Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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axiomite
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OP
axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
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I have a dear friend (seriously, a REAL one, not like you guys) who is not techie at all. She has a crappy, old 19" CRT as her primary display and has finally consented to improving her situation somewhat.
She wants to spend ~$700 on a flat screen TV. She also needs a new disc player (I'm assuming a cheap BD). I'm planning on a mount from Monoprice.
The only sources will be a Comcast cable box, the disc player and a Wii.
(sit down and breathe deeply...)
Audio isn't really a consideration. There's just no money for a receiver, speakers, etc. And even if there were, the UI would have to be absolutely foolproof (i.e. probably a universal remote or something).
Help?
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,471
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,471 |
Wow, going from a 19" CRT to (I'm guessing) a 32" or 37" 1080p is going to blow her mind. Looking forward to the results and reviews.
Oh, yeah, the helpful people should be along after a while.
Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,471
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,471 |
OK, I couldn't resist trying to be helpful. How about this Sony Bravia 40" LCD at Costco? $699.99 with 20 watts (10W x 2) of smokin' stereo sound.
Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Well if ruling one out helps, I can't "in good consciousness" (as Ricky would say) recommend Samsungs BD-6500 for a BD Player. I'm still losing my center channel every time I use the skip buttons. I downloaded an update last night but it makes no reference to a fix. I should have returned the thing when it still would have been easy to do so.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116 |
Panasonic BD60 as the Blu-ray player.
I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.
-Max Payne
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466 |
The Sony BDP-N460 is a pretty good BD player. It supports Profile 2.0, and has Netflix streaming. It's from the previous model year, so it can be had for about $150 in most places now instead of the $250 list.
Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011 Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8 Sony PS4, surround backs -Chris
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Aug 2009
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I'd definitely go 720p instead of 1080p, as long as it's under 40 inches.
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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OP
axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
Thanks, guys.
I need to measure the viewing distance. There's still no substitute for "bigger", but it certainly does imply higher resolution, so there's a balance to be made there.
I really like the idea of getting a BD and TV from the same company - that could really help the remote/UI issue. Anybody know how the current generation Sony remotes are?
Excellent advice. Thank you very much.
Last edited by tomtuttle; 07/16/10 06:49 PM. Reason: had another thought
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
I'd look real hard at the oppo BD 80. Can't help with the TV. Try Craig's list. Lot's of 'new' TV's to be found there.
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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OP
axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
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Thanks, Mike. Craigslist might be a good idea. The Oppo is way overkill (and too much$) for this installation. That Sony that Chris suggested or the Panasonic BD-60 are solid choices at $150, though. I can get a refurb of the Panny for even less, but have to make sure that my friend can/will use her Wii for the Netflix streaming.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015 |
I just bought a Panasonic BDP-65 at Best Buy on sale for $150. I upgraded from a BDP-30 that was starting to get a little sluggish.
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Re: Budget TV / BD suggestions, please.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1 |
... Anybody know how the current generation Sony remotes are?
The current Sony remotes are pretty standard fair but have nice chunky buttons so are fairly easy to operate. Also keep in mind if you get newer Sony products (BD or TV) they all use the XMB menu system ala the PS3 - I think that's a good thing but can be confusing if your not used to it.
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