If you were to buy a 50' TV Today, you would get a ........... and WHY?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › If you were to buy a 50' TV Today, you would get a ........... and WHY?

janszoon

53 posts

Master Geek

#79338 16-Mar-2011 10:54

Hi guys,

I regularly trawl the forums and read the posts on HD TV's.

I am now in the market for a 50" yet to be determined brand and technology with a budget of <$2000
eg. http://www.panasonic.co.nz/viera/plasma/th-p50v20z.html

In the current and upcoming ranges could you suggest a model to consider?

Requirements:
Movies (Not 3d)
Sports
General TV
LAN connectivity (would be nice)

Any reason why you suggest your model would be great too.

thanks guys!

J

1 | 2 | 3

1363 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#448824 16-Mar-2011 10:58

Samsung LA46C650, a 46 inch very nice TV.

Lvmartins now doing this for $1799.

Very good intergration with the internet via wireless or inbuilt LAN.
Has samsung app store too (free via tv).

timmmay

20591 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#448836 16-Mar-2011 11:33

I got a 55" Samsung LCD, after L V Martin took back the Samsung plasma that I didn't like. I love the Samsung LCD, I have two. My Mum got the 40" Samsung LCD, and likes it too. I think I paid about $2800 or so. It does LAN well, but I tend to feed it via the PS3/HDMI, mostly so it goes through the receiver and I get sound out the speakers. TV speakers suck.

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#448840 16-Mar-2011 11:40

The 50V20 is working well for me.
As prices have dropped since I bought mine, it would be an even better deal now.

The LAN/internet connectivity exists, but it is not especially useful I find. Maybe those with a DLNA server on their LAN would disagree.

I'm much better served by having my Vu+ STB access network shares and send the video to the 50V20.

Lizard1977

2061 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#448841 16-Mar-2011 11:41

I've got the Panasonic 50" plasma V20Z, and I love it. I have no experience with other similar TVs (I upgraded from an old 32" CRT screen) so I don't really have a frame of reference, but it was easy to put together and set up, it works pretty well with the LAN (via ethernet). The VieraCast function (kinda like apps) isn't particularly wide ranging, and can be a little slow, but it does a pretty good job of piping in YouTube videos. I've had it for 5 weeks now, and now complaints.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#449045 16-Mar-2011 21:48

If it's 50" and 50" you're interested in I'd suggest TV's in this order...

THP50V20z - Panasonic 50" plasma (the NZ sets have filters that make it watchable in numerous lighting conditions).

50PK750 - LG 50" plasma (I rate the picture, but the panel is VERY reflective)
http://www.lg.com/nz/tv-audio-video/televisions/LG-plasma-tv-50PK750.jsp

PS50C650 - Samsung 50" plasma (colours off out the box IMHO - but it can now be found CHEAP!).
http://www.samsung.com/nz/consumer/tv-audio-video/television/plasma-tv/PS50C6500TMXRD/index.idx?page...=

Typically, LCD and LED lit LCD manufacturers make sets in 46 and 47" varieties, with the next step up being 55".
Sharp are an exception with a 52" LED lit LCD... but it's pricey.
For a 50" - you're looking at a plasma.

timmmay

20591 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#449048 16-Mar-2011 21:51

Don't get the Samsung plasma, it buzzes annoyingly, and the motion isn't great. Even their best plasma.

reven

3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#449051 16-Mar-2011 22:26

i recently got the LG 50PK750 50" for $1599 from JB hifi. the screen looked reflective in the store, but at my house ive never noticed it or had an issue with it.

my only issue so far is burn in (if thats the correct term) it will occur if a image is on the screen for a while, it will go away, but will stick around for a couple of hours (only noticeable close up and only when certain things were on the screen. i dont notice thing when watching tv or anything, just when i was doing stuff on a mac mini i have connected, i was sitting close and noticed the dock was still visible slightly (a ghost of it) when video playback started.

i ordered the wifi dongle and the skype camera off amazon, wifi works, but sadly skype isnt available in NZ even though the tv can support it, they just have rolled out that into a firmware update, so my camera just sits there doing nothing.

but its a good tv, looks good, is really thin and was cheap for the size and picture quality. i wouldnt spend a lot of money on a TV for the next couple of years with 3D tv's still young and Google TV coming in the next 12 months.

ill replace it in about 3 to 4 years with a 55" LED, 3D, Google TV that can be hacked to run XBMC (it will happen just a question of time :)) but until then a 50" 1080p for $1599 isnt too bad.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

merve0o0

492 posts

Ultimate Geek

#449082 17-Mar-2011 01:20

I have a samsung ps50c6500 50" plasma just under the 7000 with no 3d.

It's great. If I'm behind it plugging stuff in or changing DVD I can hear it buzz but thats the only time.

The only problem I have with it is the analogue receiver in it sucks and sound quality on tv is bad. Sounds fine through the DVD recorder though.

One of the reasons I chose that model is for the LAN connection. To be honest it's a dead loss if you have a Mac. The USB works great though.
I payed $2050 but with the new models out or very close to being out it is alot cheaper now.

Lipex666

444 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#449093 17-Mar-2011 07:07

I would presume and Im not starting another debate here on lcd led plasma but shop around for a $$$ deal and another vote for the TH-P50V20Z 50" Full HD Plasma as it still not the time for 3D

The great thing with this tv is veiwing from any angle, lots of connection options, most impotantly black is Black and the colour of even sky looks great and also even on sky the low quality picture still looks ok i.e not blocky see http://www.panasonic.co.nz/viera/plasma/th-p50v20z.html

If you are going to spend 2 k + spend a bit extra and get a tv that is going to last. You will notice the differance on cheaper HD ready sets and veiwing lcd on a angle or in a sunny room.

"The only way to learn some- thing is to do it"

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#449103 17-Mar-2011 07:41

Plasma buzzing can get worse as they age.

I had a panasonic plasma, buzzing was ok for a couple of years, then it got louder and louder.

elldizzle

91 posts

Master Geek

#449111 17-Mar-2011 08:17

Some briliant suggestions above. You're not gonna go wrong with either the Samsungs or the panasonics listed above. I personally own the 40" series 6 samsung. And can vouche wholeheartedly at it's performanance!..
These two brands seem to be the front runners at the moment... Although the new LG LED's are supposed to be good but not having any experience with it I can't personally recommend.

janszoon

53 posts

Master Geek

#449117 17-Mar-2011 08:24

thanks for the updates guys. As we know technology changes so quickly its great to get some 'current' info and user-reviews of some decent models.

I leaning towards the Pana as I am struggling to find too many negatives about it.

thanks heaps for all the replies and I hope that others find this helpful too.

J

GingerNinja

52 posts

Master Geek

#450351 21-Mar-2011 12:46

I bought the 50" V20 about 3 weeks ago now. Was on special for $1649 (2199 less 20%), so try and aim for that.

RunningMan

8961 posts

Uber Geek

#450398 21-Mar-2011 14:55

GingerNinja: I bought the 50" V20 about 3 weeks ago now. Was on special for $1649 (2199 less 20%), so try and aim for that.

Where was that?

Jaxson

8044 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#450400 21-Mar-2011 15:01

I'd ask the question about a return if you are not happy with an aspect of it.

The plasma buzzing has been quite prominant for a few unlucky purchasers so at least if you mention it you've got some comeback should you need it.

1 | 2 | 3