HDTV Choice

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?

@dolby I'd go for the bigger screen, because its bigger. If it were exactly the opposite i'd go for the bigger screen too. BUT If you were to offer me a 42" plasma/LCD/LED OR a 32" Plasma/LCD/LED with better features more hdmi ports, usb playback, FHD as opposed to HDready, longer guarantee etc I'd go for the 32" as I said I'm not all for BIG screens. and I find 32"the perfect size for my needs, all I wanted was some kind of IDEA as to which to choose.
BTW the samsung and sony LCD's @ makro only have a 12month guarantee while the sinotech LED has a 5 year guarantee, all are FHD which as far as I am concerned is important since i will want to eventually use it as a PC monitor.
 
Games i play vary from Fifa to NFS to COD.......
TV is mainly sport, and the occasional movie or tv show on discHD or mnet hd
 
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....

For connecting to a PC, you will definitely want LCD because the static Start menu etc is going to give you problems with image retention/burn-in on plasma.

The SD TV quality won't be as good as your LCD monitor, but HD TV will look great. I would take the Samsung Series 5.

How much sport will you be watching? Perhaps you should still consider plasma...
 
I don't get how thickness of the panel is more important than better contrast, better brightness, etc?

I'm not contesting those specs. All I'm saying that the difference for TV between similarly priced LCDs and LEDs is minimal. And when I look at the sets, the only difference I see is the depth. :D

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

You're obviously talking about static images, like pics from a camera?
 
I'm not contesting those specs. All I'm saying that the difference for TV between similarly priced LCDs and LEDs is minimal. And when I look at the sets, the only difference I see is the depth. :D



You're obviously talking about static images, like pics from a camera?

That, as well as video. Not to mention graphics and animation overlayed on top of video sequences (as in adverts, etc). The quality of reproduction of each frame is far higher on LCDs than on plasmas of the same pricepoint.
 
Wow - you're showing your ignorance here :/

See explanation above.

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

Has no effect on the fact that plasma is better for TV/sport, and as a technology produces deeper blacks and richer colours. What this means simply, is that the most expensive plasma is better for TV, sport; and produces deeper blacks and richer more accurate colours than the most expensive LCD.

No idea what your point is otherwise about manufacturers dropping plasma sets. Perhaps ask yourself why there is still a huge market for plasma, and why the current manufacturers aren't following suite...

Please don't be foolish and think I am comparing my 42" plasma with your double-the-price 6 Series LCD. I have never said it is better. I have never said that any plasma > any LCD, and I have always maintained that higher end LCDs are at least equal to and in some cases better than mid range plasmas at things like black levels and colours. In the same breath, please note I am not comparing half-the-price mid range plasmas to double-the-price higher end LCDs, which like I've said before, have improved a lot at displaying TV/sport.

Sometimes I think you just don't listen to what I say, because you are always saying the same old things. So I will repeat, I am not detesting that some LCDs beat some plasmas at certain specs!

My stance is that mid range plasma offers exceptional value for money, and will give people a better experience than similarly priced LCDs, especially those who mainly watch TV/sport, and it will compare even to some higher-end LCDs. Before you start thinking of telling me wrong, and how your 6 Series LCD beats x and y plasma sets at a and b specifications (how you've done this time and time again...), understand I am talking about TV/sport specifically, and mainly compared to similarly priced LCDs - you know, apples and apples and all.

The most relevant points is that they are still well in production and are better for TV/sport. And they also offer exceptional money and better experience compared to similarly priced LCDs, especially for sport/TV.

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.

See above. And of course it's better - plasma as a technology has faster response time, deeper blacks and richer colours. Why would it be better on a LCD?

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?

No, I don't care about how you compare specific LCDs to specific plasmas. And for the 100th time, I never said some LCDs don't produce deeper blacks than some plasmas. I am talking about plasma as an overall technology, and it is a fact that it produces deeper blacks.

