Teach me how to buy the right TV

Well, in spite my unending respect for Poopshovel and 1988RedT2, I think that I'm going with this combo:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/vizio-e-series-40-class-40-diag--led-1080p-smart-hdtv-black/3484019.p?id=1219091714059&skuId=3484019&productCategoryId=abcat0101001

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/rocketfish-fixed-tilting-tv-wall-mount-for-most-26-to-40-flat-panel-tvs-black/9881777.p?id=1218189763666&skuId=9881777&productCategoryId=abcat0106004

I am officially tired of thinking about this.

You can buy better and cheaper mounts online along with that same TV. Hit up Costco for your Vizio fix and either pickup a mount there (if you can't wait) or order the mount from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Seneca-AV-ST31-Bracket-Inches/dp/B00L5JLHAW/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418162048 $34.99 and free shipping (with Prime) versus $56.99 and having to shlep to a BestBuy store.

Also Vizio E-series for $350 new with free shipping: http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-E390i-B1E-39-Inch-1080p-Smart/dp/B00LX237M2/ref=sr_1_10?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1418162204&sr=1-10

So that saves you a whopping $50 which you could spend on beer or something nice for the wife like a movie night or something.

Also Costco has the Vizio E420 for $349.99 and a Kanto tilting mount for $39.99

http://www.costco.com/Vizio-42%22-Class-%2842.0%22-Diag.%29-1080p-LED-HDTV-E420-B1.product.100126567.html

http://www.costco.com/Kanto-19%22---60%22-TV-Wall-Mount.product.100145552.html

In reply to Woody:

That's the one my Pop bought.

Does not matter which tv you get. One week after you buy one you'll find something much better at a lower price. I found a nice tv for the shop at Wal Mart around $100.

In reply to turboswede:

I don't love the idea of having a tv shipped. I'd rather pick it up myself. And I have no Costco membership.

Why would they make an E series in both 39" and 40"?

Woody wrote: In reply to turboswede: I don't love the idea of having a tv shipped. I'd rather pick it up myself. And I have no Costco membership.

I'm sure you know someone that does.

I have a couple Vizio tvs. They're great.

I made my own wall mounts (cleat on the wall, cleat and spacers on the TV - spacers to let the heat rise unobstructed) out of some scrap Baltic birch plywood and a couple metric screws from Home Depot. Works great if you don't need to turn or tilt.. which you probably won't.

We have 5 Vizios (don't ask, the wife wants a TV EVERYWHERE...). Never had any issues. I highly recommend them.

I guess that I should have mentioned that I am not interested in paying for HDTV from the cable company, so I'm not sure if I need to choose a different TV or not.

Woody wrote: I guess that I should have mentioned that I am not interested in paying for HDTV from the cable company, so I'm not sure if I need to choose a different TV or not.

Is non-HD even an option? I didn't think it was anymore.

It work fine.

Woody wrote: I guess that I should have mentioned that I am not interested in paying for HDTV from the cable company, so I'm not sure if I need to choose a different TV or not.

There are the regular channels, then farther up the line, there are HD channels. They make the picture fit the new screen. Not sure about your cable, but for the network stations (4-6-10) try 1004-1006-1010. The menu should have an HD after whatever channel you are watching (DSCHD for Discovery, TLCHD for The Learning Channel and so on).

*EDIT...once you tap the HD channel vein...you can look around and find all of your normal favorites.

I think the important part is that I just don't care about high definition. I just want a TV that works.

Woody wrote: In reply to turboswede: I don't love the idea of having a tv shipped. I'd rather pick it up myself. And I have no Costco membership.

How the hell do you think they got to Worst Buy? Fairy Dust?

Costco membership is a good thing as they are a great company and they take care of their customers and their employees. Best Buy does not

Borrow a co-worker or family member's ID to go pick up the TV and mount and enjoy the fact that returns aren't a hassle and if you order it online you can return to the local store.

In reply to Woody:

But...if it's already there, you might as well enjoy it with your brand new HD equipped TV.

JFX001 wrote: In reply to Woody: But...if it's already there, you might as well enjoy it with your brand new HD equipped TV.

With cable, if you don't pay for HD, you don't get HD.. you just get to look at a lower resolution picture on a screen that is capable of more. No big deal.

I like not paying for stuff way more than I like high definition.

Woody wrote: Well, in spite my unending respect for Poopshovel and 1988RedT2, I think that I'm going with this combo: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/vizio-e-series-40-class-40-diag--led-1080p-smart-hdtv-black/3484019.p?id=1219091714059&skuId=3484019&productCategoryId=abcat0101001 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/rocketfish-fixed-tilting-tv-wall-mount-for-most-26-to-40-flat-panel-tvs-black/9881777.p?id=1218189763666&skuId=9881777&productCategoryId=abcat0106004 I am officially tired of thinking about this.

Hell, if bestbuy has the best price, go for it!!! They'll be pushy on the warranty thing.

Also, check out monoprice for the mount, cables, etc. You'll be impressed with the pricing. I used their "build your own outlet" thingamabob to run all the cables through the wall.

PS: If I had it to do over again, I'd have bought the accordion style mount. While the flush mount looks cool, it's a huge PITA to access the back of the TV.

SWMBO and I bought each other half a new 60" plasma (non-smart/non3d) flat panel tv for Christmas this year to replace my still working fine (I now, i know, not my choice) Sony flat screen tube (read: DEEP) hdtv. The Sony was old but took up a ton of room. I bought the new one from Best Buy online as they had the best price and free delivery. I do not trust myself schlepping a 60" plasma around. Ordering was simple, hassle free, opted out of any extra warranty and tv was delivered 5 days later. Easy peasy. Now to get it mounted on the wall with the bracket from Amazon before the E36 M3head cat tries to leap on top of it.

In reply to poopshovel:

At your suggestion, I did check out Monoprice for the bracket, but I just like that Rocketfish one and, again, if I'm getting the TV today, I'm going to want the bracket today. I want this to be over.

And...nobody makes me buy a warranty.

Solid plan. Geet'er dunn.

I have had bad experiences multiple times with LG products that were not cellphones.

For a long time, they REALLY cheaped out on capacitors used in everything from TVs to fridges. I don't know if this has been corrected, but I'm very shy against their non-phone products.

And I love Clark Howard, but having worked the other side in retail 20 years ago about extended service/warranty plans.

first, there is a difference between an extended warranty, and a extra service plan of some kind.

An extended warranty just extends out the terms of the manufacturers original warranty. Extra service plans usually cover additional things that are not by the warranty, like accidental damage, power surge, delivery or installation... it just depends.

And yes, some credit cards do offer automatic warranty extensions when you buy with them, but you'll still have to do all the leg-work in a warranty claim

So there are some instances where you should never bother, and some where you should really consider it.

1: if it was delivered and you can't carry it back yourself without help

2: if it was installed and the warranty covers the installation to where they re-do the install, (like wall mounting)

if your tv is over the 50" mark, most vehicles won't fit it that aren't trucks. (and if you aren't 6' tall, have fun getting your arms around it.)

I hear you can get a cheap tv in Missouri right now....

PS> Another vote for Samsung.