Which TV to buy?

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Since I am going to connect my HTPC to it, I thought I can post here. :)

We are looking at getting a new tv. Now game has a Telefunkin 46" Full HD LCD @ R5k, which is the one I like. My brother says we should get a LED and game has a JVC 42" Full HD LED @ R5800

Linky: http://www.game.co.za/RapidCat/game/rsa/pages/page-6.jpg

And then Makro has a special on a Sinotec 46" Full HD LED @ R7k.

Linky: http://www.makro.co.za/p/40715/sinotec-46-117cm-full-hd-led-tv/

Now, I don't know the difference between LED and LCD, except for it's thinner. AFAIK, when they talk about LED at this price, it's only LED backlit...

Which one would be the best to buy or do you guys have other tvs to recommend at this price point?
 
Connect HTPC for what? Please list uses.

R5,500 - R5,999 Samsung LA40D550
R7,000 - R8,000 Samsung LA46D550

Don't bother with cheap brands, especially when connecting to a PC. Branded sets, such as the Samsung D550 5 Series range, is the best contender.

R5,999 Samsung PS51D450 HD Ready plasma

Also a strong contender, but you won't want that if you're working on the PC in Windows displaying constant static images (plasma will burn in).

"LED" is marketing gimmick, it's still an LCD only the back-light differs, so you are correct.

LED back-lighting is susceptible to problems though, like worse light bleed than normal CCFL backlit LCD and even "light spots" around the screen (not only the sides). Also, due to the brighter lighting, colours are often more contrasty and washed out.
 
PostmanPot said:
/Snip
Don't bother with cheap brands, especially when connecting to a PC. Branded sets, such as the Samsung D550 5 Series range, is the best contender. /snip
Click to expand...

Why, the PC should be connected via HDMI, so what the diff ? why cant specfically connect a computer to 'cheaper brand TV' ?

i dont see the logic here.
 
Meteor said:
Why, the PC should be connected via HDMI, so what the diff ? why cant specfically connect a computer to 'cheaper brand TV' ?

i dont see the logic here.
Click to expand...

Cheap TVs lack menu/advanced configuration needed in order to correctly display a PC i.e. in Windows. Things like 1:1 pixel mapping, 4:4 RGB mode, etc.

It depends on the use, if using it purely for HD media and gaming then a cheapie won't be too bad. Until you put it next to a branded set with a superior processing engine.
 
Sorry, should have said. The main use will be watching HD movies, series and DVDs. I bought a GT520 1GB for the pc and it is currently connected via HDMI to my current 37" LCD HD Ready TV.
 
SharkBait said:
Sorry, should have said. The main use will be watching HD movies, series and DVDs. I bought a GT520 1GB for the pc and it is currently connected via HDMI to my current 37" LCD HD Ready TV.
Click to expand...

No question I would take the 51" plasma then.

Unless you have a bright room and/or direct sunlight, or if you need FHD (content and viewing distance dependent). Only then would I consider LCD.
 
But HD ready means 720p, right? So, 1080p content will be downscaled...

TV will be in my living room and most of the after noon, it gets sun light. Viewing distance is 3m minimum.
 
PostmanPot said:
No question I would take the 51" plasma then.

Unless you have a bright room and/or direct sunlight, or if you need FHD (content and viewing distance dependent). Only then would I consider LCD.
Click to expand...

I got this plasma a few days ago at Game and it is by far best bang for your buck. Not sure if it is still available at R5999 though...that was an new store opening special here in my neck of the woods. Got a free PVR with it as well. Normally goes for R6999
 
SharkBait said:
But HD ready means 720p, right? So, 1080p content will be downscaled...

TV will be in my living room and most of the after noon, it gets sun light. Viewing distance is 3m minimum.
Click to expand...

Yes it will be downscaled, but as far as I know the only full HD content you will display is from BlueRay. Not sure if HD rips are in full HD and also downscaled on a HD ready tv ?
 
This is what bugs me about the HD Ready tvs...

Resolution 1,365 x 768 (HD)

So, on a 51", you will have some big @$$ icons...
 
Third Blue From the Sun said:
Postman Pot- you seem very knowledgeable on all things TV :D

What is your take on the Sony KLV-40BX420?
Click to expand...

I'm not too clued up on Sony, but "BX" worries me as in the past it's been used to name the very entriest TVs they sell.

So the Samsung LA40D550 is probably a better option. It would compete with Sony 40CX520.

Both Samsung and Sony have a joint venture in LCD panel production, so panels are often the same at each price point: S-PVA, which is superior on paper than LG's IPS panels. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD#Types

It really depends on what you want the TV for though.
 
SharkBait said:
This is what bugs me about the HD Ready tvs...

Resolution 1,365 x 768 (HD)

So, on a 51", you will have some big @$$ icons...
Click to expand...

