HDTV Choice

[zakdoc89]

Hi Guys
I'm in the market for an HDTV, budget is R5K max 5.5k
Looking at the following

32'' LED FHD Sinotec 5.5k from Makro
32'' LCD Sony/samsung 4.5 to 5k
OR
32'' LED sansui from hifi corp 4.5k

I'm inclined to the sinotec from makro, mainly since it has a 5 year gurantee. BUT its the most expensive.

Will mainly be used for xbox gaming and dstv/sport

 

[PostmanPot]

Those will all be great for Xbox. But for TV and especially sport, you're going to have problems.

Lucky for you the Samsung 42" HD Ready plasma (PS42C430) has come down to ±R5699 at Game Makro and it will be totally superior for TV and sport and gaming.

Only reason why you should not get it is if you really need Full HD (there is virtually no difference between FHD and HD from viewing distance/3m, also bear in mind that most Xbox games do not exceed 720p/HD Ready) or if you're not prepared to take care of the plasma by using it correctly to prevent image burn-in (like having the static images on the screen for more than 2 hours excluding add breaks where the plasma cells get a chance to display a different colour). Oh and also if 42" is too big.

You should definitely go and view these TVs in store.

 

[Wasp_21]

Those will all be great for Xbox. But for TV and especially sport, you're going to have problems.

Lucky for you the Samsung 42" HD Ready plasma (PS42C430) has come down to ±R5699 at Game Makro and it will be totally superior for TV and sport and gaming.

Only reason why you should not get it is if you really need Full HD (there is virtually no difference between FHD and HD from viewing distance/3m, also bear in mind that most Xbox games do not exceed 720p/HD Ready) or if you're not prepared to take care of the plasma by using it correctly to prevent image burn-in (like having the static images on the screen for more than 2 hours excluding add breaks where the plasma cells get a chance to display a different colour). Oh and also if 42" is too big.

You should definitely go and view these TVs in store.

+1, BUT Burn - in is a thing of the past. I have IR sometimes, but have fallen asleep with static logos on screen, and no problems. Don't even have a second thought about IR or "burn-in"

I'm keen to get one of those 42" OR the 50 HD Ready Samsungs going on special at the moment. Awesome TV's.

 

[PostmanPot]

+1, BUT Burn - in is a thing of the past. I have IR sometimes, but have fallen asleep with static logos on screen, and no problems. Don't even have a second thought about IR or "burn-in"

I'm keen to get one of those 42" OR the 50 HD Ready Samsungs going on special at the moment. Awesome TV's.

I'm too scared to fall asleep with a static image. If I did, I'd probably wake up from nightmares about burn-in just in time to switch the TV off.

Well there you go, one more reason why plasma is what I would say the best option.

By the way, preventing image retention is easy - simply pause your game, go into the TV menu, and 3 screen later you can run the "image sweeper" for a few seconds, and then carry on gaming. The picture quality would be worth having to take the precaution.

 

[Dolby]

Sometimes you can't prevent image retention.

If you watch a movie with bars at the top/sides, after 2 hours you'll have IR for sure.

 

[PostmanPot]

Sometimes you can't prevent image retention.

If you watch a movie with bars at the top/sides, after 2 hours you'll have IR for sure.

@Wasp_21:

Care to take this troll up on the offer?

 

[Juggy]

Sometimes you can't prevent image retention.

If you watch a movie with bars at the top/sides, after 2 hours you'll have IR for sure.

Pixel shift always has and always will work for me.

I had my last plasma for 4.5 years and never ever suffered from image retention and it's was on sometimes 16 hours a day

 

[Dolby]

@Wasp_21:

Care to take this troll up on the offer?

Why do you say that? :/

Just mentioning that IR / burn in is still a concern

 

[zakdoc89]

Viewing distance is around 3m. So I thought 32'' was perfect, now as far as LED vs LCD vs Plasma goes i'm utterly confused, I was under the impression LED is newer tech so its better...

 

[Ono'rach]

Viewing distance is around 3m. So I thought 32'' was perfect, now as far as LED vs LCD vs Plasma goes i'm utterly confused, I was under the impression LED is newer tech so its better...

Better than plasma probably...

/joking

OP, I would take an Xbox and test each TV individually and decide on the one which you like the most. It is your money, and if the sales people want your money they must indulge your requests.

Everybody has different opinions about TV tech, I'm more for LCD personally, while Postman is ferociously loyal to plasma.

