To all Plasma/LCD users - Please help me to choose a 40'+ TV

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › To all Plasma/LCD users - Please help me to choose a 40"+ TV

cynthony

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Wannabe Geek

Topic # 9638 2-Oct-2006 15:13

Hi there,

I would like to purchase a 40"+ Plasma/LCD TV

There are too many choices in the market and I really don't know what to get. If you are using a LCD/Plasma TV, could you tell me how good/bad they are? Any recommendations?

My budget is no more than $4000

Thanks so much

Cyn

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Reply # 47338 2-Oct-2006 15:52

I am using a budget Sanyo 42". It doesnt have any of the mod cons, but works really well.

I think they were $5500 when we got ours (although ours was a prize for a sales comp).

I believe the same model can be had at Te Warewhare for $2200 these days.

No frills, looks good, nice picture, awesome viewing angle, great remote, okay audio.

Spend the $1800 left over on an MCE at DSE....

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chiefie

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Reply # 47339 2-Oct-2006 16:38

I would highly recommend LCD. As Plasma are on the way out.

We have Philips 32" with PixelPlus2 and Ambilight2. However there's PixelPlus3HD with Ambilight 3 or 4 (Depending on whether you want 3 sides (37") or 4 sides (42").

The 37" has ClearLCD which also have 1920x1080P. Have a look at Philips' site.

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sbiddle

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Reply # 47341 2-Oct-2006 17:21

If you're buying a Plasma and want it for anything other than TV viewing make sure it's not a SD (standard definition) plasma which is only 852x840 resolution. The picture quality from a SD plasma is worse than many CRT TV's and yet people seem to be impressed, probably because they don't pay any attention to detail.

LCD is probably the way to go these days however for a 50" screen plasma still offers better value. Both technologies still have advantages and disadvantages over each other so it really does come down to personal preference and price.

If you want something to be able to use HDTV in the future make sure it has a HDMI connector and if you're wanting to ever hook it up to a media centre PC check that the DVI and/or HDMI inputs will take a PC input if the unit doesn't have a RGB d-sub connector. If you have a PC you'd like to hook up to it then also try this before you buy. Some TV's despite having PC input have ugly black borders that can be hard to get rid of and remember that 1366x768 which is standard resolution for some LCD panels is a non native PC resolution so can also cause trouble.

Even though you've said you want a LCD or Plasma have you ever looked at any of the DLP TV's on the market? You can get a bigger screen with very good quality for a good price however you have something that's bulkier than the LCD/plasma.

Aloha

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Reply # 47343 2-Oct-2006 17:57

The new Sony Bravia S 40" was 3899NZD at Harvey Norman, I highly recommend this LCD tv.

I is a kollege stoodent. Bee nice.

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Reply # 47353 2-Oct-2006 21:39

You might also want to consider LCD rear projection. They do not have the low brightness issues of the old rear pro's and you can get something like the Sony 42" HD TV for under $3K.

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lchiu7

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Reply # 47364 3-Oct-2006 09:31

sbiddle: If you're buying a Plasma and want it for anything other than TV viewing make sure it's not a SD (standard definition) plasma which is only 852x840 resolution. The picture quality from a SD plasma is worse than many CRT TV's and yet people seem to be impressed, probably because they don't pay any attention to detail.

LCD is probably the way to go these days however for a 50" screen plasma still offers better value. Both technologies still have advantages and disadvantages over each other so it really does come down to personal preference and price.

If you want something to be able to use HDTV in the future make sure it has a HDMI connector and if you're wanting to ever hook it up to a media centre PC check that the DVI and/or HDMI inputs will take a PC input if the unit doesn't have a RGB d-sub connector. If you have a PC you'd like to hook up to it then also try this before you buy. Some TV's despite having PC input have ugly black borders that can be hard to get rid of and remember that 1366x768 which is standard resolution for some LCD panels is a non native PC resolution so can also cause trouble.

Even though you've said you want a LCD or Plasma have you ever looked at any of the DLP TV's on the market? You can get a bigger screen with very good quality for a good price however you have something that's bulkier than the LCD/plasma.

I used to have a Toshiba DLP (52") and while it was okay it had issues with SD television (of course which is what we have) and slightly less so with DVD. I had image smearing problems and clayface issues. In the end luckily it developed a problem that Toshiba (after 11.5 months no less!) allowed me to take it back to HN and get a full refund and purchas something else. I picked up a JVD D-ILA (LCoS technology) 56" and still had a credit! This is great. No pixels to be seen on the screen, much better SD and very good HDTV quality. I also note that Sony has finally begun selling the SXRD series here which is there take on LCos but at $7K for 60" is outside the range of the thread originator

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cynthony

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Reply # 47366 3-Oct-2006 09:39

Thanks so much guys.

Overall sounds like LCD is the way to go (over Plasma)

I will go and check out with harvey norman, B&B, Noel Leeming this afternoon.

I will let you know how I get on.

cynthony

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Wannabe Geek

Reply # 47367 3-Oct-2006 09:41

I won't consider DLP, as I already have a 61" Toshiba DLP at home (bought it few years ago) and is taking up a lot of space. Would really like to have a widescreen for my 2nd TV.

Thanks for the advise

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Reply # 47373 3-Oct-2006 10:01

That is one of the advantages of LCD rear pro.. first they are lighter then the other options (DLP, plasma, and even LCD flat screen) and they are not as big as DLP. My 42" is around 300mm deep. Not a flat screen but does not take up too much room either.

cynthony

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Wannabe Geek

Reply # 47375 3-Oct-2006 10:03

Looking at the price, I think is quite likely that I will get a Sony 40" S Series BRAVIA LCD TV (under $4000)

Any current users for this TV? any good/bad comments about this?

Super8

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Reply # 47553 4-Oct-2006 18:24

Magness Benrow on Newstalk ZB were promoting the Sony S 40" @ $3300

Loftus

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Reply # 47594 4-Oct-2006 21:59

Watch out for poor black levels with LCD TVs. Early LCDs had problems displaying a proper black (it came out as a dark grey) which can upset your viewing if you watch lots of dark movies/tv programmes. A lot of the modern LCDs have this sorted now - but it pays to check.

cynthony

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Wannabe Geek

Reply # 47619 5-Oct-2006 09:41

I bought the Sony Bravia S Series 40" TV yesterday from Harvey Norman. They offered $3500 (TV + a $299 worth of TV carbinet). They charged us $3300 for the TV and $200 for the carbinet. Free Delivery too. I think it was quite a good deal. Thanks everyone for all your help.

Cyn

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Reply # 47620 5-Oct-2006 09:45

good spotting! you'll enjoy the LCD TV.

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bcourtney

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Reply # 47631 5-Oct-2006 11:17

cynthony: I bought the Sony Bravia S Series 40" TV yesterday from Harvey Norman. They offered $3500 (TV + a $299 worth of TV carbinet). They charged us $3300 for the TV and $200 for the carbinet. Free Delivery too. I think it was quite a good deal. Thanks everyone for all your help.

Cyn

I'd be keen to hear your thoughts and opinion on the TV after you've used it a wee bit

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