I'm thinking about getting a new TV on Black Friday this year. I currently have an Olivia 26" LCD I got several years ago that's not HD and has no discrete codes. Didn't realize that until after I bought a Pronto last year off eBay.

Basically I'm looking for a good TV for around $300 from Best Buy or somewhere that's decent in quality and most importantly, has discrete codes. I'll be getting an extra paycheck the month before (otherwise it's not in the budget at all), which is why the price restriction. I can probably go up to $400, but I don't want to if I can get away with it. I figure with the deals you can get with Black Friday and the lower costs of TVs now, I should be able to get something decentish that meets my requirements, but I'm not sure.

Any suggestions from the experts?


EDIT * After double checking my budget for the next month or two, I can probably actually afford up to $500-$600.

After doing some research, I think I'm probably going to go with a LG. Specifically a LG 32LH30-UA 32" or LG 42LH30-UA 42" based on information I've read at AVS Forum.

[Link: avsforum.com]
[Link: avsforum.com]

So far both seem to have exceptional video quality and features. They also have discrete codes, in fact their listed in the manual. Best of all, based on those reviews, it sounds like they may even be better than what Sony/Samsung have to offer.

Don't put all your stock in what you read over at AVS Forum. Do more research. Also, when you find a particular model you want, you might not want to wait until black friday to get it. The stores only have a few select models discounted, and those are bought ahead of time just for this purpose. Odds of the model you want being on that list are pretty slim.
Now is the best time to be buying a TV, since the new models are shipping, everyone wants to get rid of the old ones. So, your best buy is to get a model from last year and get the best savings, without having to get in line at midnight to possibly get a great deal.

That said, LG makes a good TV that does have discrete codes (as well as serial control). I just put one up in my bar.

CJ

Thanks guys, don't worry, I've been reading reviews all over the place on the TV, now that I centered my research on it I've learned a good bit. For me personally it looks like a winner. Seems the most prominent bug is something easy to fix, the lip syncing issue. Just go into the service menu and it's easy to fix from there. I've been reading reviews on BB, Amazon, Newegg, and numerous other stores and have seen positives all around, very few negatives, outside of the sync.

As for BF, I may or may not wait until then, it will definetly be next month though, so I figure I'll wait and see what HHGreg, Best Buy, and Sears have up in their ads. I may get lucky and it be on sale, or one of the stores may put it up for sale before then. I plan on buying from BB or Sears though for the great store warranty's and I know BB has some kind of price match policy where you can go up there within 30 days of purchase if you find it cheaper somewhere else. I also plan on taking cash when I go to buy, presuming it's not BF, and try to talk my way down as I'll be grabbing a few accessories too. Just have to wait and see.

I saw that serial control listed in the manual and thought that was pretty cool. I'll probably set it up just because it's neat, don't know of any practical use for a house though... maybe setting up timers or something with my computer :p

I'm dying to know what your name comes from. It could be a really juicy racially charged story or it could be boring as hell. What's up?

Personal, and no, I'm Christian by faith, if there was anything racial about my name, I wouldn't be using it.

You have any luck with the Discrete Codes with this? I have looked through the manual (LG 42LH30) and I am not finding them.

You won't find discrete codes in the consumer user's manuals of most manufactureers. You will find help in your other post however.

well according to the budget "Samsung UN46B8500 46, Da-Lite 92 , Screen Innovations HDTV 110 " would be the perfect.... i am also using Screen Innovations HDTV 110 Matte White 1.1 Theater Sensation Fixed Screen .. it works great.. the picture quailty is so great i can't tell u ...

Almost a year late on this reply, and it didn't even come cose to actually answering he OP's needs.