Buying HDTV for my mom & need current deals
I need an HDTV for my mother. I’m a tech. junky, so it’s hard to separate what she wants from what I think she needs. my parents already have a standard (non widescreen) HD TV that we got them 2 years ago (a crt). I just came home for the weekend, and noticed they cleared out room in their bedroom, to wallmount a TV. So, a couple questions. Her main requirement is “I don’t want to regret getting this TV in a couple of years”. Should I go for 1080P based on that? I don’t think it’s necessary, but I don’t want her to dislike it after a year. Also, plasma or lcd? I should be up to date on this, but I have a native HD projector, so I don’t deal with TVs anymore.
Answer #1: It’s going to be a long time before dear ole mom will need a 1080p. Get yourself a nice 720p set now, use the money you save for flowers every Mother’s Day for the next 5 years and you’ll be better off. Oh, and if she’s anything like my mom and forgets to turn off the set every now and then, you want LCD - much lower maintenance.
Answer #2: One Q though - does your mom have cable/sat or does she watch broadcast television? If it’s the latter, make sure whatever you get has an ATSC (digital) tuner, because if it doesn’t the set presumably won’t work beyond 2009 (for watching broadcast TV; it would still work with a cable or satellite box).
Answer #3: Regarding LCD or Plasma, LCD does not show reflection of light and plasma does. If there is an overhead light or light from windows that will reflect on the TV consider a LCD…
Answer #4: Go 720p (or 1080P) … as for LCD or plasma, that really should be determined by which one you (or she) finds has the better picture, and which fits into your budget. Any non-HD set is basically obsolete already, imo.
Answer #5: 40″ Samsung LCD, 1080P, $1497 at Fry’s. If you’re a Costco member, $1k for a 42″ LCD or $800 for a 37″ LCD and you can’t go wrong. Both have tuners, and although Costco recently changed their return policy on electronics, you still get a full 90 day warranty and an additional 2 years, in home parts and labor repair warranty at no additional cost. Costco’s 42″ Sceptre is on sale now.
Answer #6: Walmart has a 32 in samsung with tuner built in LCD widescreen for under 900.00 3000-1 contrast you cant go wrong.