TV upgrade advice :)

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › TV upgrade advice :)

leo0787sx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 25

#143245 8-Apr-2014 09:37

Hey guys,

I currently have a 32" 720p 50hz 3 year old Sony Bravia, I actually thought it was 1080p when I bought it and only recently revisited the spec. I do a lot of gaming - PS3 and PS4 plus blu rays and Sky TV. I sit about 6ft from the TV, which according to charts I should be looking at 42-55 in terms of TV size and I definitely want to go 1080p, the other question is 50hz or 100hz, I've read lots and lots of reviews and its mixed, some say its great for gaming, some say it is worse but I think a lot depends on the individual? So with newer technology, bigger screen and 1080p I should notice a big improvement right?

So I picked out these models and wondered what you think / any advice? Also would it be better to wait for Easter/ANZAC day sales if there are any?

All LCD LED
Samsung 50" 50hz 1080p - $1144
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/samsung/50-inch-full-hd-smart-led-lcd-tv-sku-91453/

Sony 46" (Believe this is 100hz and 'virtual' 200hz) 1080p also seems to be Sonys new range - $1296 (On Sony website for $1700)
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/sony/46-inch-full-hd-led-lcd-tv-sku-93824/

LG 47" 100hz 1080p - $1198
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/lg/47-inch-full-hd-3d-smart-led-lcd-tv-sku-254881/

LG 47" 50hz 1080p - $888
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/lg/47-inch-full-hd-smart-led-lcd-tv-sku-96452/

From these I was thinking the Sony 46" 100hz 1080p, my upper end is $1200. I also note few people seem to like Panasonic Plasmas here so I've added this one but can't find any reviews but form the Panasonic model topic I gather it is an 'S' model: P50S60Z I think it is Plasma 50" S 2013 NZ model.
Panasonic Plasma 50" 800hz - $994
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/panasonic/50-inch-full-hd-smart-plasma-tv-sku-89986/

Thanks guys :)

NzBeagle

971 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 128

Trusted

#1020410 8-Apr-2014 09:45

Newer technology should mean a big improvement in visual appeal, one thing to note is that it often means more processing of the image by the TV. For gaming you will want to enable PC/Game (or similar) modes if you are playing a lot of FPS type games. You could search 'input lag' for the models you're researching to see if others have recorded this figure for you already.

There is likely to be sales for those holiday weekends, the ANZAC one may be a better chance, as it may be the last long weekend sale for some time and if it's been slow you may be able to get a better deal than advertised.

wasabi2k

2102 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 860

#1020459 8-Apr-2014 10:26

avoid S model Plasmas like the plague - they are awful awful awful.

ST are fantastic however.

trig42

5889 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2094

ID Verified

#1020461 8-Apr-2014 10:30

Also note, this is the time of year the manufacturers start rolling out their new models. This means you can get great deals on old models being sold through, but be prepared to jump and grab one if you see a good deal - once they are sold, there will be no more.

The new models will not be discounted as much.

Dunnersfella

4100 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 887

#1020883 8-Apr-2014 20:44

Do your research in-store now.
Do not buy a TV based on specs, go in, play demo material you're familiar with and look for panning scenes to test the motion performance.
Colour accuracy / contrast is more important in my opinion, but it's hard to get that across in a spec sheet, so very few people look into it.

The ST plasmas will be out of your price range, but it's not a great gaming TV as its cloud based 'smarts' cannot be turned off, so the lag is far higher than need be.
As a movie TV, it's the best 50" on the market IMHO.

The UA50F5500 is a 50Hz TV that offers smart functionality, but not necessarily the best panel. The off-axis viewing angle isn't overly great, sadly.

