55" HDTV Help

[capthowdy_1968]

I am in the process of looking for a 55 inch HDTV to sit over our fireplace. I have a budget of 1500 and have looked at several TV's with the following two as front runners. There are some LG's out there as well but I haven't heard enough about them as in reviews to make an honest decision.

This will be our first LED/LCD TV so I am a noob.

Seating would be about 10-15 foot back with the TV sitting about 5-6 foot up. If 55 is to big for that, other ideas are welcome. This is the first of 2 TV's that I will be buying, I have one for the bedroom and then one for our dedicated theater room.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+5...&skuId=4756863

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+...&skuId=4837507

[osiris]

Buy a Panasonic plasma instead.

[GeoffD]

Buy a Panasonic plasma instead.

+1

[GeoffD]

Seating would be about 10-15 foot back with the TV sitting about 5-6 foot up. If 55 is to big for that, other ideas are welcome. This is the first of 2 TV's that I will be buying, I have one for the bedroom and then one for our dedicated theater room.

The THX viewing distance for a 55" panel is about 7 1/2 feet. The viewer shouldn't have to look up more than 15 degrees.

An 80" panel is the proper size for 10 feet if you want true THX viewing angle. You would also need to drop the panel a couple of feet to stay within the 15 degree rule.

[Jesse]

Buy a Panasonic plasma instead.

+2.

Better picture for the money, but it won't be razor thin like some LED lit LCD sets if that's what you're going for.

TV above the fireplace should be the last resort in my opinion. The viewing height is not good, no matter how you slice it.. just too high for comfortable viewing.

[ElixXxeR]

Buy a Panasonic plasma instead.

This. This. And more this.

Panasonic ST50 would be my choice.

[LaFerrari]

Buy a Panasonic plasma instead.

That's exactly what I did...my TC-P60GT50 is being mounted tomorrow, just in time for the Italian GP...and Football

[capthowdy_1968]

+2.

Better picture for the money, but it won't be razor thin like some LED lit LCD sets if that's what you're going for.

TV above the fireplace should be the last resort in my opinion. The viewing height is not good, no matter how you slice it.. just too high for comfortable viewing.

Fireplace is the only option in this room. We have windows all around the front of the room. Only solid wall is above the fireplace.

We bought a Samsung 55" LED for this room with a tilting mount. I still have 2 more rooms to furnish with TV's, one being a dedicated theater room, the other is the bedroom.

[osiris]

Fireplace is the only option in this room. We have windows all around the front of the room. Only solid wall is above the fireplace.

We bought a Samsung 55" LED for this room with a tilting mount. I still have 2 more rooms to furnish with TV's, one being a dedicated theater room, the other is the bedroom.

1. Post question on Vortex.
2. Ignore all advice given.
3. ???
4. Profit.

[capthowdy_1968]

Looked at Panasonic plasmas and didn't care for the picture quality.

[White Jetta]

Looked at Panasonic plasmas and didn't care for the picture quality.

It wasn't set up properly. I got an ST30 46 inch several months ago and it blows away the Sony Bravia LCD I had. And it was only $829 brand new.

[AspenelsRocco16v]

Looked at Panasonic plasmas and didn't care for the picture quality.

[Jesse]

It wasn't set up properly.

.

[ssmuff]

I now have 3 Samsung plasma TV's and I love them all. I am sure the Panasonics are just as good.

[mikegilbert]

I am in the process of looking for a 55 inch HDTV to sit over our fireplace.

[SAPJetta]

I wish home builders would cut out the nasty habit of building homes with nowhere to put the damn thing other than above the fireplace. Terrible design.

[GreenandChrome]

OMFGGBJ. (oh my friggin good-gravy baby jesus).

a. why do you need a tv in the front/living room? if you're putting one in a theater room and bedroom, then there's no need for one in the living room.

b. you didn't like the plasma picture quality? true, it may have been not set up correctly... but I'm guessing you love the over-processed look of the motion processing "feature" that makes movies (and pretty much anything) look entirely fake.

c. over the fireplace? do you plan on wallpapering your entire interior? 'Cause that's right up there on the most retarded things to do in a home. better go run to IKEA and pick up some of those wavy mirrors while you're at it.

[Dirty Hatch]

You might want to take a look at TCL TV's: http://www.tclusa.com/

I saw a 55" TV in Fry's electronics for around $800. They use the same screen parts that are used in the Samsung TV's. The only difference is, they do not have all the bells and whistles that a Samsung TV might have.

Currently, I have the 32" version and picture quality is pretty nice. I have not had a chance to play with the settings that much, but it seems to have all the basics. Overall, it's a nice little TV for under $300.