LCD and Plasma Bargains and Discussions thread

Sorry to derail but here goes - samsung series 5 i bought doesn't have ARC so i had to use HDMI plus optical connection which is irritating. Maybe check the HT connections before you buy. Or maybe you know about these things but i'm just pointing them out. Also bought a series 4 about 6 months ago and that doesn't even have an optical out. Now making a plan to connect sound through the headphone jack grrrrrr.
 
AfricanTech said:
Heh, negotiations around budget proceed.

Audiovision has the JVC LT-46N530 for R6500 - 46" JVC vs 40" Sammy for R1250 more...

What to do, what to do...
Click to expand...

Stay away from JVC, it's not the quality JVC we tend to know of, it's Chinese crap with a JVC label (similar to the Telefunken story).

Rather save up for a 46" Samsung/LG (47")/Sony, which will be around R6,999 on a good day.
 
maumau said:
Sorry to derail but here goes - samsung series 5 i bought doesn't have ARC so i had to use HDMI plus optical connection which is irritating. Maybe check the HT connections before you buy. Or maybe you know about these things but i'm just pointing them out. Also bought a series 4 about 6 months ago and that doesn't even have an optical out. Now making a plan to connect sound through the headphone jack grrrrrr.
Click to expand...

Please elaborate on the 5 Series problem?
 
I have a 55 inch JVC LED and in my opinion it is comparable to the hisense brand in terms of picture quality. It is obviously not as good as a Samsung etc. but for the prices they are good enough. Plays all file formats including MKV via the USB ports, also has motion flow control (dont really use this but suprised it has the ability given its price). 3D function as well which works fine.
 
PostmanPot said:
Please elaborate on the 5 Series problem?
Click to expand...

The tv sound is terrible so i bought a soundbar intending to connect to HDMI and bob's your uncle. Instead, because the tv doesn't have ARC (whatever that is?) I had to use HDMI plus an extra cable connected to optical out.

Model LA32D550

Hope this makes sense PP
 
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maumau said:
The tv sound is terrible so i bought a soundbar intending to connect to HDMI and bob's your uncle. Instead, because the tv doesn't have ARC (whatever that is?) I had to use HDMI plus an extra cable connected to optical out.

Model LA32D550

Hope this makes sense PP
Click to expand...

Can you link to the sound bar please?
 
maumau said:
The tv sound is terrible so i bought a soundbar intending to connect to HDMI and bob's your uncle. Instead, because the tv doesn't have ARC (whatever that is?) I had to use HDMI plus an extra cable connected to optical out.

Model LA32D550

Hope this makes sense PP
Click to expand...

ARC stands for audio return channel. Ie. Sound FROM the TV to the whatever over HDMI which is usually used as a source as opposed to destination.

I think it's only been around since 2012 models? I have a few D550 sets I think they're from 2011 range.
 
reactor_sa said:
ARC stands for audio return channel. Ie. Sound FROM the TV to the whatever over HDMI which is usually used as a source as opposed to destination.

I think it's only been around since 2012 models? I have a few D550 sets I think they're from 2011 range.
Click to expand...

This seems to be it. Perhaps the sound bar can be used as a source?

maumau, this means, for example if you're using DSTV:

DSTV > HDMI > sound bar > HDMI > TV

Instead of DSTV > HDMI > TV > HDMI > sound bar.
 
rodga said:
that link says 2 hdmi in and 1 out?
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Yoh yoh yoh yoh yoh you are right! I checked behind the unit and there are lots of connections including HDMI out.

So to recap, from back of dstv decoder to HDMI in on soundbar. Then from HDMI out into HDMI in on the TV?

sorry to be a pain - my decoder has red, white, yellow cables going to TV. Do i need a newer decoder or how do i get the signal to HDMI?
 
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maumau said:
Yoh yoh yoh yoh yoh you are right! I checked behind the unit and there are lots of connections including HDMI out.

