rsifan
Senior Member
Yes.
It will be replacing my PC monitor as well as being used for SD/HD DSTV, blue ray movies as well as PS3 gaming.
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Yes.
It will be replacing my PC monitor as well as being used for SD/HD DSTV, blue ray movies as well as PS3 gaming.
PostmanPot
Honorary Master
Can't go wrong with the LA40D550. Perhaps wait arou d for some more specials. Or maybe you can find a LA40C550 that's been discounted.
I really love my LA32C550 PC screen.
PostmanPot
Honorary Master
It actually comes across like you are the one defending the purchase of your plasma
I know that you are happy with your plasma, and many others are happy too. Peoples opinions of TVs vary wildly - I was a total plasma fanboy until I actually bought one!
As I mentioned before, the plasma I had, did have a slight (and it was very slight) edge over my LCD for low bitrate SD video (it sort of smooths out the MPEG compression artifacts). The problem is that most of the SD channels on DSTV are 4:3, and to prevent image retention, you should stretch those images to fill the screen, which distorts the image (makes everyone look fat)So, in my opinion, if you want to buy a new widescreen TV, and you want to watch sport, then an HD PVR is essential... and then one of the main advantages of the plasma (better low bitrate SD) is no longer so important.
I really think that anyone who already has a DSTV subscription and is buying a widescreen HD TV should include an HD PVR in their purchase.
You ran your SD channels in 4:3 which led to image retention, or burn-in? Which model btw?
I'm sure the HD PVR does some processing to make SD TV look better on HD TVs. Perhaps Roman can give us some input. I just find it a bit strange that you were running at 4:3, when I've never needed to do this, nor seen anyone else do it.
I'm very happy with SD via HD PVR, as are Tim, Roman and others with their LCDs. Stretch has never bothered me, maybe I will look out for it from now on. 
I imagine the LCD would have given slightly poorer SD quality while still being stretched, but you wouldn't have to worry about IB-I. Fair enough.
HD PVR is a must. The newer one at R1,500 from Makro recently was a steal.
You ran your SD channels in 4:3 which led to image retention, or burn-in? Which model btw?
I'm sure the HD PVR does some processing to make SD TV look better on HD TVs. Perhaps Roman can give us some input. I just find it a bit strange that you were running at 4:3, when I've never needed to do this, nor seen anyone else do it.
HD PVR is a must. The newer one at R1,500 from Makro recently was a steal.
A comment just to clear my name from that post without wanting to engage in a new debate and after which I'm gone again.
I don't own a HDPVR. I don't have Dstv. I used to have both, that was during the WC2010. When I did I also ran SD at 4:3 (pillarboxed) on a 32" LCD. Even now I run any SD content that is 4:3 as pillarboxed on my 46 LCD. I hate the stretched picture.
HDPVR is currently on sale for R1399 or R1299. Can't remember where, maybe Game or Hifi.
Over and out again
PostmanPot
Honorary Master
Alright then.
I assumed when you talk about "SD" you also included TV... SD rips are acceptable on my LCD. 
Nice price, so worth it just for normal DSTV.
Yes and on that note another consumer tip: you can enable HD on a standard DSTV premium bouquet without having to pay the access fee for PVR functionality. PVR functionality is billed while HD isn't. You can have the HDPVR, not pay the access feee, have PVR functionality disabled and still enjoy HD. You don't even need a twin LNB as I discovered (see some thread burried deep inside the forum)
greg_SA
Expert Member
Nope, I did it as a preventative measure, to prevent image retention (IR). My Samsung showed a bit of retention after watching 4:3 in a pillar box, but it faded after a few minutes. By dad's Panasonic has heavy retention (maybe even burn) from regularly watching SD channels in pillar box. Stretching a 4:3 image to fill a 16:9 screen is something that I do not like - and many other people/family feel the same. Rugby players look like Hulk
I'm sure the HD PVR does some processing to make SD TV look better on HD TVs. Perhaps Roman can give us some input. I just find it a bit strange that you were running at 4:3, when I've never needed to do this, nor seen anyone else do it.
I imagine the LCD would have given slightly poorer SD quality while still being stretched, but you wouldn't have to worry about IB-I. Fair enough.
HD PVR is a must. The newer one at R1,500 from Makro recently was a steal.
The HD PVR does upscaling of the SD channels, so if the upscaler in the HD PVR is better than the upscaler in the TV, then the PVR will improve the image. Unfortunately, you can't output the SD channels in their native resolution (576i) on the HD PVR (and keep the HD channels at 1080i) - if you could, then you could see which device has the better upscaler.
