TV experts please - best 50-55" LED?

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Kcng

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Wannabe Geek

#95444 4-Jan-2012 17:11

Hi, we are looking at purchasing a new 50 or 55" LED tv. Would appreciate any recommendations please of which is best brand to buy, and/or model? The more we look at in the shops, the more confused we get (e.g. - we didnt even know you could buy a gloss or matt finish!!!). Not really worried about going smart tv/wifi built in, but kids would probably enjoy 3D (if glasses are reasonably priced). Looking at budget of around $1500-2500. Any advice would be appreciated - thanks!

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#564404 4-Jan-2012 17:17

I wouldn't recommend any LCD TV's - nothing comes close to the Panasonic Plasma's for picture quality.

mcmillgd

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#564405 4-Jan-2012 17:22

I agree, I just purchased the Panasonic Plasma P50GT30Z from Harvey Norman.
Avatar looks insane on this TV.

I was looking at purchasing the one of the LED TVs from Samsung, but every store I spoke to told me they would personally buy the Panasonic Plasma given the choice.

The power usage difference between a Plasma and LED these days is only 10-20 Watts.

mattwnz

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#564407 4-Jan-2012 17:29

Kcng: Hi, we are looking at purchasing a new 50 or 55" LED tv.? Would appreciate any recommendations please of which is best brand to buy, and/or model?? The more we look at in the shops, the more confused we get (e.g. - we didnt even know you could buy a gloss or matt finish!!!). Not really worried about going smart tv/wifi built in, but kids would probably enjoy 3D (if glasses are reasonably priced).? Looking at budget of around $1500-2500.? Any advice would be appreciated - thanks!

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Kcng

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Wannabe Geek

#564425 4-Jan-2012 18:13

Would prefer not to buy a plasma

sbiddle

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#564426 4-Jan-2012 18:14

Kcng: Would prefer not to buy a plasma

Out of curiosity why not?

sbiddle

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#564427 4-Jan-2012 18:21

mcmillgd: I agree, I just purchased the Panasonic Plasma P50GT30Z from Harvey Norman.
Avatar looks insane on this TV.

I was looking at purchasing the one of the LED TVs from Samsung, but every store I spoke to told me they would personally buy the Panasonic Plasma given the choice.

The power usage difference between a Plasma and LED these days is only 10-20 Watts.

I was seriously tempted by a 55" G series in the boxing day sales. I was looking at the 50" G series instore side by side with a Sony and Samsung LED's that were both around $1k more and they looked pale and washed out in comparison. I'd be embarrased if I were the Sony or Samsung rep and visited that store with the 3 TV's side by side and saw mine looked so horrible.

tigercorp

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#564429 4-Jan-2012 18:23

I got a Panasonic plasma (P55GT30) during the Xmas sales and while I'm definitely not a tv expert, it was noticeable that the LCDs only became comparable in quality for the higher end LCDs.

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#564433 4-Jan-2012 18:59

Samsung D6600 Series 6.

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Kcng

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#564438 4-Jan-2012 19:25

While we're no expert at all, we preferred the slim LEDs and did think (from what we saw) the picture quality was better than plasma.
Re. Samsung 6600 series - we looked at these but didn't think the extra $1000 was worth the extra features for what we would use. Are the Samsung 6000 as good? We also saw an LG 55" and wondered how that would compare? - not sure if it had 3d tho. How does Sony rate? Harvey Normans didn't have a 55" one but wondered of it was worth us investigating this brand further or stick to LG or Samsung?

Tockly

346 posts

Ultimate Geek

#564454 4-Jan-2012 20:02

At the size you are looking at a Plasma panel is the way to go. And in the plasma range the Panasonic models are the ones to get. The picture quality of them is just stunning.

Just about every LCD/LED (which after all an LED is just an LCD with fancy lighting) I have seen suffer badly from motion blur. Just watch a movie with fast action and you'll see what I mean.

But in saying that everyone has their own tastes and opinions.

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#564455 4-Jan-2012 20:04

Tockly: At the size you are looking at a Plasma panel is the way to go. And in the plasma range the Panasonic models are the ones to get. The picture quality of them is just stunning.

Just about every LCD/LED (which after all an LED is just an LCD with fancy lighting) I have seen suffer badly from motion blur. Just watch a movie with fast action and you'll see what I mean.

But in saying that everyone has their own tastes and opinions.

No motion blur or any other detrimental effects on my 55" Sony LCD

stocksp

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#564461 4-Jan-2012 20:25

I can recommend the sony NX720. Great panel, great picture. And with the monolithic gorilla glass styling it looks pretty good off too.

Kcng

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Wannabe Geek

#564467 4-Jan-2012 20:41

Thanks, I'll also check out Sony. We have been looking at either Samsung UA55D6000 55" Series 6 LED or LG 55" 55LW4500 - think we are favouring the LG - what do others think? Thanks again

mcmillgd

50 posts

Geek

#564471 4-Jan-2012 20:48

I won't touch LG out of principal since they were caught tampering with their fridges to make them appear more energy efficient than they actually are.

wmoore

510 posts

Ultimate Geek

#564480 4-Jan-2012 21:31

Kcng: While we're no expert at all, we preferred the slim LEDs and did think (from what we saw) the picture quality was better than plasma.

Re. Samsung 6600 series - we looked at these but didn't think the extra $1000 was worth the extra features for what we would use. Are the Samsung 6000 as good? We also saw an LG 55" and wondered how that would compare? - not sure if it had 3d tho. How does Sony rate? Harvey Normans didn't have a 55" one but wondered of it was worth us investigating this brand further or stick to LG or Samsung?

You can't judge picture quality in a shop. LED will always be bright in your face look at me type picture in store. Also was the plasma set up correctly for the best picture ?
Personally I don't like the 'LED' picture. Plasma would be my choice for that size.

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