Sinotec 50" HD Plasma

C

charlie_82

Expert Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2007
Messages
2,993
Reaction score
1
Location
Johannesburg
Is this a good buy?

http://www.makro.co.za/ProductDetail.aspx?cat=1182&prod=36119&SKU=000000000000119394|EA

SINOTEC
50" (127cm) HD Ready Plasma
R 12,999.00

* Model: PHD-50HU31
* Contrast ratio: 10 000:1
* Resolution: 1366 x 768
* 1 x HDMI input
* 5 year guarantee
Click to expand...

My mum wants to mount a TV on the wall, but the room is really big, as is the wall. So she's gotta get a 50" so it doesn't 'disappear' on the wall. She's not very technical, but wants HD cos of the DSTV channels...

Is this good value for money?
I've seen a lot of 50" LCD TV's around the 20k mark. I know this is plasma but it still seems like a good price to me
 
Good value for money. But perhaps go for the 47" LCD if she doesn't watch much sport. I think it's the same price as the 50" plasma.

From what I know, plasma is normally only better for sport and standard definition signal/resolution.
 
charlie_82 said:
Is this a good buy?

http://www.makro.co.za/ProductDetail.aspx?cat=1182&prod=36119&SKU=000000000000119394|EA



My mum wants to mount a TV on the wall, but the room is really big, as is the wall. So she's gotta get a 50" so it doesn't 'disappear' on the wall. She's not very technical, but wants HD cos of the DSTV channels...

Is this good value for money?
I've seen a lot of 50" LCD TV's around the 20k mark. I know this is plasma but it still seems like a good price to me
Click to expand...
1 HDMI is not a lot but you can buy a HDMI hub if the need arises.

How far back is she gonna be sitting from the TV?
 
@PostmanPot - The reason for the 50" is the size of the wall it'll be mounted on, it's very big so a smaller TV will look kinda stupid. And she does actually watch a lot of sport though

@Feo - The only HD device she'll be using is her DSTV decoder. She doesn't have any gaming consoles or HD DVD players etc. I reckon she'll be about 4-5m away from the TV
 
charlie_82 said:
@PostmanPot - The reason for the 50" is the size of the wall it'll be mounted on, it's very big so a smaller TV will look kinda stupid. And she does actually watch a lot of sport though

@Feo - The only HD device she'll be using is her DSTV decoder. She doesn't have any gaming consoles or HD DVD players etc. I reckon she'll be about 4-5m away from the TV
Click to expand...
Have you test driven it in person?

I would always go to a brick and mortar store and play around with it in person before pulling the trigger.
 
charlie_82 said:
@PostmanPot - The reason for the 50" is the size of the wall it'll be mounted on, it's very big so a smaller TV will look kinda stupid. And she does actually watch a lot of sport though

@Feo - The only HD device she'll be using is her DSTV decoder. She doesn't have any gaming consoles or HD DVD players etc. I reckon she'll be about 4-5m away from the TV
Click to expand...

If she's going to be watching sport on a normal SD DSTV decoder, then technically the plasma will be better.

But do go in and have a look.
 
I haven't played with the TV myself.
She's currently got a 74cm crt... she wants an LCD/Plasma so she can mount it. She wants the 50" so it'll be big enough for the wall & she wants HD cos it's a novelty.

Basically, as long as the TV comes on, she'll be happy :p
I just wanted to be sure the price was good b4 I recommended it to her

I will tell her to go test drive it first tho. Unfortunately I'm in DBN & she's in JHB...
 
charlie_82 said:
I haven't played with the TV myself.
She's currently got a 74cm crt... she wants an LCD/Plasma so she can mount it. She wants the 50" so it'll be big enough for the wall & she wants HD cos it's a novelty.

Basically, as long as the TV comes on, she'll be happy :p
I just wanted to be sure the price was good b4 I recommended it to her

I will tell her to go test drive it first tho. Unfortunately I'm in DBN & she's in JHB...
Click to expand...

And remember, there is only one HD channel on the standard DSTV decoder (MNET HD).
 
