TV Purchase Scenario

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ZeroNeo

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Hi all

Ok I have done some research online and went to got chat to a few sales people and asked a few friends but would like some extra input

I am in the market to purchase a flat screen. 20K is the budget but will to spend an extra few cents if it would be really worth it. Naturally something that has all the bells and whistle on 3D built in WiFi and internet browser etc

The Room.
I will be sitting about 3.6m from the TV which will be wall mounted. There large windows on the left where i get strong morning sun that does shine now on the TV (74) we have now. Blinds will be going in soon though.

Size.
Initially I was looking at getting an 46/47 but this size just feels like it would be so small against the all wall (wall must be about 5.5m across and about 4.2 high.

I am now looking at 60 but dunno if it is a good idea and a 50 just seems its as big as 46/47.

Brands.
I have seen the P60E550 Samsung and was impressed by the picture but when the salesman clicked to to SD view I was very disappointed with what a saw. The distance that the couch was away from the TV would be similar to where I would be sitting.

I have seen the LG 50PM4700 in the lifestyle store really like the picture quality.

Also I like colour on the Plasma TV compared to the LED as they look a lot more natural rather than the saturated image you tend to get on LED

So what I would like to know is with my scenario room, light, size etc what you guys suggest.

Is the P60E550 really that bad when it comes to SD viewing and how bad is a problem is sunlight reflection going to be on a plasma that size. I would prefer not to have the blinds down all the time i would like to watch TV. Is this realistic with the flat screens of today though?

The LG 60PM6900 from what I have read they say deals better with reflection as it as a matt glass the same that you would find on a LED/LCD.

Then there is also the 50 option though just seem so close to 46/47. In the 50 size there seems quite a few options that falls within my budget. P51E550 vs 50PM4700.

Suggestion and thoughts please fellow mybroadminds

Sorry for the long post just wanted make sure I cover all the relevant points to you understand my scenario.

Thanks in advance guys and gals
 
SD will be better than on similar size LCD. Lots of stretching at these large sizes but plasma is the lesser of two evils.

Re reflection, you probably noticed the LCDs are glossy too. While less so than plasma, it's going to be impossible to get round. You will need those blinds/curtains if you'll be doing morning viewing.

Don't know much about LG plasma but if they're offering decent anti reflective coatings they may well be worth considering.
 
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Thanks PostmanPot. I have read that the Samsung Smart TV is better than what LG has to over.
 
Heard so too, but probably better getting an HTPC to handle that sort of stuff, with screen quality/size being highest priority. Like the HP Microserver.
 
I was actually looking at getting a mac mini. HP Microserver you say mmn must do some research into that.
 
Huge thread dedicated to it in the hardware forum. For about R1,500 it comes with dual core processor, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD. Best solution for the price. Add cheap low profile graphics card for R400 with HDMI for sound and video.

Mac Mini wouldn't hurt I'm sure, probably just costs a bit more. :)
 
SD picture quality on any 1080p screen is going to look similar. HD ready plasmas with 1024x768 resolutions only look better because they are closer to the source material.
Also don't review them in shops like game as they tend to over do the settings, strange how PP doesn't say this when the person mentions a plasma ;-).
 
Lupus said:
SD picture quality on any 1080p screen is going to look similar. HD ready plasmas with 1024x768 resolutions only look better because they are closer to the source material.
Also don't review them in shops like game as they tend to over do the settings, strange how PP doesn't say this when the person mentions a plasma ;-).
Click to expand...

Thanks Lupus for the input. So if I understand you correctly you are saying that at the size I am looking at with a SD signal I am not gonna get a much better signal that I saw on the P60E550. Would you guys say that I am correct in saying that that a 46/47 probably is still the best optimum size to get for all round best pic SD and HD vs size.
 
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Lupus said:
SD picture quality on any 1080p screen is going to look similar. HD ready plasmas with 1024x768 resolutions only look better because they are closer to the source material.
Also don't review them in shops like game as they tend to over do the settings, strange how PP doesn't say this when the person mentions a plasma ;-).
Click to expand...

