What's the best overall brand of TV? Advice needed, please

[prolesunited]

What to avoid?

I'm buying a new TV and am willing to spend about $600. The new entertainment center I bought holds a 36-inch set. I don't want anything fancy — like plasma, just something decent. I don't want a theater-size because I don't value watching TV enough to spend that much money on it. (If we were talking bikes or computers, that would be a whole different matter.)

So, what brands should I be looking at? Any must-have features? It's been about 8 or 9 years since I last bought a TV.

[GOPisEvil]

1. My family and I have had excellent experiences with Sanyo.

I've owned mine for about 10 years, and it still works as good as new. My parents own three Sanyos, all over 5 years old and going strong.

Make sure your new TV has all the connections for a DVD player. Some cheaper models don't necessitating the purchase of an RF modulator. Actually, the Consumer Reports Buyers Guide is an excellent resource for major purchases. :-)

[bif]

2. Panasonic

Best tv for the money, in my opinion. I thought the Sonys were way overpriced.

[TrogL]

4. Ewwwwwwwww!!!!

Ever seen a Panasonic circuit board? Looks like they soldered it using a shotgun.

[denverbill]

7. I have a fondness for Panasonics personally.

Back in my poor college student days, I had a 13" color Panasonic as my only TV. Since we just used rabbit ears for reception, I would frequently carry it upstairs so I could watch TV in bed. Well, one bleary-eyed morning, I got up, picked up the TV to carry it down the stairs, slipped on the first step and watch the TV tumble down a full flight of stairs. The stairs were carpeted, but it hit the wall at the end of the stairs pretty darned hard, not to mention hitting every stair on the way down.

It was obviously lucky that the picture tube didn't shatter, but I was totally surprised when I plugged the thing in and it still worked like a charm. I probably had that TV as my main set for another 10 years too.

[prolesunited]

8. Umm...

I have cable and don't plan on dropping it down a flight of stairs.

How was the picture quality, ease of use, on-screen programming, etc.?

[XNASA]

3. Toshiba

The poor man's Sony.

I'm in the TV business and have owned only Toshiba's since 1984.

Best picture for the money, hands down.

[felonious thunk]

6. I'm happy with my Toshiba

after a real crappy Samsung.

[TrogL]

5. Samsung

[Robb]

9. Toshiba or Sony

...In your price range you could probably get a smokin' deal on a flat-screen (the whole set is not thin, just has a flat screen) Sony 32 or 36 inch. The key to happiness with Sony seems to be getting the biggest screen with the fewest features.... Sony also does that slick thing where a 4:3 TV can refocus the guns to make a 16:9 screen image, increasing vertical resolution when you wanna watch a widescreen movie.

[gyopsy]

11. Agreed

Sony is quality. Toshiba isn't too bad either and I believe it's cheaper.

[gyopsy]

10. Sony!

It's maybe 10% more expensive than the other brands but is worth it--trust me! Unlike an American TV like RCA or Panasonic, it's likely that your Sony will run for 30 years before it gives you any problems. It's worth it. You might never have to buy another television again.

[VOX]

12. Agreed! Sony is *it*.

Our TVs have been Sony since the 1970s. They last so darn long that they outlive their specific generation of technology.

Still the best, period.

[Dookus]

13. I have a SONY that I love

but my last TV was a mitsubishi that worked for 13 years without ever having any kind of problem. It was exceptionally reliable. I kept waiting for it to break so I could buy a new one, but it never did.