Telefunken 42" plasma

[SwtCraigMachine]

Hi all,

New to these threads...

Looking to buy and HD (preferably full-HD) TV for my lounge.

I found a Telefunken 42" plasma (VPM-420FHDI) for R5k. I want to mainly watch sport, a few HD movies (from my computer) and maybe a few HD games. Is this a worthwhile set to go for?

I know people seem to be having a bit of a downer on Telefunken, but it seems a really good price (the story from the salesmen is that they bought a lot of stock for the festive season)!

Any input will be appreciated!

Regards

 

[Grimspoon]

Hi all,

New to these threads...

Looking to buy and HD (preferably full-HD) TV for my lounge.

I found a Telefunken 42" plasma (VPM-420FHDI) for R5k. I want to mainly watch sport, a few HD movies (from my computer) and maybe a few HD games. Is this a worthwhile set to go for?

I know people seem to be having a bit of a downer on Telefunken, but it seems a really good price (the story from the salesmen is that they bought a lot of stock for the festive season)!

Any input will be appreciated!

Regards

Howdy and welcome to the forum!


Well honestly I have nothing bad to say about Telefunken, but I would honestly go for a bigger brand name for the extra +- R700.

Namely Samsung and LG, they are both decent brands and lots of people can comment on them, so you safe to say they are decent.

The PS42C450 goes for around R5799. That is not full HD, but honestly full HD vs HD ready is really more of a marketing tool. Don't let that sway you.

 

[_Jakes_]

When I shopped around for tv's Telefunken really didn't match the picture quality of LG, Samsung or even Euroline.

 

[LazerFazer]

How can you recommend the PS42C450 over a Full HD TV? The Samsung has a resolution of 1024x768 (Barely HD Ready) compared to 1920x1080 for the Full HD Telefunken. If you want to watch HD movies and play games in HD, AND get the full effect, I'd strongly suggest the Telefunken over the barely HD-ready Samsung.

Think about this:
SD TV has a resolution of 704×576 (405504 pixels)
The Samsung has a resolution of 1024x768 (786432 pixels [~94% more than SD])
The Full HD Telefunken has a resolution of 1920x1080 (2073600 pixels [~164% more than the Samsung, and ~411% more than SD])

Given that the Full HD set is cheaper, I would strongly recommend you go for it over the vastly inferior Samsung. The best piece of advice would be to go to a shop where they have both sets side-by-side, ask them to play an HD feed on both sets, and make up your mind based on the quality you see. That way you'll KNOW you're getting the best deal.

 

[SwtCraigMachine]

Thanks for the super-quick responses guys!

I'm not entirely set on getting full-HD, but it is nice for games and to have the best tech (I might be abit of a techie ). From what I've seen, I like the look (generally) of the plasma screens - not quite as crisp, but more pleasing colours and movement tracking generally. Trouble is, finding a full-HD plasma in the 42" range is proving a struggle!

In the shop (where, granted, the source wasn't a great one, and split between many sets), the Telefunken plasma actually looked better than the Samsung and LG LCD 40 inchers they had playing next to it, but maybe that was just subjectiviely down to the deeper dark colours in the contrast... I just don't know!

Are there any other suggestions in this sort of price bracket?

 

[Nokkie]

+1

How can you recommend the PS42C450 over a Full HD TV? The Samsung has a resolution of 1024x768 (Barely HD Ready) compared to 1920x1080 for the Full HD Telefunken. If you want to watch HD movies and play games in HD, AND get the full effect, I'd strongly suggest the Telefunken over the barely HD-ready Samsung.

Think about this:
SD TV has a resolution of 704×576 (405504 pixels)
The Samsung has a resolution of 1024x768 (786432 pixels [~94% more than SD])
The Full HD Telefunken has a resolution of 1920x1080 (2073600 pixels [~164% more than the Samsung, and ~411% more than SD])

Given that the Full HD set is cheaper, I would strongly recommend you go for it over the vastly inferior Samsung. The best piece of advice would be to go to a shop where they have both sets side-by-side, ask them to play an HD feed on both sets, and make up your mind based on the quality you see. That way you'll KNOW you're getting the best deal.

 

[SwtCraigMachine]

Ok, just found two more sets that I might be able to get in my price bracket (realising that it would mean betraying my plasma desires)...

Samsung LA40B550 for R5k
LG 42LC2RR for R4k

There is no guarentee I can get either of these (very limited stock), but are they worth checking out? Anyone have experience with either of them?

Regards

 

[Lupus]

How can you recommend the PS42C450 over a Full HD TV? The Samsung has a resolution of 1024x768 (Barely HD Ready) compared to 1920x1080 for the Full HD Telefunken. If you want to watch HD movies and play games in HD, AND get the full effect, I'd strongly suggest the Telefunken over the barely HD-ready Samsung.

Think about this:
SD TV has a resolution of 704×576 (405504 pixels)
The Samsung has a resolution of 1024x768 (786432 pixels [~94% more than SD])
The Full HD Telefunken has a resolution of 1920x1080 (2073600 pixels [~164% more than the Samsung, and ~411% more than SD])

Given that the Full HD set is cheaper, I would strongly recommend you go for it over the vastly inferior Samsung. The best piece of advice would be to go to a shop where they have both sets side-by-side, ask them to play an HD feed on both sets, and make up your mind based on the quality you see. That way you'll KNOW you're getting the best deal.

I'm not sure if you've opened a whole can of works on this but it is technically correct. A lot of the guys will then come on and say but the Samsung is a known brand so therefore will be better even if it has a lower resolution, they will also mention rectangular pixels as the reason why it's only 1024x768 and that it is HD ready as much as other 720p screens ;-). Though I do agree with most of it saying going to check it out is the best bet.

