A 32' TV that's good for granny...

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Lizard1977

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Topic # 89044 25-Aug-2011 18:37

So Granny's TV has kicked the bucket, and she needs a new one. She doesn't need large, flashy or complicated. She's just happy to be jumping up to Freeview for the extra channels and better picture quality. For her flat,m with the available space, I figured a 32" is about the sweet spot, especially in terms of size/price. Budget is around $600.

I had a quick look at JB Hi Fi this afternoon, and the three contenders seem to be:

Samsung LA32D450 - $589

Sony KDL32XC520 - $687

LG 32LK330 - $588

From what I can see, the Sony looks pretty good. Is it worth the extra hundred do you think? Are there any issues I should be aware of? It will be used pretty minimally - no plugging in of recorders or hard drives or internet or anything like that. She has an old DVD recorder she uses once in a blue moon, which uses composite. A simple remote and good button response is probably a good thing in the circumstances...

Cheers

Lizard

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Reply # 512026 25-Aug-2011 19:07

Lizard1977: So Granny's TV has kicked the bucket, and she needs a new one.? She doesn't need large, flashy or complicated.? She's just happy to be jumping up to Freeview for the extra channels and better picture quality.? For her flat,m with the available space, I figured a 32" is about the sweet spot, especially in terms of size/price.? Budget is around $600.

I had a quick look at JB Hi Fi this afternoon, and the three contenders?seem to be:

Samsung LA32D450 - $589

Sony KDL32XC520 - $687

LG 32LK330 - $588

From?what I can see, the Sony looks pretty good.? Is it worth the extra hundred do you think?? Are there any issues I should be aware of?? It will be used pretty minimally - no plugging in of recorders or hard drives or internet or anything like that.? She has an old DVD recorder she uses once in a blue moon, which uses composite.? A simple remote and good button response is probably a good thing in the circumstances...

Cheers

Lizard???

The sony 32 inch ones are good, and it should be more than large enough. It is actually a good size for a room anyway.

sheldonlendrum

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Reply # 512032 25-Aug-2011 19:10

A bit smaller, but tonight - going cheap.

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bfginger

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Reply # 512063 25-Aug-2011 20:12

The old TV might be fixable.

If the DVD Recorder is one of the old types with an analogue tuner then that will need replacing after the analogue switch off. Nearly all of those devices will have yPbPr component, so plug in via that as the quality will be much better.

Television inch measurements are not linear so I would say a 23" television is alot smaller than 32".

The LG and Samsung are both not Full HD which would put them on my do not buy list. The Sony I think you may have the model number wrong so I cannot comment.

I think it is worth spending a bit more on a better quality model.

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 512067 25-Aug-2011 20:21

I'd start by comparing remote controls...
In my experience, Sony's have the smallest buttons, and will most likely be the hardest to use.
Then, listen to the sound (this is, of course, assuming that hearing as an issue?)...
The picture difference, once calibrated, or simply turned to 'normal' will be relatively small at this end of the market IMHO. Really, it's about ease of use on a daily basis.
My $0.02.

JimmyH

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Reply # 512107 25-Aug-2011 21:03

Full HD isn't so important for 32" and under, for bigger screens it starts to matter.

Consider a slightly bigger screen if Granny's eyesight isn't great. I was selecting screens for an elderly relative about 12 months ago, and found that a step up from 32" to 37" didn't add much to cost, still fitted in the room fine, but was much more viewable for someone whose eyes aren't what they used to be.

mattwnz

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Reply # 512129 25-Aug-2011 21:44

sheldonlendrum: A bit smaller, but tonight - going cheap.

http://dicksmith.co.nz/offer/1hourdeal

Substantially smaller and not a premium quality brand. Sony are a good brand, and my parents have a similar model to that sony, and I can vouch that they are good. They also have a good menu system, and large buttoned remotes.

mattwnz

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Reply # 512131 25-Aug-2011 21:45

JimmyH: Full HD isn't so important for 32" and under, for bigger screens it starts to matter.

Consider a slightly bigger screen if Granny's eyesight isn't great. I was selecting screens for an elderly relative about 12 months ago, and found that a step up from 32" to 37" didn't add much to cost, still fitted in the room fine, but was much more viewable for someone whose eyes aren't what they used to be.

