LCD and Plasma Bargains and Discussions thread


I don't know much about LG.

If you can't afford the premium brands, by all means go with Hisense, Sinotec or Mecer. There is a good reason why they're cheaper, and premium brands more expensive.

Buy whichever is the biggest branded set you can afford. Very little difference between entry level LCDs in my opinion. Between entry and mid range, sure (i.e. Samsung 5 Series vs 6/7 Series). But very little difference between an entry Samsung and LG, beyond the differences of the LCD panels each brand uses, e.g. Samsungs tend to have deeper blacks, LG better colours (IPS panel).
 
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Basically I am not BIG on Tv, don't even have one I have my 28" monitor, but lately I really started liking the idea of a large sized tv for movies.


However my budget is very small like I am willing to go about R9k-R10K at most. That's even in all honesty a bit much to justify on a TV.
 
Do you mind linking some deals you approve of?

Sorry for all the questions.

No problem at all. If you want good picture quality, something better than most:

Samsung 48" 6 Series - http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/samsung-48-122cm-3d-smart-full-hd-led-tv-274798EA
LG 50" equivalent - http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/lg-47-119cm-3d-smart-full-hd-led-tv-273656EA

Otherwise there are plenty of options here, that one LG 49" even as low as R6,999 which should tick the boxes if you're not big into TV - http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/led-BAB?sort=3&display=64.

I like LG more and more these days, good value, getting a bit tired of Samsung's monopolistic ways.
 
No problem at all. If you want good picture quality, something better than most:

Samsung 48" 6 Series - http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/samsung-48-122cm-3d-smart-full-hd-led-tv-274798EA
LG 50" equivalent - http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/lg-47-119cm-3d-smart-full-hd-led-tv-273656EA

Otherwise there are plenty of options here, that one LG 49" even as low as R6,999 which should tick the boxes if you're not big into TV - http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/led-BAB?sort=3&display=64.

I like LG more and more these days, good value, getting a bit tired of Samsung's monopolistic ways.

I will keep that LG in mind...

How important is CLEAR MOTION RATIO(HZ) ?

Because I see the LG you linked is 500Hz

This same LG ( http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/lg-47-119cm-full-hd-led-tv-273645EA) is a lot cheaper, but I see he is 100Hz and take it this is what makes this one less expensive ?
 
I will keep that LG in mind...

How important is CLEAR MOTION RATIO(HZ) ?

Because I see the LG you linked is 500Hz

This same LG ( http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/lg-47-119cm-full-hd-led-tv-273645EA) is a lot cheaper, but I see he is 100Hz and take it this is what makes this one less expensive ?

Firstly, CMR is a marketing gimmick. What they've done is doubled the actual Hz in order to inflate numbers which look better to consumers. For months, Samsung used CMR while the other manufacturers all stuck to the traditional Hz, think about what that did to sales when your average person sees a higher number on the Samsung.

It borders on insignificant, people who know about video will have it disabled - http://www.cnet.com/news/what-is-the-soap-opera-effect/.

So, what a higher Hz does, is takes a normal 60Hz (60 FPS) feed, and the TV's algorithm calculates/'guesses' extra frames to place in between each frame, thereby making the picture smoother. But adding a horrible effect as above.

It can make gaming and animation look better. It's up to the user.

There will be other differences in the panel which lead to lesser picture quality, not only the lower Hz. Black levels, black uniformity, colour accuracy, static contrast ratio, type of LED backlighting, etc. etc.

Rather don't concern yourself much with it all, buy what you can afford. I reckon you'll be happy with whatever you get, as long as it's big and branded.
 
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I like LG more and more these days, good value, getting a bit tired of Samsung's monopolistic ways.

Not being able to change the country code on an LG might be the difference between them and Samsung for a lot of folk. It certainly stops me even looking at them.
 
Not being able to change the country code on an LG might be the difference between them and Samsung for a lot of folk. It certainly stops me even looking at them.

Would affect very few I'd imagine, most people's needs and technical know-how is simply not nearly like yours or mine.

And that is pretty much why we sit with no choice nowadays. No plasma, only LCD. Aggressive marketing campaigns, by manufacturers seeking profits, only too easily rubs off on the unknowing masses. Who without knowledge about TVs, resort to going for the highest numbers. And then you have an underpaid employee who knows squat too forcing fibs based on commission and targets. It's less confusing for the customer, but the most damaging to the industry and what's best for the consumer - if we want what's best for them. I certainly do.
 
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Firstly, CMR is a marketing gimmick. What they've done is doubled the actual Hz in order to inflate numbers which look better to consumers. For months, Samsung used CMR while the other manufacturers all stuck to the traditional Hz, think about what that did to sales when your average person sees a higher number on the Samsung.

It borders on insignificant, people who know about video will have it disabled - http://www.cnet.com/news/what-is-the-soap-opera-effect/.

So, what a higher Hz does, is takes a normal 60Hz (60 FPS) feed, and the TV's algorithm calculates/'guesses' extra frames to place in between each frame, thereby making the picture smoother. But adding a horrible effect as above.

