Looking to buy a 46 inch LCD

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141 posts

Master Geek

#269575 3-Nov-2009 12:25

Hi, I'm very interested in the USB input on the Sonys and Samsungs. I understand the Samsungs allow for the greater range of files types to be played via their USB input. Does anyone know whether Sony (e.g. the models discussed in this thread) play a standard AVI file? Are there any copy protections or anything else that would stop an AVI file being played?

rscole86

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#269579 3-Nov-2009 12:31

I would not rely on any TV's to play AVI's etc. The LA46B650 seems to have a very limited support of AVI's, and has problems with FFd RWd. Also, if there are too many AVI's in the folder, then the TV either crashes or just takes too long to load.... I have not waited long enough to test which one applies ;)

shadybrothers

236 posts

Master Geek

#269595 3-Nov-2009 13:36

My B650 has played nearly everything I have thrown at it. The only trouble it had was .mkv's with DTS sounds encoding which was quickly resolved by converting to AC3.

I have not experienced the TV crashing due to too many files in a folder, how many files to you keep in one folder? Excessiveness will cause anything to crash right?

I have played flawlessly two 720 x264 mkvs back to back with no problems.

My only issue with the DLNA streaming stuff is that you can not pause the video, switch to normal TV, then come back and continue playing where you paused.

I have also setup PS3MediaServer on my PC and have also successfully streamed content via the TV. PS3MS has a better interface (nowhere near as awesome as XMBC mind you ;) but at the moment has a n issue with the Samsung televisions where video playback stops after 20-30 minutes - the developer is working on this - cannot wait for the next beta release.

All in all, extremely pleased with my B650.

this is a slap in the face!

robjg63

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#269602 3-Nov-2009 13:47

LG have quite a smart looking plasma that handles decoding of a wide range of files via the USB port.
Apparently tested out quite well on CNET.
Have a look at lge.co.nz and look for the 50PS80FD under plasma TVs.

Its actually pretty cool because it has dual Freeview HD tuners and you can record programs out via the USB port to a hard drive (or flash drive). So its also a DVR.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

CM

141 posts

Master Geek

#269675 3-Nov-2009 16:37

I like 40in as a size for the room, but LG only do 37in and 42in. Got the 26in (26LH20D) in the bedroom and it's excellent.

I guess playing AVI files (or other movie files) via USB hasn't been a priority because people can just hook it up to PC - is that about right?

kiwijunglist

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#273260 15-Nov-2009 16:37

Does KDL46V5500 support 1:1 pixel mapping?
Currently on special for $2300, friend thinking of buying it.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

CM

141 posts

Master Geek

#273384 16-Nov-2009 08:56

Picked up a LA40B650 yesterday - called 100% Albany (saw general LCD/Plasma sale advert in Sunday Herald but didn't want to drive there from Mt Albert) and got a price of $2299, which was around $50 cheaper than Appliance Shed. Then drove to MegaCentre at Mt Albert and called into Noel Leeming, Hill & Stewart, DSE and finally JBHifi. At JBHifi they came down another $50. So got it for $2250. Now to send away for the 22inch 'bonus' and if I can get $500 for that then it'll have cost $1750. Sweet. All set up and looking great. No TV3 audio-sync issue that I can detect.
Now to find some ideal calibration settings.....I know I'm meant to figure it all out myself (or use a disc) but if anyone can point me to a list of settings online, that would be a great start (I'll use them and see what I think).

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Dunnersfella

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#275239 22-Nov-2009 18:13

Bond and Bond had the best starting price of $3499 on their 30 months interest free deal going on. I believe they could drop it by $200 on a 12 month interest free term. The killer was a cash price of $2999.

LV Martin could not go lower than $3499 and did not have any in stock in the area so would be a next week delivery.

Norman Ross had a starting price of around $3900 (can't quite remember) but the sales kid wasn't very good so I promptly left.

Harvey Norman has their 4 year interest free deal going on this week so while I was in the area popped up to check out what they were offering. With an RRP of $4299 and a floor price of $3890 on their 4 year interest free deal, the salesman could only go to $3499 as a cash price, and he was very honest when he said if you could get it for $2999 cash then get it as it was a damn good deal. I guess he was dismayed that he was not going to make a sale, but I appreciated the honesty.