 

[mercurial]

Your eyes will not see the difference between Full HD and HD Ready. I have the Samsung 42" plasma (1024 x 768) and it's absolutely awesome.

 

[Lupus]

Your eyes will not see the difference between Full HD and HD Ready. I have the Samsung 42" plasma (1024 x 768) and it's absolutely awesome.

He is plugging his PC into watch movies and play HD games, therefore 1024x768 is a big difference to 1920x1080.

 

[Grimspoon]

He is plugging his PC into watch movies and play HD games, therefore 1024x768 is a big difference to 1920x1080.

Probably not a good idea to get a plasma then if he is planning on using for his PC.

 

[Wasp_21]

Lets stop to consider this revelationary comment:

There are only 3 plasma manufacturers in the world. Samsung / LG / Panasonic. Therefore, the telefunken will be using one of these 3 panels. My bet is on LG. Furthermore, there are currently no 42" Full HD plasma's being manufactured, and haven't for a long time. Thus, this throws doubt on the REAL Full HD claimed by Telefunken. I may, MAY, be incorrect in my assumption, but then if i am, please let me know with reference to the factual info. I would definately go for the Samsung 42C450 over the Telefunken. You will not, i repeat not notice the difference at correct viewing distance between the FHD and HDReady.

 

[superskully]

If u can stretch yr budget, FHD LCD in Sony, LG and Sammy sell for R6500 (when on special i.e.), check Makro. They also have LG at same price.
This will be perfect for connecting from PC.

 

[SwtCraigMachine]

Probably not a good idea to get a plasma then if he is planning on using for his PC.

Why is that Grim? I don't plan on having the computer on all the time (so burn-in wouldn't be a risk, if that's your reason), but only switch it on as a source for movies/series etc that I have in HD. Why do you think a plasma wouldn't work well with the PC?

 

[SwtCraigMachine]

Lets stop to consider this revelationary comment:

There are only 3 plasma manufacturers in the world. Samsung / LG / Panasonic. Therefore, the telefunken will be using one of these 3 panels. My bet is on LG. Furthermore, there are currently no 42" Full HD plasma's being manufactured, and haven't for a long time. Thus, this throws doubt on the REAL Full HD claimed by Telefunken. I may, MAY, be incorrect in my assumption, but then if i am, please let me know with reference to the factual info. I would definately go for the Samsung 42C450 over the Telefunken. You will not, i repeat not notice the difference at correct viewing distance between the FHD and HDReady.

As far as I have heard, the Telefunken uses a Sammy panel, but REALLY not sure about that... The spec sheets on the NuWorld website (suppliers for this set) give its maximum res as 1920x1080 (full HD). Panasonic also have a FullHD 42" plasma that I know of (too crazy expensive though - in the region of R15K ).

 

[SwtCraigMachine]

I have most people suggesting to me to look at LCD's made by the more household name manufacturers. Why would the Samsung LCD be so superior (bearing in mind that by brief, subjective observation they seemed much of a muchness)? Is the downer on the Telefunken brand or the fact that it is a plasma screen?

 

[Grimspoon]

Why is that Grim? I don't plan on having the computer on all the time (so burn-in wouldn't be a risk, if that's your reason), but only switch it on as a source for movies/series etc that I have in HD. Why do you think a plasma wouldn't work well with the PC?

Ok then you are fine. I was just referring to the possible burn in if you left your pc on.

Other than that it will work like magic.

 

[Grimspoon]

I have most people suggesting to me to look at LCD's made by the more household name manufacturers. Why would the Samsung LCD be so superior (bearing in mind that by brief, subjective observation they seemed much of a muchness)? Is the downer on the Telefunken brand or the fact that it is a plasma screen?

I don't think that is the downer, I think it is the brand. But as mentioned the Telifunken is using either a LG or Samsung panel anyway.

I own both a Full HD LCD and a HD read plasma, if I had to choose hands down it would be the plasma. Absolutely love this TV, especially for sport.

LCD SD tv quality is not great, especially for fast motion sport.

 

[PostmanPot]

How can you recommend the PS42C450 over a Full HD TV? The Samsung has a resolution of 1024x768 (Barely HD Ready) compared to 1920x1080 for the Full HD Telefunken. If you want to watch HD movies and play games in HD, AND get the full effect, I'd strongly suggest the Telefunken over the barely HD-ready Samsung.

Think about this:
SD TV has a resolution of 704×576 (405504 pixels)
The Samsung has a resolution of 1024x768 (786432 pixels [~94% more than SD])
The Full HD Telefunken has a resolution of 1920x1080 (2073600 pixels [~164% more than the Samsung, and ~411% more than SD])

Wrong, HD 42" plasmas are HD Ready/wide screen/16:9. Rectangular pixels.

Secondly:

Hope this helps!

Given that the Full HD set is cheaper, I would strongly recommend you go for it over the vastly inferior Samsung. The best piece of advice would be to go to a shop where they have both sets side-by-side, ask them to play an HD feed on both sets, and make up your mind based on the quality you see. That way you'll KNOW you're getting the best deal.

And you've done this which allows you to slate HD Ready/wide screen/16:9 42" plasmas?

 

[PostmanPot]

I'm not sure if you've opened a whole can of works on this but it is technically correct. A lot of the guys will then come on and say but the Samsung is a known brand so therefore will be better even if it has a lower resolution, they will also mention rectangular pixels as the reason why it's only 1024x768 and that it is HD ready as much as other 720p screens ;-). Though I do agree with most of it saying going to check it out is the best bet.

But the Samsung will be better.

Much like a lot of guys saying "the quality will be the same because the cheaper brands use Samsung panels" - means nothing.