thinking of new TV, advice

I haven't had a TV since 1998 and am thinking of buying one.  But I have no Idea what to look for.  I know I want 42" or better, but I dont want to spend too much, what should I look for?
Thanks

How much is too much?

-Allen

Wanted to stay at 500, but saw visio (E480i-B2) at costco for 570... thats a lot of $ to me... but 

Costco has Tv's and a 90 day return policy.

Go with Visio. And costco can't be beat!

And bro, the difference is WELL WORTH THE MONEY.

Hit that Vizio.  You'll be fine.  I think the Samsung is a tad bit better of a TV, and just bought a 46" one (5300) last week from Costco.  The Samsung is slightly better in not just picture quality, but all the other "smart TV" stuff.  But if you haven't had a TV since 98, you're not going to know any better.

-Allen

And FWIW, I also bought a Vizio last year for the cabin.  No real complaints.

The Samsung I bought last week was to replace a Toshiba that was probably only 4 years old before it died.  That thing was a POS anyway, boot time was long and annoying, and the scaler on it was horrible, lots of jaggies especially on animated cartoons the son likes to watch.

-Allen

thanks guys, this tax return is burning a hole
Its either a TV or new fish finder...  Decisions Decisions.

So I have this 4 year old Toshiba that doesn't turn on.  From everything I read on the net, you may be able to get it fixed for $1-300.  Of course it has a long boot time and the picture quality isn't the best.  But it's yours for free (or anyone else that may want it) if you want to investigate getting it fixed.  I just checked, it's a 40" TV, and it turns out it was made in  July 2011, so no way I've had it for 4 years.

-Allen

I bought a Vizio 70 inch at Costco a few months ago and paid the extra $100 to extend the warranty to 5 years.  You just can't go wrong with Vizio and Costco.  My previous TV was a rear projection and not HD.  The difference in picture quality is amazing.  I thought about buying the Samsung which was quite a bit more money but I think the extra bucks would have just been a waste of money.  The Vizio picture quality is as good as any I have seen from any manufacturer at any price.

thanks guys, if I can convince myself to spend the money I will get that vizio. Allen thanks for the offer, my old self would say yes but my new self knows that i barely have enough time to make sure my shoes are tied most of the time so I'm going to pass. 

Don't buy plasma!!!!! Wait do they even sell them anymore?

I have a Samsung and a Vizio liked the Vizio better when I looked at it at Costco when I got it home the Samsung rocks IMO not even close especially on HD the Vizio does have better sound but who uses the sound on a flatscreen.

C-Net and other reviewers of electronics all agree; Plasma has the best picture.  I've had 'em all via work; I set up everything up to 80" screens and projections.  The plasmas give the best color, the least motion jitter and best price.  They are heavy, use a lot of electricity and are best viewed in a darkened room or at night. 

The newest technologies; 3D, 4X, OLED and others are risky just like Laser discs, Beta and VHS all fought over recording. 

Most demo rooms are not good for demoing TV's.  All the other TV's are on, and too many store florescent bulbs.  Do your homework and research the reviewer sites starting with cnet. 

From cnet on TV picture quality;
Currently only four TVs make the cut. That's primarily because the superb 2013 Panasonic plasmas are now sold out after the company announced it would cease manufacturing plasma TVs altogether. This is sad news, in part because those plasmas occupied three of the top four slots on this list. Until we get a chance to review a qualifying 2014 TV, it will remain relatively short.

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-tvs-picture-quality/


If money were no object, then OLED. 

also from cnet;


Best picture quality overall (that you can still buy)
Samsung PNF8500 series

The best non-OLED TV Samsung has ever produced, the F8500 plasma offers something the late great 2013 Panasonics lack: the ability to get much brighter. That light output capability means the F8500 performs great not only in a dark room -- where it's worse than only the ZT60 and VT60 anyway -- but also in extremely bright rooms where other plasmas fear to tread. If you have such a room but have avoided plasma in the past, the F8500 might be just the ticket. Also, unlike those Panasonics, you can still actually buy one.

4 stars Excellent Read full review


I own 4 Panasonic plasmas and still can not find anything out there today that will beat their picture quality. 

Come by some evening and bring your favorite DVD and see for yourself what a plasma looks like under home lighting.  I have beer and popcorn!!