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Geektastic

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Topic # 205713 23-Nov-2016 22:51

Noel has some cheap ish deals on TV's over the weekend.

SWMBO has decreed we might take advantage of same. She won't be persuaded into top notch areas on pricing grounds but $1500-$2500 is probably safe hunting.

She reckons around the 50" mark.

She likes the Samsung UA55KU6000SXNZ which is $1698.

I like the look of the Sony KD-55X9300D which $2874

Our current TV is a Samsung plasma that cost a lot in about 2007 and has been fine, but is probably about ready to be retired to the spare room. TV's have changed a lot since we bought that one. More than one HDMI port might be nice!

I figured there will be some TV nerds here who can assist my process with recommendations...!

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Reply # 1676502 23-Nov-2016 23:26

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Personally, I'd go Sony, I have had about 6 of them (and lots of others like Samsung which are a close second, and Loewe and other premium brands), and I really rate them for picture. I'd pay the extra and get one you want, because they aren't ugpradable as such. I'd focus on picture quality less than smarts, as you can always "outsource" your smarts to an external box for cheaper, and get a better unit, for $200 or less (Nvidia Shield TV or Amazon FireTV etc).

OLED is out of your price range, and they are pretty much pick of the litter, but Sony have some great stuff going on with LED, and they see they can close the gap somewhat because LED has plenty of room for improvement.

My FIL has the 65" version of the last years model of that Sony you have mentioned. It's breathtaking.

trig42

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Reply # 1676541 24-Nov-2016 09:11

I'd go the Samsung, simply because their smart offerings are better. Picture on both (IMO) is very good.

Samsung has apps for TVNZ, TV3, Lightbox, FanPass, Neon and Netflix. So much easier with just the one remote.

If you are not interested in smarts on the TV (and already have external boxes to do what you need), then go with the one that looks best in store...

networkn

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Reply # 1676552 24-Nov-2016 09:25

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Bear in mind that TV's in shops are generally run in demo mode with the colours made brighter and more vibrant, so there can be a difference between what you see in store, and what you would typically run at home in terms of settings.

One of the reasons, is that retail spaces are generally very well lit, or in areas with a lot of natural light, and additional brightness combats that, the other is that the brighter and more colourful an image gets, the faster it will attract your attention when there are 50 other tv's to look at.

antoniosk

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Reply # 1676558 24-Nov-2016 09:32

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Somewhat related, I've been looking for smaller tv's and find that the market is basically.... non-existent.

At the 22/24" end it's only lower-res tv's (1366x768) and not 1920x1090... and then there's nothing until the 32". What's happened to the bottom end of the market?

I've also noticed the same few models at every channel... really just price and nothing else

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Antonios K

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Reply # 1676559 24-Nov-2016 09:34

antoniosk:

Somewhat related, I've been looking for smaller tv's and find that the market is basically.... non-existent.

At the 22/24" end it's only lower-res tv's (1366x768) and not 1920x1090... and then there's nothing until the 32". What's happened to the bottom end of the market?

I've also noticed the same few models at every channel... really just price and nothing else

There is no demand for what you are looking for. People don't generally want high-res small screens (I do, I have always had high res small laptop screens but it's been frustratingly limited and expensive).

People who want small screens, want small budgets.

antoniosk

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Reply # 1676574 24-Nov-2016 09:45

Shame. I have a Samsung 22" that's high res I got 6 years ago, and am worried when it dies I'll be stuck. Big isn't always the most effective - a 26" would be great.

thanks

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Antonios K

DeepBlueSky

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Reply # 1676671 24-Nov-2016 12:07

Hi Antoniosk,

Think laterally get a box like this http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/freeview-and-digital-tv/digital-tv-receivers/dish-tv-freeviewplus-terrestrial-receiver.html then look at an HDMI based computer monitor that you should be able to get the size and resolution.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Geektastic

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Reply # 1676684 24-Nov-2016 12:39

Was just chatting with my brother in the US.

He's ordered a Samsung 55" curved SUHD 4k tv from Amazon.

US$650 with free delivery and a $100 Amazon Gift Card...!

DeepBlueSky

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Reply # 1676734 24-Nov-2016 14:49

Geektastic,

These prices are awesome, Are the US Samsung's not world band can they work with NZ power and TV network ?, if okay for power but not free-view I also wonder if you bought a 2016 model with the external one connect box does this contain the tuner ? my thinking could you just import then get a local one connect box.

Geektastic

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Reply # 1677693 25-Nov-2016 23:41

Don't know - seemed like too much hassle if it went wrong.

Got a 55" Sony 8500D for about $1900.

I would have gone to the 9500D but the price difference was $1000 and although there was definitely some improvement it wasn't $1000 worth to me. $500 and maybe the Minister of Finance would have worn it but not $1000 - and it really wasn't a 33% improvement. Not even close.

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Reply # 1677701 26-Nov-2016 00:00

Geektastic:

Don't know - seemed like too much hassle if it went wrong.

Got a 55" Sony 8500D for about $1900.

I would have gone to the 9500D but the price difference was $1000 and although there was definitely some improvement it wasn't $1000 worth to me. $500 and maybe the Minister of Finance would have worn it but not $1000 - and it really wasn't a 33% improvement. Not even close.

I am quite sure you'll love that! Android TV with your new phone will be handy too. That has a quite fantastic picture. Now.. if you can get clash of clans on it :)