Ask Engadget HD: What's the best "bedroom" HDTV?
"The HDTV in my den is great, but I just can't decide on a 20- to 26-inch HDTV for my bedroom. 720p is probably good enough in a set of this size, but I'm having a hard time finding which set looks the best and offers the best value. Can I get some advice from those who have made this decision already?"
Let us speak for the readers when we say "Yes, yes you can get some advice." (Don't make us out to be liars... please?)
Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
StealthMonkey @ Aug 20th 2008 12:07PM
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/01/ces-2008-keynot.html
myuzickman @ Aug 20th 2008 12:27PM
I purchased a 22" Insignia from Best Buy about 2 months ago, and am very pleased with the picture quality. It's 720p, but my DirecTV HD looks great. The only downside to it is that the sound levels seem to change during shows; however, I believe this to be related to my DirecTV hookup (component), as it does not happen with my HD DVD player (HDMI). At just under $200, I couldn't be happier.
myuzickman @ Aug 20th 2008 12:30PM
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8632544&st=22%22+Insignia&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1194052042092
It's now $299.99, but I believe this is the newer model. I know it was on sale when we bought ours.
myuzickman @ Aug 20th 2008 12:31PM
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8632544&st=22%22+Insignia&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1194052042092
It's now $299.99, but I believe this is the newer model. I know it was on sale when we bought ours.
Duncan @ Aug 20th 2008 12:39PM
I used to have a 26" Panasonic LCD in my bedroom and it did a very good job. The only reason it is no longer there is because it has been replaced with a 42" Kuro. :D
Doc @ Aug 20th 2008 12:50PM
IMHO, I'd go with a 32" since the prices have fallen and you could get a 720p set and not need to worry about 1080p. Anything smaller and I'd always second guess the decision not to get a tiny bit bigger of a set. I almost got a 26" for my bedroom and I'm glad that I didn't, but that just my opinion though.
jkads @ Aug 20th 2008 1:23PM
I've got a 32" Samsung 720p LCD in my bedroom that I purchased in July 2006. The prices have come down since then and it seems like a steal now.
The 32" seems a little large at first, but my gf has a 26" Samsung LCD in her bedroom and it seems a little small...
Bryan T @ Aug 20th 2008 1:02PM
I bought an Insignia 32" Plasma from Best Buy. It is actually an older model LG tv rebranded Insgnia. For 540, along with a QAM tuner built in (so you can scan for some HD channels instead of paying for an HD package), I love it!
DEEZNUTZ @ Aug 20th 2008 1:20PM
32" VIZIO... for SHIZZY-YO.
Looks great for the 5-10 minutes I watch it before nodding off each night.
David S @ Aug 20th 2008 1:26PM
Does picture quality really matter for a 26" LCD when you are 8" away? The set's pretty small, and as long as the colors are relatively accurate, will someone be turned off by a lack of detail?
Ron @ Aug 20th 2008 1:52PM
Only 2 things should be done in the bedroom and 1 is sleeping. I shall pass on a bedroom tv!
KraziJoe @ Aug 20th 2008 2:23PM
Yeah, I like to read before bed too.
TJ @ Aug 20th 2008 3:12PM
Seems to me that there's a specific genre of movies that could be useful for the other activity...
comineeyeaha @ Aug 21st 2008 10:27PM
@TJ
There's a movie about reading? Sounds boring...
I'll take porn instead.
Pinochle @ Aug 20th 2008 1:52PM
KDL-40XBR4.
Yum!
Dan C @ Aug 20th 2008 2:42PM
I got a Philips 7403 47"... looks great on the wall..
Still deciding on getting the Popcorn Hour for it or rolling my own linux media streamer box...
Dan @ Aug 20th 2008 2:50PM
32" is the way to go, I would personally go with a Bravia since it has the best balance in colour quality and not too much brightness.
Jim Mallory @ Aug 20th 2008 2:59PM
Panasonic TH-42PZ80. Looks great and actually just fit the Bello television stand that our old 27" Proscan used to sit on.
