Opinions on BestBuy BF Samsung LCD for $1199?

[Buckeye_Sean]

Our current 32" CRT is finally showing its age.
Looking for a LCD HDTV in the $1000-$1500 range - saw the BF ad for BestBuy.
Seems like a good deal and reviews are high on this model.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...1200050000&type=product&id=pcmprd81100050000


Any TV gurus care to offer opinions?
Any otherLCD HDTV's 40" or larger that would be a better value for our price range?

[Filliam H. Muffman]

It looks like a decent model but it is $900 off the LIST price. They have it in another entry for $1900, so it is only $700 off their regular price.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8251303&type=product&id=1169512521072

Edit: Looks like it is $900 off the bundle of the original price of the TV and installation. They sell the TV alone for $1150.

[BigGuynRusty]

[quote Buckeye_Sean]Any TV gurus care to offer opinions?
Any otherLCD HDTV's 40" or larger that would be a better value for our price range? Office Depot has a Westinghouse 42" for $799 after an Instant $250 rebate, and a $150 MIR.
Up to 1080i
Great picture.
http://www.westinghousedigital.com/detai...temnum=161

BGnR

[Buckeye_Sean]

[quote BigGuynRusty]
Office Depot has a Westinghouse 42" for $799 after an Instant $250 rebate, and a $150 MIR.
Up to 1080i
Great picture.
http://www.westinghousedigital.com/detai...temnum=161

BGnR
Hmmm, looks like only 800:1 contrast ratio? (might be a typo and maybe 8000:1?)

Judging from what I've been told higher contrast ratio is better?
The samsung has 15,000:1.

Thoughts?

[Filliam H. Muffman]

From the specs I would guess the Samsung has better contrast in the dark blacks. Like to watch Gothic movies?

[Fritz]

Samsungs are nice, Aquos are nicer. More of my video colorist friends pointed me to them.

[AlphaDog]

Here's an interesting discussion on contrast ratio and the "games" that are being played with the numbers. The 800:1 probably is not a typo, but that doesn't mean the 15,000:1 Samsung is eighteen or nineteen times better, either.

http://hometheater.about.com/gi/dynamic/...tm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=hometheater&cdn=gadgets&tm=36&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=5&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/contrast-ratio.html

[Sam3]

I'm looking at one of the two Sharp Aquos sets available at Circuit City on BF. Both are 1080p sets and are priced at $799 for the 42" set and $1299 for the 46" set. I'd like the 46" one, but I think budget constraints are going to push me to the 42" set. Of course that's provided that they have any left when I get there.

[Dick Moore]

Good deals abound on LCD tvs, BF or not. Don't be disappointed if you mis a BF deal. You might have to spend as much as $150 more, which ain't peanuts, but all things considered, still fantastic given the pix quality you're going to experience. I have a 42" Vizio that I like very much.

[AllGold]

Westinghouse 32" and smaller look fine but every time I see a Westy 37" or larger it looks like crap compared to everything else next to it. Has anyone else noticed this or do I just keep finding poorly set up Westinghouse LCDs?