[wooglin]

After waiting long enough for prices to drop and the technology to mature, I'm finally in the market for an LCD flatscreen.

Not 100% sure what specs I'm looking for yet, except that it will be on the smaller side - in the 32" to 37" range 40" max.

My initial question is where to go? I have zero desire to walk into Best Buy or Future Shop. What I'm looking for is knowledge-able sales reps who want me to walk away happy with my purchase. Is that a Bay/Bloor or Kromer kind of shop?

Anyone with recommendations for Toronto?

Thanks, Dave

 

[wooglin]

Thanks all for the info and suggestions. You've given me a great place to start off from!

My current viewing distance is 10-12' so by the calculator a 32" will do it, but I'll figure out just how big a screen I can fit comfortably. I think anything much larger than 42" is just too big for my small apartment.

Future-proofing and long-term planning... a huge condo or living room isn't in my 5 year plan, but I'll definitely go as big as I can fit.

 

[wooglin]

Umm are you using this as a TV or a home theatre because aren't even close with 40" for theatre at 10-12'.

I think you read the NTSC/PAL distance...not HD.

for 40"screen the HD viewing distance is between 4.5' and 6.3'.

If you get it wrong you'll regret it.

I know, it's smaller than the calculators would recommend for a HT setup...maybe I should have clarified earlier.

I've got a small apt. My bedroom is my 'living room' and I've been 'satisfied' for the last four years with a 24" 4:3 tube flat screen. 40" is a huge change and upgrade... if I push it I could fit a 50", but this isn't a home theatre. When I move into a bigger place, this can stay the bedroom TV and I'll buy something bigger for the living room.

 

[wooglin]

Are you going to watch a lot of HD?? You might be disappointed in SD on a HD set.

Your 24" SD set might actually be a better bet for most programming. Most HD sets do a lousy job with SD programming.
T'were I you I'd go buy something where there is a 100% return policy - no questions asked and try a 40" for a week or so.

I'd bet you'll prefer the 24".
Save your shekels and get the 60-70" when you move - there is some superb tech coming over the next few years.

Thanks MacDoc, but I really do want something bigger now.

True - majority of what I watch is SD, as well as through a PC I have set up as a PVR (definitely not HD)

Would I be best off taking a deal on a 37-42" EDTV (heck of a lot cheaper than an HDTV, and I understand they handle SD a lot better than an HD set would, as there's less upconverting?