HDTV advice

hybridtheory · 21-04-2009, 16:52

Hi

I'm buying my first flat panel tv to replace an old JVC CRT, I've been looking at the Panasonic Viera TX-P50V10 and the Samsung UE46B8000 both of which r released next month. What advice can u give me, any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks

Baz

RobAnt · 21-04-2009, 19:45

Well, what sort of advice are you looking for?

Was watching the Gadget Show yesterday, and they were evaluating some very nice LCDs that used much less power when in standby.

After seeing the prices, though, I was left thinking that they were a false economy as they cost much more than was saved when compared with equivalent alternatives. So they might placate environmentalists, but most of us can't afford to follow that agenda, as it could take up to 10 years to recover the extra expense at current price levels.

PerryM · 22-04-2009, 11:54

Television is a conjuring trick - an optical illusion - that is VERY dependent on YOU the viewer in terms of visual quality. Read all reviews with some caution!
First of all decide what is most important for YOU, e.g watching Freeview or maybe DVDs? Forget terrestrial analogue because that is going. Then go to the nearest LARGE Currys, Comet, etc and find the models that interest you. Then get the salesman to put your chosen media on and then critically assess what you see. Ignore all the B/S about poor feed quality, Freeview is 100% digital and either works or doesn't (give or take some 'drop-out'). By all means let the salesman wow you with HD feeds but remember what you will spend most of your time watching! Make sure you see the Freeview channels that most interest you because the digital compression quality can be very variable and some sets emphasize the 'artifacts' much more than others.
Try to get it down to a max of say 3 sets (2 is better) by eliminating obvious things and then you can better assess the critical factors.
You do of course have to consider price. Unfortunately this is very 'non-linear' so you DO pay a lot for marginal quality improvements like 100 or 200Hz processing.
Finally, when you have made up yout mind, tell the salesman that you will go away and think about it. Look up the best price on the Internet and either buy it there or take that price back to the shop and see if they will match it.

hybridtheory · 23-04-2009, 13:32

Hi guys

Thanks for the advice, apart from the two models I've been looking at im torn whether to buy LED or plasma. Is plasma the better choice all round?

Thanks

Baz

RobAnt · 25-04-2009, 04:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by hybridtheory

Hi guys

Thanks for the advice, apart from the two models I've been looking at im torn whether to buy LED or plasma. Is plasma the better choice all round?

Thanks

Baz

I trust you mean LCD. I don't know of any LED screens.

It depends on what you're looking for. LCD or Plasma, it's very much "horses for courses". Plasma's have a glossy reflective screen, though, in my experience - which makes them difficult to see in many living rooms because they reflect the windows - of course you can always pull the curtains.

LCDs make great combination TV/Computer Monitors and are somewhat more flexible than the much older LCD monitors, being better able to support multiple resolutions.

You'll have to accept the fact that I can't give a positive slant on Plasmas, as I've never owned one. The reflective screen has always been a no-no for me. I stayed CRT up until last year on my home entertainment system. Now I use two PCs as HTPCs in different rooms - so both must have reasonable quality LCDs.

21-04-2009, 16:52	#1
hybridtheory Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 744	HDTV advice Hi I'm buying my first flat panel tv to replace an old JVC CRT, I've been looking at the Panasonic Viera TX-P50V10 and the Samsung UE46B8000 both of which r released next month. What advice can u give me, any advice is much appreciated. Thanks Baz

21-04-2009, 19:45	#2
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	Well, what sort of advice are you looking for? Was watching the Gadget Show yesterday, and they were evaluating some very nice LCDs that used much less power when in standby. After seeing the prices, though, I was left thinking that they were a false economy as they cost much more than was saved when compared with equivalent alternatives. So they might placate environmentalists, but most of us can't afford to follow that agenda, as it could take up to 10 years to recover the extra expense at current price levels.

22-04-2009, 11:54	#3
PerryM Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 147	Television is a conjuring trick - an optical illusion - that is VERY dependent on YOU the viewer in terms of visual quality. Read all reviews with some caution! First of all decide what is most important for YOU, e.g watching Freeview or maybe DVDs? Forget terrestrial analogue because that is going. Then go to the nearest LARGE Currys, Comet, etc and find the models that interest you. Then get the salesman to put your chosen media on and then critically assess what you see. Ignore all the B/S about poor feed quality, Freeview is 100% digital and either works or doesn't (give or take some 'drop-out'). By all means let the salesman wow you with HD feeds but remember what you will spend most of your time watching! Make sure you see the Freeview channels that most interest you because the digital compression quality can be very variable and some sets emphasize the 'artifacts' much more than others. Try to get it down to a max of say 3 sets (2 is better) by eliminating obvious things and then you can better assess the critical factors. You do of course have to consider price. Unfortunately this is very 'non-linear' so you DO pay a lot for marginal quality improvements like 100 or 200Hz processing. Finally, when you have made up yout mind, tell the salesman that you will go away and think about it. Look up the best price on the Internet and either buy it there or take that price back to the shop and see if they will match it.

23-04-2009, 13:32	#4
hybridtheory Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 744	Hi guys Thanks for the advice, apart from the two models I've been looking at im torn whether to buy LED or plasma. Is plasma the better choice all round? Thanks Baz

25-04-2009, 04:21	#5
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	Quote: Originally Posted by hybridtheory Hi guys Thanks for the advice, apart from the two models I've been looking at im torn whether to buy LED or plasma. Is plasma the better choice all round? Thanks Baz I trust you mean LCD. I don't know of any LED screens. It depends on what you're looking for. LCD or Plasma, it's very much "horses for courses". Plasma's have a glossy reflective screen, though, in my experience - which makes them difficult to see in many living rooms because they reflect the windows - of course you can always pull the curtains. LCDs make great combination TV/Computer Monitors and are somewhat more flexible than the much older LCD monitors, being better able to support multiple resolutions. You'll have to accept the fact that I can't give a positive slant on Plasmas, as I've never owned one. The reflective screen has always been a no-no for me. I stayed CRT up until last year on my home entertainment system. Now I use two PCs as HTPCs in different rooms - so both must have reasonable quality LCDs.

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