Depends on how good your eye sight is and how close you are to the TV. I can notice the difference on a 32 inch. I have found the elderly do tend to position their chairs quite close to the TV, so they can see it better.

JonnyCam

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Reply # 512244 26-Aug-2011 09:27

JimmyH: Full HD isn't so important for 32" and under, for bigger screens it starts to matter.

Depends on how good your eye sight is and how close you are to the TV. I can notice the difference on a 32 inch. I have found the elderly do tend to position their chairs quite close to the TV, so they can see it better.

I assuming this is going from SD to HD anyway, so Iwouldn't think there would be a problem with HD ready.

@Lizard How far away from the screen would your granny usually sit?

kobiak

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Reply # 512251 26-Aug-2011 09:32

get a LA32D550 http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=870714 for 600-700 NZD

awesome, just awesome full hd and integrated media player that plays everything from HDD and Media share.

helping others at dev.icqz.net

illicit

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Reply # 512456 26-Aug-2011 13:10

From experience - GET THE LG - it is by far the easiest to use.

Lizard1977

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Reply # 513082 28-Aug-2011 15:06

Thanks for all the replies. Ended up with a Samsung LA32D450 from JB HiFi for $589. Tried NL, and they were going to price match, but didn't have any in stock. With the old TV dead, I didn't want to have to wait for more stock to arrive, so I went to JB Hifi, and picked one up straight away. Missed out on Fly Buys, but that's about it. Comparing the Samsung and the LG, they were both pretty similar. I think the LG's remote was slightly better, but in the end the energy use (however accurate it may be) seemed to favour the Samsung, and Granny is very power conscious (she unplugs everything every night before going to bed - TV, microwave, radio, lamps, the works. Not worried about fire, just the energy cost - "it all adds up, you know").

Wish I'd checked back here before I left though. I just saw the comment about the D550 (which was out of the price range at NL and JB's, but I see DSE have it (in stock too) for $599. Ah well, never mind. The D450 is pretty good. Nice clear picture, good size, remote is okay, sound is okay. Granny is thrilled, gobsmacked, etc. Delighted to have TV back, amazed at how thin it is, all the new channels, how clear the image is ("no more ghosting!). Took 10 mins to unpack and set up, and she's away laughing.

mattwnz

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Reply # 513086 28-Aug-2011 15:19

Lizard1977: Thanks for all the replies. Ended up with a Samsung LA32D450 from JB HiFi for $589. Tried NL, and they were going to price match, but didn't have any in stock. With the old TV dead, I didn't want to have to wait for more stock to arrive, so I went to JB Hifi, and picked one up straight away. Missed out on Fly Buys, but that's about it. Comparing the Samsung and the LG, they were both pretty similar. I think the LG's remote was slightly better, but in the end the energy use (however accurate it may be) seemed to favour the Samsung, and Granny is very power conscious (she unplugs everything every night before going to bed - TV, microwave, radio, lamps, the works. Not worried about fire, just the energy cost - "it all adds up, you know").

Wish I'd checked back here before I left though. I just saw the comment about the D550 (which was out of the price range at NL and JB's, but I see DSE have it (in stock too) for $599. Ah well, never mind. The D450 is pretty good. Nice clear picture, good size, remote is okay, sound is okay. Granny is thrilled, gobsmacked, etc. Delighted to have TV back, amazed at how thin it is, all the new channels, how clear the image is ("no more ghosting!). Took 10 mins to unpack and set up, and she's away laughing.

I personally would have paid a bit more and got the full HD one, because broadcasters are broadcasting in fullHD, and you can see a difference even at 32 inch, as you can see the pixels on the non full HD ones. But I guess for the person it is for, whose eyesight won't be as good as a younger persons, they probably wouldn't notice.

joff_nz

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Reply # 513196 28-Aug-2011 21:05

especially when coming from an older sd tv without a high def input

ajobbins

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Reply # 513224 28-Aug-2011 22:25

Full HD is a waste of money. IMHO, the Samsung is the best option. Samsung make excellent, easy to use TVs and this is exactly what you want for an older person.

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illicit

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Reply # 513236 28-Aug-2011 23:13

I disagree, having to press three different buttons just to change the input is not "user friendly"

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