Summarizing what everyone’s said—u’ve got options ranging from open-box gems to commercial displays and even safety tips for mounting. But honestly, if ur looking for actual real-world performance under $700, u gotta prioritize the technical benchmarks over the brand name. Quick tip: Ignore the box stickers and look up the FALD (Full Array Local Dimming) zone counts and peak HDR brightness in nits. For that price point, keep an eye on the Hisense U7N or the TCL QM7. These Mini-LED sets usually hit ur budget during major sales and offer insane contrast and brightness that budget Samsungs just can't touch. Just make sure to verify the EOTF tracking in reviews to ensure the colors are accurate out of the box tho.

Just saw this thread and honestly, you're smart to start early. Before I give you my full list of picks, I gotta ask a quick clarifying question: what is the actual lighting like in your living room, and where does everyone sit? I'm asking because at a $700 budget for a 65 inch, you really need to decide between panel types. Most TVs in this range use either VA or IPS/ADS panels. If you have a dark room and sit straight on, a VA panel is king because the blacks actually look black. But if your kids are watching from the side of the couch or the room is super bright, those colors will wash out fast. Also, keep an eye on the refresh rate. A lot of budget sets are 60Hz, but if you can find a deal on a 120Hz native panel like the Sony X85K 65 Inch 4K HDR LED TV, the motion handling for sports and movies is way smoother. It's basically the difference between a blurry mess during a football game and actually seeing the ball clearly. Let me know about your room layout tho, it makes a huge difference in what I'd recommend!

Hey there! I totally get the pre-Black Friday stress – it's a real thing! Getting a good TV for a great price is always a win. While 2025 seems far, planning ahead is smart. Instead of focusing *solely* on brand-new models, have you considered checking out 'open box' or refurbished TVs from reputable retailers like Best Buy or even directly from manufacturers like Samsung?!

Last year, right before the winter driving season kicked in and I needed to outfit my truck with new tires (priorities, right?!), I snagged a 65-inch Samsung QLED 'open box' for almost 40% off the original price. It was a Q70A model, and I paid around $650 after tax! The picture is fantastic, and all the smart features work perfectly. It came with the full warranty too, which gave me some peace of mind. The best part is I got it in October - no waiting for the Black Friday madness!

Think of it this way: people buy TVs, decide they don't like them, and return them. These 'open box' units often get heavily discounted. You can find some amazing deals, and you might even find a higher-end model within your budget. Just make sure to thoroughly inspect the TV for any cosmetic damage and confirm the return policy before you buy. Also, don't be afraid to haggle a little - especially if you see any minor scratches!

While I was looking for my TV, I saw a lot of good deals on the TCL 6-series as well. Many were under $700. I am VERY satisfied with my purchase and love the peace of mind knowing my family and I can watch TV on a beautiful screen.

Good luck with your search, and feel free to hit me up if you have any more questions! I'm happy to share what I learned during my own TV hunt.

Hey! Instead of ONLY Black Friday, have you thought about open-box TVs? Seriously! Places like Best Buy often have amazing deals on TVs that were just returned. I got a 65" TCL Roku TV (model 65S435, maybe keep an eye on that one!) for like $450 last year because the box was slightly damaged. Picture is fantastic! They usually have a return policy too, just in case. Think of it like buying tires – you don't ALWAYS need brand new to get good traction! My current ones are down to 3/32"... gotta replace them soon! Good luck, hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions!

Hey, I hear you on the TV hunt – it's a rabbit hole! While everyone's focused on Black Friday doorbusters, let me throw a wrench in the gears and suggest looking at *used* commercial displays instead. Seriously, hear me out.

Think about it: businesses upgrade their conference rooms all the time, and those 'old' 65-inch displays, often from brands like Samsung, LG, or NEC, end up on the used market. They might not have all the fancy smart features baked in, but the picture quality is often *way* better than a budget-friendly consumer TV, and they're built to last. Plus, they often have better input options.

I actually picked up a used 65" Samsung commercial display a few years back for around $500. It was from a local university that was upgrading their lecture halls. Sure, I had to buy a separate Roku stick for the smart stuff (another $30-40), but the panel itself is incredible. The color accuracy and brightness are far superior to the budget TCL I had before, and it's built like a tank. I even use it for sim racing sometimes, and it's fantastic.

The downside? You might have to do some digging on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or even check with local AV companies that handle business installations. Also, warranty coverage is usually non-existent. But, if you're willing to take a little risk, you could end up with a much better picture for less money. It's like finding a sleeper car – the performance is there, just hidden under a plain exterior.

Keep an eye out for models with good panel specs (contrast ratio, brightness), and don't be afraid to haggle. It’s a bit of a gamble, but could pay off big time!

Happy hunting, and let me know if you have any questions about specific display tech – happy to help if I can!

Hey! I feel your pain about the TV upgrade, it's a big decision! Instead of focusing *just* on specific models right now, I'd suggest doing some brand research. Think of it like picking between Ford, Chevy, or Dodge – each has strengths. For example, Hisense is known for aggressive pricing (think under $600 for a 65" during sales), but some reviews mention picture quality compromises. TCL usually balances price and performance well, maybe around $650-$750 when deals hit. Samsung often has the best picture but you'll pay a premium (potentially over $800, even on sale). Personally, I leaned toward TCL because I wanted a reliable daily driver, not just a flashy showpiece – kinda like how I picked my Outback for its all-weather capability instead of a Mustang! Keep an eye on Rtings.com for detailed comparisons. Happy hunting, and let me know if you want to brainstorm more!

Hey! I totally understand the excitement about a new TV. While Black Friday deals are tempting, I'd suggest considering the *safety* aspect too. Unfortunately, I've had issues with cheaper TVs in the past – picture quality wasn't as good as expected, and one even had a power surge issue.

Maybe consider a refurbished Sony or Samsung from a reputable dealer? They might cost a bit more upfront (maybe $750-$850), but you're getting better build quality and potentially a warranty. I'd also suggest having it professionally mounted to avoid any accidents, especially with kids around. Just a thought! Always better to be safe than sorry.

Hey! Yeah, I totally get the Black Friday TV scramble. Everyone's jumping to brands and deals, but let me throw something else into the mix: consider *where* you're gonna put this beast and if you're mounting it yourself. Seriously, don't underestimate the DIY aspect, or the cost of *not* doing it right.

I've learned this the hard way...twice. First time, I thought, 'Hey, I can mount a 55-inch!' Bought a cheap mount online for like $30. Unfortunately, the wall anchors were garbage, and three months later, *CRASH*. TV almost took out my PS5. Had to pay a handyman $150 to properly install a new mount. Lesson learned: don't cheap out on the mount or the installation.

Second time, I went bigger – 75-inch in the basement. Decided to be smart and get a 'heavy-duty' mount from Amazon for $60, but the instructions were terrible, and getting it perfectly level was a nightmare. Ended up spending hours fiddling with it, and honestly, it's still slightly crooked. Should've just coughed up the $200-ish for professional installation from the start.

So, while you're hunting for that 65-inch for under $700 (which is totally doable, especially closer to Black Friday), factor in the mounting. A decent, reliable mount will run you $50-$100, and professional installation, depending on the wall type and complexity, is easily $150-$300 in the Chicago area. Before you decide on that 'insane' deal, check if you have to add the installation cost. A great TV poorly mounted is just a disaster waiting to happen. Just my two cents based on some... painful experience! Let me know if you want mount recommendations, I've done my research now!