40 - 42'' TV Recommendation

[Side Effect]

Hi everyone

I'm in the process of purchasing a new 40-42'' TV. Ever since I've decided to purchase a new TV I've done some research on what will suit my needs the most.

The decision has been narrowed down to Samsung and Sony. (based on online reviews etc)

However, I'm not fussed with any Smart TV or 3D functions. So a 'dumb' TV will do just fine.

The TV will be used for a few things such as watching sport (football in particular), PS4 and having a PC hooked up to it.

There are a few interesting things I came across during the research which I previously didn't know which I'll query below.

Input Lag
How important is this? The Sony Bravia TVs has quite a big advantage over the rest of the field which I've noticed. The TV will be used to play games on but I do not know how relevant this is. I'm currently using a Sharp Aquos and I've had no issues with any 'input lag'. But then again, this is the first time I've heard about it and didn't know what to look for.

Refresh rate and motion blur
From what I've noticed all the TV manufacturers list their own modified refresh rate which I gathered isn't the true refresh rate of the TV such as Samsung's CMR and Sony's motionflow. How effective are these technologies in reducing motion blur?

From what I've heard from friends and other sources is that for a smooth and flowing picture the TV needs a true refresh rate of 100Hz.

Console games are capped at 30/60Hz, but this is for watching sport.

The lack of local availabilty
Makro is currently selling their 5 series(The one I was looking at is UA40EH5000) Samsung TV's for R5000. Some reviews date back to 2011. I don't want an old TV

The Samsung 6 series is also very attractive, but can't seem to find anything locally.

Other than that, it is quite hard to find a large variety of products. Very few retailers are advertising any other brand TVs.

I thought I had found the perfect TV. The Sony KDL42W705B.

Reviewed here: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/kdl42w705b-201402233639.htm

However, it seems that this TV is only available in the UK.

Any help and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Edit: A price of around R7000-8000 would be acceptable.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Budget?

 

[Side Effect]

Budget?

My bad forgot to put that in.

Let's say it's about R7000-R8000.

 

[Dolby]

The series of the TV is like the BMW 3, 5 and 7 series - they have one every year and you'll get a 2008 up to 2014 Series 6. The letter determines the year and (kinda) is alphabetically with an anomaly here and there. Generally, A = 2008, B = 2009, C = 2010 and the latest 2014 range is H. I see no issue with getting an F (2013) range set.

Is the Sony premium worth it to you? On the larger screen sizes the premium is 20% which relates to a chunk of cash and as much as I'd love one, can't seem to spend the extra.

100hz panel is worth it - and to my knowledge a CMR of 200 is a 100hz panel. Here's a comparison of last year TVs btw. If they've followed the same with the new H TVs', a series 5 is not getting you a 100hz panel :

http://www.samsung.com/us/download/2013_LED_Comparison_Grid_v7.pdf

 

[Side Effect]

The series of the TV is like the BMW 3, 5 and 7 series - they have one every year and you'll get a 2008 up to 2014 Series 6. The letter determines the year and (kinda) is alphabetically with an anomaly here and there. Generally, A = 2008, B = 2009, C = 2010 and the latest 2014 range is H. I see no issue with getting an F (2013) range set.

Is the Sony premium worth it to you? On the larger screen sizes the premium is 20% which relates to a chunk of cash and as much as I'd love one, can't seem to spend the extra.

100hz panel is worth it - and to my knowledge a CMR of 200 is a 100hz panel. Here's a comparison of last year TVs btw. If they've followed the same with the new H TVs', a series 5 is not getting you a 100hz panel :

http://www.samsung.com/us/download/2013_LED_Comparison_Grid_v7.pdf

Thanks, I didn't know about the series number and the year.

I liked the Sony because of the good review(s) it had. And Seeing as I had no idea about the series numbering, my lack of knowledge could have resulted in unnecessary expenditure.

This site is in line with what you said about the refresh rate and CMR.

http://www.rtings.com/info/fake-ref...otion-rate-vs-sony-motionflow-vs-lg-trumotion

You might have persuaded me to take the F6300.

The only problem now is finding one locally.

 

[PostmanPot]

My bad forgot to put that in.

Let's say it's about R7000-R8000.

Input lag is a non issue these days, I wouldn't worry about it.

