Needed: New TV. What Do I Buy?

So, I bought my first TV in 1998, when I moved out of my parents. It's still working. In fact, I'm watching the Jays game on it right now.

But, it's old. And I see all these friends with new TVs with crisp pictures and HD and I can't help but want something new.

The wife has approved the purchase of a new TV.

Problem is, I have NO CLUE what a good TV is today. I don't know if I need/want LCD or Plasma. Wide screen, flat screen, wall mount? There's so much.

I did just help a friend's parents move and they gave me their Sony DVD Home Theatre System (DAV-FX80) as payment. They paid $900 for it two years ago. I've seen it in use at their place. It's like brand new. So, obviously, I'd like to get max performance out of it.

I watch sports 24/7 (when the wfie isn't home or is in bed) and she's a movie person. We do not own a video game system. We also have the ability to order HD digital cable.

So, what the hell kind of TV do I want? Or need?

 

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT buy a plasma. They're unreliable.

But we need to know more. How much are you willing to spend?

 

Price isn't much of an issue, mainly because I have the DVD, surround sound, etc. already. So, it allows me to spend more on the TV.

 

Then a 42-inch DLP flatscreen should do fine. Make sure it has a built-in HD tuner. No sense spending more than $1K on a TV, then having to pay out more for the tuner.

 

The price of projection TVs are dropping because they're being phased out. Might want to look into one of those. Some are less than a grand now. Check out Best Buy or Circuit City if there is one in your area and see which picture you like. If your wife if big on movies, Widescreen is the way to go.

 

If you are getting your channels through, say, satellite, the signals will come through that receiver, and your built-in tuner will just sit there acquiring nothing.

A HD recever can be had for $99.

 

Go to the Consumer Report web site. Look up the last time they ranked TVs. Find out which issue it appeared in. Go to the library and look up that month's issue. Read carefully and take notes.
Like my father before me I don't make any big purchases without some feedback from CR and it's not never backfired on me yet.
Recently, I bought exterior house paint and a refrigerator. In the past, dishwasher, dryer and TV. I get good value for the money I spend every time.
(Now, CR, where's my free subscription?)

 

I've got a Samsung DLP. 50" of pure joy in HD, especially baseball. I recommend this highly.

Whatever big screen you get, get the extended warranty. Extended warranties are almost always a ripoff (especially for cars) but this is the exception. The thing is, there are no cheap repairs to these things. Any part in a big screen is at least $300 plus labor.