PostmanPot said:
And remember, there is only one HD channel on the standard DSTV decoder (MNET HD).
Click to expand...

LOL that's why I was trying to tell her HD isn't important. But she's very insistent.
But I suppose she doesn't like buying new equipment so the HD is more of a future investment
 
That is not true, alot of sport is broadcast in HD, besides you may as well invest in HD now as i don't see it going away :p
 
killadoob said:
That is not true, alot of sport is broadcast in HD, besides you may as well invest in HD now as i don't see it going away :p
Click to expand...

Yup I think my mum has the same idea as you.
She can't enjoy too much HD right now, but it will come in handy in the future.
You thinks this a good price?
 
They have 2 - 3 english premier league football games a week on MNetHD. It is awesome being able to see half the field (widescreen) and to also be able to easily recognise the players from a distance with the extra resolution.
 
PostmanPot said:
Good value for money. But perhaps go for the 47" LCD if she doesn't watch much sport. I think it's the same price as the 50" plasma.

From what I know, plasma is normally only better for sport and standard definition signal/resolution.
Click to expand...

When Plasma is FULL HD it beats LCD by a long shot. This set isn't full HD and at 50 inches you will see the difference - at 32 you won't.

So I'd suggest you spend more on a full HD 50 inch plasma or wait a bit longer....
 
What would a full HD Plasma cost?
And how much of a difference would you see? My mum will be quite far away from the TV when it's being used
 
charlie_82 said:
What would a full HD Plasma cost?
And how much of a difference would you see? My mum will be quite far away from the TV when it's being used
Click to expand...

Here's the graph:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/12/09/1080p-charted-viewing-distance-to-screen-size/

Measure out the distance from your wall (TV) to the couch. You can see the comparisons for SD, HD 720p and HD 1080p. As a thumbsuck it's 3.5 screen heights - the distance you should sit to discern between 720 and 1080p.

I'm suggesting full HD because you want a relatively huge TV. Most people buy 40-42 inches.

A Samsung full HD 50 inch plasma will cost you R28.000
http://www.click2buyit.co.za/samsun...ter-bright-full-hd-3-x-hdmi-connections-usb./

Ask around at the different furnishers, like Ster, Hyperama and AudioVision. They can usually order larger sets too.

Of course if you only plan to watch DStv HD on it, a 720P set is good enough, but with cheaper Bluray hardware and wider selection of titles available for purchase or rent, your mom may want to move into full HD after year or so. It would make more sense to get the ultimate set rather than regret the decision later and buy a new set then. The best option would be to wait till those R28K
models cost R15K or so. :) but if you really want a 50 inch set buy a good one now and with full HD. A Plasma beats LCDs for contrast and colour resolution and there's no GHOSTING.
 
Last edited:
Wow that's much too pricey...
She's already not entirely chaffed about going over 10k, even thought she wants such a big screen.
Will tell her to try it out in the store with regular TV Channels. Suppose that's the best test yes?
 
charlie_82 said:
Wow that's much too pricey...
She's already not entirely chaffed about going over 10k, even thought she wants such a big screen.
Will tell her to try it out in the store with regular TV Channels. Suppose that's the best test yes?
Click to expand...

Show her the graph. Show her a bluray in store on a 50 inch set.

Yes R28K is expensive but its a Samsung (better than Sonic, not just in names but in parameters) and it's got full HD which for 50 inches is worthwhile. You know if R10K is too much now, wait 6-9months more and chances are a full HD Sonic will come along at that price or even a brand name set.

You have 3 options -
Buy an expensive product but rush it. The TV you want is pretty mediocre.
Wait till a brand name model becomes available or a mediocre one comes along
but at full HD - which for 50 inches is ideal.
Buy an expensive one now, but know your TV will last 5-10 years easy, ie next year at this time you won't be regretting not owning a full HD set when everyone buys full HD at 50 inches.

OF COURSE MEASURE OUT YOUR ROOM AND CHECK AGAINST THAT GRAPH. MAYBE YOUR ROOM IS TOO SMALL or TOO BIG FOR A 50 INCH :-).
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X