It can make gaming and animation look better. It's up to the user.

There will be other differences in the panel which lead to lesser picture quality, not only the lower Hz. Black levels, black uniformity, colour accuracy, static contrast ratio, type of LED backlighting, etc. etc.

Rather don't concern yourself with it all, buy what you can afford.

I see I see,

Okey last question... Regarding the below mentioned options.

Do you think an inexperienced TV guy like myself will notice a major difference in quality?

Like is the quality between the lower end mentioned here compared to the higher end exceptionally bad like the picture quality will irritate your face so bad is it, or is it not "THAT" big of a difference ?

Lower end unbranded option:

HISENSE 55" (140cm) Full HD LED TV
http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/hisense-55-140cm-full-hd-led-tv-276644EA

SINOTEC 58" (147cm) Full HD D-LED TV
http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/sinotec-58-147cm-full-hd-d-led-tv-259734EA

Lower end Branded option:

LG 47" (119cm) Full HD LED TV
http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/lg-47-119cm-full-hd-led-tv-273645EA

LG 49" (124cm) Full HD LED TV
http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/lg-49-124cm-full-hd-led-tv-277101EA

SAMSUNG 48" (122cm) Smart Full HD LED TV
http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/samsung-48-122cm-smart-full-hd-led-tv-273888EA

PHILIPS 50" (127cm) Full HD LED TV
http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/philips-50-127cm-full-hd-led-tv-276352EA

Higher end Branded:

SAMSUNG 48" (122cm) 3D Smart Full HD LED TV
http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/samsung-48-122cm-3d-smart-full-hd-led-tv-274798EA

LG 47" (119cm) 3D Smart Full HD LED TV
http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/lg-47-119cm-3d-smart-full-hd-led-tv-273656EA
 
Do you think an inexperienced TV guy like myself will notice a major difference in quality?

Yes, more in the menu system which you'll find unrefined and lacking thought or advanced settings. The remote controls on non branded sets are also always horrible. Nothing worse than that feeling of junk in your hand.

But if you've never compared, you'd be none the wiser. But the picture quality differences will be there, particularly with LED backlighting prone to light bleed and white spots.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/439067-Hisense-55T36-Owners-Thread

You'll be happy with the biggest entry level branded set you can afford.

Over and out.
 
Yes, more in the menu system which you'll find unrefined and lacking thought or advanced settings. The remote controls on non branded sets are also always horrible. Nothing worse than that feeling of junk in your hand.

But if you've never compared, you'd be none the wiser. But the picture quality differences will be there, particularly with LED backlighting prone to light bleed and white spots.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/439067-Hisense-55T36-Owners-Thread

You'll be happy with the biggest entry level branded set you can afford.

Over and out.

I really appreciate your help and guidance a LOT !!

Like really thank you I owe you.
 
I really appreciate your help and guidance a LOT !!

Like really thank you I owe you.

The pleasure is mine. If you can afford R10k, I suggest going for something better than entry level now that you're starting to wonder about it (Samsung 6 Series or LG equivalent as discussed). You will come to appreciate it down the line.

If you need to save, nothing wrong with biggest entry level branded LCD you can afford. Quantity vs quality, quantity (size) wins for most people when it comes to TVs.
 
I will definitely keep this in mind, to be honest I don't mind saving another month or so to get a budget of say R15-16K, but for me personally it comes down to this.

I will watch on avg 2 hours a day maybe more but I doubt it.

I despise dstv and that crap I download/stream mainly documentaries.

So spending that kind of money on a TV... You get my point...

However how long do thinks does a TV last?

Since spending potentially R15K+ won't be something I plan on doing regularly.
 
I will definitely keep this in mind, to be honest I don't mind saving another month or so to get a budget of say R15-16K, but for me personally it comes down to this.

I will watch on avg 2 hours a day maybe more but I doubt it.

I despise dstv and that crap I download/stream mainly documentaries.

So spending that kind of money on a TV... You get my point...

However how long do thinks does a TV last?

Since spending potentially R15K+ won't be something I plan on doing regularly.

Streaming/downloading is just as worthy of a good TV.

5 - 10 years+ easily.
 
Streaming/downloading is just as worthy of a good TV.

5 - 10 years+ easily.

5-10 years....

Well then I can convince myself this is more a long term investment in lifestyle and wait another month see if I can go R16K

That should get me something decent in the 50-55" range I guess?
 
5-10 years....

Well then I can convince myself this is more a long term investment in lifestyle and wait another month see if I can go R16K

That should get me something decent in the 50-55" range I guess?

More reason to go for better than entry level if you're going to use it long term.

One always wishes they went bigger once they're used to the size of what they bought.

2 - 3m viewing distance = 50"

3 - 4m = 50 - 60".
 
I don't know my apartment by heart as I am in my bed, but I will say 3.5m if I'm not mistaken
 
I'm about 1.89m and I can easily lay 2 of myself linear from the couch to the wall
 
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