Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - LCD TV what to look for?

Ok, I am about to pull the trigger on a 42" LCD TV and need some help.
Our local Brands Mart is about to have their Thanksgiving sale which starts next Friday at 5:00AM.. ( I can't wait)
I like the Samsung but there are about 500 different model numbers, so it wil be hard to do research on thenet before the sale.
What do I look for?
1080 whatever, 15,000-1 contrast ratio, HD is a must..
How does LG compare to Samsung as far as quality and overall preformance?
Ok, enough questions, please just give me the basics and is there a brand to stay away from because of quality issues.
THANKS!
Take care

This topic comes up alot and there is no true answer.

Only thing I can suggest is go with a brand that you know well and have owned sets with.

Alot depends on your budget. Just remember, the cheaper you spend, the less options and quality you will receive.

Almost all TV's these days are HD ready so that is not a big deal.

I don't think it's worth the extra money to get a 1080P set seeing you have to be sitting within 6 ft to tell the difference between that and a 760P.

It sounds like you've made up your mind on the Samsung and need a bit of reinforcement. ;)

1080p will future-proof the set if the providers decide to go that route, but currently ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS et al are either 720p, 1080i, or 480i/p. Most of the LCDs are native 720p, which to me is good enough for Prime Time.

I can't speak for one brand over another, but the company I work for is an LG dealer. We've installed literally hundreds of LCDs with only a couple that had issues out of the box. LG was very good about replacing those.

The NFL coaches' and Game Observers' game-day monitors are all Samsung. To my knowledge, none of the 120+ sets (19" and 32") used throughout the league has failed, and they look great.

Your eyes and preferences will be the determining factor. Ask the salesman to "default" the pictures on any sets you're interested in. (They have a habit of tweaking the pictures so higher-profit TVs look better.) Make sure the TVs are all receiving the same signal via the same input.

FWIW, here's Consumer Reports take on that size:

Best 40- and 42-inch sets:

• Samsung LN-T4053H , $1600
• Samsung LN-T4061F , $1700
• Sony Bravia KDL-40S3000 , $1500
• Sony Bravia KDL-40V3000 , $2000
• Toshiba REGZA 42HL67 , $1150, CR Best Buy
• LG 42LB5D , $1800


The Sony Bravia KDL-40V3000, the Samsung LN-T4061F, and LG are 1080p models; the others have 720p resolution, which is generally fine for a 42-inch screen. Both Samsungs did well, but the LN-T4053H did better with DVDs and had deeper blacks. The KDL-40S3000 had an excellent, detailed picture and great color, while its pricier sibling had better sound. The Toshiba stands out for excellent and detailed picture quality at a good price. The LG and Toshiba had a very good viewing angle; the rest were good.

Right now, 1080p is only displayed by Blu Ray and HD DVD.

Since not everyting is broadcast in HD, the advice I always give is: Have the salesperson show you an SD signal. Some sets show sd terribly.

fred

I have a 46" Samsung 1080p with the 120 hz auto motion plus. i love it!!!!! You will not go wrong with the samsung. but most of the posters here are correct. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I got the 1080p because i knew i was going to get the blu-ray player(by the way i highly recommend that as well. I would get the 1080p while you are buying because technology wont go backwards. If you spend the money now you want be buying the next fad in a few years.
I also like the all black surround on the samsung, because when you watch a movie in the dark the tv disappears and all you see is the sreen. By the way if you get the samsung you can turn off the blue light at the bottom to show the tv is on. it is a glowing annoying light when you are watching a movie in the dark

good luck

Above 40", get a set that does true 1080, 1080p if you can. Really consider a plasma set at that size. Above 42/43" you must get a plasma.