LCD and Plasma Bargains

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Wasp_21 said:
Even though I tend to agree with Postman, there isn't really any need for a break in period or DVD. Just initially keep contrast down to around 50, brightness the same, and zoom your 4:3 channels. Do this for a short while to help exercise the gasses. If you have any residual charge (IR), run the scroller for around 5 minutes before going to sleep. OR, leave it in "noise". it will switch into standby mode after 10 minutes. Again, this is just an interim/initial precaution.
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Agreed. It's about running your contrast and brightness lower for a while and wearing it in, like driving a maximum of 80km/h for 100km or so when you get new tyres (or so they say).

A burn-in DVD would just allow you turn up the contrast and brightness sooner.
 
hilton said:
Assagia, sounds like you have a vrot device then. I have the same TV and there's absolutely no buzzing sound at all. No judder either. Movie profile is the best but I now need to calibrate as the blacks are just too black.
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How can blacks be too black? Nice problem to have though
 
hilton said:
Assagia, sounds like you have a vrot device then. I have the same TV and there's absolutely no buzzing sound at all. No judder either. Movie profile is the best but I now need to calibrate as the blacks are just too black.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the same thing.

Movie mode on the 42" is very dim.
 
Try this:
White Balance Settings
Red-Offset 22
Red-Gain 33
Green-Offset 25
Green-Gain 25
Blue-Offset 12
Blue-Gain 33
Picture Settings
Picture Mode Movie
Black Tone: Off
Color Temp Warm 2
Dynamic Contrast: Off
Brightness 56
Gamma: 0
Contrast 90
Color Space: Auto
Color 53
Flesh Tone: Off
Tint G35/R65
Edge Enhancement: Off
Sharpness 10
Digital NR: Auto
Cell Light 8
HDMI Black Level: Low
Film Mode: Auto
 
Wasp_21 said:
Try this:
White Balance Settings
Red-Offset 22
Red-Gain 33
Green-Offset 25
Green-Gain 25
Blue-Offset 12
Blue-Gain 33
Picture Settings
Picture Mode Movie
Black Tone: Off
Color Temp Warm 2
Dynamic Contrast: Off
Brightness 56
Gamma: 0
Contrast 90
Color Space: Auto
Color 53
Flesh Tone: Off
Tint G35/R65
Edge Enhancement: Off
Sharpness 10
Digital NR: Auto
Cell Light 8
HDMI Black Level: Low
Film Mode: Auto
Click to expand...

Thanks - I tried these settings which are from a review of another c-series (http://reviews.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/samsung-plasma-tv/samsung-pn50c550.html) not the same model I have - as some of these settings don't apply - and found they did help a little but are not ideal for the set I have - these settings seem to boost the blue too much. As for the buzzing, I googled and it seems like a 50/50 split between people who have buzzing sets and those who don't. The same review those settings came from also mentions judder.

Is it possible that judder is due to a faulty set? It definitely noticeable on my set, but after reading some reviews of this set it seems i'm not entirely alone. Think I will return it rather than break it in for 100 hours only to still have buzz & judder.

And re: the movie mode thing - all the reviews i've read of this set recommend using movie mode.
 
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K3NS31 said:
How can blacks be too black? Nice problem to have though
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Funny thing this. Sport is just fine. SD content is fine. However HD content is very dark or dim. I can't see how this could be the TV's fault though. Brightness is set to 90. So I can't see the outline of a black shirt. I think the contrast is wrong.

I need to use the Monster calibration CD tomorrow.

I'll try the settings that Wasp posted.
 
Hey Assagai, you're welcome to pull into my place this long weekend with your TV tucked under your arm and we can see what's wrong. I'm in Randburg if you're keen.
 
hilton said:
Funny thing this. Sport is just fine. SD content is fine. However HD content is very dark or dim. I can't see how this could be the TV's fault though. Brightness is set to 90. So I can't see the outline of a black shirt. I think the contrast is wrong.

I need to use the Monster calibration CD tomorrow.

I'll try the settings that Wasp posted.
Click to expand...

My first thought was also contrast.
Re those custom settings, surely they'd be specific to the environment the TV's in, as well as your own eyes? So I wouldn't necessarily expect them to work for you in your own lounge.
 
hilton said:
Funny thing this. Sport is just fine. SD content is fine. However HD content is very dark or dim. I can't see how this could be the TV's fault though. Brightness is set to 90. So I can't see the outline of a black shirt. I think the contrast is wrong.

I need to use the Monster calibration CD tomorrow.

I'll try the settings that Wasp posted.
Click to expand...

