What TV? (again! but with a difference)

[LancelotSA]

OK, we all know that this forum has a stock of LCD/Plasma/LED threads but they all seem to focus on gaming, HD TV viewing, and Blu ray etc.

What I want to know is what is the best TV to get to just watch normal old SD TV, the odd DVD (a number of them Xvid/AVI 700 Mb versions), standard DSTV (with a focus on sports and kiddies TV)? Obviously the intention is for this to be the TV for the next few years so I would want it to be reasonably future proof.

Should I just keep my 54cm (I think) old CRT TV and wait or should I get myself a new TV? We are moving house and need to buy stoves, dishwashers etc has arisen and I was considering throwing in a new TV.

My price range will be under R8000 as TV is not the focal point of our lives and I can't justify spending more.

Now in this price range LCDs seem to be a no no as they all seem to have 50Hz refresh rates which results in lag while watching sports. Am I wrong and can you get high refresh rates in this price range? Do you still get those "comet tail" effects on the higher refresh rate LCDs?

I have been slowly but surely tempted into looking at increasingly bigger sizes. I'm now thinking 42" is the way to go... almost double the size of my current set up. Am I getting caught up in the marketing? Should I just settle for smaller? We are not talking about a cinem

As a result of the sports requirement I am looking at some plasmas now. Am I going to be happy watching standard DSTV on a new 42" plasma or am I going to wish I had my old CRT back?

Lots of questions I know but if the truth be known I have even more running through my head. I could go to a shop and I could listen to the sales men but I want some "real life" opinions on these matters. Sales floors are set up to entice one to buy something you don't really need!

 

[Smurfatefrog]

You should just stick to your CRT, maybe get yourself a 74cm. You can probably find some good 2nd hand deals
My reasoning being that you are not going to be watching much widescreen stuff so a 16:9 TV is not much good & neither is a HDTV

 

[Freaksta]

I dont agree. . . . . .

Why stick with old technology when it’s most likely that he will upgrade in the future (assuming that you have the extra money to spend now and it isn’t NEEDED elsewhere)? Rather do it now, movies on MM1 MM2 are in widescreen I think some of the mnet movies are too? Some DVDs also are played in widescreen. So the widescreen is more of a benefit than a downside.

As for you HDTV comment, for now he is not interested in HD-DSTV but it could change in the future, if you get a blu-ray player, download some HD content, a playstation 3 or and xbox (you have kids from what it seems) this HD part will be used, you don’t have to go full HD but HD ready will be beneficial.

 

[LancelotSA]

You should just stick to your CRT, maybe get yourself a 74cm. You can probably find some good 2nd hand deals
My reasoning being that you are not going to be watching much widescreen stuff so a 16:9 TV is not much good & neither is a HDTV

A lot of the Xvids I watch end up as letter box on the current CRT...

I dont agree. . . . . .

Why stick with old technology when it’s most likely that he will upgrade in the future (assuming that you have the extra money to spend now and it isn’t NEEDED elsewhere)? Rather do it now, movies on MM1 MM2 are in widescreen I think some of the mnet movies are too? Some DVDs also are played in widescreen. So the widescreen is more of a benefit than a downside.

As for you HDTV comment, for now he is not interested in HD-DSTV but it could change in the future, if you get a blu-ray player, download some HD content, a playstation 3 or and xbox (you have kids from what it seems) this HD part will be used, you don’t have to go full HD but HD ready will be beneficial.

Yip, you are right about future requirements changing. I fully expect this to be the TV I'll still be using in five years time. The current CRT is probably over 10 years old! you are correct in that Full HD is not crucial to me but will be accepted if it does not dramatically increase the price.

Guys, comments like this are welcome. They make me think about aspects I may not have considered. Bottom line is that I currently have the funds and although not critical a nice new (bigger) TV will be welcomed by all of us. However, I am not willing to make this change if our current viewing habits are going to be affected for the worse by making this change. That is the crux of my question. Are those who are watching normal DSTV on new LCDs or Plasma's satisfied or were you better off with your old TV (forget for one second blu ray, PS3, xboxes, HD etc etc)?

I have seen one or two LCDs in pubs and friend's houses, where they seemed satisfied, but I was not happy with the rugby and cricket coverage because of the "blurring". Will I get around this with a sub R8000 unit?