Have you ever watched a TV set to 100/120Hz, and do you understand how it works? It's not for everyone, certainly not for me, because it looks fake due to adding in extra frames and being too smooth. If you have a good quality source like DSTV HD PVR, you might find that you don't actually need a higher Hz TV in order to have a smooth TV experience, and you can rather put all your budget into the largest 50/60Hz TV. The only place higher Hz is favourable, in my opinion, is gaming. I am more than happy gaming at 60Hz (FPS) though.

CMR is a cheeky way to inflate Hz numbers for marketing. Halve it for the actual Hz i.e. 100 CMR = 50/60Hz panel (5 Series), 200 CMR = 100/120Hz (6 Series), etc.

http://www.cnet.com/news/what-is-the-soap-opera-effect/

Your budget should be able to get you a 46" Samsung 5 Series/Sony LCD, maybe a 50" Samsung 5 Series on special.

You could also consider a Samsung 51" FHD SMART 3D plasma @ R9,000ish, which does not suffer from LCD motion blur, and will give you the best picture quality. Not for those with bright rooms though.

 

[PostmanPot]

Also, there is such a little difference between entry level/LCD TVs over the past few years. Nothing wrong with Samsung E range, looks the same as F and I'm sure H will be similar.

This is the best deal I have found recently if you decide to go the LCD route, which I advised someone to go for recently. Samsung UA46EH6030 46" 6 Series LCD for R7,500 - http://www.hificorp.co.za/product/1038692/samsung-tv-46eh6030-3d-led/.

It's a semi diluted form of the 6 Series, but gives you a 100Hz panel which by nature has better picture quality than 5 Series.

 

[Dolby]

Have you ever watched a TV set to 100/120Hz, and do you understand how it works? It's not for everyone, certainly not for me, because it looks fake due to adding in extra frames and being too smooth

But the great thing is you have an option - football ON and movie OFF.

Or any custom smoothness/judder in-between. I certainly wouldn't buy a 50/60hz LCD/LED nowadays

 

[PostmanPot]

But the great thing is you have an option - football ON and movie OFF.

Or any custom smoothness/judder in-between. I certainly wouldn't buy a 50/60hz LCD/LED nowadays

I don't like the way sport looks either, but it's obviously not as bad as movies/series. And I know more people are happy watching smoothed sport than smoothed film. To me, the shortcomings and motion blur will always be there. Hz is not an ideal solution, there are better solutions out there without these shortcomings which don't distort the picture in any way while being smooth. Plasma has always been a big part of sports loving.

 

[Side Effect]

You could also consider a Samsung 51" FHD SMART 3D plasma @ R9,000ish, which does not suffer from LCD motion blur, and will give you the best picture quality. Not for those with bright rooms though.

I'm not really a fan of the plasma. The old one I had managed to get quite a few image burns on the screen. Footballs scores and adverts everywhere. Plus if I play games like GTA for extended periods the map will burn into the screen.

This is the best deal I have found recently if you decide to go the LCD route, which I advised someone to go for recently. Samsung UA46EH6030 46" 6 Series LCD for R7,500 - http://www.hificorp.co.za/product/10...eh6030-3d-led/.

This is pretty cool and I'll certainly check it out. LED vs LCD though? Any benefits/drawbacks to having an LED?

Have you ever watched a TV set to 100/120Hz, and do you understand how it works? It's not for everyone, certainly not for me, because it looks fake due to adding in extra frames and being too smooth

I do know how it works, or I have an idea at least. I have seen the difference between 100Hz vs 50Hz. I do prefer the 100Hz panel though. I prefer the smoothness. Probably because I got used to it on somebody else's TV

Edit:

I've found this though. Due to the scarcity of the other TVs in the country.

http://www.samsung.com/za/consumer/tv-audio-video/television/led-tv/UA40ES6200RXXA

Thoughts? It's also somewhat future proofing. If it lasts that long.

It might be easier to source because it's actually listed in the ZA part of samsung's site.

I do appreciate the help and input you guys have given.

Apologies for being quite picky.

 

[PostmanPot]

I'm not really a fan of the plasma. The old one I had managed to get quite a few image burns on the screen. Footballs scores and adverts everywhere. Plus if I play games like GTA for extended periods the map will burn into the screen.

