Which TV

D

drnaphtali

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Hi guys, I know this topic has been asked several times, but it is difficult to find all the info I need in one place.

My purpose for the TV is as follow: getting HD PVR, so it will mostly be used for HD viewing, SD tv, some sport (just rugby, cricket and some tennis).
Getting a PS3 so I will occasionally watch Blu-Rays and play games (not hardcore though, just the occasional GT5, guitar hero and FIFA11)

As of last week I was sold on the Samsung PS50c550, but reading some of the posts here I read there are some issues with it (motion judder), which, to be honest, I have no idea what it is an how it influences the picture, but it is putting me off.

So now I am also looking at the Samsung PS50c450, and even though I am sure normal HD is good enough for me now, the fact that it is just HD is also putting me off. I dont know whats going to happen, and I'd like to be future proof.

So now I am looking at some LCD options aswell - thinking I should just spend more even though I do not really want to, but be happy.

TV's I am considering:

Samsung PS50c450 - R8999 (Cats)
Samsung PS50C550 - R9999 (New World) (this price might be R10999, but I am almost sure this is right when I went to check today)

Samsung LA46c550 - R9999 (Cats)
Samsung LA46c630 - R11999 (Cats)
Samsung LA46c650 - R13999 (Cats)
Samsung LA46c750 - R16499 (New World)

Should I be looking at the LED aswell (Samsung UA46c5000 which is going for R12k)?

I can spend as much as R16500, but I do not yet have anything (PS3, hd decoder, sound). What is important for me though is that I do not want to be dissapointed. I'm a guy for quality. I will have all the equiptment at the end regardless though.

Thanks!
 
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Your model numbers are wrong - they are missing the bit that denotes the size of the TV.

That said, PS50C430/C450 (50"), no questions I'd say. ;) The tried, tested and trusted plasma with no motion judder. Which, by the way, can be had for ±R8000 if you look around. Massive saving which can be spent on other bits and pieces like 5.1 component audio. And by the sounds of it you don't need full HD (it's a bit of a marketing gimmick as very few people actually do).

If you really think you need full HD, and you are worried about the PS50C550's motion judder (did you test the set with panning scenes yet to see if you notice it?), then go for 6 Series Samsung LCD, like the LA46C650. But remember, for about half the price you will get superior SD/SD sport quality and an extra 4" (which make a huge difference) in the PS50C430/C450.
 
Sorry about the missing model nr's and manufacture name, fixed it.

Thank you for the advice. Will need to go to the store AGAIN then. But it is tough for me to compare the products in store, since they play things which might just compliment the TV. When I ask them to play something else they just say "no". When I go back I will take another look at the Samsung LA46c630 aswell (what is the difference between the c630 and c650?).

Like I said before I am sure I am not really going to use full HD, but I am just scared that in the not so near future it becomes the norm or DStv starts broadcasting in 1080 or something like that.

Thanks!
 
Well I just bought the 50C450 and honestly it is an insane TV, really amazing.

As for Full HD / HD ready, don't let that sway you, it is honestly a marketing / money making load of tripe.

I have a Full HD LCD and I honestly would never be able to tell the difference.

For what you pay for that 50" plasma, it is a no brainier. Another R3000 just for full HD? You would be nuts :p
 
drnaphtali said:
Sorry about the missing model nr's and manufacture name, fixed it.

Thank you for the advice. Will need to go to the store AGAIN then. But it is tough for me to compare the products in store, since they play things which might just compliment the TV. When I ask them to play something else they just say "no". When I go back I will take another look at the Samsung LA46c630 aswell (what is the difference between the c630 and c650?).

Like I said before I am sure I am not really going to use full HD, but I am just scared that in the not so near future it becomes the norm or DStv starts broadcasting in 1080 or something like that.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Not sure what the difference between C630 and C650 is - usually one or two more features and/or HDMI ports and a cosmetics difference, while the actual LCD panel/picture quality remains the same.

DSTV won't be broadcasting full HD for at least another 5 years I've heard. Knowing them it'll probably be 10.

You cannot tell the difference between HD and full HD from 2.5m+ viewing distance - not even the pros can.
 
Seems like I will go with the C450 then! Gonna check it out just to be sure though. So then I can buy the sound system with it, one shot....now which system? hmmmm
 
satanboy said:
WTF?

Tell them you will take your R25 000/R50 000 and spend it elsewhere...stupid salesmen.
Click to expand...

Yeah I also thought its ridiculous, but what can you do when they have the better prices. This happened at GAME in menlyn and New World.

In GAME, the quality of the signal from the source is so bad they could just as well turn the TV's off, lots of noise with the picture.... you cannot do any comparison at all.
 
drnaphtali said:
Seems like I will go with the C450 then! Gonna check it out just to be sure though. So then I can buy the sound system with it, one shot....now which system? hmmmm
Click to expand...

The best value R4,000 - R5,000 system (for a budget of R4,000 - R5,000) is the Sony STR-500 http://www.sony.co.za/product/ht-str500 . There is also a version that includes a Blu-ray player (although your money is probably better spent on a HD media player + hard drive - which opens another can of worms ;)).

