LCD and Plasma Bargains and Discussions thread

[DuncanCT]

Sony havent really been coming to the party lately. Dont think there are any/many 2012 models out or coming.

So you'll have to chose from the above 2011 models, neither of which were highly rated. For the same money you'll find better 2012 models from other vendors e.g. Samsung UA40EH5300.

PS whats going to be plugged into it?

Thanks, I'm not familiar with the Sammy range so looking for a bit of guidance, will look into the EH5300. Prob plug it into my PC and DSTV.

Whats the difference between D, EH and ES range?

Also are there basic guidelines for the 4,5,6,7,8 series?

Sorry if this has been discussed before, if it has can you please provide a link?

+1

Sony has a 1 year warranty. Compared to LG and Samsung with 2 year. Would be irrational indeed going for the Sony IMO, unless you specifically need Bravia Sync or the minor internet capabilities or something.

If size isn't an issue, there's the Samsung LA46D550 CCFL-LCD for R5,999.

Already have a Sony 46CX520, very happy with it but looking for a second smaller TV to keep peace in the house. No need for Bravia Sync. Thought it was about time to challenge my bias.

Not looking for 3D just a good 40" LCD panel that could work well with a PC. Budget between 5-6k. Any input appreciated, thanks!

 

[reactor_sa]

This thread has gone to the dogs. Waste of time. The dogs should get a room, shag, got home; instead of pages of crap sd vs hd vs plasma vs lcd vs led vs your mother. Ffs....

 

[PostmanPot]

Already have a Sony 46CX520, very happy with it but looking for a second smaller TV to keep peace in the house. No need for Bravia Sync. Thought it was about time to challenge my bias.

Not looking for 3D just a good 40" LCD panel that could work well with a PC. Budget between 5-6k. Any input appreciated, thanks!

Cool. Do you ever find your screen to be a bit too dim? Even on maximum brightness? Has been a problem with CX520's.

The CX520's work well out the box when attaching a PC - automatically sets TV to PC Mode (could be cable type), disables overscan and post processing to render a crisp PC monitor display.

D550's are also excellent (as is my C550) for PC, couldn't fault mine, even for gaming SC2/FPS. They need to be set to PC mode via the menu.

Both TVs have matte screens. Newer Samsung LED-LCDs do have glossy screens which improve colours, but can be a problem with reflection. So if you're after a LCD with matte screen that would work well with a PC, I'd recommend either or. On the one hand you like Sony, on the other the Samsung has a 2 year warranty and is really the tried, tested, trusted TV around here for PC.

 

[Roman4604]

Bottom line is that higher resolution is of no benefit from longer viewing distances to the majority of people.

How is that a bottom line? You cannot know/prove what distances most sit at, what distance perception they have, or their visual preferences.

 

[PostmanPot]

How is that a bottom line? You cannot know/prove what distances most sit at, what distance perception they have, or their visual preferences.

I like to find out those exact factors, which differ from person to person. Along with their source material etc. it's possible to narrow things down well. General stats I'd imagine, it's the case among everyone I've asked. Professionals, too.

 

[Roman4604]

Professionals, too.

Time and time again I've proved that your views and that of professionals are worlds apart in respect to the validity HD-Ready TV's in today's world of increasingly ubiquitous availability of (full) HD source devices & content at pricing most can afford.

Whats more, you argue with me over countless pages how FHD doesn't matter, but then you wax on lyrically to others how great the FHD 5 series plasmas are? Shouldn't you be telling them to save their money by rather buying 4 series HD-Ready models?

 

[JerryMungo]

@ Postman Pot and Roman4604

I can confidently say that neither of you will win.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law
*waits for Hitler and Nazi reference*

 

[Roman4604]

@MyDogHasNoNose

You're welcome to put me on your ignore list.

 

[DuncanCT]

Cool. Do you ever find your screen to be a bit too dim? Even on maximum brightness? Has been a problem with CX520's.