Unlikely to happen these days with newer plasmas and anti burn technology. It's extremely uncommon. But I can understand why you are hesitant. Just remember that that map will not be there permanently for hours, there are cutscenes and cinematics which 'refreshes' the area.

This is pretty cool and I'll certainly check it out. LED vs LCD though? Any benefits/drawbacks to having an LED?

There is no such thing as an LED TV. They are LED backlit LCDs. The LCD matrix is still the common denominator, as well as using a backlight. It's just that the backlight(s) is LED these days, and not CCFL, which is what LCDs used to use. They're still LCDs. The only type of TV which would qualify as an LED TV is an OLED TV which does not use a backlight or LCD matrix. OLED is more comparable to plasma in that each 'RGB pixel' is self-illuminating, meaning it has the ability to independently turn on and shut off. This is why plasma and OLED has better picture quality and black levels - no backlight having to pass through all the pixels.

So your drawbacks will be the same common drawbacks of LCD TVs, but at least you're getting better than 50Hz entry level with my suggested TV.

I do know how it works, or I have an idea at least. I have seen the difference between 100Hz vs 50Hz. I do prefer the 100Hz panel though. I prefer the smoothness. Probably because I got used to it on somebody else's TV

Then I think you should look no further than the UA46EH6030.

 

[Side Effect]

Thanks Postman. Appreciate the input. I've learned something (quite a lot) new.

Seems the 46EH6030 is the better choice.

 

[Slamz]

So i have a question...

My LO(2yrs) is starting to sleep in his own room now, i made a deal with him that if he sleeps trhoughout the night on his own, then i'll buy him his own tv for his room.... needless to say, i got to buy him a tv now...

Esquire currently has a special on a 32inch hd ready tv for R1999.00. im tempted to buy this for him... he mostly watches kids programs on Netflix and sometimes i connect my HD for him to watch some movies like Cap America, Thor etc, all of these are in HD(Yify-Torrents) 1080.

will not having a full hd tv make a drastic difference to the pic quality?
will i still be able to play all my hd movies on the tv? like connect a blu ray player and play movies of BR discs?

 

[DA-LION-619]

So i have a question...

My LO(2yrs) is starting to sleep in his own room now, i made a deal with him that if he sleeps trhoughout the night on his own, then i'll buy him his own tv for his room.... needless to say, i got to buy him a tv now...

Esquire currently has a special on a 32inch hd ready tv for R1999.00. im tempted to buy this for him... he mostly watches kids programs on Netflix and sometimes i connect my HD for him to watch some movies like Cap America, Thor etc, all of these are in HD(Yify-Torrents) 1080.

will not having a full hd tv make a drastic difference to the pic quality?
will i still be able to play all my hd movies on the tv? like connect a blu ray player and play movies of BR discs?

You made a deal with a 2 year old? Lol. At that price I think it's exclusive of vat, yes the TV should play the content fine but it will be displayed at 720p. Some would suggest saving a little more and going 2nd hand as those Esquire TV'S are bad.

 

[Dolby]

How critical of IQ?
Will he notice if the colours are slightly saturated or if there is edge bleeding?
What does he feel the difference between 50/100hz panels?

 

[Chris14]

Go for a Samsung Brand. Perhaps the one with the 1TB Free Data included.

 

[PostmanPot]

So i have a question...

My LO(2yrs) is starting to sleep in his own room now, i made a deal with him that if he sleeps trhoughout the night on his own, then i'll buy him his own tv for his room.... needless to say, i got to buy him a tv now...

Esquire currently has a special on a 32inch hd ready tv for R1999.00. im tempted to buy this for him... he mostly watches kids programs on Netflix and sometimes i connect my HD for him to watch some movies like Cap America, Thor etc, all of these are in HD(Yify-Torrents) 1080.

will not having a full hd tv make a drastic difference to the pic quality?
will i still be able to play all my hd movies on the tv? like connect a blu ray player and play movies of BR discs?

Should be perfect for a kid, however I would doubt the USB media player capabilities of such a cheap TV, and you did mention connecting your HDD.

Unless you have a dedicated media playing device, HD media player, BR player etc. then you might want to put in R1,000 for a branded 32", which will have a decent USB media player. Samsung 4 Series is good, I have a Samsung UA32EH4000 720p entry LCD (among other TVs) and the picture is decent and the media player plays HD flawlessly.