Which TV??

[shaun323]

Hi All,

I have recently decided to buy a new LCD/Plasma tv and would like your opinions on my current plan. I have a budget of +-R9000.

Usage: The tv would be used primarily (90%) for DSTV, SD and HD (in a few motnhs). Occassionally for DVD's and gaming (currently PS2 but PS3 in a few months), but this would be only about 10% of tv usage time.

Based on this I am thinking of getting a 40/42 inch plasma, HD ready (1024x768 resolution). My viewing distance is about 4meters and I don't think I will have sufficient full HD material to worry about the small resolution difference between a 1080p or 720p panel.

I also anticipate that in 4 or 5 years time I will buy a new tv (OLED or whatever the new technology at that stage is), so I am not too concerned about the 'future proofing' aspect of purchasing a full HD lcd.

So in summary...what do you think of the plan of buying a decent HD ready 40 inch plasma vs a Sinotech/similar full HD LCD based on my planned usage?

And secondly, which TV do you reccommend for my current budget?

The two that I have been looking at is the LG 42PQ30, R8999 at game at the mo, or the 42inch Samsung plasma currently on special at Makro R7999 (not sure which model it is, contrast ratio of 20000:1, think it might be the PS42A410)

Thanks in advance for any opinions.

 

[kingrob]

See if you can find any Panasonic Viera for that price.

Then your search is over.

 

[albert123]

i'd honestly say go the few cm's smaller to get in ur price range and go with the sony bravia...

 

[kingrob]

i'd honestly say go the few cm's smaller to get in ur price range and go with the sony bravia...

He is looking for a plasma.

 

[albert123]

He is looking for a plasma.

he said lcd/plasma....

i meant something like
Sony 37" (94cm) HD Ready LCD TV - S- Series R 9,999.00

yes it costs a bit more than the LG or whatever, but its worth it.

 

[kingrob]

he said lcd/plasma....

i meant something like
Sony 37" (94cm) HD Ready LCD TV - S- Series R 9,999.00

yes it costs a bit more than the LG or whatever, but its worth it.

Can't agree with you more. Sony Bravia is still the benchmark when it comes to LCD.

 

[shaun323]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I have looked at the Sony Bravia LCD's but I'm not sure if a full HD lcd is the best option for what I'm going to use it for. If I'm going to be primarily watching DSTV and sport then isn't a HD ready plasma the better option in terms of picture quality?

If I was to buy an LCD I would buy the 40" V series on special at Makro but I don't think its the best option for my requirements. Does anybody own one of the two plasmas mentioned in my original post (or an alternative) who can comment?

 

[Hogrod]

I have the Samsung 40inch hd ready LCD. It was R8500 last week. Screen res is 1366x768. I've never owned one before so can't comment on it's quality, but for xbox gaming and DVD I've been pleasantly surprised at it's performance. Now if only DSTV had all channels in widescreen I'd be a happy man.

Game have a special on the LG 42inch HD ready for R9000. I don't watch blu ray, and since DSTV HD transmits in 720p there's no need to go Full HD.

 

[Hogrod]

And don't get yourself tied up in the contrast ratio, it's a load of marketing nonsense. Anyway judge for yourself here:
http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/contrast-ratio.html

And nor would you be able to tell the difference between a 720p image and a 1080p image on a 40 inch screen. Only if the screens size was +50inch then you might be able to see.

 

[albert123]

if you only gonna watch SD stuff, get a top of range sony CRT tv. why you want a LCD tv if you not planning on watching any hd on it? picture quality of most SD stuff on a lcd or plasma tv is worse than a CRT tv and since dstv dont have widescreen channels most programs will be 'stretched' or if you change the settings you will not use parts of your screen. since you will have black liens on the sides to keep the aspect ratio.

I would say get a sony full HD tv and stop fooling urself u dont 'need' hd... one day u will have a blu ray player and whatever and wish u had a hd tv. anyway most ppl buy new tv's after 5 yrs or so anyway, so the whole '5 yr' thing shouldnt be a problem anyway. go all out or nothing. not much diff between 9k and 10k. who says the LG will even last 5 yrs?

 

[Hogrod]

I would say get a sony full HD tv and stop fooling urself u dont 'need' hd... one day u will have a blu ray player and whatever and wish u had a hd tv.

If you're watching bluray on two 40 inch screen, one is a 720p and the other is 1080p screen you can't the tell the difference. You can if the tv was 50inch or bigger because it requires a bigger resolution which is what 1080p gives

 

[albert123]

If you're watching bluray on two 40 inch screen, one is a 720p and the other is 1080p screen you can't the tell the difference. You can if the tv was 50inch or bigger because it requires a bigger resolution which is what 1080p gives

would any normal person notice the difference in performance between a Mercedes C32 AMG and C55 AMG ? yet most people prefer to know they got the top of the range product for their fortune they paid for it. my point is if you gonna spend a fortune on a TV, make sure u get something decent, so go with the Sony, even if u take one thats only HD ready and not full-supersized-high-extra-quality-200hz-high definition.