The CX520's work well out the box when attaching a PC - automatically sets TV to PC Mode (could be cable type), disables overscan and post processing to render a crisp PC monitor display.

D550's are also excellent (as is my C550) for PC, couldn't fault mine, even for gaming SC2/FPS. They need to be set to PC mode via the menu.

Both TVs have matte screens. Newer Samsung LED-LCDs do have glossy screens which improve colours, but can be a problem with reflection. So if you're after a LCD with matte screen that would work well with a PC, I'd recommend either or. On the one hand you like Sony, on the other the Samsung has a 2 year warranty and is really the tried, tested, trusted TV around here for PC.

I do have the backlight set to MAX but don't find it too dim. Maybe i'm just used to it. Are the EX's brighter?

 

[PostmanPot]

Time and time again I've proved that your views and that of professionals are worlds apart in respect to the validity HD-Ready TV's in today's world of increasingly ubiquitous availability of (full) HD source devices & content at pricing most can afford.

Say what you want, but viewing distance and visual perception leaves most people not able to tell the difference between HD and FHD. As wonderful as the FHD experience is [better than HD Ready], most people in my experience sit outside the range needed to sit at in order to fully appreciate FHD. This lessens the, according to you, necessity of having FHD. I am not the type that puts resolution ahead of picture quality when on a budget.

Whats more, you argue with me over countless pages how FHD doesn't matter, but then you wax on lyrically to others how great the FHD 5 series plasmas are? Shouldn't you be telling them to save their money by rather buying 4 series HD-Ready models?

Because they have a higher budget, and at that budget, 51" FHD plasma offers better bang for buck than mid-high range 40" or entry 46" LED-LCD, in terms of both size and picture quality.

Because it does not have DLNA/network connectivity, etc.

By all means let them test if they notice a difference. If it was my money, I'd use it all on the 51" FHD!

 

[Roman4604]

Because it does not have DLNA/network connectivity, etc.

E490 does. Why aren't you advising them to get this HD-Ready model rather.

If it was my money, I'd use it all on the 51" FHD!

So what was the pages worth BS about FHD not mattering about?

 

[Splinter]

Again if you had any ongoing 1st hand experience with DSTV HD (instead of just speculating, trying to pass it off as informed opinion), you'd would know from a HDTV investment perspective, the 6 HD channels are more compelling & are of greater value than the other 60+ SD channels combined.

All the premium content; major sport events, new release blockbuster movies, top series & documentaries are broadcast on the 6 HD channels (7 for Olympics). Also this is the situation now, when the IS20 sat goes up later this year, we should be getting a few more.

So while you may want to remain in the stone age, advising others to invest in tech which wont allow them to leverage the max benefit of (full) HD, now or in the future, is just plain lame.

I've been catching up on this thread, and just got to this post now, so forgive my comment as I have not read further. So, to commence, Roman, I am not sure what your point is - other than being quite egotistical? Since when are the few HD channels worth more than all the other SD channels combined? Arrogance in the extreme is all I can say - how about "normal" Discovery, comedy channel, reality, National Geographic etc etc etc....

 

[Splinter]

@MyDogHasNoNose

You're welcome to put me on your ignore list.

Wow. Having skimmed through this all I can say is Roman is a somewhat delusional and ill-informed proponent of....I'm not sure what. Anyway, Postmanpot, please ignore the ramblings of this troll so we can get back to pertinent discussions of interesting technology and the bargains to be had thereon.

 

[Roman4604]

Since when are the few HD channels worth more than all the other SD channels combined?

In my opinion they are to the majority premium subscribers, with the foundation being the 3 SS HD channels. MNetHD with its new release showing of blockbuster movies, premium series and actuality also contributes and DiscHD is a additional bonus showcasing all their best content. While there are some good unique non-HD channels, if you look at them carefully very few are compelling to the majority on their own e.g. NatGeo.

