60" TV selection process

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janszoon

53 posts

Master Geek

#99210 14-Mar-2012 19:43

Hi there,
at the fear of opening a common topic, I wanted some advice from anyone who has researched and bought a large TV recently.

my criteria:

$3000
55-65 Inch (will go for 55 if picture superior)
Full HD
3D OR 3D Ready
Daily tv use, movies, games
LAN or wifi capable
Internet
DLNA (would be nice)
4 HMDI
Matte finish of possible, high light room.
USB/SD nice but not required
can play MKV.

Looked at:
LG 60PV250
LG 60PZ850
Pana TH-P55ST30Z
Don't really know about the LED, LCD, Plasma eqaution but really keen to hear your suggestions.

essentially the best Model for the price bracket and criteria.

cheers.

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822 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#595268 14-Mar-2012 19:48

Hey, my brother has just got one of these http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/panasonic/viera-55-inch-full-hd-3d-plasma-tv-sku-21941/

Fits all your specs apart from it being 55"

vexxxboy

4243 posts

Uber Geek

#595272 14-Mar-2012 19:56

have you looked at the Samsung Plasma, This model is a good price and has most features you want.

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/samsung/59-inch-full-hd-3d-plasma-tv-sku-22805/

Common sense is not as common as you think.

gumdigger

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#595290 14-Mar-2012 20:31

you mention internet, do you mean a browser or internet applications.
If you dont want browser you could go for Pana TH-P55ST30Z if you want browser you could go for ps59d8000.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#595323 14-Mar-2012 21:17

If you're in a 'high light room', then plasma, even NeoPlasma's from the likes of Panasonic will still struggle against LED lit LCD's from Sony or LG.
Both Sony and LG have matte finishes on their panels, making their performance somewhat better when facing a bright light source. I have a preference for the IPS panels on the front of the LG's.
The best LG / bang for buck wise, I believe to be the 55L5700.
The TV will play more movie files than the Panasonic's, it will handle the lighting conditions of your room, offer good off-axis viewing - and tick all the other boxes... except for SD card compatibility.

I own a Panasonic NeoPlasma, but if your room is really bright - I'd go for an IPS panel LED lit LCD.
Take a look at them side-by-side if you can though (not in 'dynamic mode') and see what you prefer (Panasonic 55ST vs 55LW5700).
Oh yeah, I wouldn't touch a Samsung plasma with a 10 foot barge poll... but that's just my opinion.

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#595448 15-Mar-2012 08:35

If you have to have it now, the 60" ST30 can be had for under your budget of $3000.

But we aren't that far away from finding out which 2012 models NZ will be getting. If you don't have to make a decision right now, then perhaps cool your heels a bit.

illicit

553 posts

Ultimate Geek

#595451 15-Mar-2012 08:41

+1 for LG

TechSol

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

Technical Solutions Aust

#595466 15-Mar-2012 09:11

vexxxboy: have you looked at the Samsung Plasma, This model is a good price and has most features you want.

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/samsung/59-inch-full-hd-3d-plasma-tv-sku-22805/

Stay away from that TV ... they have problems with the anti-reflective coating peeling off the screen in the corners after a couple of weeks, and most of them have serious issues with hum.

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janszoon

53 posts

Master Geek

#595787 15-Mar-2012 19:32

gumdigger: you mention internet, do you mean a browser or internet applications.
If you dont want browser you could go for Pana TH-P55ST30Z if you want browser you could go for ps59d8000.

just internet apps like smart tv or internet tv

fahrenheit: If you have to have it now, the 60" ST30 can be had for under your budget of $3000.

But we aren't that far away from finding out which 2012 models NZ will be getting. If you don't have to make a decision right now, then perhaps cool your heels a bit.

I'm in no rush really...but what will waiting actually give me? I see it as probably a good time to buy as they all try to get rid of stock? I'll check out the Pana you suggest, but worried about the reflection in the bright room...

Dunnersfella: If you're in a 'high light room', then plasma, even NeoPlasma's from the likes of Panasonic will still struggle against LED lit LCD's from Sony or LG.
Both Sony and LG have matte finishes on their panels, making their performance somewhat better when facing a bright light source. I have a preference for the IPS panels on the front of the LG's.
The best LG / bang for buck wise, I believe to be the 55L5700.
The TV will play more movie files than the Panasonic's, it will handle the lighting conditions of your room, offer good off-axis viewing - and tick all the other boxes... except for SD card compatibility.

thanks for the info... I assume you mean the 55LW5700 (there is also a 55LW6500). Might check that out, seems a little bit rare though - Heathcotes?

