I'm a college student on a budget. What's the best HDTV out there I can get for least amount of cash? Best bang for buck.

Asked by Alexander Cahiz at 2:00 PM on May 19, 2009

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Posted by Chad Carson at 4:21 PM on May 19, 2009

Get a Vizio LCD tv. They're a smaller company than Sony & Samsung but their product looks great and are incredibly cheap. You could get a 47" Vizio for the price the other guys charge for 32".

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Chad Carson | May 19, 2009 4:21 PM

Get a Vizio LCD tv. They're a smaller company than Sony & Samsung but their product looks great and are incredibly cheap. You could get a 47" Vizio for the price the other guys charge for 32".

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Eric J. | May 19, 2009 5:35 PM

Vizio LCD TV (buy it at Costco). Best bang for the buck on the market, without going to a refurbished HDTV.

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Will | May 19, 2009 5:54 PM

Vizio... hands down

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Adam Hauser | May 19, 2009 8:35 PM

Being one for quality I would skip the Vizio and look for an Open Box TV, say a Samsung, Sony, Sharp or Toshiba from a place like Best Buy or local TV shop. Should be able to get a great TV at a great price.

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Anand | May 20, 2009 3:12 PM

Vizio @ Costco. Was a student when I got a 37" 720p LCD for $700 and its still good value. Regular TV or PS3 or Computer input, all displays work satisfactorily.

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Sheldon Coles | May 20, 2009 9:54 PM

Everyone says get an 1080p LCD. I bought a 50" 720p LG Plasma [ http://www.lge.com/products/model/detail/pg60%20series.jhtml ] and it looks just as good as my dad's 46" LCD Sony Bravia.

Only some things out there need the full 1080p. I play XBOX and it looks amazing. The blacks are richer. You can get a giant TV for half the price of a similar sized LCD.

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reverendgreen | May 20, 2009 11:22 PM

If budget is motivating factor, check out rear-projection TVs.

I had a 52" philips HD rear projection in college a few years back. It was cheap (around $1000), big and was always a hit at football watching parties. You can pick up a 60" Mitsubishi at Crutchfield for $1300. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_690WD60737/Mitsubishi-WD-60737.html?o=p&search=rear+projection+tv

Plus - the footprint of these tvs has decreased substantially since I got mine, so space is less an issue.

They may not be making these tvs anymore and the picture may not be as good as an flat panel...but bang for your buck - this may be the best option.

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Phillip A. | May 21, 2009 3:15 AM

On a budget? Here's what you should do: go on www.craigslist.com and find a TV that suits your needs (big, small, 1080p, whatever). Often times, rear-projection LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) give you the most bang for your buck (I got a 56" hi-def widescreen for $350 last year) but tend to be a little cumbersome. Also, you can most likely haggle down the price if you offer to go pick it up yourself. When and if you do, make sure the screen isn't scratched and ask to watch something on it (i.e. a DVD) to make sure there isn't any damage the seller hasn't told you about. Also, make sure the inputs on the back of the TV are in shape.

At the end of the day, a penny-pinching college student has no business spending over $400 on a TV for his/her dorm room. Buy used and be happy.

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I'm a college student on a budget. What's the best HDTV out there I can get for least amount of cash? Best bang for buck.

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