Plasma vs LCD for XBMC

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broloks

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Hi,

I'm still trying to figure out what the best option would be for me with regards to Plasma vs LCD.
I do not have DSTV and do not plan on getting it for the foreseeable future, I would rather spend the money on broadband data.

The TV will be connected to a XBMC box for watching downloaded movies and so on, not necessarily full HD as they are to large for my data cap (maybe some full HD downloaded from friends). I will stream some SD sport content from the net as well.

Plasma is the way to go as I understand from reading this forum, especially as I will have very little full HD media. Is this the case or am I wrong? My budget is R5K max, viewing distance is about 3m, average to low brightness room.

regards
 
Acer H5360 FTW.

Got my awesome little HP Micro server hooked up to it via HDMI, controlled with a Harmony 700 and running Plex Media Server and Client (dislike XBMC).

Watching on a 120" screen at 720p.

Big screen TVs (got a 32", 40", 42" and 47") are for general viewing IMO. Big @ss projection screen for movies and gaming.

I have mates that laughed me off when I told them about the setup. After seeing it most also have projectors now and their big screens are also general viewing.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-3
 
Hi,

Waiting for my HP Micro server :)

Thank you for the reply. The cheapest locally available one I can find after a quick search is about R7300 which is a bit above my budget. How easy/difficult will it be to find replacements bulbs (3000 hour lifetime) and at what price? Is it noisy?

regards
 
broloks said:
Hi,

Waiting for my HP Micro server :)

Thank you for the reply. The cheapest locally available one I can find after a quick search is about R7300 which is a bit above my budget. How easy/difficult will it be to find replacements bulbs (3000 hour lifetime) and at what price? Is it noisy?

regards
Click to expand...

I got my H5360 from WebAntics in Aug 2011 for R6k. Check their current pricing. You may be lucky.

I have not had to replace a bulb yet. I previously had the LG AN110 and that lasted me 2.5 years of regular (every night I jam COD on it) use. I sold it to a guy I work with when I got my new one and he is still using the original bulb. It does not sound like long but you will be surprised. It takes forever to consume those hours.
Bulbs for the H5360 are easy to get. The projector is pretty common in SA.

The experience is so superior to a big screen TV that I would not even have a problem with importing one if I had to :) Thankfully I won't have to.

The LG I had was 1000 ansi lumens which means the room had to be darkened to use it during the day. The Acer is 2500 and is 100% in daylight viewing. I even watch with the ceiling spotlights all on.
The H5360 is 3D capable while the newer H5360BD is full on 3D. Just plug a 3D player straight in. Just an option :)

Nope, not noisy at all. You can hear it when a movie goes quiet but it is barely there.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-3
 
You're not scared about either IR or burn in running a static image, such as XBMC?
 
Hi Dolby,

Yes, maybe the static image of XBMC might pose a problem, but I think you can put it on a screensaver mode? I'm not sure.
The SD content is pushing me towards Plasma, not really interested in projectors. But I'm not sure, that is why I'm asking for some advice from people with some experience in these issues.

regards
 
broloks said:
Hi,

I'm still trying to figure out what the best option would be for me with regards to Plasma vs LCD.
I do not have DSTV and do not plan on getting it for the foreseeable future, I would rather spend the money on broadband data.

The TV will be connected to a XBMC box for watching downloaded movies and so on, not necessarily full HD as they are to large for my data cap (maybe some full HD downloaded from friends). I will stream some SD sport content from the net as well.

Plasma is the way to go as I understand from reading this forum, especially as I will have very little full HD media. Is this the case or am I wrong? My budget is R5K max, viewing distance is about 3m, average to low brightness room.

regards
Click to expand...

43" HD Ready plasma suits your needs best considering viewing distance and content. Note that it uses a native res of 1024x768 with rectangular pixels for the 16:9 wide screen aspect ratio. Many people will moan about it technically not being 720p, but it's not an issue with 3m viewing distance. I use 42" HDR plasma for the exact same things and would take it over my 32" LCD any day. You might want to push for 50" HD Ready plasma at R5,999 which is native 1366x768 so there is less scaling as with 1024x768. 42/43" HDR plasma is so good for SD.

Burn-in is practically a non issue with modern plasma. You might get some IR if you have static images displaying for a couple of hours, but that shouldn't worry you. Only excessive IR/abuse will lead to burn-in. You can search the forum for any reports of burn-in/IR - there are one or two, you'll probably find more 'LCD burn' than plasma burn funnily enough. ;) Just saying, it's a non issue, let owners of plasma with burn speak for themselves...
 