Sony has forever been the benchmark in televisions. they will most of the time last longer, have better picture quality for longer, etc, etc....

 

[albert123]

If you're watching bluray on two 40 inch screen, one is a 720p and the other is 1080p screen you can't the tell the difference. You can if the tv was 50inch or bigger because it requires a bigger resolution which is what 1080p gives

at the same time you will not notice a better picture quality from a R9000 LCD tv to a R4000 Sony CRT tv.... when watching a SD signal...

 

[Hogrod]

I've never owned a Sony LCD but have owned other Sony products. But in this case why would you recommend it over other Tier One manufacturers? I don't see the justification in paying extra for it?
I ask because I'm a little sceptical of Sony, I've owned an MP3, headphones, CD player, and mini disk player. All have had build quality issues after the first year, so I'm not going to spend extra money on a Sony LCD with my past experiences haunting me. I'd end up buying the extended warranty Game offers! So is it really that much better?

 

[albert123]

I've never owned a Sony LCD but have owned other Sony products. But in this case why would you recommend it over other Tier One manufacturers? I don't see the justification in paying extra for it?
I ask because I'm a little sceptical of Sony, I've owned an MP3, headphones, CD player, and mini disk player. All have had build quality issues after the first year, so I'm not going to spend extra money on a Sony LCD with my past experiences haunting me. I'd end up buying the extended warranty Game offers! So is it really that much better?

I did say sony has been the benchmark in TV's, not in electronics... i've heard of very few people who's had sony mp3 players. Also I didnt say all other makes break and sony never breaks, but I woul drecommend Sony above any other brand television. You pay extra... you get extra. its like paying more for a stainless steel AMC cookware pot, compared to a Bauer Pro pot. Yes if well looked after and handled properly a Bauer Pro pot can last very long and give you happy cooking, but it just dont compare to the AMC pots that will last generations without to much 'care' required...

Anyway he must pick the one he likes in the end and that he can afford. i'm sure they all nice and since he will have only the one LCD tv it will be the best he's ever had so who cares if wont last longer than him.

 

[PeterCH]

I've never owned a Sony LCD but have owned other Sony products. But in this case why would you recommend it over other Tier One manufacturers? I don't see the justification in paying extra for it?
I ask because I'm a little sceptical of Sony, I've owned an MP3, headphones, CD player, and mini disk player. All have had build quality issues after the first year, so I'm not going to spend extra money on a Sony LCD with my past experiences haunting me. I'd end up buying the extended warranty Game offers! So is it really that much better?

Sony QUALIAS were the legend, in league (almost) with Pioneer Kuro. However, since those overdone sets no longer get made, you have to put up with the hyped up "BRAVIA". The problem in SA is that we don't get any SHARP AQUOS TVs or many PANASONIC or HITACHI sets, also forget about NEC. Next to LOGIK, SONIC, SINOTEC etc - Sony Bravia stands out, but that's because our range is so poor in SA.
Travel abroad and you'll be greeted by Hitachi, NEC, Sharp and Panasonic displays, Bravia is just another name over there and not a 'premier' product that QUALIA was.

Pioneer is also shutting down its Plasma range as well and Hitachi is no longer making panels either. For the remaining industry leaders there's Panasonic and NEC.

 

[JK8]

I've never owned a Sony LCD but have owned other Sony products. But in this case why would you recommend it over other Tier One manufacturers? I don't see the justification in paying extra for it?
I ask because I'm a little sceptical of Sony, I've owned an MP3, headphones, CD player, and mini disk player. All have had build quality issues after the first year, so I'm not going to spend extra money on a Sony LCD with my past experiences haunting me. I'd end up buying the extended warranty Game offers! So is it really that much better?

Im a Sony fan, had no problems thus far.
regarding LCDs I think all the brands are now in the same price range... LG, Samsung and Sony so theres no real rice difference apart from retail specials.

 

[atomcrusher]

I have both the 40" and 32" Sony KLV40S400 and KLV32S400 Bravia. The 40" is Full HD, the 32" is HD Ready. When viewing both on Channel 170 (the only HD channel currently) I cannot visually tell the difference in picture quality. Of course that's because MCA broadcast their HD signal in one of 1080i or 720p. I would guess that you would only notice the difference once you went bigger than say 46" / 50"

 

[JK8]

I have both the 40" and 32" Sony KLV40S400 and KLV32S400 Bravia. The 40" is Full HD, the 32" is HD Ready. When viewing both on Channel 170 (the only HD channel currently) I cannot visually tell the difference in picture quality. Of course that's because MCA broadcast their HD signal in one of 1080i or 720p. I would guess that you would only notice the difference once you went bigger than say 46" / 50"

Play PS3 on both, you will see the difference.

 

[Hogrod]

Play PS3 on both, you will see the difference.

I bet you one bagillion rands that you can't tell the difference on a 40inch screen. 50inch plus, definitely!