The 47LA6230 would be my pick. 100Hz, IPS panel and dual play for video gaming puts this one to the front of the pack.
The issue I see with this TV is that it has a thicker body, meaning wall mounting won't be particularly attractive. Apart from that, it's a good panel on paper - just make sure you like the picture! Get the remote in hand, try an HDMI source (no component / composite) and get to tweaking the picture. Try the built-in calibration walk through (Picture Wizard II), LG makes that part very easy.

timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1020969 9-Apr-2014 07:09

Samsung LCD/LED have always worked well for general use for me, but I don't game.

leo0787sx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 25

#1020995 9-Apr-2014 08:37

I ended up getting a Sony KDL48W600B, guy in the store did me a deal :)

http://www.sony.co.nz/product/kdl-48w600b

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

leo0787sx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 25

#1020996 9-Apr-2014 08:37

I ended up getting a Sony KDL48W600B, guy in the store did me a deal :)

http://www.sony.co.nz/product/kdl-48w600b

dclegg

2806 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 810

Trusted

#1021072 9-Apr-2014 10:45

Dunnersfella:
The ST plasmas will be out of your price range, but it's not a great gaming TV as its cloud based 'smarts' cannot be turned off, so the lag is far higher than need be.

That probably depends on your exact gaming needs. I have a ST 50", and have run into no perceptible lag issues whatsoever. If I was attempting to top the COD or Battlefield online leaderboards, this may well be a different story, but for my usage I haven't noticed any perceptible lag when playing games (COD Ghosts, Killzone Shadowfall, Assassins Creed Black Flag, Infamous Second Son, Need for Speed Rivals).

It does have a game mode that reduces lag somewhat, but all reports I've seen state it is still comparatively high. However, as I stated, I'm yet to experience input lag as a problem.

lomenak

119 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#1021184 9-Apr-2014 13:30

leo0787sx: I ended up getting a Sony KDL48W600B, guy in the store did me a deal :) http://www.sony.co.nz/product/kdl-48w600b

Cool, congrats. I have been looking at this one too. It would be great if you could post some user experience when you get chance..

leo0787sx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 25

#1022188 9-Apr-2014 14:22

lomenak:
leo0787sx: I ended up getting a Sony KDL48W600B, guy in the store did me a deal :) http://www.sony.co.nz/product/kdl-48w600b

Cool, congrats. I have been looking at this one too. It would be great if you could post some user experience when you get chance..

Sure no problem :) I will just make a few notes below and if there's anything specific you would like to know just ask :) For me this TV sits in the sweet spot, no 3D or 4k resolution which adds hundreds more even thousands, neither of which I would use so the price is all about the picture and technology for me. There were 3 things I wanted form this TV over my previous model (720p 32 inch Sony Bravia), a bigger screen, better technology and 1080p for PS4. I was actually looking at the Sony 46W700A from JB HiFi, which was last years model for $1296 but the guy at Sony did me a deal on the newer model 48W600B, which is similar technology but a 2014 and 2" bigger and only $50 more than the JB HiFi one.

Was pretty easy to set up, stand went on easy, has 4 HDMI, so worked for me with Sky, PS3 and PS4, also one of HDMI is dedicated for ARC so all your sound goes through the Home Theater audio if you use one :) The TV looks really great on top of the cabinet, is very light so could carry it myself easily, the stand looks good too and it has a thin bezel. Once it starts there's some quick setup options such as WiFi it asks but you can skip most and try later. I did setup WiFi but then it wanted to update, which I left for now, will probably do tonight. The remote is a typical type remote, not one of those 'smart' remotes but does a good enough job and is easy to navigate once you know what the different things do :) I had a look through the picture and colour options but left them on default, will probably wait and see if someone writes a setup guide.

I tried getting content to send from my iPhone to the TV but it seems I needed a separate app so will try tonight but it does have what Sony calls Direct WiFi / Mirroring but it only works with certain devices like Sony and Samsung phones, not iPhones. I also tried some of the apps, lots of them and they are OK but not why I bought the TV, I will probably use the You Tube channel and will check out some of the TV program apps such as National Geographic and Cops. I tried the Skype app but it requires the $150 camera from Sony (Not sure if it works with any others?), would of been nice if the camera was built in though but no biggie.