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Hi PostmanPot,

Thank you for the reply. I have been looking at Samsung 43D450 and 43D490 (waiting for a special price). What other models would you suggest? And maybe suppliers and prices?

regards
 
broloks said:
Hi PostmanPot,

Thank you for the reply. I have been looking at Samsung 43D450 and 43D490 (waiting for a special price). What other models would you suggest? And maybe suppliers and prices?

regards
Click to expand...

Hi, there aren't many options. Other choice would be LG's 42" equivalent at around the same price. Also Sinotec and JVC in Game/Makro for a lower budget. Panasonic's are quite scarce and more expensive. Take any best price on an in stock TV to Game and they'll beat it by 10% of the difference in price.

PS43D450 is excellent, go with the D490 if you want 3D but I'd say rather then get the PS51D450 50". :D
 
I read a lot about "tier-2" manufactures TV's quality being inferior when compared to the big-name brands. Does that hold for the Plasma TVs as well and in this price range or should I not be concerned?
 
broloks said:
I read a lot about "tier-2" manufactures TV's quality being inferior when compared to the big-name brands. Does that hold for the Plasma TVs as well and in this price range or should I not be concerned?
Click to expand...

I've never been able to test cheapie plasmas under ideal conditions. The Sinotec 42" plasma looks good in my local Makro, but it's probably set to torch mode.

The main reason I'd stick to "tier 1" is that they have more connectors, better menus with more advanced picture settings, PC mode, USB HD media players, etc. I also can't stand "tier 2" remotes. :)

Probably the biggest selling point of the cheapies is the warranty, like Sinotec's 5 year warranty.
 
At around R5k, you only options are a 42/43" plasma (HD Ready) or an 40" LCD (Full HD).

Originally, I had my heart set on a plasma (had been reading reviews, etc for years)... but then after owning one for a week, I took it back and got an LCD... the plasma was just too reflective! (And no, my room isn't overly bright... I just find the reflections distracting). I refer a matt screen. Every different TV has it's pros/cons - it all depends any what suits you best.

I would definitely recommend that whatever TV you buy, use it extensively within the first week, and if you don't like it,
return/exchange for something else - so its also a good idea to buy from a shop that is local.

If you also want to use the TV to surf the net, and other PC use, I'd recommend an LCD.
 
Mike Smit said:
I got my H5360 from WebAntics in Aug 2011 for R6k. Check their current pricing. You may be lucky.

I have not had to replace a bulb yet. I previously had the LG AN110 and that lasted me 2.5 years of regular (every night I jam COD on it) use. I sold it to a guy I work with when I got my new one and he is still using the original bulb. It does not sound like long but you will be surprised. It takes forever to consume those hours.
Bulbs for the H5360 are easy to get. The projector is pretty common in SA.

The experience is so superior to a big screen TV that I would not even have a problem with importing one if I had to :) Thankfully I won't have to.

The LG I had was 1000 ansi lumens which means the room had to be darkened to use it during the day. The Acer is 2500 and is 100% in daylight viewing. I even watch with the ceiling spotlights all on.
The H5360 is 3D capable while the newer H5360BD is full on 3D. Just plug a 3D player straight in. Just an option :)

Nope, not noisy at all. You can hear it when a movie goes quiet but it is barely there.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-3
Click to expand...


This sounds very interesting. I was planning on buying a 2012 64 inch plasma but this may be a better way to go. So you are saying you can watch properly during the day without darkening the room?
 
You want it light, easy on electricity, great picture:

Game and Macro sells 40" LED for less than R3000.
 
Sensorei said:
What not just say R2000 if you're making up numbers? It sounds better. :)
Click to expand...

The price fluctuates between R2450 and R2999 depending on the time of week. So, below R3000 cause I dont know what it will be when you are there. :) Anyway, below R3000 with a multi-year warrantee is really very good value for a 40" LED. There are also more than one brand coming in with this price.
 
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Unless you have any other suggestions, I'll wait for Game to release this week's specials, to see if their 40" tier 2 LED-LCDs fluctuate down to R2,999. Maybe Logik/Telefunken.
 
Mr_Bee said:
You want it light, easy on electricity, great picture:

Game and Macro sells 40" LED for less than R3000.
Click to expand...

I haven't seem a 40" LED for below R3000. Heck, I dont think I saw a 32" LED for below R3000...
 
iceman23 said:
I haven't seem a 40" LED for below R3000. Heck, I dont think I saw a 32" LED for below R3000...
Click to expand...

Well, I bought my son one as a present for R2999 and a week later it was selling for R2450 (40" LED, not LCD), but it was not in their advertising pages at the lower price the following week. So you cannot take their brochures as evidence. There are some models even at low prices all the time and not only on weekends. This go for all of the usual chain stores. All this was during March 2012. - KZN Area. At this stage I am now full-up on TVs for my whole family and have stopped looking. Even my mother-in-law received one from me. :D
 
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