Buying a TV looking for some advice/opinions
I have a bit of extra cash at the moment so I want to scratch off the top of "Things I really, really want but don't really need" list. Which is a flat screen TV. I've gone to Best Buy to look at them, and read reviews at Newegg and Amazon. I have some idea of what I want: 1080p, around 30-40 inches in size, high contrast, a fair amount of inputs, and oblivious a really nice clean picture. I also prefer the LCD LED TVs over the plasmas, I think the picture looks better to me. My prince range is $400 to $600 (I can go over $600 but it is pushing my budget) Now, here come my questions.
Is it worth getting an internet ready TV? I have an Xbox 360 and do use that to stream Netflix quite a bit. Are there advantages to an internet ready TV over just using my Xbox?
A video I watch suggested that a TV that was over 60hz (like 120hz+) makes a difference when watching movies/shows with a lot of action. That ideally, the image will be a lot sharper. Does it really make that big of a difference?
Any suggested brands/models?
This is a pretty big investment for me, so I want to make sure I get want I want, and get the most out of my money.
Comments
This TV is very highly rated on Amazon, and is on sale for $600. It's pretty much the best you are going to get for that moneys. It has HDMI inputs and does 1080p. Happens to also be 120Hz, despite me just saying that doesn't really matter.
Samsung LN40D630 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV (Black)
What's most important is that you properly calibrate the TV after you get it. Don't leave the default settings or the colors will be all wrong.
I personally prefer plasma's myself, but I also like blackberries so take that for what you will.
Every other possible set-top box besides an actual computer has some sort of limitation. A Roku only plays video form certain services. An XBox is limited to certain codecs and can only play XBox games. Some boxes can only do YouTube, but not Vimeo, Collegehumor, or other sites. A Boxee Box can only do video and audio, no gaming.
If you still pay for cable or sattelite, the computer can also be a DVR!
Real computer connected to the TV is a must for everypony.
That is more than enough forms of entertainment at your fingertips.
Most likely, I'll use the Xbox for Netflix and such. I have a Netbook that I have hooked up to my friend's TVs to watch downloaded videos, so I can always us that if the Xbox doesn't work. Thinking about it though, if I just have a long enough cord I could hook it up to my desktop, it's going to be the same room.
I also agree the Apple TV sucks, my ex bought one when they first came out and I thought it pretty much a waste, it was pretty limited to what you could do with it.