Didn't even cross my mind. But it is mainly related to LCD as it's its brightness that gets abused in shops, not plasma, which is duller. Considering most people do their viewing in dimmer rooms/after hours. And 1080p plasma is certainly more forgiing for SD. ;)
 
ZeroNeo said:
the size I am looking at with a SD signal I am not gonna get a much better signal that I saw on the P60E550.
Click to expand...
Depends on what SD signal you saw e.g. from RF cable, upscaled via HDMI attached HDPVR or DVD player, SD mp4 playing on the embedded media player, the quality can vary greatly.

But yes, you cant escape the fact that no matter what screen size you get, the resolution stays the same (1080p). My max viewing distance is 3.5m on a 51" and even with this size/distance, the best quality SD (upscaled DVD) is not great. Once you are spoiled by watching (F)HD regularly, SD just doesn't cut it anymore.

Maybe consider investing some portion of your resources on upgrading source content & devices to reduce SD viewing to the minimum possible i.e. don't chuck it all at the TV.
 
I would always advise a Plasma and for the kind of money you would want to spend I would say don't take the 60-inch E550, but rather the 51-inch version of the next up model which has an anti-glare filter built in.

I have the E550 and it's brilliant for everything except the glare factor. I would compromise on the size to have that go away any day.


SD is never going to be perfect...because well it's SD. But on a Plasma it's generally a hell of a lot better than an equivalent LED.
 
SauRoNZA said:
I would always advise a Plasma and for the kind of money you would want to spend I would say don't take the 60-inch E550, but rather the 51-inch version of the next up model which has an anti-glare filter built in.

I have the E550 and it's brilliant for everything except the glare factor. I would compromise on the size to have that go away any day.


SD is never going to be perfect...because well it's SD. But on a Plasma it's generally a hell of a lot better than an equivalent LED.
Click to expand...
SauRoNZA said:
I would always advise a Plasma and for the kind of money you would want to spend I would say don't take the 60-inch E550, but rather the 51-inch version of the next up model which has an anti-glare filter built in.

I have the E550 and it's brilliant for everything except the glare factor. I would compromise on the size to have that go away any day.


SD is never going to be perfect...because well it's SD. But on a Plasma it's generally a hell of a lot better than an equivalent LED.
Click to expand...

I am reading this as I am walking out the Samsung store. I just saw the series 8 51 and must say it looks like a winner.

It seems like a good buy as I was willing to spend money for the 60 and this cheaper than the 60.

I am gonna do a little more research online and see what there is to say about the series 8.

On another note, sad one though is that LG plasma work with active 3 glasses and you have to purchase them separately. I took a look at a 51 LG the one I spoke about in my first post and the SD Channel looks damn good compared to the 60 Samsung but the no 3D glasses though for 7k not a bad price and buy 2 pair of 3D glassss and still would come in cheaper than the series 8

Oh the Samsung 60 was playing a DSTV channel initially HD but asked the salesman to change to SD channel and saw the difference.

So at the moment it's still between Samsung and LG though I think I am gonna settle on a 51 rather than a 60.

Probably change tomorrow.

Thanks for all the input so far guys. Please keep it coming.
 
ZeroNeo said:
I took a look at a 51 LG the one I spoke about in my first post and the SD Channel looks damn good compared to the 60 Samsung
Click to expand...
If you are referring to the 50PM4700, it is only a HDR (1024x768) display, so SD would look better.

The only 50" FHD (1080p) LG Plasma in the 2012 range is the top-of-the-line 50PM9700.
 
ZeroNeo said:
I am reading this as I am walking out the Samsung store. I just saw the series 8 51 and must say it looks like a winner.

It seems like a good buy as I was willing to spend money for the 60 and this cheaper than the 60.

I am gonna do a little more research online and see what there is to say about the series 8.

On another note, sad one though is that LG plasma work with active 3 glasses and you have to purchase them separately. I took a look at a 51 LG the one I spoke about in my first post and the SD Channel looks damn good compared to the 60 Samsung but the no 3D glasses though for 7k not a bad price and buy 2 pair of 3D glassss and still would come in cheaper than the series 8

Oh the Samsung 60 was playing a DSTV channel initially HD but asked the salesman to change to SD channel and saw the difference.

