MAG Innovision 32" LCD TV

[EdwardGein]

I'm not sure about your size limitiations but I totally recommend the Mitsubushi 48" HD TV Mitsubishi WS-48315 which you can now get for less than $1400 including shipping. Its the best Tv I've ever had. This is a rear projector widescreen CRT.

[flash75]

hey thanks for the reccomendation, but yeah i'm pretty limited in a small apartment so i'm thinking 32" in the sweetspot. Plus, I don't really like the look of the "larger" screens...too much grain or screen door effect, although it seems like you are happy with the Mits.

I think i'm gonna "rent" the 27" viewsonic from costco until after christmas. I know lcd prices will drop big time come then and with boxing day sales i should be able to save $1000 I bet. I'll deal with the 27 until then...it's small and easy to transport and the only gripe I had was the black level.

[flash75]

Well, i'm back. This time it will be a review of the Sony 32" lcd from costco for $2500 cdn and the Samsung LN-R327 (last years model) from Best Buy for $2000 cdn.

The Sony is -definitely- not worth the money in my opinion. The scaler was respectable, but not as good as the Samsung. The black level was about the same, not bad, but the vertical overscan was off. The Samsung's overscan was bang on. So therefore, for the extra money, the Sony is completely out of the picture so I won't even continue with it.

The Samsung on the other hand is so far the current winner of all the lcd's I have "reviewed" to date. The only gripe I have with it is the "dynamic contrast" and "auto brightness" features...i think they are both completely useless. The dynamic contrast makes things look too dark and inky and the auto bright goes too dark as well. I guess you don't have to use them. With them off the picture is great, detailed, and the scaler is the best i've seen...VERY little grain. I'm sure this year's model is even better. Anyone know if they have improved anything?

I have yet to review the Sharp 32" however from what i've seen it has better blacks (can't notice as much light coming through on a black background) however it seemed like the picture isn't as bright (obviously) and not as sharp as the Samsung. So it seems to be a trade off - bright/sharp or better black/soft.

The quest for the perfect 32" lcd continues. I've narrowed it down now to the Samsung LN-R328W or the Sharp 32" GA5U.

Any suggestions?

[EdwardGein]

You ought to have your own magazine or newspaper column. I love the idea of you "renting". Keep it up! Maybe you can expand to other things, too!

Hey some guy made good money proving to the world that with just a computer he never had to leave his apartment- big Fing deal. But you, you can take "renting" to another level! I salute you!

[flash75]

Hahaha...thanks! And to top things off, I just made over $500 because the girl was new and refunded me too much! I didn't realize it until I was home so now I have a little devil and angel on each shoulder...hehehe.

I just got back from future shop...sony has a 32" and 40" XBR1 lcd that simply looks amazing!

And now the LG's are starting to look real nice too...hmmmm...decisions decisions. What a fun hobby!

[EdwardGein]

This is the first time in my life I wish I knew how to drive a car because I'd do exactly what you're doing. I hope none of these stores have your name on their "List". Maybe you'll take requests too. Can you see what the differences are in $150 versus $350 DVD recorders? MP3 players (that one I can actually do but am too lazy). You're better then consumer reports!

[flash75]

Haha, thanks man. Actually, it's a pain in the ass. I have to take the tv out of the box and then either shove the box in my back seat or leave it at the store. Believe it or not, I HATE returning stuff. But the way I see it I have no choice. When I plop $2k down on a TV I HAVE to be happy with it! I'm thinking the next i'll buy will be the 32" Sharp, but i'm really hoping that's the last one. Apparently it has the best blacks but I know the Samsung is brighter. I hate deciding.

As for your mp3 question, I went through about a dozen of those! Haha. I settled on the Creative Zen Nano 256mb (little rectangular white one) for $99 cdn. It just came out and works like a dream.

Lemme know if you need more help!