Black Friday Cometh (American version)

[Raging Turtle]

Feel free to combine the Black Friday threads, but I didn't want people getting confused between US and UK sales.

Anyway, Black Friday is almost upon us and I'm considering braving the crowds this year to grab a decent TV (my current one has a built-in VCR player...), and possibly a new phone and computer as well.

A pretty good website listing posted sales can be found here: http://bfads.net/

This 32' TV at Walmart caught my eye.  I know next to nothing about HD TVs, though; is that actually a good deal?  Or a good TV?

What are you guys looking to buy this year?

[Chimpy]

What are you guys looking to buy this year?

A job.

[Lantyssa]

I'm looking to sit on my arse while I laugh at all the people scrambling about in crowds.

Also maybe a job.

[01101010]

What are you guys looking to buy this year?

A job.

A-fucking-men.

Had a first call interview today. Hopefully a second call week after T-day.

[Sky]

This 32' TV at Walmart caught my eye.  I know next to nothing about HD TVs, though; is that actually a good deal?  Or a good TV?

You've got to be really careful with Wal-Mart black friday deals. They're usually one-off super cheap versions of a standard version. I used to work in the docks and it's the only time we would see those model numbers.

I'm not looking to buy anything this year. We got lucky and are barely going to keep afloat next year, so I'm not going to bitch about it here. We've cut to the bone, though, next year the limbs start coming off, and I'm a left arm, s'why we're looking around at our options.

[CmdrSlack]

I  *might* go out in search of a deal on an HD set. We've had SD this whole time, and our main TV is now getting a bit wonky. It may be time to upgrade, although I'm convinced that HD is just a fad. 

[ffc]

I can go on and on about TV's, but in short a baseline HDTV = 1080p, 40"+

Anything less would be uncivilized.

[01101010]

Given how much I watch TV, a 720p plasma at some ridiculously low price point would probably catch my eye. (I watch maybe 3 hours of TV a week - more during college football season though)

[CmdrSlack]

Given how much I watch TV, a 720p plasma at some ridiculously low price point would probably catch my eye. (I watch maybe 3 hours of TV a week - more during college football season though)

This. I just mainly want it for two reasons: 1) my current tube SD set is getting little lines across the top of the picture that somewhat go away over time 2) I'd like to use the HD bits of my Xbox to see the games the way they're meant to be seen (oh and so I can read screen text without getting right next to the TV)

I'm not even sure the space I have for the dang thing would merit a 40", not to mention that I don't think we have the viewing distance to really make a huge set worth it.

[Sky]

40" is not a huge set.

[CmdrSlack]

Compared to what I have now, yeah it is. Also, viewing distance.

[Draegan]

50" is the new 40".

[Miguel]

50" is the new 40".

That's what she said.

[Salamok]

256gb Crucial c300 ssd or a great deal on 42-47" TV.

[Thrawn]

Need another hard drive or two and hoping Civ V has some sort of Steam sale.

[bhodi]

...  and hoping Civ V has some sort of Steam sale.

The consensus is wait till the expansion. It's really not what it should be.

[Thrawn]

...  and hoping Civ V has some sort of Steam sale.

The consensus is wait till the expansion. It's really not what it should be.

Hmm...good to know, I guess it will depend how big of a sale it goes on if it does at all.

[ezrast]

You've got to be really careful with Wal-Mart black friday deals. They're usually one-off super cheap versions of a standard version.

Also you might get trampled to death.

[Strazos]

Far too busy to be messing with this stuff.

[bhodi]

Newegg has 24" Samsung LED blacklit monitors for $200.

[dusematic]

These threads are sort of botched in the era of Slickdeals, et al.

[slog]

Newegg has 24" Samsung LED blacklit monitors for $200.

Not seeing this.  where?

[KallDrexx]

Not sure if this is the right place to put it but Direct 2 Drive is claiming they have the lowest price of games anywhere (if you find it cheaper they will refund you) and 1 out of every 5 orders will be completely refunded after purchase

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/11/direct2drive-attacks-1-in-5-orders-free-lowest-prices-matched.ars

[CmdrSlack]

So, just to clarify.

