Help in choosing between 3 TVs

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dpakrr

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70933 3-Nov-2010 00:27

Hey guys, I'm after a 32" tv for my room. Preferably full HD. After a lot of research, and considering my budget (which was initially around 600 bucks lol, but after looking at the prices, its now about a max of 800), I reached on 3 TVs and need help on deciding which one of the 3 I should go for. I'm a student working like 5 hrs part time, so please understand lol.

1. Samsung LA32C530
http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4ccff46105e70856273fc0a87f3b0699/Product/View/GE6150

2. Sony Bravia KDL-32EX400
http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4ccff46105e70856273fc0a87f3b0699/Product/View/GE6012

3. Sony Bravia KDL-32EX500
http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4ccff46105e70856273fc0a87f3b0699/Product/View/GE6014

Would appreciate any help in choosing between the 3. As far as I could see, the major difference between the first two was the brand (Samsung being cheaper than Sony). The difference between the last two is the refresh rate with the EX400 having 50Hz and EX500 100Hz. I looked around and read that the refresh rate affects motion blur. Is it worth the extra money?

I read the article about plasma and would have loved a plasma tv, but my room is too small for a 40"+ tvs. Even 32" is pushing it but currently I have a 24" which I feel is a bit too small at times. The primary use of the tv will be for PS3 gaming. As for LEDs, I really would prefer not to spend that much more unless you advice me that its absolutely worth it.

PS: I'm also open to other TV suggestions if you would like to recommend any.

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Snowflake

#399417 3-Nov-2010 00:34

i have a 26" samsung which i'm quite happy with. the 32" seemed a little big for a bedroom.

the samsungs have the USB port which can be handy for playing movies, music or photos from a memory stick or usb drive if you dont have an xbox media extender etc. the SONY also shows USB, but i'm not sure what the compatibility is like.

my samsung:
http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4ccff46105e70856273fc0a87f3b0699/Product/View/GE6042

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

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Twitter: @nzregs

dpakrr

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#399418 3-Nov-2010 00:37

cheers! i'll check it out, although I prefer a 32". dont think upgrading from 24" to 26" will feel like much :)

merve0o0

492 posts

Ultimate Geek

#399419 3-Nov-2010 00:38

I have a 32" samsung and it's great. I have always liked the samsungs more based on looks. When I got mine the equivalent Sony had a samsung panel in anyway. Unsure if that still applies.

Only thing I dont like about my 32 is it's only 720p but they didn't make 1080p 32s when i got mine and it's now too small. Will be looking for a 50" plasma soon maybe new year sales

dpakrr

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#399421 3-Nov-2010 00:40

true, yeh the samsung one i posted looks flash. i didnt quite like the grey bottom panel of the bravias but i thought i would go for the bravias if you guys recommended it. gotta go for substance over style :D cheers for your reply!

merve0o0

492 posts

Ultimate Geek

#399446 3-Nov-2010 07:39

I also prefer the menu system in the samsungs to what the sonys have.

I would choose the samsung not just because of the look but samsung make good tvs. They are the largest consumer electronics company.

I would also not worry about the 32 being to big for a bedroom. I have a 27" computer monitor and it is to small for watching videos from bed

dpakrr

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#399448 3-Nov-2010 07:48

samsung it is then :D any thoughts on led? is it worth the extra money?

Stu

Hammered
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Lifetime subscriber

#399471 3-Nov-2010 08:43

My son just bought himself a Sony 40" EX500 on Saturday for his bedroom. A nice unit and seems good for gaming and movies. We did look at the Samsung models but this was his preference.

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Disrespective

1926 posts

Uber Geek

#399479 3-Nov-2010 08:54

I got a Sony EX400 through hot points for my father in law and other than the OS being stupidly slow (15s wait to load the guide or main menu) it seems like a nice unit. There will be many instances of double key presses in his future i imagine.

amford

92 posts

Master Geek

#399529 3-Nov-2010 11:04

I have the series 6 Samsung 32" LCD which I think has an extra HD input. They are great TV's and as for only being 50Hz I don't think that this matters with a TV this small. I watch a few BluRay movies and they look great.

langi27

677 posts

Ultimate Geek

#399533 3-Nov-2010 11:18

I heard all the low end sonys have samsung panels in them anyway, they roll off the same factory floor in Korea. Picture quality will be similar, so you should look at the extras you get like being able to play movise from USB and also future firmware upgrades etc.

NzBeagle

962 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#399535 3-Nov-2010 11:21

If it's for gaming, a mate was recently put off the Ex500's after finding in Av Forums that their input lag was pretty poor, not sure on the other two models you are looking at but check out Av Forums if you are concerned about input lag, there's a few threads in there.

May not be a problem if you're not into online gaming where every ms counts

ant2732

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#399541 3-Nov-2010 11:30

One of the best things about LED is they are much cheaper to run, so may be worth considering...

slapnutz

38 posts

Geek

#399717 3-Nov-2010 16:35

NzBeagle: If it's for gaming, a mate was recently put off the Ex500's after finding in Av Forums that their input lag was pretty poor, not sure on the other two models you are looking at but check out Av Forums if you are concerned about input lag, there's a few threads in there.

May not be a problem if you're not into online gaming where every ms counts

I've also read this.

Also this link..

http://www.digitalversus.com/duels.php?ty=10&ma1=16&mo1=951&p1=9229&ma2=16&mo2=849&p2=8401&ph=16

For some reason the 400 series has less lag than the 500. The link is comparing a 42" 400 vs 32" 500 .. and even with the bigger screen, the 400 still is faster.

dpakrr

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#399737 3-Nov-2010 17:06

hey cheers for the digitalversus link.

of the three links posted above:
the bravia ex400 has a min of 0ms and max of 33ms input lag. moyen (whatever that is lol) avg of 23ms.

the bravis ex500 has a min of 66ms and max of 99ms input lag. moyen avg of 83ms.

i know that the samsung one has game mode which reduces input lag from 0 to 25 ms.

can anyone help me out with what an input lag means and do the above numbers mean that the samsung is best? coz I will be ps3 gaming on the tv heaps and online gaming in that to (fifa 11, fps etc)

kerryland

67 posts

Master Geek

#399789 3-Nov-2010 19:16

At 32" you won't see a difference between 1080p and 720p. Honestly, the Konka from DSE at $599 might be all you need! The beauty of DSE is that you can try it out, and return it if you decide it's not good enough.

Cheers
Kerry

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