40' LCD which one

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Karlosnz

105 posts

Master Geek

#79701 21-Mar-2011 14:35

Hi all

Looking at getting a new tv as above and I am a tad confused on which to buy
so looking for some advice please.

Budget $1200ish
We use Myskyhdi to watch tv.
The room has lots of natural light coming into it.
it will be placed above an inbuilt fire (will this be ok?)
Like one that plays divx/xvid off the usb.
And would be cool if it was able to hook up to our home network but not a deal breaker.

The thing im concerned about is we watch heaps of SD content from sky and dont want it to look
like crap on the new TV the wife will kill me lol.

Had a look at the Sony 40EX500 yesterday and that looked ok?

Cheers

Karl

myopinion

930 posts

Ultimate Geek

#450396 21-Mar-2011 14:52

I've been thinking about getting a 40" as well. The latest series 6 Samsung looks like the best buy at the moment: Samsung 40" Full HD LCD TV, LA40C650: (copy and paste the link if it doesn't work)

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/samsung/40-inch-full-hd-lcd-tv-sku-16266

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RunningMan

7952 posts

Uber Geek

#450397 21-Mar-2011 14:54

Karlosnz:
it will be placed above an inbuilt fire (will this be ok?)

I'd be pretty hesitant about this - apart from the heat rising in to it, which may shorten the lifespan, having a TV high on the wall gets pretty tiring on your neck after a short time.

polglase

264 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#450408 21-Mar-2011 15:47

RunningMan:
Karlosnz:
it will be placed above an inbuilt fire (will this be ok?)

I'd be pretty hesitant about this - apart from the heat rising in to it, which may shorten the lifespan, having a TV high on the wall gets pretty tiring on your neck after a short time.

I agree - there is no way I'd put an LCD over a fireplace. If you want to look at a 46"LCD for your budget I have one for sale: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=36136394

myopinion

930 posts

Ultimate Geek

#450409 21-Mar-2011 15:50

My father in law has an LCD installed above an in-built gas fire place (receessed fully into the wall). There's also a mantel piece above the fireplace and then the LCD screen is attached direclty to the wall. Its been up there for about 3 years with no problems so far (and they use the fireplace all the time in Winter).

polglase

264 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#450411 21-Mar-2011 15:54

polglase:
RunningMan:
Karlosnz:
it will be placed above an inbuilt fire (will this be ok?)

I'd be pretty hesitant about this - apart from the heat rising in to it, which may shorten the lifespan, having a TV high on the wall gets pretty tiring on your neck after a short time.

I agree - there is no way I'd put an LCD over a fireplace. If you want to look at a 46"LCD for your budget I have one for sale: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=36136394

I forgot to mention - it has a LAN port and optional WiFi, it also supports xvid playback if you are interested.

josephhinvest

1525 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

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#450427 21-Mar-2011 16:48

I have a 2 year old Sony Bravia, 40 inch, KDL40V400 perhaps?
Definitely recommend, have had excellent value, no complaints at all.

Cheers,
Joseph

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#450430 21-Mar-2011 16:57

RunningMan:
Karlosnz:
it will be placed above an inbuilt fire (will this be ok?)

I'd be pretty hesitant about this - apart from the heat rising in to it, which may shorten the lifespan, having a TV high on the wall gets pretty tiring on your neck after a short time.

We have our TV mounted above a gas fire. There are rules about the minimum distance and you must have a shelf/mantle type setup to block the heat. Google it to check them about.

We had it there for about 2 years with no probs. TV gets warm, but no warmer than when it is on anyway. The extra height is actually great for us since it means our 2 year old can’t stand 6 inches from the screen or get jam prints on the TV!

Dunnersfella

4063 posts

Uber Geek

#450557 21-Mar-2011 23:12

If you're looking for a TV that will work well with a brightly lit environment, consider a Sony LCD or LED, an LG LED or LCD (42" though) or a Panasonic LCD or LED lit LCD.
All three have matt finished screens that will be suited to your room, the LG an Panasonics will have better viewing angles due to the IPS panels they utilise.
The best USB playback will be via the LG, they play a lot of different formats.
Re: low quality footage, try watching non-HD footage on Sky in-store, then compare them side-by-side. I will say the LG will be pretty easy to calibrate though, as it has a Picture Wizard that lets you tweak the picture in a simple manner. Meaning... it'll look as good as it can when you're playing a SD source.

Karlosnz

105 posts

Master Geek

#450773 22-Mar-2011 15:22

Thanks for your replies, I have done some reading(google) and its seems very 50/50
as to weather its a good idea to put it above the fire

Plenty of people have done it with no problems and the angle etc is fine with the benefits of the kids cant touch the screen etc then there is the people who come up with all the reasons why not to lol

So I will get a reading of the temp while the fire is going before placing it above the fire and get a bracket that can tilt to help the viewing angle

Now which TV?
Thanks Dunnersfella for your comments any model numbers you recommend?

Anyways thanks again for all your replies.

Karl

timmmay

19625 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#450795 22-Mar-2011 15:42

Have you read the other "which TV" threads? They pop up most days.

Dunnersfella

4063 posts

Uber Geek

#451307 24-Mar-2011 08:24

Try looking at an LG 42LD560 or 42LD650... take a USB stick in and demo some files you'd typically play at home. Re: Sony, check out the KDL40EX500, Panasonic the TH-L42D25 (LED).

gumdigger

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#451333 24-Mar-2011 09:27

Pansonic Plassy TH-p42v20