General Plasma & LCD discussions

[PostmanPot]

How about this deal?

Not sure without a model number and price.

But Samsung PS51D450 51" is the usually the best bet at 50" entry level. R5,999 - R6,500.

I strongly suggest you get the HD PVR as well, since they're around R1,400 now. Not only do you get the HD channels, you get improved SD channel quality, as well as PVR. Worth it when you work out the hours of entertainment it will provide.

If you don't need sport/Mnet/Discovery/etc. in HD, then there's less of a need for HD PVR...

 

[Deleted member 148173]

I strongly suggest you get the HD PVR as well, since they're around R1,400 now. Not only do you get the HD channels, you get improved SD channel quality, as well as PVR. Worth it when you work out the hours of entertainment it will provide.

I would love to but I've been advised not to buy it until they get the subtitle software working - I'm deaf so I soley rely on subtitles for movies, etc...

If you don't need sport/Mnet/Discovery/etc. in HD, then there's less of a need for HD PVR...

My boyfriend will be watching the sports channel - I'll probably end up watching series / movies on my PC anyways because of the subtitle functionality integrated with Klite Codec Pack's media player.

 

[PostmanPot]

Do SD/SD PVR decoders support that?

HD PVR will benefit him a lot then if he's into sport. Really worth the bit extra.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Both techs have their pros and cons. Plasma just has more, especially with value for money, at the entry-mid level. Most people looking for TVs are on a budget, and a large proportion of their content is SD and sport. Most people have curtained rooms and view during dimmer ambient lighting, and most sit far from their TV. This is where plasma wins, at the entry level. For those that need 1080p on a tight budget and those that sit close to their TVs, for those who use their TV as a PC to do work on (non media/gaming), for those that have bright rooms - I would not recommend plasma.



Not sure, not a fan of LG. Sounds like the entry model though? In which case the Samsung PS43D450 43" HD Ready (1024x768 720p with rectangular pixels) will probably be better. R4,999 at Game.

You could also look at the PS51D450 51" HD Ready (1365x768 16:9), usually R5,999 - R6,500. Its pixel density is lower than the 43" model, but that won't matter once you're sitting 2m+ back.

If you like LG then try go to a proper AV shop and compare both in the test room under ideal conditions. Don't compare from the aisle at Game.

Just had a look at the Samsung 43" at Cats Digital- blown away by its quality, especially in terms of the lighting it was under. I am convinced

 

[PostmanPot]

 

[TheMightyQuin]

I would love to but I've been advised not to buy it until they get the subtitle software working - I'm deaf so I soley rely on subtitles for movies, etc...



My boyfriend will be watching the sports channel - I'll probably end up watching series / movies on my PC anyways because of the subtitle functionality integrated with Klite Codec Pack's media player.

If you buy the 51" Samsung HD Ready Plasma at Game now, you get a free PVR with it. Great deal at the moment.

 

[Nerfherder]

Just had a look at the Samsung 43" at Cats Digital- blown away by its quality, especially in terms of the lighting it was under. I am convinced

I got that one for R4699 on special at Cats... its outstanding.

 

[Deleted member 148173]

Do SD/SD PVR decoders support that?

yes it does.

 

[Grimspoon]

Ok so I baought the Samsung UA32D5000 @ mako today. . . .Was actually after the 32D550 but they didn't have stock.

The sales guy assured me it was the same but better for PC use. Told him I will bring it back if it isn't.

So I have connected it and the text / res is really cr@p. Changed it to Movie mode, game mode, etc and it sucks.

Its connected via HDMI cable. Either I am doing something wrong or this is going back tomorrow.


Edit:What is the max res I can use? I am on 1920 x 1050.

Edit: Just changed it to 1680 x 1050 and seems a bit better.

 

[PostmanPot]

Read through this thread: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/346013-Anybody-bought-the-LA32D550

All the settings are there which should be identical or along the same lines.

 

[Roman4604]

Edit:What is the max res I can use? I am on 1920 x 1050.

Edit: Just changed it to 1680 x 1050 and seems a bit better.

Res from video card must be 1920x1080, TV's Screen Adjustment->Picture Size must be Screen Fit (not 16:9 otherwise its scaling the picture).

 

[Grimspoon]

Meh this is **** quality. Trying everything, looks ****.

 

[PostmanPot]

Lol.

You aren't setting it up properly.

 

[Grimspoon]

Lol.

You aren't setting it up properly.

Yeah I am a d00s

Getting there. . . .got it better, now just to tweak it I think.

 

[PostmanPot]

Yeah I am a d00s

Getting there. . . .got it better, now just to tweak it I think.

Yeah now you're using the right settings...

 

[Grimspoon]

Ok, just fired up some BF3 and I actually have no words.

 

[Roman4604]

Did you find the Screen Fit setting?

 

[Grimspoon]

Did you find the Screen Fit setting?

I did, but then it doesnt fill the screen. Right now I dunno, but I have pushed a lot of buttons, but it looks better, much better, which is all I care about

 

[Roman4604]

I did, but then it doesnt fill the screen.

Then most likely your GFX driver is adding some overscan.

Use a test pattern image like this to confirm ... http://www.tigerdave.com/images/testpatterns/1920x1080_overscan.gif

For the best image, your GFX card must send an exact 1920x1080 image to the TV without any modification, and the TV must be set to display the HDMI input as is. If the incoming image exactly matches the 1920x1080 native resolution of the TV, you will achieve 1:1 pixel mapping for the clearest/sharpest picture.

 

[PostmanPot]

TV needs to be set to PC Mode, that disables all overscan and displays what the PC sends it... In ATI CCC panel one can force 1:1 / 4:4 pixel mapping, resolution and Hz.

Quite nice watching some movies forced at 24Hz.