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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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
Posts: 8,488 |
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.
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