 

[Freaksta]

I see i didnt comment on the sport issue! From the reading ive done in the past plasma is ment to have the edge with sport(not sure if this has changed), as i do not watch a lot of sport i guess i dont pick this up and its not something that bothers me on our plamsa. One thing i will say is that the HD-Sports channel is awsome in terms of quaility

 

[greg_SA]

I'd stick with a CRT for now... 90% of DSTV is still 4:3, so a wide screen TV doesn't help much... Although a nice 42" plasma would be nice for DVDs and maybe downloaded Avis, and definitely gaming.

If you must get a flat panel, the definitely get a plasma (HD Ready). I still have a 74cm CRT, and haven't been in a hurry to upgrade... but as the HD channels increase I think it will be worth it.

 

[LancelotSA]

I see i didnt comment on the sport issue! From the reading ive done in the past plasma is ment to have the edge with sport(not sure if this has changed), as i do not watch a lot of sport i guess i dont pick this up and its not something that bothers me on our plamsa. One thing i will say is that the HD-Sports channel is awsome in terms of quaility

Thanks again. This is the problem I am finding, there is a lot of talk about plasmas and LCDs on here but it all tends to revolve around HD watching and playing games and blu rays etc. I need some comments on "normal" TV.

What size is your plasma? How does Mnet, Discovery etc look on it? Did you have a small CRT before?

I'd stick with a CRT for now... 90% of DSTV is still 4:3, so a wide screen TV doesn't help much... Although a nice 42" plasma would be nice for DVDs and maybe downloaded Avis, and definitely gaming.

If you must get a flat panel, the definitely get a plasma (HD Ready). I still have a 74cm CRT, and haven't been in a hurry to upgrade... but as the HD channels increase I think it will be worth it.

Hmm, if my current one was 74cm then holding out would perhaps be an option, but 54cm is making me feel inferior! ha ha The budget is currently there so I'm trying to decide whether to take the plunge. Obviously it would be stupid to buy a new CRT as I have no doubts that my needs will change in time. Already that HD sports channel holds appeal (although that will mean a new decoder too! )

 

[Quantum Theory]

A 42" 720p plasma will give you great SD viewing, very good HD viewing and will probably fit the budget.

 

[LancelotSA]

A 42" 720p plasma will give you great SD viewing, very good HD viewing and will probably fit the budget.

That's the sort of info I am after Is that based on personal viewing experience or industry knowledge?

I am thinking about the LG 42PQ10 (R6999) or the Samsung 42B430 (R7499).

No idea what this means for the former - HDMI (1080p / 1080i / 720p) Component (1080p / 1080i / 720p) RF (1080i / 720p) - but resolution is 1024 x 768 which I understand to be 720p (?). The Samsung has the same resolution.

So it seems from the comments that plasma is definitely the way to go for me? Anyone get problems with station logos burning in? Like now I have Discovery on, and it has been for a few hours, and it has the logo on the top right the whole time. Will this cause issues?

 

[Quantum Theory]

That's the sort of info I am after Is that based on personal viewing experience or industry knowledge?

I am thinking about the LG 42PQ10 (R6999) or the Samsung 42B430 (R7499).

No idea what this means for the former - HDMI (1080p / 1080i / 720p) Component (1080p / 1080i / 720p) RF (1080i / 720p) - but resolution is 1024 x 768 which I understand to be 720p (?). The Samsung has the same resolution.

So it seems from the comments that plasma is definitely the way to go for me? Anyone get problems with station logos burning in? Like now I have Discovery on, and it has been for a few hours, and it has the logo on the top right the whole time. Will this cause issues?

A bit of both...

Those specs mean it can handle 1080p inputs, but because of the screen res, it will only display 720p. A friend just got a 42" LG. It looks great. Will find out if it is the same model. Logos won't be an issue.

 

[LancelotSA]

A bit of both...

Those specs mean it can handle 1080p inputs, but because of the screen res, it will only display 720p. A friend just got a 42" LG. It looks great. Will find out if it is the same model. Logos won't be an issue.

If you could find out the model that'd be great. Thanks man. I'm going to go and take a peek at some screens today.

 

[placebo]

I own a B430 Samsung on which I only run SD content.I am happy with the purchase.Haven'T noticed any issues with the purchase.I watch all channels including sport.Remember it takes time to "run" the set in.The quality of the picture gets better after 30 or so hours of use.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

Or, you could get a 32" HD-Ready LCD and a HD-PVR and join the world of HD sports That's my setup and I am more than happy watching divx movies on it too

 

[iceman23]

I watch a lot of "normal" tv on my plasma and it is really good. No issues at all. Much clearer and smoother than my LCD.