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 have always maintained that 100Hz LCDs are acceptable for decent sport viewing. I've said that about 20 times and you still haven't gotten it. The point is though they are about double the price of mid range plasmas which will perform better.

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.

Great, you've finally understood they have no bearing on my argument whatsoever!

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.

And the purpose. For TV and sport, plasma wins. Even more so if there is a budget.
 
That, as well as video. Not to mention graphics and animation overlayed on top of video sequences (as in adverts, etc). The quality of reproduction of each frame is far higher on LCDs than on plasmas of the same pricepoint.

Well thank God we aren't in America!

Anyhow, I don't really think your post is of much relevance to someone looking for the best TV/sport experience.
 
Well thank God we aren't in America!

Anyhow, I don't really think your post is of much relevance to someone looking for the best TV/sport experience.

And "thickness of panel" is? I actually think an ultra-sharp picture is very relevant.

Regarding your response to Dolby above, you talking about response time in the context of a plasma shows your ignorance...
 
And "thickness of panel" is? I actually think an ultra-sharp picture is very relevant.

Regarding your response to Dolby above, you talking about response time in the context of a plasma shows your ignorance...

Maybe re-read my explanation of why I mentioned thickness of panel and stop harping on about it like you have caught me out or something. If you still don't get it, the reason I said it is because it's the only difference I've noticed when comparing LCD and LED in the same price range, i.e. the differences in terms of picture quality are negligible/not noticeable between LCD and LED-backlit LCD (which is most of the time regarded as a gimmick). Do you contest this? Please also remember that I am making my point to the layman, not to tech gurus like yourself.

Response time shows my ignorance? Not according to the Samsung PS42C430 website:

Response Time 0.0001ms
Response Time 0.0001ms
It's hard to beat the speed of light. That's how fast our plasma screens respond to each new image. 0.001ms is all it takes for each pixel to re-generate clear, crisp, robust colours. That's why there's no blur or ghosting in the picture. And there's less strain on your eyes. You can't beat that.

sn3rd, please re-read the OP instead of trying to get it to technical debates with no relevance to the OP. Do you contest that plasma will be the best for TV/sport/Xbox, as per the OP and their budget? Will LCD/LED-backlit LCD be better? Please explain if you think it will. This is most pertinent to the OP and the layman.
 
I'm probably just gonna buy the 32" with the best price/features ratio....
I cant seem to find ANY 32" plasma

Unfortunately 42" is the smallest plasma I've seen in SA in a long time.

Will you be able to go to Hifi Corp/Game/Makro and check out the difference sets? I'll put money that for TV/sport you'll walk out with the plasma.

IMO the only reason you shouldn't consider plasma is if there are size constraints.
 
(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 need to get used to these debates where we exclude things ...

A : You know the Porsche is the fastest car in the world?
B : Not really - check this Ferrari which is quicker
A : I don't care about that! It's irrelevant! Porsche is the fastest car in the world
B : Um - but you notice this is faster?
A : Stop raving about it! I don't get about that specific model! Porsche is the fastest car in the world!

Tell you what ... we'll pretend that nothing ever has or ever will beat a plasma in any area - just for your sake. Deal?
 
Maybe re-read my explanation of why I mentioned thickness of panel and stop harping on about it like you have caught me out or something. If you still don't get it, the reason I said it is because it's the only difference I've noticed when comparing LCD and LED in the same price range, i.e. the differences in terms of picture quality are negligible/not noticeable between LCD and LED-backlit LCD (which is most of the time regarded as a gimmick). Do you contest this? Please also remember that I am making my point to the layman, not to tech gurus like yourself.

Response time shows my ignorance? Not according to the Samsung PS42C430 website:



sn3rd, please re-read the OP instead of trying to get it to technical debates with no relevance to the OP. Do you contest that plasma will be the best for TV/sport/Xbox, as per the OP and their budget? Will LCD/LED-backlit LCD be better? Please explain if you think it will. This is most pertinent to the OP and the layman.

