Help me decide which LCD HDTV to buy!! Price Range $600-$700 26" or 32"

Question

For my bf's college place (not a gamer).

Was leaning towards Samsung or LG. Let me know if there are any other good brands that are underrated.

For example, how is Vizio or westinghouse or someother brand I may not have considered?

Please give me your opinion on what are my best #1 and #2 options.

Thanks!!

Samsung - 26" 720p Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HDTV $599 at Best Buy and Circuit City $578 at Walmart

Model: LN26A330 | SKU: 8742621

Samsung - 32" 720p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV $685 at Best Buy

Model: LN32A330

Samsung 32" LCD HDTV $686 at Walmart

Model: LNT3232HX

Sony - BRAVIA 26" 720p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV $599 at both Best Buy and Circuit City

Model: KDL-26M4000

Sharp - 32" 720p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV $647 at Best Buy and Walmart $649 at Circuit City

Model: LC-32SB24U

Toshiba 26" LCD HDTV $549 at Circuit City

Model #: TOP 26AV500U

LG 32" LCD HDTV $699 (was $849) at Circuit City

Model #LG32LG30

LG 26" LCD HDTV $699 at Circuit City

Answer 1

Is not that I don't like the brands you selected but I would look into the MAGNAVOX, this tv's are excellent, they have a good

tech support and a very good extended guarantee if you decide to buy it, (recommended). MAGNAVOX/PHILLIPS are very good products. You can see the displays in Walmart. The prices

are also in the range you are looking to buy.

All my tv's, DVD players/recorder and VCR's are Magnavox, and I am very satisfied with them.

Answer 2

First, I would definitely stay away from Vizio or Westinghouse.   Second, if you can swing it, go for the 32"; at 26" you may not even be able to see the difference between HD and non-HD picture quality.  Finally, I would say that all of the listed TVs (including Philips)  will show good pictures, with only minor differences in quality.  When I was at the CES show year before last, I saw all of the set brands you mentioned, and it wasn't easy to pick the best (my feeling at that time was that Sony XBR and Sharp Aquos were the best, but I was looking at large screens (46" or more).

I would suggest, if you are willing to spend some time at it, go to the site http://www.cnet.com/ and search the model nos of the sets you are interested in and compare specs, features and reviewer's comments.

All in all, unless your bf is very picky, you can't go wrong with any in your list.