LCD and Plasma Bargains and Discussions thread

[mwill]

Dont listen to the salesman, HDPVR will improve SD channels from awful to OK, but the HD channels, well that's when you'll see what all the fuss over this HD stuff is about.

.."HDPVR will improve SD channels from awful to OK"... thanks that's what I wanted to hear

 

[mwill]

Would those conditions match those of your home? If not it's incredibly hard to judge TVs, since they're all set to high brightness/contrast modes. The buyer ends up judging my brightness, not knowing that brightness is a detriment to picture quality especially under dim (ideal) conditions, night time, etc.

For a combination of SD and HD, and perhaps at that price point, 43" HD Ready plasma is the best option. The reason is because its native resolution is 4x3, which is the same as your CRT TV and SD sources.

Thanks PostmanPot. I rather like the native resolution of 4x3 (I don't watch many movies) but does that have any effect on picture quality?

 

[PostmanPot]

Thanks PostmanPot. I rather like the native resolution of 4x3 (I don't watch many movies) but does that have any effect on picture quality?

Well yes and no. The scaling done by the 43" plasmas is really good for both SD and HD. While the 43" plasmas are marketed as being 720p/HD Ready TVs, and as you've seen they are indeed wide screen TVs, a true 720p source/resolution would be more like 1366x768 (51" HD Ready plasma) or 1280x720.

Since the 43" HDR plasmas are 1024x768 (with rectangular pixels for 16:9 wide screen), you will be losing out on some horizontal definition with 720p< sources, more so with 1080p. The conundrum here usually ends up being viewing distance (and eye sight), where if you're sitting, say 2.5m+ back, you might not be able to tell the difference, and the lower resolution would not irk you much. You might prefer that all SD channels/sources look good, and that you have a better overall picture quality, opposed to having the extra pixels which LCD gives you at the entry level.

Also, since HD PVR is 1080i (basically 1920x(540*2)), you might indeed want a 1080p Full HD 1920x1080 screen. Again it depends on your viewing distance. If I sit 1.5-2m from my friends' 46" FHD LCDs watching 1080i sport, I can notice the extra definition over my 42" HDR plasma. However once I'm at 2.5m+ back, I start losing the ability to tell the difference, and would rather take the picture quality of my plasma, especially when it comes to night time/dim viewing conditions where plasmas usually perform better.

 

[Roman4604]

Thanks PostmanPot. I rather like the native resolution of 4x3 (I don't watch many movies) but does that have any effect on picture quality?

All decent content these days is presented in 16:9 incl many of the better SD channels and of course the HD ones, even downloads off the net. No point in spending good money on the aged outgoing 4:3 aspect standard.

 

[PostmanPot]

All decent content these days is presented in 16:9 incl many of the better SD channels and of course the HD ones, even downloads off the net. No point in spending good money on the aged outgoing 4:3 aspect standard.

Quite a big call. Sky looks better on my plasma than 32" FHD LCD. That's 16:9 SD right?

 

[Roman4604]

Quite a big call.

The truth, what of significance is produced in 4:3 these days?

 

[PostmanPot]

The truth, what of significance is produced in 4:3 these days?

Well there are only +-5 HD channels on DSTV, 98% are SD, so it would depend on the user.

Many people still download content in SD too, again user dependant.

I am just speaking from the point of view of someone who watches a lot of TV and sports, and appreciates SD quality when SD is the option.

 

[mwill]

Well yes and no. The scaling done by the 43" plasmas is really good for both SD and HD. While the 43" plasmas are marketed as being 720p/HD Ready TVs, and as you've seen they are indeed wide screen TVs, a true 720p source/resolution would be more like 1366x768 (51" HD Ready plasma) or 1280x720.

Since the 43" HDR plasmas are 1024x768 (with rectangular pixels for 16:9 wide screen), you will be losing out on some horizontal definition with 720p< sources, more so with 1080p. The conundrum here usually ends up being viewing distance (and eye sight), where if you're sitting, say 2.5m+ back, you might not be able to tell the difference, and the lower resolution would not irk you much. You might prefer that all SD channels/sources look good, and that you have a better overall picture quality, opposed to having the extra pixels which LCD gives you at the entry level.

Also, since HD PVR is 1080i (basically 1920x(540*2)), you might indeed want a 1080p Full HD 1920x1080 screen. Again it depends on your viewing distance. If I sit 1.5-2m from my friends' 46" FHD LCDs watching 1080i sport, I can notice the extra definition over my 42" HDR plasma. However once I'm at 2.5m+ back, I start losing the ability to tell the difference, and would rather take the picture quality of my plasma, especially when it comes to night time/dim viewing conditions where plasmas usually perform better.