Icons? If you are relying on in-Windows/OS experience, HD Ready and plasma are out.

What's more important than resolution though, is viewing distance.

From 3m, it'll be unlikely you'll tell the difference between 720p and 1080p, due to the fact that definition (pixels) is less noticeable the further away you are. Until you get to a distance of like 5m where even SD TV looks good.

Don't get me wrong, I fully advocate 1080p when viewing distance is such that the viewer(s) will get the full benefit of Full HD (roughly 1.5 - 2m at 40", 2.5m at 50").

What swings this in plasma's favour is that it handles SD content very well, meaning your lower quality .avi and .divx movies and series (and DVDs) will look excellent. It's also fully capable at displaying HD (720p). Then, from a viewing distance of 3m+, it's unlikely 1080p/Blu-ray will have a noticeable definition improvement.

It also has deeper blacks and better colours than the 5 Series (and most) entry LCDs.

If the room is bright, plasma may be still be fine. If it has direct sunlight on/around the TV, plasma is a no-no (unless we're talking high-end with anti-reflective coating).
 
Well, let me put it this way, so far, I have been very happy with my HD Ready 37" tv, but I have always used the VGA connector to connect my laptop or pc and wasn't to worried about the resolution, as I didn't expect much.

Now, I have built a HTPC and want to use the HDMI. All my movies are 720/1080p. Series are still SD, but not to worried about that. I want the quality when watching movies. Also, The black bars at the bottom will be less if the resolution of the tv is correct and also of the mkv file...

I know you will never get rid of the black bars, but I don't want the combined black part to be more than the actual size of the movie. That's why all my movies are 720/1080p.

Or do I have it all wrong?
 
SharkBait said:
Well, let me put it this way, so far, I have been very happy with my HD Ready 37" tv, but I have always used the VGA connector to connect my laptop or pc and wasn't to worried about the resolution, as I didn't expect much.

Now, I have built a HTPC and want to use the HDMI. All my movies are 720/1080p. Series are still SD, but not to worried about that. I want the quality when watching movies. Also, The black bars at the bottom will be less if the resolution of the tv is correct and also of the mkv file...

I know you will never get rid of the black bars, but I don't want the combined black part to be more than the actual size of the movie. That's why all my movies are 720/1080p.

Or do I have it all wrong?
Click to expand...

720p and 1080p are both 16:9 aspect ratios. Most movies are shot at something else, hence black bars. Black bars are needed to cater for the different film cameras used. 1080p will not save you from them.

http://www.widescreen.org/aspect_ratios.shtml

Basically if you want quality when watching 1080p movies you will need to sit closer than 3m.

Or you could take quality and not worry about resolution due to your viewing distance, and get 51" for the price of 40".

Black levels and colours will be noticeable from far viewing distances; resolution won't.
 
I got myself 46" Sinotech FULL HD LCD for R4k at Makro last moth for my HTPC and DSTV stuff. Initially it was not great for DSTV, but now it is watchable. For HTPC + XBMC, I am happy with it.
 
PostmanPot said:
I'm not too clued up on Sony, but "BX" worries me as in the past it's been used to name the very entriest TVs they sell.

So the Samsung LA40D550 is probably a better option. It would compete with Sony 40CX520.

Both Samsung and Sony have a joint venture in LCD panel production, so panels are often the same at each price point: S-PVA, which is superior on paper than LG's IPS panels. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD#Types

It really depends on what you want the TV for though.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the feedback, had a suspicion that it is a lower level TV. The Samsung LA40D550 seems to blow it away feature-wise as well. Will definitely be consulting the "bank manager" on raising the budget to get me one of these :D
 
Fuma said:
I got myself 46" Sinotech FULL HD LCD for R4k at Makro last moth for my HTPC and DSTV stuff. Initially it was not great for DSTV, but now it is watchable. For HTPC + XBMC, I am happy with it.
Click to expand...

Can you please elaborate on it being "watchable"?
 
So PP, are you 100% the 51" plasma is what you think I would want?

And should my windows resolution then be 1365x768? I see that windows recommends 1280x1024 on my current tv...
 
SharkBait said:
So PP, are you 100% the 51" plasma is what you think I would want?
Click to expand...

If going by our paper discussion, yes. Only concern is bright room. And if you need FHD.

Of course you must go and test yourself. At a proper AV shop with test room, not under dosens of shop lights at 1m viewing distance.

And should my windows resolution then be 1365x768? I see that windows recommends 1280x1024 on my current tv...
Click to expand...

Depends, you will have to see for yourself.

The options would probably be to feed a 1080p signal and let the TV do the processing and downscaling.

Otherwise you should be able to force 1365x768 in your graphics card's software. With 1:1 pixel mapping you should have a pretty crisp desktop, especially from 3m back.
 
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