Robert L @ Aug 20th 2008 5:27PM
samsung ln32a650 is prolly the best out of the above suggestions. It is more expensive though...
jorgemsousa @ Aug 20th 2008 11:56PM
Second that, but instead you can go with the ln32a550, it's a little cheaper than the 650 series but it does the same job as the 650 and the bezel it's black for people who aren't into the whole Samsung TOC.
Shadowguitar @ Aug 20th 2008 6:02PM
I'm hoping its a 32 inch Dynex, since that's what I'm going to get when I go back down to my university so I don't have to cram it in the car. It measured up quite nicely compared to a 32 inch Sony next to it, though I had to adjust the picture settings a tiny bit. Black levels could be better on it, but for $500, it's an absolute STEAL!
Here's the link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8632553&type=product&id=1194052042159#tabbed-customerreviews
Obviously, you should look at all of your options, and should choose based on what looks best to you.
mrdockery @ Aug 21st 2008 1:05AM
In my room I have the Samsung SyncMaster T260HD. It is a Touch Of Color 1080p 26in TV monitor with an ATSC/QAM TV tuner, a DVI, 2 HDMI, a VGA, and a Component inputs. Nice thing about it is that it gives me the ability to watch blu-ray movies at 1080/24p and my computer is hooked up to it using the glorious 1920x1200 resolution. HDCP was thought not to be on this model but that was not true. Only catch I can see with T260HD is that it does not the capabilities to be mounted(!?). Oh well the pluses out weight the negative.
rothgar @ Aug 21st 2008 2:21AM
iMac G3 17" connected to mythtv. Works great for me :)
Galley @ Aug 21st 2008 9:46AM
26 inches is fine for most bedrooms.
Hooterman @ Aug 21st 2008 10:25AM
Samsung 32a450 here. Absolutely love it, I would not go any smaller than 32" personally in the bedroom. The wife agrees.
iNtEnSiTyTX @ Aug 21st 2008 10:52AM
My partner and I opted for a 19" white Samsung 720p LCD (Model # LN19A331). We mounted it high on the wall and it goes with the white crown molding around the room. It's size is not intrusive and is flush witht he room largely in part because of the color. You don't want to walk into a bedroom and see a large black tv as the center point, the bed is reserved for that. Direct TV looks great on it and the sound is more than enough.
Iridium @ Aug 21st 2008 3:10PM
Unless you have a gigantic bedroom a 26" set is plenty. If you are buying a 40" or larger for you bedroom, why even have a living room.
Hell 10 years ago a 26" CRT was considered big for a living room.
I have a 23" 1st gen WEGA LCD and the size is pretty good. I got it for $450 3 years ago from a Soyn outlet. The colors and overall quality other than black level are outstanding.
Still for the bedroom a Vizio or Westinghouse are good. It really isn't worth spending the $100 premium for a Samsung or Sharp on a small set.
Aaron Bindi @ Aug 23rd 2008 7:23PM
OK this is sort of inline with this topic. I'm looking for an LCD for room at college (which is pretty big). I was looking to get a 32/36 inch 1080p tv. Any suggestions?
RogueFive @ Aug 23rd 2008 11:35PM
Good thing I only bought a 720p ... it maybe only got used twice within 1 year before I turned it into an extra computer monitor ... ;-)
peedizzle @ Aug 24th 2008 1:03AM
http://www.target.com/Olevia-32-720p-LCD-HDTV/dp/B000OY3L4E
pretty good tv for the price, perfect size and perfect for gaming as well
Ryker Abel @ Aug 27th 2008 5:22PM
Because you said "best" I'd have to second the suggestion for Panasonic TH-42PZ80.
Its full 1080p
Its best contrast ratio you can get for a reasonable price.
Color accuracy is spot on.
You can dim it for night time viewing and still see ALL of the details (unlike ANY lcd)
But if you think its too big, then you didn't want the "best" anyway.