Well, thanks very much for that lengthy explanation I live in quite a small room, less than 4mx4m, which is where the TV is, so my viewing distance would be a maximum of 2.5m and often less. So maybe I should stick with the FHD 1920x1080 and get the HDPVR. Anyway, I'll read all this again tomorrow and I can think clearer

 

[PostmanPot]

Well, thanks very much for that lengthy explanation I live in quite a small room, less than 4mx4m, which is where the TV is, so my viewing distance would be a maximum of 2.5m and often less. So maybe I should stick with the FHD 1920x1080 and get the HDPVR. Anyway, I'll read all this again tomorrow and I can think clearer

I see Makro have the UA40D6000 40" 100Hz 3D LED-LCD + HD PVR for R8,499. http://www.makro.co.za/p/26513/samsung-40-102-cm-3d-led-plus-hd-pvr-decoder/

Try do it?

Otherwise perhaps the UA40D6000 for R6,999 and HD PVR next, next month?

 

[Roman4604]

Well there are only +-5 HD channels on DSTV

No +-, there are 6 which you would know if you owned a HDPVR+premium subscription.

98% are SD, so it would depend on the user.

And most of the good ones are widescreen, this debates was about aspect ratio wasn't it?

Many people still download content in SD too, again user dependant.

Again almost all in 16:9.

I am just speaking from the point of view of someone who watches a lot of TV and sports, and appreciates SD quality when SD is the option.

If you were truly an avid sports watcher you wouldnt even consider SD in comparison to HD. Once you get used to it HD, SD just doesnt do it anymore.

 

[PostmanPot]

No +-, there are 6 which you would know if you owned a HDPVR+premium subscription.

...

And most of the good ones are widescreen, this debates was about aspect ratio wasn't it?

If you're implying entry LCD is superior than entry 43" HDR plasma handling 16:9 SD via the HD PVR, then we have a difference of opinions.

Again almost all in 16:9.

They do look lovely on my 42" HDR 16:9 plasma...

If you were truly an avid sports watcher you wouldnt even consider SD in comparison to HD. Once you get used to it HD, SD just doesnt do it anymore.

How could I possibly disagree?

 

[Roman4604]

then we have a difference of opinions.

No, just seems to me you're having difficultly sticking to the initial subject.

This started with your instance that HD-Ready plasmas are better at handling 4:3 aspect content. I merely indicated little decent SD or HD content is being generated/transmitted in the 4:3 aspect ratio, so its doesn't really matter much anymore.

 

[PostmanPot]

No, just seems to me you're having difficultly sticking to the initial subject.

This started with your instance that HD-Ready plasmas are better at handling 4:3 aspect content. I merely indicated little decent SD or HD content is being generated/transmitted in the 4:3 aspect ratio, so its doesn't really matter much anymore.

4:3 and SD is my argument, not just 4:3.

 

[Roman4604]

4:3 and SD is my argument, not just 4:3.

But thats a weak argument these days. Aspiring for the best SD makes no sense when the benefits of (full) HD are within reach for not a great deal more.

 

[PostmanPot]

But thats a weak argument these days. Aspiring for the best SD makes no sense when the benefits of (full) HD are within reach for not a great deal more.

I thought my mentioning of Sky News wasn't so weak (16:9 SD). And there are plenty other SD channels some may enjoy. As I said, depends on the user. It seems you are battling to understand that.

 

[Roman4604]

I thought my mentioning of Sky News wasn't so weak (16:9 SD)

Yes in the broader context of hi-def home entertainment it is. You just dont get the big picture (pun intended).

 

[PostmanPot]

Yes in the broader context of hi-def home entertainment it is. You just dont get the big picture (pun intended).

Good joke. The bigger picture actually is that DSTV has only +- 5 or 6 HD channels, and HD content, while preferable, is not always an option, and in some cases never. Not everyone only watches HD channels. This has nothing to do with them setting their standards low. I don't understand your arguments.

I suppose since I use a 42" HDR plasma, 32" FHD LCD, and 46" LED-LCD, for TV viewing including HD and SD, I have a different understanding.

 

[FNfal]

Just for interest on thursday i bought the samsung 40" EH5300 from game and the microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse from Esquire 8000 model and plugged it in to the TVs usb and it worked perfectly the TV installed the KB and mouse and I could go on the net with the KB and mouse working perfectly (no computer involved in connecting to the net like this)
KB and mouse were about R200 with vat ,good price KB is basic though but i like that.

 

[rodga]

Just for interest on thursday i bought the samsung 40" EH5300 from game and the microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse from Esquire 8000 model and plugged it in to the TVs usb and it worked perfectly the TV installed the KB and mouse and I could go on the net with the KB and mouse working perfectly (no computer involved in connecting to the net like this)
KB and mouse were about R200 with vat ,good price KB is basic though but i like that.

Thats cool. do u think all the new sets will have this feature? Looking at getting the 51e450 plasma soon

 

[PostmanPot]

Thats cool. do u think all the new sets will have this feature? Looking at getting the 51e450 plasma soon

Nope, only 'SMART' sets.