SONY 40" FULL HD LCD 2X USB MODEL-KDL-40CX520

[satanboy]

We need another TV. What are you're thoughts on the SONY 40" FULL HD LCD 2X USB MODEL-KDL-40CX520?

At Hirsch for R5,049.99.

I don't care about 3D tv or any LG product (so don't bother mentioning it).

[satanboy]

nobody?

Postmanpot?

[PostmanPot]

Only down side to CX520 is dim backlight. LCD/LED-LCDs are supposed to be bright and punchy. CX520 is notoriously dim. Otherwise the picture quality is pretty good, even for upscaled SD via HD PVR. I do notice motion judder and slight trails with HD Sport channels, but this is probably due to HD PVR being 1080i and not p.

If you could mention what you intend using the TV for, the lighting condition during main times of viewing, and viewing distance, it will help me give you a better answer.

[satanboy]

...If you could mention what you intend using the TV for, the lighting condition during main times of viewing, and viewing distance, it will help me give you a better answer.

70 % movies/DStv
30 % sport

2 metre viewing distance
normal lighting conditions for a lounge

[PostmanPot]

SD or HD DSTV? How much SD movies/content?

Would probably take the Samsung LA40D550 over the Sony, if you can still find one. Otherwise the LED-backlit version, UA40D5000, or latest model, UA40EH5000. Do not get models that end in i.e "xx503, xx5003" as these are the diluted versions with poor menu functionality and less picture adjustment options, only 1 x HDMI port, and a USB port that does not play movies.

The conundrum here, is that a 43" HD Ready plasma, PS43 D / E450, without focussing too much on resolution, is going to offer better picture quality (blacks, colours, motion) under the right conditions (night time dim viewing). It will be far superior at handling SD content. Only down side is resolution; a full HD LCD is probably better for HD PVR and HD content if you're going to be sitting 2m close. The 43" plasma I mentioned is 1024x768 with horizontal pixels for 16:9 wide screen. I know it sounds low, but it is highly appreciated TV for those who value the best of both worlds, SD and HD. It's only your relatively close viewing distance that is leading me to suggest LCD. It is crisper up close, and will scale 720p (+-1280x720) and 1080p better.

I have a Samsung 42" 1024x768 plasma and Samsung 32" FHD LCD, but would always take my plasma over the LCD for general TV viewing and media, because I like the picture quality and deep consistent blacks and rich colours of the plasma, and sit further than 3m, so resolution does not concern me. My LCD ghosts badly with sport, which I watch a lot of.

Upping your budget to around R6k will afford 51" HD Ready plasma, PS51 D / EE450. with a more favourable resolution of 1365x788. There would be less scaling of a 720p source, than with the 1024x768 plasma.

The above mentioned LCD/LED-LCD and plasma models all play HD .mkv's/mp4's via the USB port.

xxDxx is last year's model, xxExx is this year's.

[satanboy]

Wow, a lot to take in.

I say 2m but it could be much more...we are moving in on Friday...lol

Now the Sony is on special at Makro for R4,799.00.

I like the features of the Samsung UA40D5000...but where can I get one?

99% of all the movies we watch are in HD (and we have a HD decoder).

[satanboy]

...

Upping your budget to around R6k will afford 51" HD Ready plasma, PS51 D / EE450. with a more favourable resolution of 1365x788. There would be less scaling of a 720p source, than with the 1024x768 plasma....

Where is it available?

[rorz0r]

Only down side to CX520 is dim backlight. LCD/LED-LCDs are supposed to be bright and punchy. CX520 is notoriously dim. Otherwise the picture quality is pretty good, even for upscaled SD via HD PVR. I do notice motion judder and slight trails with HD Sport channels, but this is probably due to HD PVR being 1080i and not p.

If you could mention what you intend using the TV for, the lighting condition during main times of viewing, and viewing distance, it will help me give you a better answer.

If you turn off eco sensor it's completely different, but yes it's very dim with it on.

Otherwise the CX520 has been discussed quite a few times on here already. I recently sold mine, upgraded to a PS51E550 I preferred my PS42C450 to the 40CX520 but it obviously depends on light sources and what it's used for etc. With what you've said though I wouldn't hesitate to go for a 43" samsung plasma.

[PostmanPot]

Wow, a lot to take in.