I own a Panasonic NeoPlasma, but if your room is really bright - I'd go for an IPS panel LED lit LCD.
Take a look at them side-by-side if you can though (not in 'dynamic mode') and see what you prefer (Panasonic 55ST vs 55LW5700).
Oh yeah, I wouldn't touch a Samsung plasma with a 10 foot barge poll... but that's just my opinion.

Cheers - I'll check out the LG and Pana side by side hopefully.

Thanks for all the comments !

janszoon

53 posts

Master Geek

#595795 15-Mar-2012 19:51

p.s Ideally I would like a 60" but most of the recs above are for 55" are they generally better ?

lucky015

743 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#595853 15-Mar-2012 22:04

Panasonic generally are the best for Plasma picture quality and make some rather stunning screens with no particular bad sides I can think of.

Sony have a rather abysmal failure rate, Decent picture, Generally average quality components and somewhat over priced for what it is.

LG I'm unsure of as I have always avoided after seeing an astonishingly high amount of bad quality products from them personally.

Samsung make some very nice LCD/LED's however their Plasma's are very average.

In general I would avoid using any Internet TV features if you can because they are pretty much all crap.

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#595908 15-Mar-2012 23:53

janszoon:

fahrenheit: If you have to have it now, the 60" ST30 can be had for under your budget of $3000.

But we aren't that far away from finding out which 2012 models NZ will be getting. If you don't have to make a decision right now, then perhaps cool your heels a bit.

I'm in no rush really...but what will waiting actually give me? I see it as probably a good time to buy as they all try to get rid of stock? I'll check out the Pana you suggest, but worried about the reflection in the bright room...

I should have stated that my suggestion of the 60" was for your consideration alongside the 55", considering that it is well within your budget.

The reasons for holding out a little longer are because the firesale hasn't really begun just yet. It has started for the smaller and more common models but the 55"+ models will probably take a little longer to hit rock bottom.

The 2012 Panasonic plasmas are just filtering into the other markets now and the ST50 is shaping up to be a better TV than last years top of the line VT30. They are superior in two important aspects that make them a better choice for you than the ST30. Brighter output, with a better anti-reflective filter.

I would tend to agree with Dunnersfella's comments regarding bright rooms, but only if you get direct sunlight on the display for a sustained period. The filter on the ST30 is very good. Its up to you to decide if its a deal breaker. 1 hour a day of not having a very bright screen is by no means as objectionable as 5 hours of darkness with an LCD that is too bright, has washed out blacks and looks like crap off axis. Pick your poison.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#596279 16-Mar-2012 20:12

I believe the 'bigger' Panasonic's won't really get to fire sale situations as many retailers simply won't carry them - they're just a little upmarket for the likes of most Noel Leeming / Bonds / Dick Smiths stores.
The other stores who do carry them, should be able to sell the 60's pretty easily as the choices in that size bracket are limited (1 x Panasonic, generally just 2 Samsung's and 2 LG's).
Now cheaper TV's, THAT is where we see the old 'below cost' savings coming into play.
32" and 40" LCD's are ridiculously cheap, as are 50" HD plasmas... something I would never recommend.

The problem I see, is that the new Panasonic plasmas have much sexier bezels, meaning it's a little hard to choose the old models over them, they really would be a much easier sell for my missus to accept...

janszoon

53 posts

Master Geek

#596290 16-Mar-2012 20:42

so the st30 is better than gt30 ?

janszoon

53 posts

Master Geek

#596291 16-Mar-2012 20:48

so any reccomendation on some sales this weekend :-) in AKL

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#596299 16-Mar-2012 21:12

The ST30 is below the GT30 - but the GT only goes up to 55", whereas the ST30 is available as a 60" option.
Personally, I'd always choose a higher quality TV in a smaller size, than the next model down in the size up from there.

Oh yeah, don't worry about 'sales'. Every business has a negotiable price - tell the sales person how you're buying, what you require (delivery etc) and go to town. The store with the best buy price is often prepared to go the lowest...

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