What's a good 26" HDTV?

[bubbaridesfast]

We are starting to look for a replacement bedroom tv. My Mits from 1986 has served me well but needs to go into my wife's soon to be smoking lounge in the attic (getting to cold for her to smoke outside).

This needs to fit into an existing armoire with an opening 26 5/8 inches wide. I checked Sharp's website and the 26" Aquos is a quarter inch too wide - I 'spose I could angle it slightly to fit but this can only be viewed straight on and might look weird.

The Sony 26" Bravia would fit, but at $1300 seems pricey. What other tv's should I look at?

This will be connected to an mpeg2 D* box and OTA, do they still make 26" without tuners? If yes, should I still consider getting one of those or have lcd's improved to the point that I shouldn't look at last year's models?

Does anyone here sell tv's and can give a good no-haggle price?

[Bebop]

For something that small, get it on-line and you have more options.

Panasonic has some that are under 26" wide.

[MDR]

While researching TV's for my mother, I found the Toshiba's tended to be narrower than the other brands for the same screen size. those side speakers make for a wide tv. like the other post said , look around online. Good Luck.

[jf3233]

I just got a sony bravia 32" new kdls2010 model at flanners for 1200.00 That price of 1300 seems high for a 26".  FYI I dont have any affliation with flanners just have been pleased with their service and they always have the newer models compared to BB stores. They will routinely knock money off the marked price as well.

[bubbaridesfast]

For something that small, get it on-line and you have more options.

Panasonic has some that are under 26" wide.

I will look online but I don't think I could ever buy anything with the name Panasonic on it. No offense meant and they might make good TV's but ever since I was young and started buying stereos I just always thought of Panasonic (Technics etc.) as something to avoid.

[SRW1000]

I will look online but I don't think I could ever buy anything with the name Panasonic on it. No offense meant and they might make good TV's but ever since I was young and started buying stereos I just always thought of Panasonic (Technics etc.) as something to avoid.

I used to feel  the same way, but times have changed.  That old Panasonic company doesn't bear any resemblance to today's Panasonic.

I've got a Panasonic DVD player (XP-50 - highly rated), DVR, TV, and camera.  All of them are top-notch pieces of equipment.

Back to your original post, how far back from the TV will you be viewing it?  Is it worth buying and HDTV at that size, or could you get by with a 16x9 EDTV?

Scott

[Bebop]

I will look online but I don't think I could ever buy anything with the name Panasonic on it. No offense meant and they might make good TV's but ever since I was young and started buying stereos I just always thought of Panasonic (Technics etc.) as something to avoid.

It doesn't matter which to buy now days. Everything are made outside of Japan.

Sony used to be excellent, now almost everyone caught or surpassed them.

[jf3233]

"Sony used to be excellent, now almost everyone caught or surpassed them."

I own three lcd displays and a CRT RP. I am curious as to who all these manufacturers are that have surpassed sony? I am not a Sony die-hard but they continue to put out products that IMO beat the similar ones. I own 2 Sharp Aquos LCD's, 1 Sony Bravia, and my CRT is also a Sony. To be honest I am just as pleased with the aquos line but if truth be told the Bravia probably has the best picture. I'm not getting on your statement but I have yet to see many displays especially LCD that have surpassed Sony.

[bubbaridesfast]

I just got a sony bravia 32" new kdls2010 model at flanners for 1200.00 That price of 1300 seems high for a 26".  FYI I dont have any affliation with flanners just have been pleased with their service and they always have the newer models compared to BB stores. They will routinely knock money off the marked price as well.

The 26" Bravia is $1199 at Flanner's so you may have gotten a good deal on the 32". They will price match any local brick and mortar. Locally it looks like American has this tv the cheapest for $1099.

I was at Flanner's last night and compared the Sony KDL-26S2010 to the Samsung LN-S2651D. The picture when tweaked were very comparable BUT the Sammy's have zero controls to adjust contrast, brightness, color, sharpnes etc. and the zoom functions for 4:3 programming were much inferior to the Sony as well as the Sammy introduced a lot more video noise to an analog signal (although this will be on D* and 100% digital). I assume that when the set gets older, some of these missing controls will be desired.

The most interesting thing learned last night was when I asked the 2 sales guys helping me if they price match Amazon.com. They won't and insisted that Sony's warranty will not be honored of sold through any online retailer! :mad: F@cking lie through their teeth! I called Sony this AM and was assured that if I have a receipt, I will have a warranty no matter where I buy it.

I ordered the Bravia from Amazon for $1030 free, no sales tax and I paid $3.99 for next day shipping charges. Considering sales tax, I saved over $127 through Amazon and my tv will arrive tomorrow with full warranty.

I sent an email to Flanner's mentioning that the way to try to compete with an online retailer isn't by outright lying but to try and extoll the convenience of being local, i.e. delivery, set-up etc. I'm 45 and born and raised in Milwaukee, I have purchased many stereo and tv products in my time and there has always been one reason or another that I have never bought any electronics from Flanner's. :bang:

[jf3233]

Thats good info to know about their sales! I'm glad you got a good deal either way!

[Bebop]

"Sony used to be excellent, now almost everyone caught or surpassed them."

I own three lcd displays and a CRT RP. I am curious as to who all these manufacturers are that have surpassed sony? I am not a Sony die-hard but they continue to put out products that IMO beat the similar ones. I own 2 Sharp Aquos LCD's, 1 Sony Bravia, and my CRT is also a Sony. To be honest I am just as pleased with the aquos line but if truth be told the Bravia probably has the best picture. I'm not getting on your statement but I have yet to see many displays especially LCD that have surpassed Sony.

It's a general statement for Sony as a whole in reference to Panasonic. I did not specify their LCD TVs.

Since I don't own any LCD TV or researched for one, I can't comment on who is the best at what screen size. I'll let others who actually owns one argue.

P.S. Sony doesn't actually make their own LCD TVs. I think all their LCD screens are made by LG or Samsung.

[bubbaridesfast]

The new Bravia looks great, got it hooked up Friday! The wife really likes it too which always help justify any price it cost.

The sales folks at Flanners did say that the lcd panels for Samsung and Sony are all made by the same company.

[Bebop]

There only few LCD screen manufacturers. The major ones are LG and Samsung. NEC and Sharp are the two that actually make their own screens.

[FeedingFrenzy]

Another considerably less expensive route.  Pretty good HD picture for under $500.00.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=337189&pCatg=5988