Based on my reading, if I have between 12 and 15 feet of distance between my couch and my TV, I can easily get away with something between 32" and 37"?

I've looked at all kinds of data and info, but it seems that we're in the market for something not huge. My wife is highly neg on the giant TV idea, and I really don't want to overkill it.

Also, staying in the $500-ish price point is sweet. Looking at LG and Samsung sets in that price range.

[Trippy]

So, just to clarify.

Based on my reading, if I have between 12 and 15 feet of distance between my couch and my TV, I can easily get away with something between 32" and 37"?

I've looked at all kinds of data and info, but it seems that we're in the market for something not huge. My wife is highly neg on the giant TV idea, and I really don't want to overkill it.

Also, staying in the $500-ish price point is sweet. Looking at LG and Samsung sets in that price range.

Umm, "easily" would really be stretching it. Screen size to viewing distance recommendations vary widely but I would estimate you are off on average by a factor of 2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimum_HDTV_viewing_distance

[CmdrSlack]

I realize it's max viewing distance, but I also don't see that  much of a difference between HD and SD as it is.

[Sky]

Get a new wife. Also, a new eye doctor. If you can't tell the difference between something shot in HD and the garbage SD...I love ya man, but come on. That surmounts my bias! (ok, just kidding about the wife part!)

12 to 15 feet on that small of a tv is really pushing it. We're about 9-10' away and the 65" 1080p is just about perfect - actually text is a bit small, depending on the app (I know, you're not using it as monitor, just saying). I probably wouldn't go under 40" at this distance, so maybe look at the 45"? My dad is real happy with their 45", they view from about the same distance as us, but their couch is farther away and it's pretty meh from that distance (about what you're talking).

I favor the big sports and movies, though. And the fiancee loves it, didn't complain once about the upgrade to the 1080p set. Actually she said she wouldn't want a smaller one now that she's seen this one do so much amazing stuff (she's hooked on the nature stuff, especially HD underwater stuff).

Anyway, my $.02. I feel obligated :P

[Lantyssa]

40-42" at that distance is a little small, but you won't notice it because of your previous set.  You'll think it's rocking.  HD does make a difference, and if you have a PS3 for the GPU pass on video it'll be even bigger.

[Salamok]

Another thing to keep in mind (if you don't like watching stuff distorted and stretched) is that there is still a ton of 4:3 content out there, if you set your TV to retain the 4:3 ratio instead of stretching it then your 37" picture just took a HUGE hit.  Also for whatever friggen reason many TV stations will frame 720p content in black (making it 1080) and slap their logo somewhere in the border and your set wont upscale it this really pisses me off and wastes a ton of your real estate.

Go for a 42" at the very least and even better to get a 46-47".  Below that at the distance you are watching it is no wonder you can't tell the difference between HD and SD, this doesn't mean HD is a waste though it just means your TV is too small.

[bhodi]

The Steam Sale started if you never venture into the steam forum, so check it out.

[squirrel]

So, just to clarify.

Based on my reading, if I have between 12 and 15 feet of distance between my couch and my TV, I can easily get away with something between 32" and 37"?

I've looked at all kinds of data and info, but it seems that we're in the market for something not huge. My wife is highly neg on the giant TV idea, and I really don't want to overkill it.

Also, staying in the $500-ish price point is sweet. Looking at LG and Samsung sets in that price range.

As others have said - 12'-15' feet is pretty far for a 32/27" TV. Everyone has different tastes of course, but still. I sit about 6.5" from our 56" which is a tad close. Seriously, go check in store, but anything <40" is too small I would say for that space. And you're not saving much $ - 40-46" is the sweet spot for value purchases.

[Threash]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227292

Is this a good deal on a new gaming desktop?

[MuffinMan]

I think that's definitely a good deal especially when you consider it comes with a copy of Windows 7.

I'd be wary of that video card though, a little underpowered for a gaming PC.

[bhodi]

If anyone still wants a tv,  LG INFINIA 47LE8500 47in LED-Backlit LCD HDTV (1080p, 240Hz) $1277 Free Shipping , Nov. 29 3 PM at Buy.com