I then went on to test my various inputs, first was Men In Black 3 DVD on a normal DVD player, which looked really great, a lot better than my previous TV and it is only a DVD so only runs at 480p so I already noticed a huge jump without the 1080p content. Next I tried Avatar Blu Ray through my PS4 and it looked amazing, better than 1080p content I've seen before, yes it is still 1080p but the Sony technology makes a massive difference to the colours and look of it too. Finally I tried Infamous Second Son on PS4, which is full 1080p game and again I was not disappointed, looks a lot better than my previous TV, again 1080p looks amazing but the Sony technology kicked in too to make it better.

The one thing that did worry me was the hz, I've heard lots of story's especially since I do gaming about 50hz or 100hz, now this TV is only 50hz but the guy at the Sony store explained that even though it is 50hz due to the newer technology and the Motionflow XR it looks better than older 100hz TV's. I wouldn't know how to test this and don't have a 100hz TV to try it with but compared with my older 50hz TV the picture is definitely a lot smoother and jumping off a building in Infamous Second Son was immense and very smooth :)

The other huge difference for me was the sound, now I actually ordered a Home Theater sound system last week as my old TV just wasn't loud or clear enough for me (I am partially deaf) but then just decided to buy a new TV too. My Home Theater sound system hasn't arrived yet but the sound on this TV is a lot better than my previous TV and a lot clearer so I would say that is a big difference too but I would still grab a Home Theater sound system anyway but if you don't the sound is good too.

I hope this helps anyone and feel free to ask any questions :)

NzBeagle

971 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 128

Trusted

#1022190 9-Apr-2014 14:32

leo0787sx:

The one thing that did worry me was the hz, I've heard lots of story's especially since I do gaming about 50hz or 100hz, now this TV is only 50hz but the guy at the Sony store explained that even though it is 50hz due to the newer technology and the Motionflow XR it looks better than older 100hz TV's. I wouldn't know how to test this and don't have a 100hz TV to try it with but compared with my older 50hz TV the picture is definitely a lot smoother and jumping off a building in Infamous Second Son was immense and very smooth :)

Hz created would be artificial anyhow, so you shouldn't worry about that with gaming. Response time would be the more relevant thing, with pixel to pixel response, measured in ms.

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

leo0787sx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 25

#1022222 9-Apr-2014 15:33

NzBeagle:
leo0787sx:

The one thing that did worry me was the hz, I've heard lots of story's especially since I do gaming about 50hz or 100hz, now this TV is only 50hz but the guy at the Sony store explained that even though it is 50hz due to the newer technology and the Motionflow XR it looks better than older 100hz TV's. I wouldn't know how to test this and don't have a 100hz TV to try it with but compared with my older 50hz TV the picture is definitely a lot smoother and jumping off a building in Infamous Second Son was immense and very smooth :)

Hz created would be artificial anyhow, so you shouldn't worry about that with gaming. Response time would be the more relevant thing, with pixel to pixel response, measured in ms.

As the TV is so new there doesn't seem to be any reviews / tests yet. However on forums people are saying the response time of the Sony 2014 are the best out there saying 8ms but this is just from forums, not sure if concrete.

lomenak

119 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#1022297 9-Apr-2014 17:26

Thanks a lot for the info. There is not really much on the new Sony line out there yet.. This one is suppose to have the dedicated "football" button. Have you tried to watch any sports on it yet?

leo0787sx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 25

#1022635 10-Apr-2014 09:43

lomenak: Thanks a lot for the info. There is not really much on the new Sony line out there yet.. This one is suppose to have the dedicated "football" button. Have you tried to watch any sports on it yet?

There is a dedicated football button that enhances the crowd to create more of an atmosphere in your living room. I havent tried it yet, I will keep a look out for a sports event soon and will try it, I'm curious myself :)

Ragnor

8279 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 585

Trusted

#1022670 10-Apr-2014 10:29

Sony's gaming mode which turns off interpolation (motionflow) and other processing that add input lag is pretty good.