 

[LancelotSA]

Or, you could get a 32" HD-Ready LCD and a HD-PVR and join the world of HD sports That's my setup and I am more than happy watching divx movies on it too

But not all channels are HD and not all sport is shown on the HD channel. Further to this I will surely still be able to benefit from the advantages of the HD channel on a plasma?

I watch a lot of "normal" tv on my plasma and it is really good. No issues at all. Much clearer and smoother than my LCD.

I am hearing more and more of this. Even people with high refresh rates make mention of still being able to see "ghosting" when looking for it. It seems this is not the case with plasma.





When comparing the same price LCD and plasma the advantages for plasma seem to be :

No comet trails during sport and action film watching.
Better contrast.
Better viewing angles.

So far the only negative of plasma, that I am aware of, seems to be "burn in".

Wrong or right?

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

I was just thinking of your budget, you could fit a HD-PVR and a 32" LCD into R8000 if you shop around.

 

[Ou grote]

I got the Samsung 450 plasma, 42" for 8k
Same requirements as yours, except I have an xbox as well.
Have Welfare tv and normal MNET/CSN decoder, not planning on getting Dstv unless the gf moves in and pays for it.

Can say it's a good buy. 42" is massive compared to the old crt.
It's like going from an old 14" fishbowl monitor to a 24" iMac screen.

 

[LancelotSA]

I was just thinking of your budget, you could fit a HD-PVR and a 32" LCD into R8000 if you shop around.

I hear you, thanks man. But as stated I seem to have got caught up in the whole size marketing thing. The HD PVR will probably come... pointless having the equipment and not using it!

I got the Samsung 450 plasma, 42" for 8k
Same requirements as yours, except I have an xbox as well.
Have Welfare tv and normal MNET/CSN decoder, not planning on getting Dstv unless the gf moves in and pays for it.

Can say it's a good buy. 42" is massive compared to the old crt.
It's like going from an old 14" fishbowl monitor to a 24" iMac screen.

I am starting to wonder whether 42" might not be tooooooo big. It'll take a bit of getting used to 1m against the current 50cm!

Can I ask you what rugby looks like on your screen? No jerky movements? No trails following the players?

 

[Ou grote]

I hear you, thanks man. But as stated I seem to have got caught up in the whole size marketing thing. The HD PVR will probably come... pointless having the equipment and not using it!



I am starting to wonder whether 42" might not be tooooooo big. It'll take a bit of getting used to 1m against the current 50cm!

Can I ask you what rugby looks like on your screen? No jerky movements? No trails following the players?

Rugby and cricket is perfect, the main reason I bought plasma.
I'm not too clued up on all the technical aspects, but I've been led to believe that's all about "response time" and plasma leads the way there.

I was really really wanting to buy the 40" Sony bravia lcd for a few years, but got convinced to go plasma.
On the LCD's I've seen so far, Rugby is not great on SD, on a HD channel it'll probably be better.

They say that plasma has a "glare" because of the glass, but hasn't been an issue for me either, and I like the glass.
Easy to clean.

The other bad thing about plasma is the "burn in" factor. Apparently its not a problem anymore with newer plasma's. You don't have to run it in anymore.
There are a few people on here who have had an issue though like sandmann.

The other bad thing about plasma is that it uses more power than lcd, but that doesn't bother me.
Not sure how much more, but apparently it's the same as a crt.

 

[sand_man]

But not all channels are HD and not all sport is shown on the HD channel. Further to this I will surely still be able to benefit from the advantages of the HD channel on a plasma?

HD is superb and there is HD Discovery now too. It's difficult to appreciate the difference in quality between SD and HD until you actually have both setup, at home in your own environment. Personally I absolutely love HD, software bugs included

When comparing the same price LCD and plasma the advantages for plasma seem to be :

No comet trails during sport and action film watching.
Better contrast.
Better viewing angles.

So far the only negative of plasma, that I am aware of, seems to be "burn in".

Wrong or right?

Burn in and reflections off the screen. That's possibly LCD's biggest advantage over Plasma. If you in a room full of light and windows etc etc Plasma is going to mirror all that light...

Burn in seems to be more prevalent with the larger plasma's (speculating here). My 50" suffers with IR while my 42" (PS42B430) works brilliantly without any symptoms and it gets hammered....

EDIT: I've seen HD PVR's advertised for R2799, can't remember where, Makro or PnP but do yourself a favor Lancelot and get one!!! Even for just the sport!!! You will not regret it!!!!