Transonic 42 Inch Plasma Television (advice the next 24 hours??)

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howdoigetthisworking

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#51679 30-Nov-2009 18:57

Hey people,

We've looking for a new TV and saw a Transonic 42 inch plasma TV in The Warehouse for $799. But I don't really know that much about TVs and have always kept clear or Transonic just in case... So any advice would be awesome! Mainly just use it for watching TV and DVDs... The specs are:

HD Ready 16:9 Widescreen format 1024x768 Screen Resolution 720p/1080i Compatible Brightness:1500cd/m2 Contrast Ratio: 10000:1 2 x HDMI Input S-Video Connections VGA Connection for PC/MAC

BUT, this deal ends tomorrow so sorry for the late notice but any advice would be awesome! Thanks!

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553 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#278111 1-Dec-2009 00:25

I install A/V equipment everyday and would highly advise you to stick to the better brands (Samsung, Sony, Panasonic etc). There are a variety of good reason reasons - although none of which i can be bothered explaining at midnight.

/my two cents

bazzer

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#278113 1-Dec-2009 00:41

I'd buy one, but I wouldn't expect a lot from it and I probably would say even $799 is too much.

howdoigetthisworking

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#278146 1-Dec-2009 08:07

Right, that settles it. No transonic tv for me! Thanks for your speedy advice people :-) Also, I don't really know what I'm looking for in a tv... What are good specs to look for?

browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 36

#278162 1-Dec-2009 09:23

Full HD 1920x1080p especially above 40"
3+ HDMI sockets for future addon's like games consoles, Blu-ray players, SkyHDi, Set top boxes etc
Highest contrast numbers you can get for your money. Black should be black.
Freeview HD tuner, might as well buy a TV that is going to be a TV in the future.

cheers
db

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Jaxson

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#278164 1-Dec-2009 09:28

browned: Full HD 1920x1080p especially above 40"
3+ HDMI sockets for future addon's like games consoles, Blu-ray players, SkyHDi, Set top boxes etc
Highest contrast numbers you can get for your money. Black should be black.
Freeview HD tuner, might as well buy a TV that is going to be a TV in the future.

cheers
db

Totally agree with Browned above, especially on the full HD if you go above 40". Also on the inbuilt freeview tuner (with the possible only exception of if you live well out of a freeview HD reception area).

SepticSceptic

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#278171 1-Dec-2009 09:47

HD Ready (1024x768) is fine, unless you are looking at BluRay or PS3 connectivity - nothing else is currently full HD, if it is, is compressed to hell and makes it all look like crap anyway.
Depends on your budget at the moment. Unless you are looking at BluRay/PS3 within the next year.
Display technologies are changing almost overnight - LED TV's are expensive now, next year they will be cheaper. OLED and 3D is around the corner.
One thing I would suggest is a USB port on the TV for playing vids/photos straight off a USB stick or USB HDD, saves having to burn them on to a DVD/CD for playing. - take along a USB stick with a video and photos and get them to demo it for you.

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browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#278178 1-Dec-2009 10:03

Not trying to argue but HD Ready is not fine in my opinion, it is like the how big is too big arguement for screen size, most people will buy a average size TV and be happy for two weeks then they start thinking they should have brought a bigger unit as the lounge can handle it and I really want that wow factor.

I used my HTPC via VGA cable (1024x768) for all of two days after my speakers blew up, then enough was enough. It was crap. I had to use the TV speakers so hacked the HTPC so I would use HDMI for screen and output audio via analogue to the TV.

Also LED's are cheap as chips now and only getting cheaper, mother in law brought her 32" LCD with freeview for $1500, you can get the same size but newer model for $1200 now so prices have dropped a bit in the last 6 months.

cheers
db

Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#278189 1-Dec-2009 10:35

browned: LED's are cheap as chips now and only getting cheaper, mother in law brought her 32" LCD with freeview for $1500, you can get the same size but newer model for $1200 now so prices have dropped a bit in the last 6 months.

As cheap as $1,200 chips!

Handle9

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#278192 1-Dec-2009 10:45

IMO the best way of answering this question is how much are you looking to spend?

If it's below $1500 then you're looking at an HD ready plasma to get to 42 inches or a full HD LCD at 32 inches. If you're able to get to $2k you have a lot more options.

