Samsung PS51E450

[LFC]

Considering this plasma coming from a PS50C430. I noticed the resolution has dropped from 1366x768 to 1024x768.

Was very happy with the C430, would the drop in resolution be noticeable on a screen this big?

Its currently on special at Makro for R5999, the E550 which is full HD, Smart and 3D is going for R8999, seems like a better buy?

Thanks

 

[PostmanPot]

Depends how far you sit. 3m+ and probably not.

An upgrade would be more in line with the E550 though, maybe selling your C430 for R3-4k will be a good enough chip in?

 

[LFC]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the PS430 is no longer, kidos somehow put a nice crack on the screen

Viewing distance is 1.5-2.5m.

 

[Roman4604]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the PS430 is no longer, kidos somehow put a nice crack on the screen

Viewing distance is 1.5-2.5m.

Pretty close for a 50-51". What devices plug into it? What res content do you normally view?

 

[LFC]

HD Dstv, PS3 (Bluray & DVD)

Don't have any FHD content apart from Blurays.

Where we normally sit its like 3m, closest point is 1.5m but no one usually sits there.

 

[Roman4604]

Don't have any FHD content apart from Blurays.

So I assume you're not on DSTV Premium (no HD channels)?

Where we normally sit its like 3m, closest point is 1.5m but no one usually sits there.

For the Blurays it will definitely be worth investing the extra dosh in 1080p like the 51E550. SD DSTV probably not that discernable unless you move a bit closer than 3m. You're also probably used to a more rasterised type image (discernible large pixels) so the E550 will look a bit different, more seamless but a bit more fuzzy.

 

[LFC]

Thanks for the advice thus far.

We have DSTV Premium with HD channels. I thought they were 720p?

 

[Roman4604]

I thought they were 720p?

No they broadcast at 1080i, but you can set your HDPVR to downscale to 720p (or 576p).

So best would be a 1080p display if your budget can stretch. Either the E550 plasma or a high CMR LED like the EH6030.

 

[PostmanPot]

Thanks for the advice thus far.

We have DSTV Premium with HD channels. I thought they were 720p?

1080i (1920x540*2) but you probably won't notice the difference from 3m.

Try go for the E550. Will resolve the best resolution while offering you the best bang for buck in terms of size which you need from 3m+. Also offers superior picture quality to mid range LCDs like the EH6030, ES6200, etc. which cost about the same for smaller size.

That said I really don't think you'd have any grievances with the PS51E450. Wonderful TV.

 

[Roman4604]

1080i (1920x540*2) but you probably won't notice the difference from 3m.

As I've said before, you obviously dont have day-to-day experience with DSTV HD. 1080i on 1920x1080 screen will be noticeable to most at 3m in comparison to the same size 1024x768 display viewing 720p (downscaled from 1280x720). Even with 720p upscaled on a 1080p TV there is a subtle difference (is sharper, less softer).

Also offers superior picture quality to mid range LCDs like the EH6030, ES6200, etc. which cost about the same for smaller size.

Very little in my experience, with a slight advantage in dark cinematic scenes. On the flip side 100Hz+ LEDs are better at bright content (e.g. sport) and way better at motion. 5 series plasma battle with low frame rate motion content, exhibiting lots of panning judder.

 

[PostmanPot]

1080i (1920x540*2) but you probably won't notice the difference from 3m.

Try go for the E550. Will resolve the best resolution while offering you the best bang for buck in terms of size which you need from 3m+. Also offers superior picture quality to mid range LCDs like the EH6030, ES6200, etc. which cost about the same for smaller size.

That said I really don't think you'd have any grievances with the PS51E450. Wonderful TV.

^

 

[Roman4604]

^

Real insightful. Bottom line, its well worth investing in a 1080p display if you own a 1080i capable HDPVR and a 1080p capable PS3. Anything less and you're wasting the full visual potential of these devices/services.

PS: Oct 1 the number of 1080i DSTV HD channels jumps from 7 to 14.

 

[PostmanPot]

Real insightful. Bottom line, its well worth investing in a 1080p display if you own a 1080i capable HDPVR and a 1080p capable PS3. Anything less and you're wasting the full visual potential of these devices/services.