Different strokes and all that

 

[Dolby]

Everybody has different opinions about TV tech, I'm more for LCD personally, while Postman is ferociously loyal to plasma.

Different strokes and all that

... the strange thing his opinions are very mid-2000s and - considering he hasn't actually USED an LCD, I can understand why

 

[Ono'rach]

... the strange thing he's opinions are very mid-2000s and - considering he hasn't actually USED an LCD, I can understand why

Heehee.

LCD's have improved dramatically the last few years. I simply prefer the way they display a picture, I really really do.

Postman is gonna get all gangsta when he comes back and sees that we have been promoting LCD's behind his back

 

[PostmanPot]

Viewing distance is around 3m. So I thought 32'' was perfect, now as far as LED vs LCD vs Plasma goes i'm utterly confused, I was under the impression LED is newer tech so its better...

LED-backlit is still 98% LCD. 100% marketing gimmick and don't be fooled. The only real difference is that LED panels are slimmer.

Look, as much as I'd like to entertain the obvious trolls in this thread (who even admit that TV/sport is cr@p on entry-mid range LCDs, not to mention they bought their TVs for gaming without having TV as a high priority), I will stick to the facts that apply to you - someone who games and watched TV. There is a very good reason why people are pro plasma, and that is because plasma is better for SD TV and motion/sport/even gaming (not to mention that plasma as a technology has deeper blacks and richer colours (couldn't care less about Dolby's specific TV which he likes to rave about). It is a fact based on the technology. Now last time I checked, this deserves support from people who watch TV/sport. The trolls make it out as if saying plasma is better for sport/TV is ignorant.

I agree that you should go and test your Xbox/HD content on each TV. But I guarantee you for TV/sport the plasma will be the winner (for Xbox much less of a difference). In fact I will put money on it that after testing Xbox and TV, you will walk out with the plasma, finding it superior for gaming too.

The plasma offers exceptional value for money. 10" bigger; TV and sport that will look better than on higher end LCDs for half the price; faster response time for sport/gaming; and not to mention the fact that plasma as a technology has better blacks and richer colours than LCD.

Back to my original post, the only thing you need to worry about is image retention. But as explained, it's easy to prevent and worth the better quality picture you will be getting.

 

[sn3rd]

LED-backlit is still 98% LCD. 100% marketing gimmick and don't be fooled. The only real difference is that LED panels are slimmer.

Look, as much as I'd like to entertain the obvious trolls in this thread (who even admit that TV/sport is cr@p on entry-mid range LCDs, not to mention they bought their TVs for gaming without having TV as a high priority), I will stick to the facts that apply to you - someone who games and watched TV. There is a very good reason why people are pro plasma, and that is because plasma is better for SD TV and motion/sport/even gaming (not to mention that plasma as a technology has deeper blacks and richer colours (couldn't care less about Dolby's specific TV which he likes to rave about). It is a fact based on the technology. Now last time I checked, this deserves support from people who watch TV/sport. The trolls make it out as if saying plasma is better for sport/TV is ignorant.

I agree that you should go and test your Xbox/HD content on each TV. But I guarantee you for TV/sport the plasma will be the winner (for Xbox much less of a difference). In fact I will put money on it that after testing Xbox and TV, you will walk out with the plasma, finding it superior for gaming too.

The plasma offers exceptional value for money. 10" bigger; TV and sport that will look better than on higher end LCDs for half the price; faster response time for sport/gaming; and not to mention the fact that plasma as a technology has better blacks and richer colours than LCD.

Back to my original post, the only thing you need to worry about is image retention. But as explained, it's easy to prevent and worth the better quality picture you will be getting.

Slimmer panels are NOT the main focus of LED-backlit TVs. Local dimming, longer life, lower power consumption. All much more useful.

Picture quality, or motion quality? Because if you've looked at a plasma and LCD side-by-side, you would notice that the image is significantly more grainy on a plasma.

 

[PostmanPot]

Slimmer panels are NOT the main focus of LED-backlit TVs. Local dimming, longer life, lower power consumption. All much more useful.

Well the entry-mid ones are as bad for SD TV as entry-mid LCDs - that's the most important point to the OP. Most notable physical difference being the depth.

Picture quality, or motion quality? Because if you've looked at a plasma and LCD side-by-side, you would notice that the image is significantly more grainy on a plasma.

I am talking about picture quality of SD/TV and picture quality and motion quality with sport.