So at the moment it's still between Samsung and LG though I think I am gonna settle on a 51 rather than a 60.

Probably change tomorrow.

Thanks for all the input so far guys. Please keep it coming.
Click to expand...

The Series 8 is rated as one of the top 5 best Plasma displays and Top 10 overall from what I remember.

If you are serious about 3D (which you probably won't be once you own it) you'll realise all in box glasses are quite *** anyway.
 
3D Doesn't really bother me that much it's basically one of those nice to haves but hardly use. I think 3D is meant for the cinema anyways.

Though just so I am understanding you correctly are you saying you get better 3D glasses than the one the comes with the unit.

I know that Samsung offers 2 different types of glasses would be interesting to know what the series 8 comes with.

Gonna call around and see what kinda pricing is around for the series 8 in cape town.

Damn every time I look at that wall i think damn 51 gonna be so small but need to remember i am only 3.6m away.

Picture on the series 8 looked crisper but it was the Samsung Demo playing so couldn't really judge. Is the 51E550 one below the Series 8 here in SA.
 
ZeroNeo said:
3D Doesn't really bother me that much it's basically one of those nice to haves but hardly use. I think 3D is meant for the cinema anyways.

Though just so I am understanding you correctly are you saying you get better 3D glasses than the one the comes with the unit.

I know that Samsung offers 2 different types of glasses would be interesting to know what the series 8 comes with.

Gonna call around and see what kinda pricing is around for the series 8 in cape town.

Damn every time I look at that wall i think damn 51 gonna be so small but need to remember i am only 3.6m away.

Picture on the series 8 looked crisper but it was the Samsung Demo playing so couldn't really judge. Is the 51E550 one below the Series 8 here in SA.
Click to expand...

51" will be good from 3.6m. Huge step up from 40/43" and a nice jump from 46".

The 5 Series is one below the 8 Series in SA, yes. Price on the PS51E8000? You said cheaper than the PS60E550, sounds excellent.
 
My feeling is that Samsung made a mistake not have a 55" Plasma. Now I will have to settle for the 51" and always have that nagging feeling that I had to settle for less. Currently on 42" LG carp.
 
I just called Tafelberg and wanted a price on the Samsung Series 8 and salesman i spoke to tells me that the series 8 in his opinion is not worth the 6K extra compared to the E550 and then goes on to tell me that he feels that 150Mhz LCD/LED is as good if not better than a Plasma. He says that a Plasma has juddering compared to 150+Mhz LED/LCD and he show me. When I say I have read that Samsung has a dual core processor he tell me that for the internet no the TV refresh rate.

Mmm maybe they cant get that particular model Samsung.
 
PostmanPot said:
51" will be good from 3.6m. Huge step up from 40/43" and a nice jump from 46".

The 5 Series is one below the 8 Series in SA, yes. Price on the PS51E8000? You said cheaper than the PS60E550, sounds excellent.
Click to expand...

Pricing on the PS51E8000 is looking like R16 800 in that ball park where the PS60E550 is around R18900
 
ZeroNeo said:
I just called Tafelberg and wanted a price on the Samsung Series 8 and salesman i spoke to tells me that the series 8 in his opinion is not worth the 6K extra compared to the E550 and then goes on to tell me that he feels that 150Mhz LCD/LED is as good if not better than a Plasma. He says that a Plasma has juddering compared to 150+Mhz LED/LCD and he show me. When I say I have read that Samsung has a dual core processor he tell me that for the internet no the TV refresh rate.

Mmm maybe they cant get that particular model Samsung.
Click to expand...

Which Tafelberg? I would go to the Tokai branch.

Did he show you judder on the PS51E8000? Assuming not since you say you suspect they can't get that model.

No such thing as 150MHz/Hz. Ask him why plasma has 600Hz. :D That ought to confuse him.

Reviews for the PS51E8000 are very positive.
 
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