Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


cynthony

10 posts

Wannabe Geek


#9638 2-Oct-2006 15:13
Send private message

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

View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
 1 | 2 | 3
tonyhughes
Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #47338 2-Oct-2006 15:52
Send private message

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....









chiefie
I iz your trusted friend
5877 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #47339 2-Oct-2006 16:38
Send private message

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.




Internet is my backyard...

 

«Geekzone blog: Tech 'n Chips Takeaway» «Personal blog: And then...»

 

Please read the Geekzone's FUG

 


sbiddle
30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Biddle Corp
Lifetime subscriber

  #47341 2-Oct-2006 17:21
Send private message

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
676 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

  #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.

Nety
2584 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #47353 2-Oct-2006 21:39
Send private message

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.







Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

lchiu7
6470 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #47364 3-Oct-2006 09:31
Send private message

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




Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD.  https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd  PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.


cynthony

10 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #47366 3-Oct-2006 09:39
Send private message

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.

 
 
 

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.
cynthony

10 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #47367 3-Oct-2006 09:41
Send private message

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


Nety
2584 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #47373 3-Oct-2006 10:01
Send private message

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.







Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

cynthony

10 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #47375 3-Oct-2006 10:03
Send private message

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
73 posts

Master Geek


  #47553 4-Oct-2006 18:24
Send private message

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

Loftus
140 posts

Master Geek


  #47594 4-Oct-2006 21:59
Send private message

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

10 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #47619 5-Oct-2006 09:41
Send private message

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

chiefie
I iz your trusted friend
5877 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #47620 5-Oct-2006 09:45
Send private message

good spotting! you'll enjoy the LCD TV.




Internet is my backyard...

 

«Geekzone blog: Tech 'n Chips Takeaway» «Personal blog: And then...»

 

Please read the Geekzone's FUG

 


bcourtney
652 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

  #47631 5-Oct-2006 11:17
Send private message

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 Wink

 1 | 2 | 3
View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.