55" TV recommendations

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nate

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Topic # 157409 30-Nov-2014 18:28

Time to upgrade my TV at home - primarily used for watching Freeview and PS4.

$3k is probably the most I want to spend. What should I look at getting (is 4K worthwhile?)?

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 1185894 30-Nov-2014 19:37

Th-55AS800 from Panasonic... um... that's about it.
Curved isn't my cup of tea, it's a marketing gimmick here to fill in the gap before OLED's take over the marketplace... IMHO.
UHD? Not yet... HDMI / UHD disc players etc haven't been 100% sorted, so it's still a jungle out there, plug none of the content you've listed will need the resolution, meaning the TV will be making up more of the picture than it is receiving.

bfginger

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Reply # 1185968 30-Nov-2014 22:05

Harvey Norman has it on special for $2,248. If that's the TV you want you should buy it quickly before stock runs out or the price goes too high again. It is one of the best 1080p LCDs. Turn overscan off after you buy it
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/hd-101-overscan-and-why-all-tvs-do-it/

There are some 4k 55" models in your price range. Being 4k means it has more resolution when displaying 4k sources but that doesn't mean a TV has good picture quality in other areas.

http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?m=s196354100&o=produkt_pris_inkmoms#rparams=m=s196354103

nate

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Reply # 1185978 30-Nov-2014 22:45

Dunnersfella: Th-55AS800 from Panasonic... um... that's about it.

Is that TV available here as a quick Google search doesn't bring anything up.

bfginger

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Reply # 1185987 30-Nov-2014 23:04

nate:
Dunnersfella: Th-55AS800 from Panasonic... um... that's about it.

Is that TV available here as a quick Google search doesn't bring anything up.

Yes it's available here. It's called the AS802 in some countries.
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=2721561
http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/viera-televisions/led-tvs/th-55as800z.html

jonathan18

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Reply # 1185989 30-Nov-2014 23:05

nate:
Dunnersfella: Th-55AS800 from Panasonic... um... that's about it.

Is that TV available here as a quick Google search doesn't bring anything up.

http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=2721561

Satch

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Reply # 1186284 1-Dec-2014 12:14

I would definitely recommend the Samsung UA55H7000. I bought one a couple of weeks ago and absolutely love it. It is "only" 1080p, but unless you sit a few cms away from your TV, I wouldn't go for UHD/4k.

Here is a review of the 46 inch version of the panel http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/ue46h7000-201407153854.htm

And if you follow the calibration settings posted here http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2259007 then you will get a most amazing picture!

Regs

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Reply # 1186291 1-Dec-2014 12:29

be sure to read my thread http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=34&topicid=157294 . I was looking for a 55", ended up with a EOL Panasonic plasma.

Do you only want 55" or are you willing to go higher? The 65" screens seemed to perform better IMO.

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Yabanize

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Reply # 1186292 1-Dec-2014 12:30

If you're looking for a Smart TV, I would go with Samsung because they have the best range of apps at the moment. TVNZ, Lightbox, TV3, etc
Plus in general they make great TV's

nate

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Reply # 1186300 1-Dec-2014 12:43

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Regs: be sure to read my thread http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=34&topicid=157294 . I was looking for a 55", ended up with a EOL Panasonic plasma.

Do you only want 55" or are you willing to go higher? The 65" screens seemed to perform better IMO.

I had a read through of your thread - can't really go higher as my lounge isn't big enough. First world problems.

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Reply # 1186311 1-Dec-2014 13:06

I use Samsung LCD, I have a 55" slight predating LED. Works well. I don't use any smart features, I have smart boxes and use it as a basic panel. I had a Samsung plasma, didn't like it personally, weird motion and blacks, strange ticking noise.

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Reply # 1186388 1-Dec-2014 14:03

Regs: be sure to read my thread http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=34&topicid=157294 . I was looking for a 55", ended up with a EOL Panasonic plasma.

Do you only want 55" or are you willing to go higher? The 65" screens seemed to perform better IMO.

Just a heads up - the Panasonic ST Plasmas have pretty average input lag.

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Reply # 1186404 1-Dec-2014 14:30

i definitely think 4K is worthwhile - it made the picture a ton better than the regular LED/LCD panels. I almost went that way, but stuck with plasma (at least until OLED 4K). My suggestion is to head down to Noel Leeming at St Lukes with a USB stick (and ideally an external media player, roku etc) and try out a few screens. They're pretty good there, and they'll negotiate on price too :-)

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testha

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Reply # 1186427 1-Dec-2014 14:52

I am looking as well right now and narrowed down my search to this: Sony X8500b

The main reason is HDMI 2.0 support, meaning 60 FPS for gaming. Its seems to have the lowest latency on the market. And the TRILUMINOS screen is just gorgeous.

With 4K it should be future proof and you can get it for just under $3K including free delivery and a second 32" inch TV.

The pricing seems really good compared to other offers with similar technical details as most easily go up to 5K.

I havent bought it yet and am still looking for other offers, but so far cant find anything that compares.

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 1186634 1-Dec-2014 20:49

The 32" TV that comes with the Sony is pretty average. See if they can give you credit/vouchers instead of the TV.
it's the 32" TV that the Warehouse stocked, one of the cheapest made TV's I've laid eye on in some while...
For the record, last years 8 series Sony FHD smashes this years panel, so if you can find one of them, it may be worth considering... but don't buy one that has been on display!