New house time for new TV

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bbunnys

297 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 13

Topic # 108591 2-Sep-2012 12:06

Wanting to get a new TV for my new house, currently have a 40inch Samsung LED which if find really good but want to got up to 50inch

Looking at one of theses two any recommendations. But not sure if I should give Plasma a go as sometimes have quite a bit of light in the room.

http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/samsung-55-full-hd-led-lcd-tv.html

http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/lg-60-full-hd-plasma-tv.html

A friend said I should spend a bit more and get a Panasonic ST50 Plasma. But not really sure if its worth it as I would never use the 3D and little worried how a Plasma would look in a room with sun shining into it compared to an LED.

Dunnersfella

3169 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 377

Reply # 680547 2-Sep-2012 21:05

The 60" plasma would struggle in a bright environment... whereas the ST50 from Panasonic would work quite well as the NeoPlasma panels have good anti-reflective filters built in.
The Samsung is a horrible TV... avoid.

bbunnys

297 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 13

Reply # 680855 3-Sep-2012 14:16

Horrible because of picture quality or lack of functions.

I dont want internet, 3d etc.

Just a good 2D picture for Sky HD

Dunnersfella

3169 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 377

Reply # 680984 3-Sep-2012 17:52

The best way to think about the direct LED series is...
It was the single cheapest way for Samsung to manufacture a TV in a market that is already commoditising.
Look how many TV's have next to no connections (RCA's / VGA / HDMI / Optical / Coax etc), old, cheap panels, coupled with low quality switch mode power supplies. Now... how do you make something for even less?
Direct LED!

Pity... as rear lit LED's have a lot going for them, but only when they're implemented well.
Save your penny's and look elsewhere, as the uneven lighting on this model makes for a pretty horrible set.

bfginger

917 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 681077 3-Sep-2012 23:31

There aren't any real LED televisions on the market so what you have now is an LED backlit LCD. The LED is a type of LCD backlighting which usually hasn't made alot of difference outside of marketing.

Don't worry about 3D. You don't pay extra for it as it's just a feature nearly all good HDTVs will have included. Many people have got the idea that they'll be paying extra for any TV that has it, so 3D keeps being excluding from low end models for those people.

The LG plasma model you linked to is aimed at people who want the biggest 1080p TV they can get at the lowest price. The picture quality won't match the ST50 and it'd be more reflective too. LG has been focused on LCDs so while their 1080p plasmas aren't terrible Panasonic's are better.

blair003

546 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 681085 4-Sep-2012 00:06

If you are going plasma you should listen to your friend. I purchased a Panasonic ST50 in the weekend. I got the 50 inch version for $1799 from noel leeming. For HD content at night/in the dark it is amazing. I am literally in awe of the black it produces and the quality of the picture.

However it is not as good for daytime viewing as the 5 year old (series 6?) 37" samsung LCD it is replacing. If daytime viewing were important to me, I would not go plasma at all. But I went with the panasonic plasma, and having seen the quality in good watching conditions I don't know if I could go back.

(I haven't done too much testing during the day using the dynamic mode, which is way brighter.. I guess I will find out when I watch bathurst in a few weeks how enjoyable it is for daytime watching)

bbunnys

297 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 13

Reply # 681102 4-Sep-2012 05:59

Thanks for advise guys. I ended up getting a 55inch UA55ES6200

http://www.samsung.com/nz/consumer/tv-audio-video/television/led-tv/UA55ES6200MXRD

Has lots of features and due to watching TV in daytime a lot and using it for gaming, I think for me is best option and was $2199 at DSE which was more than I was wanting to pay but think it is worth the extra for my personal needs.