Sony, Sharp or Toshiba LCD?

[dj_jyno]

Hi everyone

It's time to upgrade the TV in the lounge. I've compiled a shortlist of three models that we're considering - Sony KDL-40EX520, Sharp LC-40LE631 and Toshiba 42SL863. As you can see they are all as close to 40" as possible with LED backlighting. The main features are almost identical and 3D is a nice-to-have, not a necessity.

Which brand could be considered overall best? Do not suggest LG or Samsung, you'll be RBPd

 

[PostmanPot]

Sony = Samsung. Same panels. Why against them?

WRT 3D, LG = cheap passive 3D, R10 glasses opposed to R350 Samsung active glasses. Not sure what techs the others you listed use.

What do you need the TV for?

 

[D3x!]

Samsung ftw

 

[dj_jyno]

Sony = Samsung. Same panels. Why against them?

Saying they use the same panels is the same as saying Computer 1 using motherboard X and Computer 2 using motherboard Y are the same because they both use a Intel Core i7-2600 CPU. It's not just the panel that's important. I've had bad experiences with Samsung products in the past, so we'd rather not one of their televisions.

WRT 3D, LG = cheap passive 3D, R10 glasses opposed to R350 Samsung active glasses.

Which doesn't really make a difference to me, because having a 3D-capable TV is not important.

What do you need the TV for?

Mix of standard and high definition sources, almost no sport. From what I can see neither LG nor Samsung have a set with DVB-T2 tuner built in.

Samsung ftw

That's lovely.

 

[D3x!]

Lol dude. Unlike you I have had amazing service from Samsung after sales, but I can understand if you have had issues.

 

[PostmanPot]

Saying they use the same panels is the same as saying Computer 1 using motherboard X and Computer 2 using motherboard Y are the same because they both use a Intel Core i5-2600 CPU. It's not just the panel that's important. I've had bad experiences with Samsung products in the past, so we'd rather not one of their televisions.

PC 1 and 2 could be the same if they were both spec'd the same (i5-2600 (new on the market?)/RAM/HDD), using the same chipset motherboard, just from different vendors/brands, like Asus Z68 vs Gigabyte Z68 - both top tier brands offering the same thing with different features...

Besides the point though, understanding both Sony and Samsung use PVA panels is what's pertinent (and ironic since they are manufactured by themselves), both will give similar results based on the panel type without mentioning the processing engines of branded sets which don't differ much from one another as opposed to cheap brands. As someone else said, Sony TVs just don't offer much, they are not innovators like Samsung/LG.

Have you looked in store yet? Remember it's important to go to a store that has a viewing area with suitable viewing conditions (or a test room), not brightly lit and close viewing distances etc. Tafelberg in Tokai are good. What are your home viewing conditions like?

I understand you've had bad experiences, but as someone satisfied by the brand, I find it hard to understand the logic in judging an electronics brand by past products. Were they even LCD TVs? Was it a service/customer relations issue? We don't have to discuss, I just think you should consider a Korean Samsung/LG TV.

Mix of standard and high definition sources, almost no sport. From what I can see neither LG nor Samsung have a set with DVB-T2 tuner built in.

How much reliance on SD and SD TV (even lower quality)? What TV decoder are you using? Definitely take a USB with SD content to test. Test it on HD Ready/FHD plasma as well, since they are better suited for SD (especially HD Ready plasma).

 

[dj_jyno]

without mentioning the processing engines of branded sets which don't differ much from one another as opposed to cheap brands.

But there is a slight difference. Granted this was about 6 months ago, but when I compared a Samsung and Sony in a similar price bracket in store, the Sony had a more natural image (both from the same source). This was before I was close enough to see which brand is which.

Tafelberg in Tokai are good. What are your home viewing conditions like?

Thanks for the suggestion, because the lighting in Tafelberg's Bellville branch is too bright. Not that I'd consider buying from the specific branch, since they ignored me for about 5 minutes while I was standing with a shortlist in my hand.

You're right, it wasn't an LCD TV or monitor. It was more of a "failed just out of warranty" problem. Our Sony KV-2020SA only recently lost the ability to display green, after 30 years of service.

How much reliance on SD and SD TV (even lower quality)? What TV decoder are you using?

About 60/40 in favour of SD content. We're not using a decoder.

 

[PostmanPot]

But there is a slight difference. Granted this was about 6 months ago, but when I compared a Samsung and Sony in a similar price bracket in store, the Sony had a more natural image (both from the same source). This was before I was close enough to see which brand is which.

In some stores, Sony's look better; in other stores, Samsung's look better. Were they playing the same source? Did you fiddle with settings? Often at Game/Makro in particular, the Sony's look best because because of the source quality in their demo's (among other things like 'torch mode' being activated).

Thanks for the suggestion, because the lighting in Tafelberg's Bellville branch is too bright. Not that I'd consider buying from the specific branch, since they ignored me for about 5 minutes while I was standing with a shortlist in my hand.

Tokai being quite far, maybe others can suggest stores in the N. Subs that have proper viewing areas?

You're right, it wasn't an LCD TV or monitor. It was more of a "failed just out of warranty" problem. Our Sony KV-2020SA only recently lost the ability to display green, after 30 years of service.

About 60/40 in favour of SD content. We're not using a decoder.

Are you upgrading from a CRT TV?

You will be disappointed with 1080p/Full HD LCD/LED-LCD's (and plasma to a lesser degree) performance at SD content considering your 60/40 reliance on SD.

