60" TV selection process

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JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#596310 16-Mar-2012 21:53

My thoughts - buy a TV because it's a good TV and has a good range of inputs. At that size full HD, with at least 4xHDMI and 2xcomponent and 2xAV is what you should aim for.

Good sound is nice, but shouldn't be the deciding factor. Sound will be OK, and if you want better for movies etc then even a fairly budget home theatre package for a couple of hundred dollars will be better than most TVs.

Forget about LAN or wifi capable, internet, DLNA or "can play MKV" etc as criteria, and you shouldn't trade off anything in terms of picture quality etc to get this. Most TVs that have these abilities have a very limited functionality, limited upgradeability, and are pretty fussy about the codecs etc that they will tolerate. Instead, go for a media player (WD TV Live, AC Ryan or similar). They are far more capable and flexible than any TV will ever be, cheap (around $130 will get a WD), can easily be integrated with an HT sound system and can be replaced in a few years if newer media formats etc come along without writing off much of an investment.

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#596411 17-Mar-2012 10:29

JimmyH: My thoughts - buy a TV because it's a good TV and has a good range of inputs. At that size full HD, with at least 4xHDMI and 2xcomponent and 2xAV is what you should aim for.

Good sound is nice, but shouldn't be the deciding factor. Sound will be OK, and if you want better for movies etc then even a fairly budget home theatre package for a couple of hundred dollars will be better than most TVs.

Forget about LAN or wifi capable, internet, DLNA or "can play MKV" etc as criteria, and you shouldn't trade off anything in terms of picture quality etc to get this. Most TVs that have these abilities have a very limited functionality, limited upgradeability, and are pretty fussy about the codecs etc that they will tolerate. Instead, go for a media player (WD TV Live, AC Ryan or similar). They are far more capable and flexible than any TV will ever be, cheap (around $130 will get a WD), can easily be integrated with an HT sound system and can be replaced in a few years if newer media formats etc come along without writing off much of an investment.

You cannot seperate these things. There are no decent consumer tvs on the market that do not feature everything you've listed.

The best 2D TVs currently on the market happen to be 3D TVs. You can't opt out of it.

janszoon

53 posts

Master Geek

#596465 17-Mar-2012 13:14

Went for the Panasonic 55GT30 wow. amazing set.

thanks for all the tips bros. Hope this helps someone else too.

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#596470 17-Mar-2012 13:37

fahrenheit:
JimmyH: My thoughts - buy a TV because it's a good TV and has a good range of inputs. At that size full HD, with at least 4xHDMI and 2xcomponent and 2xAV is what you should aim for.

Good sound is nice, but shouldn't be the deciding factor. Sound will be OK, and if you want better for movies etc then even a fairly budget home theatre package for a couple of hundred dollars will be better than most TVs.

Forget about LAN or wifi capable, internet, DLNA or "can play MKV" etc as criteria, and you shouldn't trade off anything in terms of picture quality etc to get this. Most TVs that have these abilities have a very limited functionality, limited upgradeability, and are pretty fussy about the codecs etc that they will tolerate. Instead, go for a media player (WD TV Live, AC Ryan or similar). They are far more capable and flexible than any TV will ever be, cheap (around $130 will get a WD), can easily be integrated with an HT sound system and can be replaced in a few years if newer media formats etc come along without writing off much of an investment.

You cannot seperate these things. There are no decent consumer tvs on the market that do not feature everything you've listed.

The best 2D TVs currently on the market happen to be 3D TVs. You can't opt out of it.

Understood. What I was saying was to base the buying decision on a few key points when comparing sets, and to ignore the others as a basis for comparison and decision making - as there are better ways of doing these things. For instance, many of the TVs that offer media playing off USB and DLNA etc have very, very limited functionality and compatibility.

I do note that there are decent sets that don't have all of these - in particular some of the models around are distinctly light on inputs - some offering offering 3 HDMI and one AV/Component input.

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#596475 17-Mar-2012 14:08

janszoon: Went for the Panasonic 55GT30 wow. amazing set.

thanks for all the tips bros. Hope this helps someone else too.

Well done.

Something you may wish to consider, the 2012 models use a different protocol (bluetooth) for the 3D glasses and will not be compatible with the 2011 tvs. If you decide to hold off on buying them, they might not be around to buy.

JimmyH:
I do note that there are decent sets that don't have all of these - in particular some of the models around are distinctly light on inputs - some offering offering 3 HDMI and one AV/Component input.

I would class most of the displays that fall under that criterior as either junk, or off the market by virtue of their age.

CutCutCut

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#596789 18-Mar-2012 16:21

janszoon: Went for the Panasonic 55GT30 wow. amazing set.

thanks for all the tips bros. Hope this helps someone else too.

Nice. I'm looking at that set as an option for my in-laws, who gave you the best deal?

evolution17

22 posts

Geek

#602873 31-Mar-2012 13:07

CutCutCut:
janszoon: Went for the Panasonic 55GT30 wow. amazing set.

thanks for all the tips bros. Hope this helps someone else too.