I went back to bond and bond and picked up the 46" for the cash price. Deal of the weekend I'd say.

That was a good deal... and I know this is a little late...
But retailers who offer you a cash price that is lower than the interest free price are indeed breaking the law.
The Commerce Commission sum it up on this page.

http://www.comcom.govt.nz/FairTrading/TradePracticesCoveredbytheFairTradingAct/salestechniquesfinanceagreementsan.aspx

My point would be - if a retailer offers you a cash deal, then you CAN get it on interest free.
If they won't offer it, and you have a written quote - the Commerce Commission will be VERY interested.
And remember, if a retailer is trying to take you for more money on their interest free deal - WALK AWAY, it's a good indication of how up front the retailer really is...

kiwijunglist

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#275253 22-Nov-2009 19:16

I disagree with above interpretation of the act. If the interest free price is not the same as the cash price (WITHOUT BARGAINING) then they are breaking the fair trading act. If you can bargain down to a lower cash only price then they are not breaking the fair trading act.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Dunnersfella

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#275264 22-Nov-2009 19:37

Can you site legal precedence of the bargaining angle?
The Commerce Commission has almost bottomless pockets (they're playing with our tax payers $'s) and has successfully prosecuted a lot of NZ's major retailers on this issue...
You'd be a brave retailer to take the CC on in a legal battle. They are like a dog with a bone...

kiwijunglist

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#275265 22-Nov-2009 19:40

I showed it to my partner who is a solicitor, we both had the same opinion. If they offered you or listed a lower cash price then they would be breaking the act, but we are talking about you offering them a lower price (ie bargaining)

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Dunnersfella

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#275273 22-Nov-2009 20:17

I'm picking that the consumer will have bargained a cash price in this case... and in turn the car yard will have found themselves under the gaze of the CC?

http://www.comcom.govt.nz/FairTrading/commercecommissionc5.aspx

kiwijunglist

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#275275 22-Nov-2009 20:21

That example is a breach, because of 'booking fee' and they offered a lower price for cash. I guess we disagree... anyways you should definitely bargain, and retailers will often accept lower cash offers. You should aim for 20% or more below RRP for cash.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Dunnersfella

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#275279 22-Nov-2009 20:29

The issue is - that then becomes a 'he said' / 'she said' scenario where the retailer can use a grey area to avoid abiding by the FTA.
The question is - has this defence been tested yet?

I'm sure many people would be very interested in the outcome.
Worth flicking the Commerce Commission an e-mail about?

newbiejam

51 posts

Master Geek

#277035 27-Nov-2009 18:13

Hi guys

I wanna share the best quotes/prices I have seen for the few models I am interested. Hopefully this gives everyone bit more idea how much bargain to push

Samsung LCD 40" B650 - $2259 standalone/bundled with TV cabinet + home theatre totalling about $2874
Samsung LCD 46" B650 - the RRP difference between 46" and 40" is about $1000, So i was told the best price would be about $1000 difference - so I suspect $3259
Samsung LCD 40" A750 - Best price I have seen is around $3000, or a little bit below $3000
Samsung LCD 40" B750 - RRP $4500 No quotes yet - bloody expensive compared to B650 if you ask me.

Samsung 40" E-LED 6000 - $3299 according to noel leemings - I was told this price is scraping the bottom already so no movement at all.

Strong competitor to Samsung B650

Sony 46" Z4500 - best price I have seen $2999. free netbook
Sony 40" Z4500 - I'd say its pretty damn close to the price of Samsung's B650 . free netbook
Sony 46" W5500 - About $2700 I have seen
Sony 40" W5500 - about $2500

Sony's sexy 46" X4500 - Best seen $4000 - I was recently told that this model has been discontinued, not sure if it is true. You certainly see a few on display.

For myself I am struggling between Samsung B650 or Sony's Z4500. Samsung's free 22" is next to rubbish where as Sony's netbook can sell for $700 on trademe.

Does anyone know which one handles SD content better? Because majority of things I watch would be SD

Cheers

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