Also, the HD PVR and HDTV would be connected via HDMI, so it is all digital. The analog conversions (via composite, s-video or component, and back to digital for the TV) will degrade the signal somewhat on a normal decoder. I don't think the analog interfaces are given much attention on modern HDTVs anymore, as very few people use it.
greg_SA
Expert Member
Roman4604
Executive Member
Not even sure if upscaling would be the accurate term.
The HDPVR2P, or Pace TDS865IMC, is a single chip box (that why its small/cheaper than previous models). It takes the 576i MPEG4/H.264 signal off the dish and decodes/renders it to the target format (1080i by default) internally within the main DSP chip. I would assume this processing would be clearer/more accurate that a TV's DSP doing the upscaling after the fact (blindly).
If the TV is running in 1:1 pixel mapping mode, it does not need to alter the format of each raw frame as its at native panel resolution, however since the signal is interlaced its DSP must still cleanup the frames by running its filtering/interpolation routines (e.g. fix zigzag horizontal edges of lateral moving objects). This de-interlace processing will reduce the fidelity of the image but less so than de-interlacing + scaling together.
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greg_SA
Expert Member
Well, the internal chip of the HD PVR is just a system-on-chip... but it is still doing upscaling in my opinion. The way I understand it... The SD channels use DVB-S (MPEG2 stream), and that is decompressed to form raw 576i frames - these are then upscaled to 1080i frames. This is sent to the TV, which de-interlaces and displays (and possibly scales again, if the pixel mapping is not 1:1.
Roman4604
Executive Member
Suppose its just scematics, but for me SD channels (esp the good bitrate ones) look slightly crisper with the HDVR2P outputing 1080i rather than 576p (decoder de-interlacing, TV upscaling).
EDIT:
Yep, I was confusing the SD & HD (DVB-S2 using MPEG4/H.264) broadcast formats. Stands to reason, otherwise SD decoders (only DVB-S capable) would never be able to decode the signal.
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greg_SA
Expert Member
For sure.. it all depends on which device is upscaling, and which is de-interlacing... there can be differences.
Sensorei
Executive Member
+1000
I think everyone is sick of hearing the same story from him over and over and over again about the bloody 4 series plasmas. Enough.
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PostmanPot
Honorary Master
Stop being so selfish and try to be more understanding. You're not the only one reading this forum, new members/viewers/potential buyers pop up daily. Rather get involved instead of chirping from the sideline or don't chirp at all (or don't and use a mental ignore/ignore button).
Tim's doing the exact same about Series 5 LCD but you don't call him out for that? I love the pot kettle black hypocrisy. But I welcome his arguments.
Hell here I was thinking as an owner of both Series 5 LCD and Series 4 plasma I could give a balanced view!
divv
Senior Member
At the risk of complaints that this thread is getting off the rails again: as someone who IS new to the plasma/LCD scene I appreciate hearing the views of both sides.
A week ago when my 4 year old CRT stopped working I reluctantly started looking at both options - up to now I have been SERIOUSLY anti these technologies as I truly prefer a glass screen (I work in TV production and many of us do!).
I went for the 40D550 special last Sunday but found I didn't like the colour blur I was seeing so have now exchanged it for a 43D450 which so far I prefer. Its possible I had a faulty LCD; its also possible that its just different preferences. But without debate about the pros and cons of each I wouldn't have known which models were worth looking at, and may just have written off the whole subject and bought another CRT (aging technology or not).
So I thank EVERYONE who has made an input here - those who have posted the specials and those who have commented on the different options.
A week ago when my 4 year old CRT stopped working I reluctantly started looking at both options - up to now I have been SERIOUSLY anti these technologies as I truly prefer a glass screen (I work in TV production and many of us do!).
I went for the 40D550 special last Sunday but found I didn't like the colour blur I was seeing so have now exchanged it for a 43D450 which so far I prefer. Its possible I had a faulty LCD; its also possible that its just different preferences. But without debate about the pros and cons of each I wouldn't have known which models were worth looking at, and may just have written off the whole subject and bought another CRT (aging technology or not).
So I thank EVERYONE who has made an input here - those who have posted the specials and those who have commented on the different options.
Hello everyone, and PP 
I am now in the market to buy my first LCD tv. Im not sure what the difference between plasma / lcd is - but tbh, it doesnt really bother me as I dont use it for like HD decodering and stuff. I also dont want a super expensive tv, as its just for me in my room. I still have an old box tv, and need it replaced as the colour is now grey almost and the picture is like only half - as the one side of the screen is kinda blurry in a way.
