New TV purchase: best entry level make/model?

Z

Zeemels

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Location
Gauteng, South Africa
I'm looking to buy an affordable entry level flat screen tv with reasonable picture quality and sound. So far narrowed it down to two options that I like:
1. Samsung 43D490
- HD ready plasma with 3D
- approx R6500

2. LG 42LE4500
- Full HD LED
- approx R6000

Any one got experience with either one of these sets? Owner feedback would be appreciated as well as alternative make/model suggestions also welcome.
 
I'd like to recommend the second option, but I'm sure that this thread will turn into an orgy about Samsung/plasma, sport, DSTV, 720p being good enough, viewing distances, etc. etc. ;)
 
Cool, reason for recommendation? - I had a soft spot for the Samsung plasma - image quality was acceptably good with richness of colour far superior to the LG LED. That being said, I don't watch sport - TV will mainly be used for watching frivolous style and celeb shows on DSTV and the occasional DVD. Viewing distance is about 2.5/3m so don't know if that sways it either way?
 
OP, why not go big? for a little more money you can get a nice 50inch samsung plasma.
 
Fader4 said:
OP, why not go big? for a little more money you can get a nice 50inch samsung plasma.
Click to expand...

Bigger isn't always better, kinda wanna stay in the 42" range. My current TV unit is only big enuf to fit a 43" max - granted I could just buy a new tv unit, but that would mean +a few thousand for 50" +a few thousand for new tv unit = way over budget.

For interest sale, what model would you suggest for a 50" Samsung plasma?
 
Foto Digital World was selling the Samsung PS51d450 51"plasma for R6195 and the PS43D450 43" plasma for R4895. They're based in Pretoria.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
I'd like to recommend the second option, but I'm sure that this thread will turn into an orgy about Samsung/plasma, sport, DSTV, 720p being good enough, viewing distances, etc. etc. ;)
Click to expand...

Please explain why you would recommend the second option. If you cannot do this then you're only trolling.
 
Zeemels said:
Cool, reason for recommendation? - I had a soft spot for the Samsung plasma - image quality was acceptably good with richness of colour far superior to the LG LED. That being said, I don't watch sport - TV will mainly be used for watching frivolous style and celeb shows on DSTV and the occasional DVD. Viewing distance is about 2.5/3m so don't know if that sways it either way?
Click to expand...

Samsung 43" plasma will be your best bet due to what you intend using it for. It will be superior for DSTV and DVDs.

But why D490? Do you need 3D? PS43D450 is R4,999.
 
Check Game's specials. Theres a 40 inch Samsung LED for R4800 if I recall correct. I have that TV at home and its awesome, have no complaints
 
PostmanPot said:
Please explain why you would recommend the second option. If you cannot do this then you're only trolling.
Click to expand...
Yeah, let's say I'm trolling. And at the same time let's say that this topic hasn't been discussed ad infinitum, and that it won't go down the same path mentioned in my troll post.
 
CptNukeEm said:
Check Game's specials. Theres a 40 inch Samsung LED for R4800 if I recall correct. I have that TV at home and its awesome, have no complaints
Click to expand...

You sure it's not 32"?

Firstly it's not an LED, it is a LED back-lit LCD. Exactly the same tech as normal CCFL back-lit LCD, only the back-light differs.

LED back-lit LCDs are actually generally worse than CCFL because of poorer colours and worse light bleed/light spot issues.

But I'm sure it looked best to you at Game/similar because LED-LCDs are the brightest, and therefore trick people into thinking they're beat due to the bright shop lighting at mass mart stores. There is no worser place to judge TVs.

People use TVs at home for many different things. Perhaps list what ou use it for in comparison to the OP.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Yeah, let's say I'm trolling. And at the same time let's say that this topic hasn't been discussed ad infinitum, and that it won't go down the same path mentioned in my troll post.
Click to expand...

Look, either genuinely try to help the OP, or GTFO.
 
Magandroid said:
Foto Digital World was selling the Samsung PS51d450 51"plasma for R6195 and the PS43D450 43" plasma for R4895. They're based in Pretoria.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this - gave them a call quick - not looking for D450 models so inquired about price for the Samsung 42D490 and LG 43LE4500 - but they did not have either in stock. They did however have the Samsung 51D490 at a whopping R9 999 - definitely not entry level pricing.
 
Zeemels said:
Thanks for this - gave them a call quick - not looking for D450 models so inquired about price for the Samsung 42D490 and LG 43LE4500 - but they did not have either in stock. They did however have the Samsung 51D490 at a whopping R9 999 - definitely not entry level pricing.
Click to expand...

I can only assume that you then want 3D?

But then how does the LG come into the picture when it isn't 3D? Don't understand, please clarify.
 
PostmanPot said:
Samsung 43" plasma will be your best bet due to what you intend using it for. It will be superior for DSTV and DVDs.

But why D490? Do you need 3D? PS43D450 is R4,999.
Click to expand...

To be honest, no, don't really need 3D, but is 3D the only spec upgrade you get between the D490 and D450 models? If yes - then the 43D450 at R4,999 is obviously the better bet. Do you get nothing else for the R1500 extra you paying for the D490 model?
 
Zeemels said:
To be honest, no, don't really need 3D, but is 3D the only spec upgrade you get between the D490 and D450 models? If yes - then the 43D450 at R4,999 is obviously the better bet. Do you get nothing else for the R1500 extra you paying for the D490 model?
Click to expand...

The difference is that the PS43D450 uses the HyperReal engine, and the PS43D490 the 3D HyperReal engine.

So yes, 3D is the only upgrade. But, since it uses a better engine (3D generally requires a better engine), it may offer better colours/blacks/motion handling and general picture quality. You be the judge, in a correct viewing room (i.e. not Game, because then you will walk out with inferior entry LED-LCD). ;)
 
PostmanPot said:
The difference is that the PS43D450 uses the HyperReal engine, and the PS43D490 the 3D HyperReal engine.

So yes, 3D is the only upgrade. But, since it uses a better engine (3D generally requires a better engine), it may offer better colours/blacks/motion handling and general picture quality. You be the judge, in a correct viewing room (i.e. not Game, because then you will walk out with inferior entry LED-LCD). ;)
Click to expand...

Ah, thanks for this. If I think about it I guess I'm willing to pay the R1500 extra for 3D and marginally better image quality. So still feel like the 43D490 will be the better option. Would love to hear from some one who actually owns one of these sets though. Any Samsung 43D450 or 43D490 or LG 42LE4500 owners care to comment?
 
Zeemels said:
Ah, thanks for this. If I think about it I guess I'm willing to pay the R1500 extra for 3D and marginally better image quality. So still feel like the 43D490 will be the better option. Would love to hear from some one who actually owns one of these sets though. Any Samsung 43D450 or 43D490 or LG 42LE4500 owners care to comment?
Click to expand...

And what about the next R1,500 on a 3D Blu-ray player? Or have you got a PS3 already.

And the R1,000 3D glasses?

;)

Sorry, but I don't buy the 3D tech yet, so am personally against forking out more just for it. I understand it's nice, but to me still in its infancy. I don't feel its marketing justifies the price increase.

Plenty Samsung PS43450 owners here, all are happy and I cannot recall reading one negative report. Its picture quality is factually better than the Samsung LAxxD550, with better blacks/colours/motion handling. Motion handling also affects fast-paced non-sport content, remember.

Also, the LG LCD/LED-LCD you've mentioned uses IPS panel, compared to Samsung's PVA. PVA is generally better. Most guys would go with the Samsung LA40D550 over the LG LE4500.

Does the LG have 100Hz? Or do I recall only 5xxx range having it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X