http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/ Engadget HD Comments for Shopping for $900 LCD's http://www.engadgethd.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadgethd.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/
However, once you get past a certain price point (around $1750 or so, I think), the lesser names (Westinghouse, Syntax) can roll with the big boys (Sharp, Samsung, Sony) or at least come close enough to make price more important.

For me personally though, I think overall lack of inputs in the bargain brands is usually what kills the deal.]]>Mar 15th 2006 4:22PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/
As for imputs, if it has a component and HDMI I am set. I could not care less about SD performance or inputs.]]>Mar 15th 2006 4:57PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/Those are all valid points, James.

The issues I typically see with sub-$1k LCDs are ghosting, relatively inaccurate colors, and unacceptable black levels. A few of the high-end 32" LCDs (the Sharp Aquos displays, the Sony Bravia KDL-V32XBR1, and a few others) seem to have overcome some of these issues, but the Sony's MSRP is $2700--nearly three times as expensive.

Unless you're a heavy gamer or plan to use the panel as a computer display (which might discourage you from buying a plasma), I think plasmas offer the better value at the moment.

But if you're set on an LCD and can't wait for the price/performance ratio to improve, I'd lean towards the cheaper models at this point. Given how rapidly LCD prices are falling, the performance gains of an Aquos or Sony Bravia XBR just doesn't justify the additional investment.]]>Mar 15th 2006 5:02PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/
We live in a 1912 house and due to layout didn't really have room for anything much bigger than a 37" as it turned out. Ultimatley after price shopping and comparing product (albe it in less than optimal "show room" conditions) we ended up going to Target online and buying a Syntax 32" Panel for around $950 shipped. (I have seen it even cheaper since).

Anyway the major drawback to this purchase was a leap of faith in that there wasn't anywhere where we could see the TV before we bought it, but after looking at several $2500-$3000 models, we could not justify the 2X-3X increase in price over the lower cost Syntax.

So how does it perform? We are exteremly happy. On the black levels it depends on what input you are using. I have found the VGA input to have a lot of issues with this TV (and Syntax was no help). As for inputs, I haven't maxed them, out yet. You get:

1 VGA
1 DVI
2 Component
3 Composite/s-video
1 CATV

Not bad. I like to watch Sin City on DVD to check black levels because it is such a dark movie. I would rate the black levels as very good. Are they the best ever? No. Is there room for improvemnt? Yes. But this panel is so much cheaper than everything else.

I also have an HDTV tuner hooked up to the TV and HDTV OTA broadcasts look outstanding. DVDs look excellent as well, both played over the DVI input on my HTPC and through my standalone DVD player on component inputs.

Overall I am very happy with the purchase. None of the higher price displays can beat the value. As someone who took the ~$900 LCD route, I cand say it was a good move and we saved THOUSANDS of dollars.

The other reason we decided to go this route is the flux with HD-DVD and Blu-ray and the HDMI/HDCP issues. I wanted to let the dust settle a little before droping mad cash on a display. This 32" panel will be headed to the bedroom when/if we decide to upgrade.

Now I wouldn't call myself a videophile per se, but ANY kind of video artifact I will notice and will eventually drive me crazy. I haven't had any video quality issues with this display (excpet the VGA input).]]>Mar 15th 2006 5:09PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/
What people need to understand is that these LCDs are not marketed to high end comsumers looking for a perfect HDTV. They are set out as entry level main displays for the cheaper crowd and second displays for bedrooms or kitchens, where they work great.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying my ESPN HD and loving every minute of it.]]>Mar 15th 2006 6:26PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/Mar 15th 2006 8:17PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/Mar 15th 2006 11:18PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/
Also, I have had great luck shopping the returned items. There always are a few at Best Buy (maybe some sort of employee trial thing?), and usually you can get a more expensive model for a lot less money, or a little less but with a 3 year warranty. ]]>Mar 16th 2006 8:32AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/03/15/shopping-for-900-lcds/Mar 19th 2006 1:09PM