge - 10/24/06 5:44 PM In reply to: HDTV or SDTV ?? by NewsyLABOUT SDTV at this point with federal regulations (FCC) mandatory HDTV by 2009. This just does not seem to be a priorty for them. Loss leader in technology.
river.
Thats not the point.
by NewsyL - 10/24/06 10:25 PM In reply to: SORRY, BUT MOST MANUFACTURERS COULD CARE LESS............... by RiverledgeMy point was to determine what his parents are going to be watching when they're not watching DVD's.
Some TV's today handle SDTV much better than others and if that is what his parents are going to watch mostly until 2009 then they are going to be pretty unhappy with a lot of what they watch for the next 3 years. 
I wouldn't want to be in his shoes if they end up thinking he made the wrong decision. I don't know how old his parents are but if they're like mine they might spend $4000 for a new set but not want to spend the extra $40/month for HDTV/Digital service. Three years is a long time listening to Ma & Pa natter on about the crummy picture. 
viewing
by timetogolf - 10/24/06 5:59 PM In reply to: BEST flat screen TV in the 40"-48" range by RFlorioOne thing to check before you make the final decision is the viewing height. Above a fire place will typically be a higher angle than you view the set in the store. Estimate the center point of the set above the fireplace and measure that from the sitting height and then try to view one in a store at that height. We have a mantel over our fireplace and the viewing angle is not acceptable to me. Something to think about.
extra $$$$$ for hdtv
by RFlorio - 10/25/06 1:05 PM In reply to: viewing by timetogolfI'm pretty sure they are just going to get Comcast and watch normal TV, and YES..........my parents are older and like yours, will probably not want to dish out the extra $$$$$$ per month.
THANKS FOR THE ADVICE.
Ralph
Hi-Def is useless for watching only s.d. programming
by stewart norrie - 10/25/06 5:17 PM In reply to: extra $$$$$ for hdtv by RFlorioYour better off buying a $100 Walmard special its like buying a new car and not wanting to put gas in it YOU MUST FEED IT FROM A HI-DEF SOURCE, SATELLITE OR CABLE , usually you cable co will give you a hi-def upgrade for a free or small fee and the hi-def package is about $10.00 per month and well worth it. unless you feed its going to look like crap steweeee dont be so cheap
Panasonic 42" is the one
by jeroethel - 10/28/06 5:19 AM In reply to: BEST flat screen TV in the 40"-48" range by RFlorioPrice range around 2100. I've had one for about a year and it is a great TV. Get a HD DVR from your cable company for $10 per month and you can watch all the HD you can handle. If you get Discovery HD, you can even watch the sunrise every morning from different world locations.
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