Nice. I'm looking at that set as an option for my in-laws, who gave you the best deal?

hello all,

we are too looking for something. why a 60" instead of 55"? if you're going to get a 55 should you may aswell get a 60?

where did you get your new tv janszoon? hopefully easter weekend there will be some sales : D

thanks

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

evolution17

22 posts

Geek

#602887 31-Mar-2012 13:36

I just called noel leeming in sylvia park, mt wellington. they said the 2012 55" models series 7000 will be out within the next 2-4 weeks. think we'll wait till then for a tv

instead of getting something cheap now. get a newer model with more bits and bobs soon.

paulspain

417 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#602894 31-Mar-2012 14:15

My recommendation these days is to think of a TV screen a bit like you think of a computer monitor. So for me I focus on the screen size, inputs, resolution and display quality and don't worry about the built in 'smart' features like DLNA, ethernet/wifi, USB input, etc.

The reason for this is that no TV will be 'smart' enough in it's feature set to match what I'm going to plug into it - which in my case includes Apple TV, Roku and Xbox (for now). During the lifespan of the screen which might be over a few years there will be lots of new things. If I want to keep up with inbuilt features I'll be buying a new TV every year or two - and it still won't keep up with set top box and console features.

If you shop this way we'll probably get a better result both short term and long term. For instance in the last few months I managed to get a Full HD Plasma 60" TV and an Xbox 360 (which happens to support DLNA and amongst other features) for a little over $2000.

Paul Spain
Founder: Gorilla Technology, NZ Tech Podcast

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#603016 31-Mar-2012 19:38

Picture is everything - the rest pales in comparison.*
You would be right to be wary of the cheapest / largest TV's on the market, their overall performance (black levels / colour accuracy / motion etc) tend to be low. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for BUT, you can find some good deals depending on the time of the year.

*Assuming you're running an amplifier to provide you with sound.

evolution17

22 posts

Geek

#607464 10-Apr-2012 15:47

it looks like the new 2012 samsung 55" has come out. anyone have any thoughts on it? your personal pros cons?

it doesn't actually say 1920 x 1080. I'm assuming it's a given when it's full hd, is there anything else it's specifically missing?

there isn't a reason for going for a 55" but to say... it's a 55"... instead of the norm, 42" :)

thanks

$2,999.00

?Full HD 3D
?Dynamic Edge LED(frame dimming)
?HDMI X4
?USB X2
?Motionflow XR400
?3D super resolution
?Freeview
?Skype ready
?WIFI ready
?Sony entertainment network
?Media Remote, Wi-Fi Direct and Track ID

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/tvs-dvds/televisions/led-televisions/50-led-tv/sony-kdl55hx750-55-led-bravia/prod115784.html

evolution17

22 posts

Geek

#607465 10-Apr-2012 15:48

oh it's sony... :(

sony samsung patato potato?

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#607627 10-Apr-2012 22:54

A lot of the new TV's are on Noel Leeming's website... when they don't actually have any in stock. Or, as it turns out, any idea when they'll actually arrive. Just ask the staff in-store *sigh*

Talkiet

4793 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#607629 10-Apr-2012 23:09

Evilg:
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.

Haven't heard of the screen coating issue myself, but I can say firsthand (had 2 replaced before I gave up and switched to Panasonic) that all recent slimline Samsung Plasmas have screen buzzing issues of varying degrees. Varying = from quite annoying all the way through to &^%$^%$^ annoying.

CHeers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#608540 12-Apr-2012 22:24

Evilg:
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.

really?

i too found posts when doing my research on the net speaking of these potential problems

but i have no peeling issue and while on some sources there can be a hum - it aint constant or that loud - and with any source material playing i cannot hear any hum

i have had the tv since boxing day and i am fully stoked - i in fact got the 8000 model and have not seen a better tv yet for the money i paid (imho)

admittedly i did bargain pretty well i think ie.

+ tv = $2750
+ samsung 3d bluray player = $250
+ 10.1 galaxy tab (16G wifi) = $600
+ redemption items ie. $100 cashback on the tab, 3 blurays and an extra pair of glasses

based on my reasearch the top 2 plasma tvs were either the 55 inch vt pana or this 59 inch samsung and for the money and features + the ability for all of the toys to play nice together -incl with the galaxy ph - i went samsung (i had in fact been a pana fan of the last decade or so...)

personally - i cant stand lcd for colour reproduction, contrast, movement and "blacks" that are in fact shades of grey

and led (backlit lcd) tvs while they are better than their lcd brothers, still dont quite look as good to me as plasmas do (not yet anyway)

also bear in mind the panas are getting posts/issues on the net re rising blacks - so nothing it seems is immune from potential defects

either way - my 2c - get either the vt pana or the 8000 samsung and i reckon you will be a pretty happy camper :)

ps: the post re bright rooms is worth considering - if you can control light this would imho be a better option than settling for an inferior product
pps: the lgs are really bad imho - i have an lg lcd (in the sunny family room) and it aint very good

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