I say 2m but it could be much more...we are moving in on Friday...lol

Now the Sony is on special at Makro for R4,799.00.

I like the features of the Samsung UA40D5000...but where can I get one?

99% of all the movies we watch are in HD (and we have a HD decoder).

Well if much more then that could change things significantly.

UA40D5000 is last year's model (D), so this year's replacement is the UA40EH5000.

If sitting 2m, I would probably want a FHD TV to maximise the 1080i (1920x540*2) resolution of HD PVR, because at closer viewing distances, having more resolution results in more noticeable definition.

As soon as most people get further away, they battle to tell the difference between 1080 and 720. In which case, a 720p HD Ready plasma would give much better picture quality.

Also, when you're further back, in my opinion a larger screen is of greater benefit to the viewing experience than a smaller one. If 3+m back I would take an entry 720p 51" plasma over an entry 1080p 40-46" LCD.

And then to add, you like sport and movies... Nothing beats entry plasma at that (compared to entry LCD).

It's a tough one, I strongly suggest viewing the discussed LCD and plasma TVs at a proper AV shop with dark test room. You cannot judge TVs for your lounge, on the showroom floor of Game/Makro, with aisle viewing distances and 10,000s of wattas of HID lighting.

[PostmanPot]

Where is it available?

51" HD Ready plasmas usually go for R6,500. The current PS51E450 is R6,500 at most places. Last year's PS51D450 has been seen for R5,999.

[PostmanPot]

If you turn off eco sensor it's completely different, but yes it's very dim with it on.

Otherwise the CX520 has been discussed quite a few times on here already. I recently sold mine, upgraded to a PS51E550 I preferred my PS42C450 to the 40CX520 but it obviously depends on light sources and what it's used for etc. With what you've said though I wouldn't hesitate to go for a 43" samsung plasma.

I have a lot of experience with the KDL46CX520, in fact 3 of them, and disabling Eco Sensor did not drastically improve brightness. At full settings, it's still dim. Not a problem in dimmer rooms, but so unlike usual LCDs, whose advantage is brightness, which can be of benefit in bright rooms.

I also prefer my PS42C450 plasma. My owner friend of the KDL46CX520 also commented that my plasma has better picture quality. Unfortunately they had already bought the LCD, based on judging at Makro + salesmen gimmicks, and it was too late to change to 51" FHD plasma.

Thanks for adding the bit about 42/43" 1024x768 plasma. I agree, nothing wrong with the resolution, as long as you're not sitting too close. The fact remains that it would downscale a 720p source, which irks some. And yes when I sit 2m from a 46" FHD LCD I do notice more detail via HD PVR. But I don't sit that close at home, in which case picture quality (blacks, colours) is better than just having more resolution. I think we'd agree.

[rorz0r]

I have a lot of experience with the KDL46CX520 and disabling Eco Sensor did not drastically improve brightness. At full settings, it's still dim. Not a problem in darkened areas, but so unlike usual LCDs, whose advantage is brightness, which can be of benefit in bright rooms.

With eco sensor disabled and brightness on full it might not be as bright as some other LCD's but it's still more than bright enough and brighter than the 42C450. I basically set mine manually to 7/10 and used it like that all the time. I'm just saying the backlight wouldn't be a reason to avoid buying one, but eco sensor wouldn't be a reason to buy one either.

[PostmanPot]

With eco sensor disabled and brightness on full it might not be as bright as some other LCD's but it's still more than bright enough and brighter than the 42C450. I basically set mine manually to 7/10 and used it like that all the time. I'm just saying the backlight wouldn't be a reason to avoid buying one, but eco sensor wouldn't be a reason to buy one either.

Now that I think of it, my one friend does have a 40" and it is a lot brighter then the other 46"s. I initially thought the one I have experience a bit described above had a faulty back light... My plasma is brighter than said 46" CX520.

[Grimspoon]

Used to love Sony but I find they are starting to look fugly aesthetically compared to the Samsungs / LG's.

[rorz0r]

Now that I think of it, my one friend does have a 40" and it is a lot brighter then the other 46"s. I initially thought the one I have experience a bit described above had a faulty back light... My plasma is brighter than said 46" CX520.

I can see how that would suck then... Maybe the 40's and the 46's have the same backlight (as in same size etc)