Sounds like HD Ready plasma is for you, since it offers best of both worlds - SD and HD quality.

Before the probable participation of the LED-LCD brigade, I would suggest going to a store to see for yourself that your own findings correlate with what I've told you so far, before taking what they say seriously.

 

[dj_jyno]

In some stores, Sony's look better; in other stores, Samsung's look better. Were they playing the same source? Did you fiddle with settings? Often at Game/Makro in particular, the Sony's look best because because of the source quality in their demo's (among other things like 'torch mode' being activated).

It was an English Premiership football match on SuperSport if I remember correctly.

Are you upgrading from a CRT TV?

You will be disappointed with 1080p/Full HD LCD/LED-LCD's (and plasma to a lesser degree) performance at SD content considering your 60/40 reliance on SD.

Sounds like HD Ready plasma is for you, since it offers best of both worlds - SD and HD quality.

Yip, upgrading from CRT. I would have considered plasma if it wasn't for the high power consumption.

 

[PostmanPot]

It was an English Premiership football match on SuperSport if I remember correctly.

Yip, upgrading from CRT. I would have considered plasma if it wasn't for the high power consumption.

Power consumption is a myth because it's exaggerated. Yes 2 - 3 times the amount of CCFL-LCD but it only equates to R15 or so a month for average viewing. Were you expecting R50, R100s more or something?

 

[dj_jyno]

Power consumption is a myth because it's exaggerated. Yes 2 - 3 times the amount of CCFL-LCD but it only equates to R15 or so a month for average viewing. Were you expecting R50, R100s more or something?

No, wasn't expecting a drastic difference in electricity cost, but it's not really an upgrade if it uses 2-3 times more power, is it?

If I do decide to go LCD, any opinion on the other two brands I listed originally?

 

[PostmanPot]

No, wasn't expecting a drastic difference in electricity cost, but it's not really an upgrade if it uses 2-3 times more power, is it?

Plasma's use around the same power per square meter as CRT. Are you feeling the pinch from Eskom, which is why you're interested in LCD? Well, go right ahead, just be prepared to take a major knock with SD quality.

If I do decide to go LCD, any opinion on the other two brands I listed originally?

Nope.

 

[Roman4604]

Were you expecting R50, R100s more or something?

Depends on the the models. My calculations for a 46D6000 LED vs 51D550 Plasma give me a R35.29 diffs per month in favor of the LED.

This is assuming 5 hrs of usage per day, Eskom's peak rate of R1.03 per kWh & televisioninfo.com consumption figures (although my Eskom eddi reckons my D6000 only uses 50W vs. their 84.3W).

Extrapolating my figure gives the D6000 a saving of R423.54 per year or R2,117.69 over 5yrs. This does not take into account Eskom's yearly increases.

 

[Tinuva]

I personally bought a Sony about 3 (maybe 4 but think its 3) years ago, just when the Bravia 2 came out. It still works 100% beautifully. Don't care about the after service support, because I never needed any, as in this TV thus far just works.

My use is with a HTPC (sickbeard and all) and sometimes if the parents are here they watch analog SABC2 news at 8 or something, and even in that regards, with my good signal the quality is as good as SD DSTV.

Thus with the 3 brands you are asking about, I can give you my experience and opinion, and I highly recommend the Sony. Who cares about after service support if you don't need it because it just works?

 

[Maveric12]

I have a 32" LG HD ready and FHD 40" Sony and have no issues with either. The LG is now just over 4 years old and the Sony about 6 months or so. Yes there are pros and cons and yes you have to do ur home work before buying ... But also keeping in mind one person might have a problem...and it might just be from a bad batch or something. (u get this from any manufacturer) So buy the one that you feel comforable and happy with....

 

[Mr_Bee]

Plasma's use around the same power per square meter as CRT.

PP - CRT, are you serious who wants CRT's electrcity use?, we're supposed to save elec as we go into the future

 

[PostmanPot]

PP - CRT, are you serious who wants CRT's electrcity use?, we're supposed to save elec as we go into the future

It's not much.

If it's too much, suffer with SD PQ. Simple.

 

[Lupus]

It's not much.

If it's too much, suffer with SD PQ. Simple.

The SD quality is not as bad as you are making it out to be, especially depending on the viewing distances, as long as he doesn't sit right up next to it he should be fine. Also he did ask about three LCD's, said his disdain for Samsung and doesn't want a plasma, perhaps just give up on this one?

 

[McGuywer]

The SD quality is not as bad as you are making it out to be, especially depending on the viewing distances, as long as he doesn't sit right up next to it he should be fine. Also he did ask about three LCD's, said his disdain for Samsung and doesn't want a plasma, perhaps just give up on this one?

This.

 

[dj_jyno]

It's not much.

If it's too much, suffer with SD PQ. Simple.

If I have to sacrifice slightly with SD picture quality but get an overall better package, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I took heed of your advice to test the sets in-store with some SD content. For the record, the Sony CRT's power consumption is 79W, so I don't see why I should drastically increase that figure just to watch flawless (if you can call it that) SABC broadcasts.

The SD quality is not as bad as you are making it out to be, especially depending on the viewing distances, as long as he doesn't sit right up next to it he should be fine. Also he did ask about three LCD's, said his disdain for Samsung and doesn't want a plasma, perhaps just give up on this one?

Viewing distance will be around 2.5 meters.

Finally, and this is non-negotiable, the TV has to have a DVB-T2 tuner built in. From what I can see in the spec sheets on Samsung and LG's websites, none of their models have that.