Do you guys still think that the Sinotech 42" LCD gives good bang for your buck?

[HapticSimian]

hmmm, i have noticed that while watching SABC channels that the edges "zoom" but that even happens when watching certain DSTV channels. isn't that to compensate for rounded edges on standard/old TV's?

my dvd's/games/PC doesn't do that, so i'm assuming its the channel that causes it, and that some fancy TV's can compensate for this "bend"

i'm still loving my 32" sinotech.

It will happen watching just about any DSTv channel, you're probably just getting progressively more used to it. Remember, most tv signals are still in the 'old', almost square format. To compensate for the elongated panel TVs the image is stretched on the outer reaches in order to fill the screen.

Games and such support the newer aspect ratio natively, or will be shown with black bands on the top and bottom. Think back to the last movie you saw at the theater - the movie screen is almost the same shape as your s****y LCD TV hence no need to 'fill' the edges.

 

[Keeper]

it's called a 16:9 ratio.

 

[LabAnimal]

A friend of mine repairs TV's, he recons the Sinotech TV's has majority LG parts, as well as the LCD panel itself are LG branded.

 

[HapticSimian]

Oh, and to answer the OP's original question - I've had my 42" for just more than a year now. Granted, it stopped accepting 1080p signals over HDMI about a month ago, but I'm in the process of getting this sorted out. 5yr warranty with Sinotech SA (SinoPrima) seemingly aware of the issue, they'll send a techie out to me to replace the offending circuit board. I just can't get around to it!

Picture on DSTv is equal to or better than any other sub-R30k panel I've seen. Trawling through the manufacturer's website, it seems the Sinotechs employ what is widely regarded as the industry standard in scaling processors. Yes it's made in China, but it gives a damn good picture and with a 5yr warranty I don't care if it breaks every 6 months, as long as the support is decent.

Oh, the speakers suck, but seeing that everything's routed through my A.V. receiver I don't care

 

[PeterCH]

A friend of mine repairs TV's, he recons the Sinotech TV's has majority LG parts, as well as the LCD panel itself are LG branded.

Lucky Goldstar, FTW .