General Discussion

Title says it all really.  I need some good recommendations.  I've looked all over Newegg, but it's still a hard choice.  I seem to be getting pulled towards the 40" Samsungs. 

Here's what I require: 

1 hookup for PC so I can display 1920x1080 res.  I'm not sure if the VGA port will do it.  But I can't seem to find a TV with a DVI-D port.  I know there are converters, but not sure if they'll degrade the quality.  That's where you guys come in. :)

2 hookups for 360 and PS3.  Simply put, I need to have at least 2 HDMI hookups for this.  Shouldn't be a problem.

VERY low response time.  I don't want any ghosting or blurred images.  This is going to be for games mostly, coming from all 3 systems. 

HIGH contrast ratio.  I want the darkest blacks, and brightest whites possible.

Audio isn't an issue, as I'll be using my PC for all the audio.  I just need to find a switch or something so I can switch between my consoles. 

Please only reply if you've used something like this for PC use.  The TV nature of it is minor, and pretty simple to determine.  It's the PC side that has me puzzled.  It's what will be mainly used on it. 

I'm also considering a 30" LCD monitor, but I don't care to go with those insane resolutions that much.  So I'm considering the TV route.  Same price or lower, and alot bigger screen. :)

Thanks for your advice.

I'm shopping for the same thing.

I would say from my personal eye, the Sharp Aquos LCD 1080p TV's are awesome for gaming and TV.  I am someone who likes my colors vivid and crisp.  The black levels are not going to amaze you but they are good for a LCD.  This TV is meant for sports, games not the "BEST" movie TV but if you want to watch movies get a DLP not LCD.

Westinghouse makes decent DLP's for a reasonable price check out his website if your on a budget: www.ecost.com

The Sharp Aquos is through and through my favorite TV on the market I. have seen it side-by-side other TVs and I have read reviews all over the inteenet.  You cannot beat the price and quality of this unit.  Set you back 700-1000 depending on where ya get it.

If you want serious advice check out www.avsforum.com  there is a forum topic on every HDTV in the market.

EDIT: Samsung makes some nice LCD's as well but your going to pay an arm and a leg for them.  And I still like the Sharp better.

Just FYI

I got a 32" Samsung 1080 from Newegg.  I use it for Xbox 360 and TV/DVD.  Its freaking awesome.  I can see so much more.  lol And I can read the Xbox text in games now.

It has 2 HDMI hookups and some other ones that can be used which my Xbox came with. 

Damn good TV.

Newegg FTW

I got a Visio from costco and the 42" is like a $1000 the 47" $1200; Awsome for gaming and you can use HDMI if you have a 4870 graphics card for a computer.

You should probaby go to avsforums.com and ask there for recommendations -- it's the specialty of the community (audio/visual science) and they really are friendly.

Thanks for the advice guys.  I had currently been considering this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889102208

It seems to be getting nearly flawless reviews across the board.  The sale from newegg seems to be pretty good too.  I'm planning on going to Best Buy and looking at it in person soon to get a better idea.

Ironically, I actually work for Sharp, and can get the Aquos TV's at a discount (really good discount a random times during the year).  But unfortunately, they only offer us the larger sizes.  I don't neeed a 50"+ TV as a PC monitor lol.  And even with a discount, I don't want to spend that much money lol. 

I will check out that site you recommended, and even consider the Aquos TV's. 

Yeah I would say just get a list of 3 or 4 tvs online then actually go to circut city and best buy and look at them. 

My rromate is a total avs geek spents months buying his 1080p 60in Sony (its out of hand).  I helped him pick it out but that is the process we used.  Also, all retailers will price match. 

Forgot to add: you can bring in movies and games to test on the monitors also.  Best Buy and Circut City salsemen will let you do anything if they think your going to buy it.

get one from costco or sam's club, i know the sam's club i work at sells them for like a 3% markup
and i think you can get a 1 day pass to shop there for free, if not it's only 40 bucks

Well, I got the Samsung. :)  Got it off Amazon at a killer deal! 

Best Buy wanted 1900 for it and Newegg was 1500 plus shipping.

Amazon had it for 1460 with free shipping!  It's on it's way now.  Can't wait for it to arrive.

I tried to negotiate a deal with Best Buy though.  When I went to look at the TV, another guy came in at the same time and was also looking at it.  He mentioned something about the price being kindof high, and I told him about Amazon's deal.  We both decided to try to ask the manager if they'd try come close to matching the online price, even if we purchased the extra warranty.  The best they could do wasn't even close.  I would have still spent over 2100 once tax was included!  That's a savings of nearly $700! :) 

you could have gotten that same TV at sam's for 1000+tax..