LCD and Plasma Bargains

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Bad news for guys waiting for the D series 3D plasmas. I was told today at the Samsung Store at Canal Walk that the D series 3D Plasma TVs do not include any 3D glasses as part of the price. Previous gen and the LG 3D TVs include glasses so that sucks.

Entry level 3D glasses for the D series are R999.

I'm not surprised. In the US it's highly competitive with Panasonic etc whereas in SA Panasonic is pretty much dead and buried (except for a few stores @ at outrageous prices). Then we have LG plasma but they're also overpriced so Samsung really doesn't need to.
 
Does anyone know when the 51D550 will be released in SA if ever?

I've been holding out for that one but I havent been able to find out if its going to be released anytime soon.

It's released and I have one on order - very low stock levels. Going for R11,500 @ Talfelberg Furnishers with the 59" unfortunately @ R20k. Huge price difference as they simply aren't bringing in the same numbers of the larger size so the stores aren't able to negotiate lower prices with Samsung. In the US, the 59" is about 33% (and up to 50% max) more expensive. I'd willingly pay 33% more but almost double for another 8" is IMO OTT. Shame as 3d really DOES need a large screen size to draw you into the experience. Might not be an issue now, but 3 yrs from now, there will be many titles and a lot of 3d support within the video game realm too.
 
I have the 43" D450 in the bedroom and fortunately am viewing it about 1.5m away. I've noticed from about 1.2 m or closer the plasma pixel dithering is certainly noticeable. @ 1.5m it completely disappears. I don't know how you can sit further away than 2 m from this screen size - too small! The 51" will be over 3m so the pixel dither won't obviously be an issue - huge living-room.
 
Thanks for the feedback - I am almost ready to buy one as well - I was hoping for the 51D6500, but it seems that they won't be available in South Africa. I am a bit concerned about the reflective screen... I currently have a 74cm CRT, and it is very reflective! Fine in the evening (when we do most viewing), but not so great in the day for watching rugby, etc. What TV did you have before this one?

Who told you this? I'm sure the 6500, 7000, 8000's will roll out here as they have already in the US / Europe, you'll just need to be patient and wait a few more months. Owners on AVSforum have said the 6500 does exhibit less screen reflection but you will pay a fat premium for the included built-in wireless ethernet, internet apps, and thinner side profile. I'd take a complete guess and estimate R3-4k more.
 
Hehe :)

I have spoken to a few retialers, and get the same story... They say there is only going to be a limited range of Samsung Plasma screens in SA compared to overseas. They read off the official pricelist for 2011, and there are only 7 new plasma models available in total (covering all sizes!)

So for the 51", the D550 is the only full HD model available. the D6500, D7000 and D8000 won't be available :(

Also, in 59", only the D550.

The 64" only comes in D8000.

The rest are the HD Ready screens in the 43" and 51" size (with and without 3D).

Wow, I'm amazed! That really sucks if you want buit-in ethernet, internet apps etc. Why would this be the case when the C6500 / C7000's were released here? Maybe they're forcing people who want these features to go LED (the D6600 + range).
 
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Rofl!

MEGA COMBO!

He's excused - for being a plasma fanboi. :D

Viva plasma VIVA!

Hell I bet Dolby's even going to check out these new Samsung's...

:D

Guys, I am a super plasma fan boy. I have spent 4-5 months waiting for the new D series after 2 BITTER experiences with LED in December and January of this year. I spent R16.5k on a Sony 46" EX710 which had freakin' clouding / white patches (uneven light dispersion) all over it with half the screen progressively getting lighter on the left side. I then purchased the Samsung C6500 46" for R18k which also had clouding, although more minor. At night with lights off (only way I watch tv) all of this was visible and bothered me. Thank god I got refunds and after extensive time spent (trolling) on AVSforums realised plasma was the way to go. I bought LED for energy consumption benefits cos I'm a bit of a treehugger but until they can bring down the price of full-array (and not edge-lit) LED tech, I'm swearing by plasma. Plus I've had no IR issues or any drawbacks whatsoever on the most basic model, the D450.

(Now I'm stoked I can get a 51" (+5" bigger) plasma unit with 3D for at least R6k less on the D550)

Check out this review on the top of the range LED D8000 and inherent clouding: http://www.digitalversus.com/samsung-ue55d8000-p364_10870_36.html

Image here: http://img1.lesnumeriques.com/produits/36/10770/Samsung-D8000-clouding.jpg

'Nuff said?
 
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Who told you this? I'm sure the 6500, 7000, 8000's will roll out here as they have already in the US / Europe, you'll just need to be patient and wait a few more months. Owners on AVSforum have said the 6500 does exhibit less screen reflection but you will pay a fat premium for the included built-in wireless ethernet, internet apps, and thinner side profile. I'd take a complete guess and estimate R3-4k more.

I hope they do get released here...

I spoke to a few shops (Samsung Shop, Tafelberg, etc). This is what they said... They had the official price list for all the 2011 models. It seems like they are focusing on LED (LCD) in SA - 32 LED (LCD) models, and 8 normal LCD models and 7 plasma models (across all sizes). The only D8000 plasma model coming to SA is the 64". This is what more than one shop told me - I also asked if higher end models will come in later, and they said "no".

In the US, they got pretty much the entire range at the same time. If anyone speaks to Samsung or any shops that say differently, please let me know :)

fusion01 - just saw ou other posts now... Yep, I think they are pushing the market to LED - that is where they'll make the most money - the average joe believes that LED is the only way to go.
 