SO, there are some TV's like PAlsonic, D:Light or something from Hifi Corp, and then I found this:
http://www.game.co.za/TELEFUNKEN-FHD-LCD-TV-94CM-TLCD-37FHD-558805.aspx
Please note that Im not to worried about it being a samsung / lg or something like that - just a new TV where i can view my full picture and in colour. The Telefunken one caught my eye (the one in the link) but what about cheaper alternatives like the Palsonic / D:light / etc etc. Please give me some advice regarding these makes, as well as if the Telefunken is a good deal and a good make please.
Many thanks
I am now in the market to buy my first LCD tv. Im not sure what the difference between plasma / lcd is - but tbh, it doesnt really bother me as I dont use it for like HD decodering and stuff. I also dont want a super expensive tv, as its just for me in my room. I still have an old box tv, and need it replaced as the colour is now grey almost and the picture is like only half - as the one side of the screen is kinda blurry in a way.
SO, there are some TV's like PAlsonic, D:Light or something from Hifi Corp, and then I found this:
http://www.game.co.za/TELEFUNKEN-FHD-LCD-TV-94CM-TLCD-37FHD-558805.aspx
Please note that Im not to worried about it being a samsung / lg or something like that - just a new TV where i can view my full picture and in colour. The Telefunken one caught my eye (the one in the link) but what about cheaper alternatives like the Palsonic / D:light / etc etc. Please give me some advice regarding these makes, as well as if the Telefunken is a good deal and a good make please.
Many thanks
PostmanPot
Honorary Master
Hello everyone, and PP
I am now in the market to buy my first LCD tv. Im not sure what the difference between plasma / lcd is - but tbh, it doesnt really bother me as I dont use it for like HD decodering and stuff. I also dont want a super expensive tv, as its just for me in my room. I still have an old box tv, and need it replaced as the colour is now grey almost and the picture is like only half - as the one side of the screen is kinda blurry in a way.
SO, there are some TV's like PAlsonic, D:Light or something from Hifi Corp, and then I found this:
http://www.game.co.za/TELEFUNKEN-FHD-LCD-TV-94CM-TLCD-37FHD-558805.aspx
Please note that Im not to worried about it being a samsung / lg or something like that - just a new TV where i can view my full picture and in colour. The Telefunken one caught my eye (the one in the link) but what about cheaper alternatives like the Palsonic / D:light / etc etc. Please give me some advice regarding these makes, as well as if the Telefunken is a good deal and a good make please.
Many thanks
For R500 more you can get a damn good Samsung 5 Series 32" LCD - the LA32D550. Stick to brand names, you get what you pay for.
It sounds like you will be using the TV for standard definition/low quality stuff - movies & series rips and normal TV, possibly? Plasma would definitely be better for that, but plasma only starts at 42" and R4,500 (for a Samsung). Also, its improvement at playing SD stuff might not concern you. The LCD is still pretty good at it.
The above TV is the buy of the month, get it while it's still on special (Game)!
divv
Senior Member
Which one and where? Better than the Game price??
Thanks PP!! Yes, I will only use the tv for normal DSTV and such. I have movies on my new HDD I won, but I dont know how to play it on the TV lol - will play around when I get the tv. Hmm, I dont want such a big 42 inch TV - its only for myself. I looked around alot, and the Telefunken FHD tv looks like the best deal. Just for interest sake - how is the Palsonic / Sinotec / D:light stuff - crap? And, is Telefunken a good make?
sand_man
Honorary Master
Of the lesser known brands Sinotec usually offer a 5 year warranty when purchased from Makro. Not sure if this still applies though and not sure if they have a service centre in cape town but either way that's a decent warranty period. I'm getting a full refund on a 1 year old 47" fhd LCD due to a contrast flickering effecting the set which Sinotec cannot fix. With my R8k refund I'll get myself a samsung 50" plasma.
Point is if you not going for one of the leading brands give the Sinotec serious consideration on the basis of the extended warranty and outstanding after sales service (and it really is).
They collected my LCD twice from my premises and even sent a tech to try fix on site so they made the effort to fix.
EDIT: R4500 for the 42" FHD Sinotec LCD is reasonably good value for money. Admittedly it's a full R1500 more than the Telefunken but extra 5" and don't tell me size doesn't count!!!
Also 5 year guarantee vs 3...
Point is if you not going for one of the leading brands give the Sinotec serious consideration on the basis of the extended warranty and outstanding after sales service (and it really is).
They collected my LCD twice from my premises and even sent a tech to try fix on site so they made the effort to fix.
EDIT: R4500 for the 42" FHD Sinotec LCD is reasonably good value for money. Admittedly it's a full R1500 more than the Telefunken but extra 5" and don't tell me size doesn't count!!!
Also 5 year guarantee vs 3...
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