I bought an HD ready 42 inch Panasonic plasma this year as a "2 year solution" until I've got some more coin and can afford a better panel. I'm really pleased with the TV - it's a hell of a lot better than the 29 inch CRT it replaced. Yeah a 1080p TV would have been great but if you haven't got that sort of money then 720p is still a good solution for the next couple of years, especially if most of what you watch is TV.

After you've set your budget then it's down to the size of the room, the ambient light, brand preference etc as to what is the best panel to get.

clevedon

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#278249 1-Dec-2009 13:07

SepticSceptic: HD Ready (1024x768) is fine, unless you are looking at BluRay or PS3 connectivity - nothing else is currently full HD, if it is, is compressed to hell and makes it all look like crap anyway.
Depends on your budget at the moment. Unless you are looking at BluRay/PS3 within the next year.
Display technologies are changing almost overnight - LED TV's are expensive now, next year they will be cheaper. OLED and 3D is around the corner.
One thing I would suggest is a USB port on the TV for playing vids/photos straight off a USB stick or USB HDD, saves having to burn them on to a DVD/CD for playing. - take along a USB stick with a video and photos and get them to demo it for you.

Great advice, no sense buying something ( Full HD ) your not going to use. If he was going to get into Blu-ray / PS3, then he would be looking at a receiver, speakers etc, etc, etc all as well idealy and it doesn't sound like that is what he is after when he is looking at $799 TV's.

tchart

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#278254 1-Dec-2009 13:20

My 2c...

Three years ago I bought an 32" RCA LCD from the Warehouse for $1600. At the time this was about $1000 cheaper than anywhere else. I havent had a single issue with it.

Yes its not full HD and yes its not a well known brand but Im still happy with my purchase. It also came with a two year warranty.

I guess if you know what you are after (and I did) you can evaluate if its a good deal or not. I made sure it could do at least 1080i (even though its not full HD) and had at least one HDMI and one DVI (since the two are mostly compatible). Two (or more) HDMI wouldve been better but hey this was 3 years ago.

Lastly, the extended warranties at the Warehouse are a lot cheaper than else where and I expect that for under $900 you could have a 40" TV with a 3->5 year warranty.

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Jaxson

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#278257 1-Dec-2009 13:23

For $799 a 42" TV is a good price. It doesn't have a HD tuner built in and it's not full HD and it's not a brand name. Really over to the buyer to decide him/her self if it meets their requirements.

Everyone is right here, and it is good to have the limitations pointed out as well. Thing is you can't go back a month later and just pay the extra money to upgrade to a better spec one. The cheap TV is a good price now, but spending a bit more will give you a better TV into the next few years etc. Bottom line is that it's probably ok and given it will come with a warranty, justkeep the receipt and hope you don't need to use it.

patatrat

261 posts

Ultimate Geek

#278267 1-Dec-2009 13:34

tchart:
Lastly, the extended warranties at the Warehouse are a lot cheaper than else where and I expect that for under $900 you could have a 40" TV with a 3->5 year warranty.

Does anyone acutally buy extended warranties? I thought that was why we have the CGA.

tchart

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#278316 1-Dec-2009 14:24

LOL, I knew that would come up!

Indeed, I didnt buy one in my situation. However as expressed in my post the Warehouse has extended warranties which are dirt cheap compared to the other retailers and IMHO they provide better customer service than others. Usually they ask little or no questions and will often just issue you with a replacement or refund.

I dont know how much exactly it would be on a TV but Im guessing around $100. I would gladly pay $100 for 5 years peace of mind even if the CGA does cover it.

My recent experience with DSE however pales in comparision when I had to fork over $50 as a no fault found and they scratched the sh!t out of my remote and DVD player. I havent been back to moan about it but as the problem still exists (but Ive implemented a work around). As a result I doubt I will ever buy anything significant from them again.

richms

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#278346 1-Dec-2009 15:27

At least they have grown up from 480 line panels that you used to get on the cheap 42" screens.

Ignore picture quality in the shop - at every warehouse I have been to they have just used composite split to all the screens and there is no setup of the picture.

The thing is, the warehouse are great about support when their stuff breaks, and if the tv is ok for what you want than go for it. Its not a massive investment like a 50" HD LCD...

Richard rich.ms

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