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I hope they do get released here...

I spoke to a few shops (Samsung Shop, Tafelberg, etc). This is what they said... They had the official price list for all the 2011 models. It seems like they are focusing on LED (LCD) in SA - 32 LED (LCD) models, and 8 normal LCD models and 7 plasma models (across all sizes). The only D8000 plasma model coming to SA is the 64". This is what more than one shop told me - I also asked if higher end models will come in later, and they said "no".

In the US, they got pretty much the entire range at the same time. If anyone speaks to Samsung or any shops that say differently, please let me know :)

fusion01 - just saw ou other posts now... Yep, I think they are pushing the market to LED - that is where they'll make the most money - the average joe believes that LED is the only way to go.

Based on the current state of affairs - as you've stated - I can't agree more. Most will think LED being newer tech and more energy efficient is the way to go. But speak to any salesman at a store and they'll tell you plasma is better - and they are viewing these units day in, day out. Thanks for the info, I was considering the 6500 but after due consideration - based on what we pay here - it was a toss up between the 51" or 59" D550, and at almost twice the price, I'll pass on the latter. I do have curtains (!) and tend to watch at night only, so the reflective issues aren't a concern. Cheers! :)
 
Based on the current state of affairs - as you've stated - I can't agree more. Most will think LED being newer tech and more energy efficient is the way to go. But speak to any salesman at a store and they'll tell you plasma is better - and they are viewing these units day in, day out. Thanks for the info, I was considering the 6500 but after due consideration - based on what we pay here - it was a toss up between the 51" or 59" D550, and at almost twice the price, I'll pass on the latter. I do have curtains (!) and tend to watch at night only, so the reflective issues aren't a concern. Cheers! :)

Indeed. Should have seen this sub forum a while back. You were mad if you mentioned plasma!
 
Indeed. Should have seen this sub forum a while back. You were mad if you mentioned plasma!

I'm not quite sure what the reasons were as I've not investigated but I'd guess that they related to plasma burn-in and IR? These were big problems but plasma technology has come a long way. A friend of mine who bought a plasma unit unit in '06 had a lot of both but these issues (certainly burn-in) are now pretty much obsolete. I have not seen IR on or after the PS3 dashboard even on a new unit, which hasn't been 'broken in' (I didn't bother). All that mega contrast stuff selling LED's is marketing - the D8000 LED only reaches 3200:1 after proper calibration.
 
But speak to any salesman at a store and they'll tell you plasma is better
Well it depends on what you want to use the display for.

In the budget end of the market (this is the 'Bargins' thread after all) there is a trade off between Plasma & LCD/LED. Low-end LCD/LED's have the advantage of Full HD resolution while low-end Plasma's advantage is better colours/contrast, but not at FHD or even proper HD.

From what I've seen you wont find a proper HD Plasma for under R8000 and a FHD Plasma will be north of R11000. By contrast my 40' LCD cost me R5200 and allows me to experience the full resolution potential of my HDPVR, PS3, XBox360 & Laptop.

If all you want is SD TV via RF/RCA, Plasma will be better, but if you want to use it for higher resolution applications you will be paying a premium for Plasma.
 
Well it depends on what you want to use the display for.

In the budget end of the market (this is the 'Bargins' thread after all) there is a trade off between Plasma & LCD/LED. Low-end LCD/LED's have the advantage of Full HD resolution while low-end Plasma's advantage is better colours/contrast, but not at FHD or even proper HD.

From what I've seen you wont find a proper HD Plasma for under R8000 and a FHD Plasma will be north of R11000. By contrast my 40' LCD cost me R5200 and allows me to experience the full resolution potential of my HDPVR, PS3, XBox360 & Laptop.

If all you want is SD TV via RF/RCA, Plasma will be better, but if you want to use it for higher resolution applications you will be paying a premium for Plasma.

Sorry but you seem misinformed.

42" HD plasma (1024x768 rectangle pixels for 16:9 widescreen) is R4,500 (it's still regarded as a 720p HD TV because there are >720 vertical lines). 50" true HD plasma (1366x768) is R6,500. 50" full HD plasma is R9,000.

Full HD is over-rated. As soon as you are further than a certain distance (±1m at 32", ±1.5m at 42", ±2m at 50") you start losing the benefits of full HD. Full HD is good for >50" TVs though.

HDPVR is HD/720p. 720p>1080i. PS3 and Xbox is 99% HD/720p or less (there are maybe 5 - 10 titles that are FHD).

The only benefit entry level LCD has over entry level plasma, as far as I'm concerned, is FHD for PC use.
 
42" HD plasma (1024x768 rectangle pixels for 16:9 widescreen) is R4,500 (it's still regarded as a 720p HD TV because there are >720 vertical lines).
No to qualify for HD a screen must be able to natively display 1280 pixel across. What your talking about is HD-Ready, that is can accept a 1280 width signal but must downscale it to the avaliable 1024 pixel width.

PS3 and Xbox is 99% HD/720p or less (there are maybe 5 - 10 titles that are FHD).
Not quite.

Because the PS3 is HDMI connected individual games can switch down to the optimal resolution deemed by the developer. My PS3 is set to 1920x1080p (dashboard uses this res), but most games will switch themselves down to 1280x720p.

The XBox360 connected via VGA is a different story. Mine is set to 1920x1080, meaning dashboard & games stay locked at FHD resolution. Replayed a few levels of Gears of War 2 at FHD, and for me it certainly isnt overrated, more like wow.
 
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