Comments on: Budget shopping tips: TVs

Senior Editor David Katzmaier shares some general tips on shopping for TVs on a budget.

[ICE_Pro]

If you are using the services provided by a "brick and mortar" retailer, such as face-to-face assistance, professional (hopefully!) advice, and the ability to see demo units in person, you owe them your business. Feel free to buy products on-line, using the service provided by your chosen e-merchant, but DO NOT use the valuable time and resources of a physical retailer (and the inherent overhead required) if you have no intention of buying from them. Their knowledge, experience, and service is not free...it is built in to the purchase price of the products they sell! If you don't work for free, why should they?

[douglashowitzer]

The only thing I think people should also know is that 120hz or 240hz can make a HUGE difference with videogames. It's never mentioned in the reviews of these televisions but the increase in the framerate greatly increases the smoothness of most games (primarily 30FPS games). It makes most games look like they're running at 60 frames per second when they're really running at 30. I know lag is an issue for some people, but I've been playing games for over 20 years and I don't notice it. For anyone that wishes all their games could run as smooth as COD 4 are in for a nice surpise with a 120hz or better LCD. For someone like me who actually cares about that silly stuff, it was easily worth the extra money.

[brk5335]

Why is NO ONE addressing Mitsubishi's SCAMS with DLP??? Here is my personal history:
Summer 2004 purchased Mitsubishi's 62" DLP WD-62525 for $4500 and $300 for spare lamp. In winter of 2007 color wheel failed; $1250 repair. By that time it seemed more practical to purchase a new Mitsubishi.
Spring of 2008 purchased Mitsubishi's 65" DLP WD-Y65 for $1650! Winter of 2009 new $200 DLP lamp. July 2009 DLP lamp failed; $130 DLP lamp. Installed new lamp and low-and-behold the voltage regulator malfunctioned.
Obviously I was insane to purchase another Mitsubishi. After having televisions last for years and never failing it was a complete shock that such garbage could be manufactured and sold at premium prices. I can NOT understand how any reviewer, CNET, Consumer Reports, etc., could possibly be ignoring these problems with the DLP products. When the technician came to evaluate my original Mitsubishi he stated he has repaired "hundreds" of these $1250 color wheels in Mitsubishi's!
I only hope my venture into LCD will be more efficient and less costly.

[maury101]

If you are the type that likes like a big screen and good picture go with a 720p 50 inch plasma, people will defiantly complement your TV set while keeping more green in your pocket. I did It and while my friend owns a 46 inch LED TV and the common person will complement it as much.