These AV receiver amplifiers allow you to plug all your HDMI/other sources to it (DSTV/HD PVR, DVD/Blu-ray, console, cameras etc.) and then route everything to the TV over one HDMI cable and have your audio for all sources playing through the attached speakers (digital audio needs to go over optical/SPDIF cable in the case of the STR-500's receiver). I have the Samsung 42" plasma and Sony STR-500 (got it on special for R3,999) and I am more than thrilled with it for TV, HD movies and music.

If you have ±R10,000 you can look at a entry level higher end receiver (which does video and audio over HDMI without the need for optical) for ±R3,000 - R4,000 i.e. Pioneer/Yamaha and 5.1 speaker package at ±R2,000 per center/fronts/rears/sub i.e. Wharfedale Diamonds (I think they are) or Jamo for a bit more. There are lots of brands to consider.

Both options offer good value at their relative price point. I guess it depends on whether you would be satisfied with the STR-500 package or if you want an upgrade path (in which higher end AV receiver amps are better), how much of an audiophile you are, and whether you have to have audio going over HDMI cable too. The STR-500 is a massive step up from the usual "DVD surround sound combos" for R1,000 - R2,000 and I'd say offers best bang for buck.

Sound bargain thread - http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/302381-Surround-Sound-Home-Theatre-Bargains
 
Thank you for the info Postman.

PostmanPot said:
. There is also a version that includes a Blu-ray player (although your money is probably better spent on a HD media player + hard drive - which opens another can of worms ;)).
]
Click to expand...
What is a HD media player? Is that like the PS3??

BTW, does anyone know of any good test rooms for TV and AUDIO in Pretoria?
 
drnaphtali said:
Thank you for the info Postman.


What is a HD media player? Is that like the PS3??

BTW, does anyone know of any good test rooms for TV and AUDIO in Pretoria?
Click to expand...

Pleasure.

HD media player is a unit that connects to a flash drive or external hard drive (or internal if the player supports internal drives) with all your movies/series/music/etc. stored on it. It then connects to your TV/AV receiver via HDMI and allows you to play all these files, including high quality HD rips/Blu-ray rips in the form of H264/.MKV files.

These are the two most popular units - http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/262208-mede8er-or-ac-ryan-playon .
 
You won't be sorry with that C450. Just be warned, you not going to want to get off the couch :D

I am also looking for a surround sound system, that Sony STR-500 does look good, goes for R4499 @ hi Fi corp.

@Postman, with regard to hooking up my PS3 and Xbox, would I need 2 optical cables then running into the Sony receiver?

Or how would it work?
 
Grimspoon said:
You won't be sorry with that C450. Just be warned, you not going to want to get off the couch :D

I am also looking for a surround sound system, that Sony STR-500 does look good, goes for R4499 @ hi Fi corp.

@Postman, with regard to hooking up my PS3 and Xbox, would I need 2 optical cables then running into the Sony receiver?

Or how would it work?
Click to expand...

Yeah, one HDMI and one optical for each device. For devices that don't do optical (like the bundled DVD player) you use RCA.
 
Lupus said:
For sound don't dismiss a good set of PC speakers and the ever popular Logitech Z5500, having heard these over the STR 500 and the more expensive 6.2 Channel Sony they beat the socks off of it. Yes they only have one optical and one coaxial but the sound is amazing for what you paying.

http://www.prophecy.co.za/logitech-970115-z5500-digital-speaker-system-p-457.html
Click to expand...

Sorry but I doubt the Logitech Z-5500 would sound better than full range speakers of the STR-500/similar 5.1 component systems. It lacks mid-range, as do most if not all PC speakers that don't have mid drivers. Maybe to the "average" listener that doesn't know what mid-range is, it will sound better, especially with the boomy sub that some people love. The STR-500 kills the Z-2300 in sound quality which are similar to the Z-5500 so I really cannot believe you. Where'd you test and what settings were used? My STR-500 sounds phenomenal with lossless audio.

Any in any case, you would be very limited to the amount of sources you can play off the Z-5500 as it has no AV receiver.
 
PostmanPot said:
Sorry but I doubt the Logitech Z-5500 would sound better than full range speakers of the STR-500/similar 5.1 component systems. It lacks mid-range, as do most if not all PC speakers that don't have mid drivers. Maybe to the "average" listener that doesn't know what mid-range is, it will sound better, especially with the boomy sub that some people love. The STR-500 kills the Z-2300 in sound quality which are similar to the Z-5500 so I really cannot believe you. Where'd you test and what settings were used? My STR-500 sounds phenomenal with lossless audio.

Any in any case, you would be very limited to the amount of sources you can play off the Z-5500 as it has no AV receiver.
Click to expand...

Agreed and the STR500 was on special for R4k. Now adays you pay, R4.5k. Why would you buy/recommend the Sony over the Logitech?
 
Seriously you are the most antagonistic person I've ever had the displeasure of seeing online. The second someone offers something different to your opinion you go on the defence? I am actually not going to stoop to your level and argue with you, as apparently you are the guru of everything you purchase.
 
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