Looking for TV advice

[fdaniels]

I am looking to buy a replacement TV at the end of January. I will be using it to watch DSTV only. I won't be gaming on it, or watching Blurays. This means that I can settle on a 720p HD Ready TV right?

Here is the problem, my custom built cupboard in the lounge was designed for the oldschool TV that it currently houses. The width of the TV cavity is only 81cm wide. This means I need to look for a 32'' TV with less than 5cm of borders on either size, preferably without speakers.

What is the best value for money 32'' TV fitting those criteria?

 

[EchoZA]

SONY Bravia, maybe the new OLED tech or just the "old" K series.

 

[fdaniels]

I see that Game has a special that runs until December 27 (Special). Basically a Sony (Bravia 3 engine) + a HD PVR Decoder for R7499. Is this a superduper once in the life time deal or should I just wait till the end of January as planned. I don't have the cash to buy it now but can take it out on terms now and pay the balance at the end of January.

 

[Saajid]

I've got a 1 year old LG 32" LCD HD-READY (720p) TV. Want to buy it from me?

I'm looking to upgrade to 42" Full HD, mainly for gaming purposes.

 

[fdaniels]

I'll consider it, though like I said I am looking to purchase at the end of January. What money I have now I have committed to the festive season

Edit: Oh wait, you are based on Joburg . I am in Cape Town.

 

[Saajid]

I'll consider it, though like I said I am looking to purchase at the end of January. What money I have now I have committed to the festive season

Edit: Oh wait, you are based on Joburg . I am in Cape Town.

Too bad.. end of January would have been a good time for me too.

Maybe I'll wait a year for the LEDs to become cheaper, I'll get one for gaming/HT, and then move the LCD to the bed room...

 

[fdaniels]

Yep, it is definitely a pit.

Also I am still looking for comments on the Special that Game is running. I know that they often have specials and Christmas specials are seldom as special as the stores make them out to be.

 

[arf9999]

The Game special is the Sony KLV-32T550. It normally sells for R5999 on its own, but I've seen it on special for R5499. The HD-PVR sells for between R2699 and R3000, so the deal @ R7499 is real saving of around R700.

 

[fdaniels]

Thank you very much, Arf I appreciate the input.

 

[AmpleHosting]

Try to get a a plasma tv or led instead of lcd: it's has far less ghosting (none) compared to lcd tv's and it'll look good when you do get dstv hd.

Not sure about pricing or size though - but worth a look.

The ghosting sometimes distracts me especially in fast moving scenes.

 

[arf9999]

Try to get a a plasma tv or led instead of lcd: it's has far less ghosting (none) compared to lcd tv's and it'll look good when you do get dstv hd.

Not sure about pricing or size though - but worth a look.

The ghosting sometimes distracts me especially in fast moving scenes.

"LED" TVs are LCD. On a 32" any "ghosting" won't really be noticeable.

 

[fdaniels]

I don't believe that I've seen a plasma smaller than 40''. I would have preferred to get one but I have to settle on 32'' because of space constraints. I will upgrade in a few years once I buy a house of my own.

 

[AmpleHosting]

"LED" TVs are LCD. On a 32" any "ghosting" won't really be noticeable.

LED's may be LCD technology - however from what I've seen in the shops, the picture quality is much better - LED's will give off more light than the fluorescent lighting of a normal LCD. Which will give you a greater colour spectrum making the picture better.

 

[ajax]

I have not noticed ghosting on my 46 inch Sony Bravia. Maybe my eye is not "trained" for it yet. Then again, do I really WANT my eye to be trained for that?
Granted, standard definition stuff (specifically DSTV) looks better on plasma - a friend of mine has a 50 inch Samsung full HD.

 

[Dolby]

I don't believe that I've seen a plasma smaller than 40''. I would have preferred to get one but I have to settle on 32'' because of space constraints. I will upgrade in a few years once I buy a house of my own.

My ex bought a 32" plasma.

I couldn't believe it myself, actually

 

[Le^stat]

Get the Sony Bravia 32' S series.
The T series has the speakers on the side which you dont want...

 

[arf9999]

LED's may be LCD technology - however from what I've seen in the shops, the picture quality is much better - LED's will give off more light than the fluorescent lighting of a normal LCD. Which will give you a greater colour spectrum making the picture better.

Nonsense. Only RGB backlit LED screens offer wider colour than CCFL, and there are very few of those. Most of the LED LCD screens that are available at present are side-lit with white LEDs. Their colour gamut is less than CCFL, the uniformity of brightness is worse and they're more expensive. The only real advantage of these TVs is a slimmer set.

Also it will have no effect on ghosting, because ghosting is an artifact of the refresh rate of the LCD panel itself (not that there is any real noticeable ghosting on the 7th and 8th generation panels). Unless you're prepared top pay ridiculous prices for backlit RGB LED sets (back-lit allows for local dimming), then LED is a ****-off. I can't see how having a slimmer set is such a big deal - I, for one, watch the front of a TV, not the side.

 

[fdaniels]

Wow, good input all round. I didn't know that about LED TVs. I am going to see if I can find a 32'' plasma and compare that to the Sony Bravia S.

 

[AmpleHosting]

Nonsense. ........

I agree with you that LED is a bit of a rip off, and misleading to the public though, but they do look better to me.... but not for double the price.

You may also want to look for MotionFlow (goes by other names on makes other than SONY) but I don't think this will come with a 32" screen - I've only see them on 40" > screens. it's a cool feature though. Pitty my TV doesn't have it...

 

[proximiti99]

Yep motionflow starts at 40", and works wonders.