1) I'm no tech guru

2) Response time is not relevant for a plasma, where the image refresh mechanism is completely different. The Samsung website also quotes dynamic contrast; do you feel that dynamic contrast is a valid spec?

3) Image quality will be better for HD feed than SD feed of course. On SD, I'd say the difference would be negligible. For HD feed from HD PVR 2P, the different will be clear as day. Whether this disagrees with what you propose is irrelevant; it's just how it is.

4) I don't think LCD/LED-backlit will be better. Nor do I think that plasma will be better. In the 32" range (or 42" if he goes plasma), he might suffer when it comes to movies/TV with panning scenes, but he might also be unhappy with the grainy picture that will be obtained with a plasma.

4 extended) For the OP with a 3 m viewing distance, 32" might be annoyingly small; that's the biggest benefit of the plasma in my opinion.

Advice) I'd say the OP should go into a few stores and attempt to re-create the viewing distance with all TVs considered, with the kinds of feeds that will be watched at home. Just choose the one that looks the best; CCFL-backlit, LED-backlit and plasma will all suit his needs, to be honest. When he wants to upgrade later, he'll be happy to have spent less on the 32", so that he has more to spend on a "proper" screen (not that these aren't proper :p )
 
So took a drive to Dion wired, spoke to the sales guys, as well as som LG/Sony/Samsung reps, all seemed to agree that LED in 32" was best, I saw it with both 360 games and HD sport, so walked away with an LG FHD LED 32LE5500
Wifi blutooth etc and it was 5999...

Guys advice was helpfull but in the end the proof of the pudding is in the eating.....
 
So took a drive to Dion wired, spoke to the sales guys, as well as som LG/Sony/Samsung reps, all seemed to agree that LED in 32" was best, I saw it with both 360 games and HD sport, so walked away with an LG FHD LED 32LE5500
Wifi blutooth etc and it was 5999...

Guys advice was helpfull but in the end the proof of the pudding is in the eating.....

Pity you didn't compare SD TV/SD sport. No surprises why they recommended LED - they are salesmen...

Enjoy your set, I'm sure it will be great for Xbox.
 
Maybe zakdoc89 isn't as stupid as to just blindly accept what the salesmen say.. or did you just blindly gloss over the fact that he actually TESTED the set?

I also fail to understand why you base your choice of an HD WS set on how well it displays SD TV/SD Sport... I very rarely watch any of those channels anymore since I got my 42" LCD and DStvHD
 
1) I'm no tech guru

4) ..... but he might also be unhappy with the grainy picture that will be obtained with a plasma.

Grainy picture on plasma??? You are seriously just talking out of your arse now, bud. No pannels these days have "grainy" pictures. HD looks brilliant on all pannels, when it comes to less than perfect SD feeds, plasma is just much much more forgiving.
 
Grainy picture on plasma??? You are seriously just talking out of your arse now, bud. No pannels these days have "grainy" pictures. HD looks brilliant on all pannels, when it comes to less than perfect SD feeds, plasma is just much much more forgiving.

Come on over, and I'll take you to check it out.
 
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

Hi
The Sinotec TV are really good TV's only one problem though, the sound on those tv's are not really that great. Well its not really a problem if you have a nice sound system that you going to connect to the TV. Other then that I would go for the Sinotec for the reason being its a LED TV:D
 
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Hi
The Senotec TV are really good TV's only one problem though, the sound on those tv's are not really that great. Well its not really a problem if you have a nice sound system that you going to connect to the TV. Other then that I would go for the Senotec for the reason being its a LED TV:D

While I don't know about this particular model, the Sinotec's I've had run-ins with were a little dodge. Their "native" resolution was 800 x 600, with some sort of internal upscaling to 1920 x 1080. As a result, the picture quality was below par (but still pretty good, I must say).

Personally, the only reason I'd go for a Sinotec (given what I've seen so far) is the 5 year warranty.
 
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