 

[sn3rd]

Well the entry-mid ones are as bad for SD TV as entry-mid LCDs - that's the most important point to the OP. Most notable physical difference being the depth.



I am talking about picture quality of SD/TV and picture quality and motion quality with sport.

I don't get how thickness of the panel is more important than better contrast, better brightness, etc?

Motion quality I can agree with, in certain circumstances. But picture quality is a no.

 

[zakdoc89]

Just to clear a few things up, I have an HD PVR (2P) and have been using the samsung 2493HM as a screen, for both TV as well as xbox gaming. Res was 1900 X 1200 and picture was good... both SD and HD channels quality were fine. Its 2 years old, and giving problems, hence the need for a screen Urgently. 32" seems like the ideal size. I Know bigger is better but I might end up using this (new screen) as my PC monitor and buy a better screen next year. I don't want to overspend as well, since money is not all that easy right now.....
Thanks for the advice so far, its helped, although its made me a little more confused regarding quality and why watching sport on tv X is better than Y....
I've never really owned a TV per se, I've always used PC monitors. right now as backup while the samsung 2493 is out of order I'm using my pc monitor, Acer H233H, its an awesome monitor for PC gaming, but SMALL for HDTV and xbox gaming....

 

[Dolby]

The only real difference is that LED panels are slimmer.

Wow - you're showing your ignorance here :/

There is a very good reason why people are pro plasma

I'm sure there's also a very good reason for everyone dropping them off their product list too ...

and that is because plasma is better for SD TV and motion/sport/even gaming (not to mention that plasma as a technology has deeper blacks and richer colours (couldn't care less about Dolby's specific TV which he likes to rave about). It is a fact based on the technology. Now last time I checked, this deserves support from people who watch TV/sport. The trolls make it out as if saying plasma is better for sport/TV is ignorant.

Plasma is better for gaming?! Again - showing your ignorance. If remove 'only difference with LED is slimmer' and 'plasma is better for gaming', people may start taking you seriously. Seriously - those are pretty dumb statements to make.

So one of your arguments is that plasma has deeper black levels and when shown you're incorrect - you state you don't care and stick by your incorrect statement? So if I show you another LCD with deeper blacks - do we disregard that too? How about a third model with deeper blacks? Again - we disregard? May I disregard the Kuro and other fancy plasmas - or are only you allowed to decide?

PS Don't recall seeing many people say motion is better on the LCD. What I have seen though, is people mention 100hz LCDs are comparable. In fact most tests and reviews put them 1 point below the plasma - but we can ignore that if you're prefer?

I agree that you should go and test your Xbox/HD content on each TV. But I guarantee you for TV/sport the plasma will be the winner (for Xbox much less of a difference). In fact I will put money on it that after testing Xbox and TV, you will walk out with the plasma, finding it superior for gaming too.

The plasma offers exceptional value for money. 10" bigger; TV and sport that will look better than on higher end LCDs for half the price; faster response time for sport/gaming; and not to mention the fact that plasma as a technology has better blacks and richer colours than LCD.

You've hit one reason why many people select plasma over LCD. Most questions are : hi guys ... should I get the 46" plasma or 42" LCD? Thanks. Majority go for price, value and quantity. Once again, I'll exclude LCDs that have better blacks, more vivid colours etc for your argument.

PS The majority of people also don't sit around playing pong for 50% of the day and golf the other 50% of the day. So plasma comes down to the individual.

 

[Dolby]

Just to clear a few things up, I have an HD PVR (2P) and have been using the samsung 2493HM as a screen, for both TV as well as xbox gaming. Res was 1900 X 1200 and picture was good... both SD and HD channels quality were fine. Its 2 years old, and giving problems, hence the need for a screen Urgently. 32" seems like the ideal size. I Know bigger is better but I might end up using this (new screen) as my PC monitor and buy a better screen next year

Do you play pong 50% of watch golf the rest of the day?

Then go for plasma ... motion ... sports ... motion ... sports .... motion ... sports

On another, more serious note zak - if I said I'd give you either a 32" LCD or 42" plasma at the same price - what would you go for in all honesty?

 

[Ono'rach]

Just because people have a different viewpoint to you, Postman, does not make them a troll.

Why can you not accept that some people prefer plasma, and other people prefer LCD?

Everybody is different and they like different things...

And I was just pulling your leg with the "gansta" comment, it was not intended as an insult or to be troll-like