So to recap, from back of dstv decoder to HDMI in on soundbar. Then from HDMI out into HDMI in on the TV?

sorry to be a pain - my decoder has red, white, yellow cables going to TV. Do i need a newer decoder or how do i get the signal to HDMI?
Click to expand...

yep but will need an hd decoder for hdmi output
but in your case I would plug the yellow from the decoder straight to the tv
then get an RCA to 3,5mm cable (looks like an earphone plug on one end and normal rca's on the other) for the sound from the decoder, red and white, to the audio in jack on the sound bar.

or get an hd decoder and use one hdmi to the sound bar and then one to the tv
 
Thanks soooo much. The dstv sound has never been good even through the soundbar although dvds kick a$$.

This set up will probably solve the problem, much appreciated.
 
maumau said:
Yoh yoh yoh yoh yoh you are right! I checked behind the unit and there are lots of connections including HDMI out.

So to recap, from back of dstv decoder to HDMI in on soundbar. Then from HDMI out into HDMI in on the TV?

sorry to be a pain - my decoder has red, white, yellow cables going to TV. Do i need a newer decoder or how do i get the signal to HDMI?
Click to expand...

I would recommend saving up for a second hand HD PVR (+-R1,000 or less), even if you don't subscribe to the HD package. It would improve the PQ of your SD channels, and make connecting everything up much easier by eliminating the need for RCAs.
 
Makro has the Sammy PS51F5500 for R9999. This a good deal?

I watch lots of sport, movies/series and xbox360. I want 3D and a Smart tv too.

I currently have a 10yo LG 42" plasma that has served me phenomenally well.

Are LED's better? Would like a 55" or 60" in that same price range if at all possible. But concerned about the loss of quality on the LED's.

I am currently in a well lit lounge but don't seem to have an issue with glare on my current plasma.

Recommendations?
 
Shellyb1 said:
Makro has the Sammy PS51F5500 for R9999. This a good deal?

I watch lots of sport, movies/series and xbox360. I want 3D and a Smart tv too.

I currently have a 10yo LG 42" plasma that has served me phenomenally well.

Are LED's better? Would like a 55" or 60" in that same price range if at all possible. But concerned about the loss of quality on the LED's.

I am currently in a well lit lounge but don't seem to have an issue with glare on my current plasma.

Recommendations?
Click to expand...

It's not the best price, but considering the amazing PQ it's still a great deal. I'm not sure if your LG has an anti-reflective coating, bear in mind that the Sammy doesn't.

That said, most LCDs and plasmas these days don't have AR/matte finishes. Your best bet is curtains.

LCD is not better, no. Especially at this segment of the market, where plasma is vastly superior (Samsung 4/5 Series plasma vs 5 Series LCD).

I think the cheapest 50" Samsung LCD is about R10-12k, and it has lesser PQ than the plasma.
 
AfricanTech said:
So, the Exchequer has determined that 6.5K is "over the top" so the choice has now filtered down to:

Samsung UA40EH5000 - R4800 - Makro
Samsung UA40F5000 - R5250 (Dion Wired)

Not much to go on when looking at the specs on Samsung Webiste.

Is the F500 worth the extra R450?
Click to expand...

Sometimes things just work out.

So I decide to heed the advice of the Exchequer and am on my way to Makro, when I pass Hirsch's and decide to pop in.

Wa Hey - Samsung UA40F5000 on special for R4999 - ba da boom, ba da bing - 10 minutes on my my home with a big :D on my face.

Hooked up and, boy, what a beaut!

Thanks again for the advice.

PS: I see it came factory set for 'home' on 100% contrast - is that correct?
 
AfricanTech said:
Sometimes things just work out.

So I decide to heed the advice of the Exchequer and am on my way to Makro, when I pass Hirsch's and decide to pop in.

Wa Hey - Samsung UA40F5000 on special for R4999 - ba da boom, ba da bing - 10 minutes on my my home with a big :D on my face.

Hooked up and, boy, what a beaut!

Thanks again for the advice.

PS: I see it came factory set for 'home' on 100% contrast - is that correct?
Click to expand...

Movie mode will give you the best (most accurate/detailed) PQ. I would start with it and adjust the back light/brightness/contrast etc. to your needs.

If you find it too dim or without enough 'pop', do the above with Normal mode.
 
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