LED isn't the massive improvement over LCD that some seem to believe it is, but it is slightly better. The biggest benefit is that it makes for a thinner TV if you're going the wall-mounting route. Most new TVs are already LED anyway, though. It should be 1080p and over 120hz. There are serious diminishing returns on increased hz in terms of the cost/benefit ratio. I personally can't even tell the difference between a 240hz and 120hz TV. However, a 720p 60hz TV is visibly worse than a 1080p 120hz TV, so spring for the latter. Also, most TVs have some form of "motion" technology at this point. It will make things look more "clear" on first glance, but many (myself included) experience eye strain/headaches from extended viewing with it (perhaps corrective lens-related) and find that it makes things look jarring/artificial because the TV is basically correcting blur that naturally occurs in everyday vision. This is a 100% preference thing, but you should try looking at the same TV with and without the "motion" stuff on to see which you prefer. (I'm in the minority of disliking it, FWIW.) Also, you don't need 3D. At all. That was a brief fad which failed to gain steam, and is now a wholly irrelevant feature. Curved is the new fad, FWIW. And you don't need 4k yet at all.
Brand-wise, go with Samsung (or Sony Bravia). They'll typically cost the most because they're worth it. The only issue I've had with any of my TVs, which are now 8, 6, and 3 years old, respectively, was when the now-8-year-old Samsung had its board go out a few years ago. Samsung considered it a defect despite it being years out of the original warranty, and sent a dude out for free the next day to replace it. Good as new. Also, check the input situation. More is always better. Everything will have multiple HDMI inputs these days, but try to find one with several component cable inputs, at least one standard RGB input, and several audio inputs to allow for home theater stuff and multiple device hookups if/when necessary. Your LGs and Vizios typically skimp here. Samsung's cheaper models can as well, so just remain cognizant of your inputs so you aren't buying adapters/splitters or having to choose what to plug in later. Also consider your cable situation. "Smart TVs" can run Netflix, hulu, etc. these days if you don't have cable (or some go-between like chromecast), and most TVs will have this functionality built-in, but you might be able to save a few bucks and find one without it if this is something you won't use, so keep that in mind.
Go to a Best Buy, take some time looking at each, and find the one you think looks the best. Odds are it will be a Samsung, because they seem to always have the best contrast and most vibrant color palette. Many cheaper TVs will look washed-out by comparison, with blacks that look greyish and colors that look more pale. Samsungs are widely considered top-end TVs for good reason, and it helps to see the differences in person. Disregard all the gimmicky bullcrap. Every manufacturer tries to make their TV sound like it has some "feature" the others don't, which is rarely the case. It's largely just bullshit marketing. Look for 1080p, 120hz+, numerous inputs, and consider your cable/audio situation, and you'll come out fine. Also, don't be afraid to spend a little more if necessary. A $549 TV may well be much more than $50 better than the one at $499 in the long run. Setting price caps is a solid budgetary idea, but not if you end up with something crappy due to an arbitrary line you set that prevented you from getting a quality product of a marginal price difference.
Hope all this helps.
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