LCD TV

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Monkey101

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After playing my PS3 on a 40" Full HD Sony Bravia i now realize that i am missing a lot by playing it on an sd tv.

So my question is, what TV would be best to get?
My budget is around R10,000
Would like 40" + either Plasma or LCD (LED will be to expensive)
It must also be Full HD (GT5 :D)

Would prefer either Sony, Samsung, LG.
I did do a bit of looking around, just want to hear what you guys are using and if you would recommend it.
 
I'd go LCD ...

If you had asked me over 3 months ago, I'd have said Bravia without a doubt. But when I compared my Samsung to the equivilant Bravia, the Samsung came out tops with an excellent picture and features.

However I suspect most people would disagree - so I'm sure you get 40" S Series Bravia for R9,999?
 
I've now realised that getting a LCD TV with a good contrast ratio is important. Especially dark, scary games, set at night. Much easier to see what is happening when blacks look like black, and not dark grey.

Try to get something with a good contrast ratio, as high as possible. I believe you get hybrid LCD/LED TVs. The backlight is acutally a matrix of LEDs, instead of th flourescent bulbs you usually get with LCDs. They're not proper LED TVs, and are not that much more expensive than LCDs.
 
Problem i find with contrast ratio's is that manufacturers always inflate the values and claim its"Dynamic Contrast".

Any idea where or how much those hybrid tv thingies cost?

I was playing on the exact same tv you mentioned Dolby :P it was a Sony S550 i think.
 
ToxicWazte said:
I've now realised that getting a LCD TV with a good contrast ratio is important. Especially dark, scary games, set at night. Much easier to see what is happening when blacks look like black, and not dark grey.
Click to expand...
The figures provided by manufacturers for contrast ratio are worthless and display models in shops are no good for judging, so there's no easy way to determine which model is better in this regard.
 
Why do you say display models are no good? Because of the fading backlight over time? Or because of the shop lighting?
So your saying i should get the cheapest 40" Full HD within reason?
 
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Nokkie said:
Sony Bravia - no doubt.

I like to keep everthing Sony :)
Click to expand...

That is what i was thinking.
I saw a deal at game i think it was a 40" Full HD samsung with a free BR player,
It was just under R10,000.
Not sure if the TV is maybe old stock or something.
 
Monkey101 said:
Why do you say display models are no good? Because of the fading backlight over time? Or because of the shop lighting?
So your saying i should get the cheapest 40" Full HD within reason?
Click to expand...

If you're not going over 46" you don't necessarily have to get Full HD, HD Ready will work just as well.
 
I did a test on the weekend and the games that run 1080p look way better than when running 720p, so i would like Full HD.
 
Ok. LCD and Plasma FHD is really only applicable from 40" and up, as well as how close you are to the set (viewing distance). If you push for prices, you can get the following sets for under your 10k budget.

Samsung LN40B530 ( it is discontinued, but is still a 2009 model, and still being produced in SA) Price: R8600.00
Samsung LN40B532 (replacement model for above, diff is refresh rate is better by 0.5/1 ms) Price: R9400.00
Samsung LN40B550 - Price R10,000.00

These are your best bet around your budget and are all FHD(1080p). Play for prices, now is the time.
 
jeppe777 said:
What test did you do ? There are hardly any games that are natively 1080p
Click to expand...

Wipeout HD is the only native 1080p game i have, even the non native ones look better (GTA4 for example)

And would this be worth my while,
http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/13820

Only problem is the free BR player is a bit pointless.
Anyone looking for a BluRay player :P

EDIT: or would i be better off getting an extra 2" and going for the LG FHD 42"?
 
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Monkey101 said:
EDIT: or would i be better off getting an extra 2" and going for the LG FHD 42"?
Click to expand...

Bigger is always better, especially for gaming, and especially if you going Full HD. Future proof your purchase now, that way you won't be disappointed later on, and think, if only I bought xxxx and xxxxxx and xxx. You don't need another blu-ray player. It's pointless..
 
Monkey101 said:
Only problem is the free BR player is a bit pointless.
Anyone looking for a BluRay player :P

EDIT: or would i be better off getting an extra 2" and going for the LG FHD 42"?
Click to expand...

Definitely go as big as you can. I don't even know why the make 40" if 42" models are available.. Since you have the PS3, missing out on the free Blu Ray player isn't a problem.
 
Not sure what the contrast ratio is of the LG. Their website is a complete mess lol.
 
Randhir said:
If you're not going over 46" you don't necessarily have to get Full HD, HD Ready will work just as well.
Click to expand...

Wasp_21 said:
Ok. LCD and Plasma FHD is really only applicable from 40" and up
Click to expand...
This is commonly said and I totally disagree. I think people just said this to justify getting a 720p display.

Most people sit too far from their TV. It should be like a cinema screen, it should fill your field of view.

Monkey101 said:
Why do you say display models are no good? Because of the fading backlight over time? Or because of the shop lighting?
Click to expand...
Lighting, video source, settings.

Monkey101 said:
Not sure what the contrast ratio is of the LG. Their website is a complete mess lol.
Click to expand...
Manufacturer contrast ratio numbers are worthless. They might be something you can compare within a certain brand, but you cannot compare the numbers provided by different manufacturers.
 
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