Yeah add that to the list of things I don't like about this tv so far - it's too dark - the contrast comes preconfigured at 95, which is a little suspicious, and taking the contrast down makes the picture a little dull.
I just don't feel like this set and I have bonded :-)
 
assagai said:
Yeah add that to the list of things I don't like about this tv so far - it's too dark - the contrast comes preconfigured at 95, which is a little suspicious.
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I'm going to go throught the calibration CD first and then see if things are better. On the birght side, she's quite hot so it's not like an effort :-)
 
hilton said:
Here are more links that I've found and bookmarked.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5171662_calibrate-samsung-hdtv.html

http://www.tweaktv.com/tweak-my-tv/calibration-guide/samsung-pn50b550-4.html

http://reviews.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/samsung-pn50c550-calibration.html

http://snipsly.com/2010/04/24/samsung-pn50c550-50-inch-1080p-plasma-hdtv-black/
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These settings/reviews are mostly for the PN50C550 which is not the same set - not all the settings apply to the set I have. Reviews/tests of the PN50C550 however all mention judder as a factor.
Thanks for the offer, let me know how it goes with your calibration cd - i'll give the set another day or so and see if i can get it to my liking, otherwise I will return it before the 7 days is up.
 
I thought this was about specials. Anyway, I'm looking for a 32" full HD and some advice. I like the Sony Bravia because Sony's always been good to me. But what is the difference between the 32BX300, the 32EX300 and the 32EX400? They're within R500 of each other. Which is the best and where's the best price - or would you recommend another TV deal under R6k?
 
buffalobill said:
I thought this was about specials. Anyway, I'm looking for a 32" full HD and some advice. I like the Sony Bravia because Sony's always been good to me. But what is the difference between the 32BX300, the 32EX300 and the 32EX400? They're within R500 of each other. Which is the best and where's the best price - or would you recommend another TV deal under R6k?
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Go for the Sony 32EX400 its Full HD (1080p), whereas the other two are only 720p.
GAME have it for R4500, R500 cheaper than Makro.
 
I can get the 46" Sony EX7100 or the Samsung C6900 for the same price (R16500)
in Cape Town.
Does anyone have any comments on which to chose? Please! I am suffering from analysis paralysis.
 
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Spectrum1 said:
I can get the 46" Sony EX7100 or the Samsung C6900 for the same price (R16500)
in Cape Town.
Does anyone have any comments on which to chose? Please! I am suffering from analysis paralysis.
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I would say Samsung are the leaders in TVs at the moment. Not sure on specs but I'd imagine both those sets are 100+Hz LED-backlit LCDs and of the same specs? Either check them out in person or go for whichever brand you are more loyal to. Also compare warranties.
 
PostmanPot said:
I would say Samsung are the leaders in TVs at the moment. Not sure on specs but I'd imagine both those sets are 100+Hz LED-backlit LCDs and of the same specs? Either check them out in person or go for whichever brand you are more loyal to. Also compare warranties.
Click to expand...

Hi PP, and thanks for the pointers -Especially the warranty pointer, as one group give 3 years free, and another sell an extra 2 year at 10% of the floorprice (not negotiated price). BIG difference.
However I am looking for an evaluation on specifics and not generalisations, so if anyone can comment on either or both, I would appreciate it.

@Bluntspoon,
I looked at 50hz vs 100 hz. BIG difference. Worth the extra money IMHO.
re 720 vs 1080, TV is only broadcasting in 720, and only BluRay DVDs etc give 1040, so a nice-to-have, but not critical for my needs.
 
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Spectrum1 said:
I can get the 46" Sony EX7100 or the Samsung C6900 for the same price (R16500)
in Cape Town.
Does anyone have any comments on which to chose? Please! I am suffering from analysis paralysis.
Click to expand...

The Samsung C6900 is a Blu-Ray player so not realy sure what you are comparing.

Sorry.
 
Hi Hilton, seems Sam have two similar numbers because when I google this, I get both.
The 6900 I am referring to is their LED TV C6900.
 
I read somewhere that the 46" EX710 uses a completely different type of panel than the ones used in the 40" and 55" EX710's. Some people who then bought 46" models based on a 40" review were then seriously unhappy with flashlighting and other issues. ... this might very well be total BS, but you might just want to check it out.

Cats Digital currently have the Samsung LA46C750 on special for R16999 ... unless you need your panel to be super thin, most reviews rate the C750 better than the C7000 and even C8000. All the edge-lit LED's have some flashlight issues and clouding, some only in very dark rooms. I am extremely happy with my C750 (even when comparing to my Pioneer KURO) ... and it will future proof you on the 3D side. You can follow the whole story here: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/289041-46-quot-LCD-which-one-...-and-where-to-buy
 
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