Depends on budget and viewing distance. No point if budget is R6k in getting a 40" if you sit 3m+, FHD/1080p potential won't be realised for most people let alone 1080i; and 51" HD Ready would provide a far greater viewing experience regardless of content resolution. And likely a better picture quality since it's plasma. Contrast ratio > resolution once having an HD TV and at correct (most common) viewing distance(s).

If budget is R9k, by all means get the PS51E550 FHD 3D SMART plasma.

PS: Oct 1 the number of 1080i DSTV HD channels jumps from 7 to 14.

Thanks for the reminder, can't wait to get more HD DSTV on my PS42C450!

 

[Roman4604]

can't wait to get more HD DSTV on my PS42C450!

You've just proved that you have no ongoing first hand experience with DSTV HD at its native resolution. Whether you actually have DSTV HD or not is inconsequential with that TV.

Contrast ratio > resolution once having an HD TV

And you would know this how watching at 1024x768 res?

 

[LFC]

Thanks guys, picked up the E550 yesterday, very nice set, good value with 6 pairs of glasses and 3 3D Blurays for 9k

Need to tweak the settings, not really feeling any of the presets.

Setup was a breeze, menus are great, remote is also nice and responsive compared to the C430.

Blurays are really stunning in glorious 1080p, I've set the PVR to output 1080i instead of Original, not sure if this makes any difference to SD content though? Must admit the C430 seemed alot sharper for SD content, will have to play around with the settings.

Do you guys recommend any post processing like noise reduction, etc for HD sources?

 

[PostmanPot]

You've just proved that you have no ongoing first hand experience with DSTV HD at its native resolution. Whether you actually have DSTV HD or not is inconsequential with that TV.

And you would know this how watching at 1024x768 res?

Friends. Same ones who admit mine has better PQ.

 

[PostmanPot]

Thanks guys, picked up the E550 yesterday, very nice set, good value with 6 pairs of glasses and 3 3D Blurays for 9k

Need to tweak the settings, not really feeling any of the presets.

Setup was a breeze, menus are great, remote is also nice and responsive compared to the C430.

Blurays are really stunning in glorious 1080p, I've set the PVR to output 1080i instead of Original, not sure if this makes any difference to SD content though? Must admit the C430 seemed alot sharper for SD content, will have to play around with the settings.

Do you guys recommend any post processing like noise reduction, etc for HD sources?

Congrats! Marvellous telly. Check out "PNxxE550 users' thread" on AVS Forum (Google). Maybe others can post settings here too. For best PQ it's good to start with Movie Mode and then adjust from there to your liking.

 

[Roman4604]

Friends.

Thats not ongoing day to day familiarity, hardly qualifies you personally as someone knowledgable in this area.

 

[Roman4604]

I've set the PVR to output 1080i instead of Original, not sure if this makes any difference to SD content though?

You wont see any diffs since both those settings are the same, 1080i output.

Do you guys recommend any post processing like noise reduction, etc for HD sources?

Shouldn't need noise reduction. Here are my settings ...

Picture Mode: Movie
Cell Light: 19
Contrast: 86
Brightness: 44
Sharpness: 12
Colour: 48
Tint: 50/50

Picture Size: Screen Fit

Dynamic Contrast: Off
Black Tone: Off
Flesh Tone: 0
Colour Space: Auto
White Balance v
R-Offset: 26
G-Offset: 24
B-Offset: 26
R-Gain: 27
G-Gain: 20
B-Gain: 29
Gamma: +1

Color Tone: Warm1
Digital Noise Filter: Off
MPEG Noise Filter:Off
Film Mode: Auto1

Only major deviation from defaults is to correct for way too much green (some soccer pitches look too luminous), which I dial down.

 

[PostmanPot]

Thats not ongoing day to day familiarity, hardly qualifies you personally as someone knowledgable in this area.

Yes it is. Especially with sport and movies.

The qualification lacking here is yours and lacking knowledge of what online characters get up to in their day to day lives.