Looking forward, the few unique premium SD channels are most likely to be the ones given HD equivalents once the new IS20 sat goes up. So if you ask me HD channels and their content are the cornerstone of premium subscription bouquet. That together with benefit of the higher fidelity are what sets the service apart from anything else available (e.g. TopTV) to the upper end of the mainstream market.

 

[PostmanPot]

E490 does. Why aren't you advising them to get this HD-Ready model rather.

Because the budget affords FHD plasma.

But in a quest for objectivity, they should certainly test the D490 from their home viewing distance to see if they can tell the difference between FHD and HD sources. Like the professionals say, the vast majority of people can't. So the potential to save around R2-3k is certainly there, good that you pointed this out.

So what was the pages worth BS about FHD not mattering about?

You tell me? You're the one arguing about it mattering, I've never said it doesn't matter, only that it probably won't matter from longer viewing distances. Very different things, Roman.

 

[Roman4604]

I've never said it doesn't matter, only that it probably won't matter from longer viewing distances.

Nonsense, you vehemently argued with me for page and page that your determination is most people view their TVs beyond the distance that FHD is percievable, thus for all practical purposes there is little validity using FHD capability as factor for choosing a TV, and therefore a HD-Ready models were a wiser choice/spend.

Then at the end of it all you expose that your own choice would a FHD model, completely contradicting your own stance (which you backed up with charts and excerpts for guides). How is one supposed give any credence to you opinion/advice if you cant even stick to it.

 

[JerryMungo]

I've been catching up on this thread, and just got to this post now, so forgive my comment as I have not read further. So, to commence, Roman, I am not sure what your point is - other than being quite egotistical? Since when are the few HD channels worth more than all the other SD channels combined? Arrogance in the extreme is all I can say - how about "normal" Discovery, comedy channel, reality, National Geographic etc etc etc....

I think he meant they're more important to him. I don't think anyone is going to win that argument. People who insist on arguing opinion baffle me lol.

 

[PostmanPot]

Nonsense, you vehemently argued with me for page and page that your determination is most people view their TVs beyond the distance that FHD is percievable, thus for all practical purposes there is little validity using FHD capability as factor for choosing a TV, and therefore a HD-Ready models were a wiser choice/spend.

You misconstrue multiple issues (facts) into a different one that you're wanting to hear. At least others benefited which in a sense justifies your waste of time arguing something I agree with. Go back and read my posts again, especially the first one you originally took issue with.

Then at the end of it all you expose that your own choice would a FHD model, completely contradicting your own stance (which you backed up with charts and excerpts for guides). How is one supposed give any credence to you opinion/advice if you cant even stick to it.

At R9k, it would most definitely be a FHD plasma.

Hint: Budget.

*edit*

To make things crystal clear, what I don't agree with, is advising someone on a lowish budget who sits far away purely on the basis of resolution. That they should get a smaller FHD LCD when they would benefit from greater size while very likely not being able to perceive such a difference. (They would also benefit from plasma's superior contrast, colours, blacks, picture quality, which are still perceivable at longer distance opposed to resolution).

That's why I like to find out those exact factors, which differ from person to person. Along with their source material etc. it's possible to narrow things down well.

 

[BlackWasp]

I do have the backlight set to MAX but don't find it too dim. Maybe i'm just used to it. Are the EX's brighter?

Another Sony fan here, but bought an LG 47lk530 around a month ago.

sony ex is led edge-lit, hence should be brighter (experts to confirm).

Both are still 50 Hz only afaik

http://asia.cnet.com/how-to-select-the-right-sony-hdtv-2011-62207910.htm

 

[Roman4604]

At R9k, it would most definitely be a FHD plasma.

Hint: Budget.

Still completely contradicts your whole argument. Even if you can afford the FHD model, why would you spend the additional money when a comparible HD-Ready model is avaliable. Either the FHD counts or it doesn't, the budget is irrelevant.