Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation 1 Feb 23, 2011 1:17 pm We're in the market to buy a lovely new TV. Thinking of around 45 - 50 inches. We don't need the biggest and the best (nor the most expensive - only want to spend around $1200, less is possible) and I was wondering what recommendations you can give? I went to the Good Guys on the weekend just for a little look around and he suggested a LCD as it doesn't have as reflective a surface as the plasma's and our family room will have lots of light. He was suggesting a Samsung until he realised it had crystal display which gave it more of a reflective surface anyway. It made me think though, we mainly watch tv at night and if it's an ultra glary day and we wanted the tv on then we could adjust the blinds. Which in turn made me think, well why not just go plasma then for almost half the price?! Sales guy said plasmas cost around the same as LCD's to run now anyway. What TV do you have? Why did you choose your particular TV? What did you pay? What would you suggest for us? TIA Building an Eden Brae Saville 27 http://karry327.blogspot.com/ Building thread https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=44247 Re: What TV do you recommend? 2Feb 23, 2011 1:31 pm hi, OI have been through this myself. plasma or lcd, both have pros and cons.ones better for sports, ones better for games etc etc, also different salesmen will tell you differently depending on what they prefer themselves. we have 3 lcds @40 inches, and recently got a 50 inch plasma.We originally got lcds as they apparently are better for kids games, also lcds better for power.I have noticed that our plasma throws out a lot of heat, you can feel the heat coming off it when you stand right next to it. Ultimately both are good really, lcds will cost you a bit more though, and I wouldnt go for a lcd if you are wanting over the 40 inches.I only got the plasma because it was the 50 inch and it was an ex rental and really cheap.Have a good look around, some places have specials where you can get something else with it, a blu ray player or something.Also there is the LED tvs out now too.[just to confuse you a bit more...] Re: What TV do you recommend? 3Feb 23, 2011 1:58 pm There are rabid supporters for plasma over lcd and vice versa, but for me it was more important to look at what I needed it to do than get caught up in that argument. Some questions I asked myself : * What do I need to plug into it? (How many and type of inputs - HDMI / component / composite / PC) * Resolution (1080 vs 720) * Size (a good guide here for picking a good size for your room - but err on the bigger side if you can afford it - http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theat ... size-tv/2/) * Will it work nicely with a Logitech Harmony universal remote - if you don't have a Harmony remote (or similar, but Harmony is best for my money) then get one! I recently got a 50 inch Samsung plasma (PS50C7000) and am really happy with it. The Series 5 and 6 plasmas from Samsung also have a great picture and you should be able to find a good deal for either under your budget. Re: What TV do you recommend? 4Feb 23, 2011 2:14 pm LCD won't burn an image if you leave static images on the screen (eg. computer games). LED's are great and slimine as well. Just need to make sure that it has a high refresh rate. Re: What TV do you recommend? 5Feb 23, 2011 2:55 pm I grabbed a Samsung full-HD 52" plasma from Wow Sight & Sound for $999. So far very impressed. Family Website(Power Tools): http://www.gettoolsdirect.com.au Re: What TV do you recommend? 6Feb 23, 2011 9:49 pm Thanks everyone! I feel like such a simpleton when it comes to certain technology! At the moment, neither my husband or I play any games but we have 2 young boys who may eventually (not for a number of years though...) I would like to have internet capabilities for if / when we get Foxtel. Other than that, something that looks nice, has a good picture and runs efficiently. Mary23, do you mind if I ask why you wouldn't recommend a LCD if I get over a 40 inch? Baysidebuilder, thanks for the info. Will check out the Harmony remote. Does a plasma typically have better resolution than LCD? Lastly, do you agree that plasma's are now on par with LCD's in terms of running costs like the salesman told me? Building an Eden Brae Saville 27 http://karry327.blogspot.com/ Building thread https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=44247 Re: What TV do you recommend? 7Feb 23, 2011 9:55 pm Go to HN, or JB hifi or your local TV place if you don't have either and a look at what your Eyes (you and hubby) like the best.... features are fairly standard across the range 9if not ) then pick the TV that most of the features you think you may need out of the ones listed above Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: What TV do you recommend? 8Feb 23, 2011 10:55 pm Quote: Baysidebuilder, thanks for the info. Will check out the Harmony remote. Does a plasma typically have better resolution than LCD? Plasma and LCD come in the same resolutions. TVs labelled are usually labelled "HD" or "True HD" / "Full HD". True or full HD means 1080p resolution (1920 horizontal ×1080 vertical pixels). If it is marketted as "HD" it is usually a lower resolution like 720p (1280×720). Some of the really cheap sets go as far as having an 'odd' (at least for TVs) resolution like 1024x768. Regardless of which type you choose make sure you check the actual/native resolution of the TV - and like pugs said, go somewhere that has a bunch of TVs and have a look at them. If you can, play with the settings and put them on 'natural' or 'cinema' mode. In shops they are usually in 'vivid' mode or similar which blows out the colours and brightness. Also : Quote: LCD won't burn an image if you leave static images on the screen (eg. computer games) Plasmas have a bad rep for burn in on static images, but the newer models are much better in that respect. I play games (Xbox) and haven't had a problem with my set. Any minor ghost images that appear quickly fade. Re: What TV do you recommend? 9Feb 24, 2011 9:07 am For me it depends on what you do with it! I have a full HD Samsung 50" that I sell for $998. The HD model (lower res) sells for a couple of hundred less. Personally I have 2 x LCD's at home and 1 x 63" plasma (3D) and I love the picture from all of them. The LCD seems better for faster moving action (like gaming) and the plasma is great for watching movies etc. It depends on what you prefer the look of and the size you get for the $$$ spent! Looking to start the journey of becoming an owner builder in SA. Feeling pretty (overly) confident on the building and construction details, but really struggling to find… 0 5784 No. It's not original. Circa early to mid 90s would be my guess and maybe even as late as early 2000s 1 3664 A question. Im in Queensland and building a new home. We managed to reach practical completion 6 weeks ago but we haven't heard any date for handover yet. Who should we… 0 3053 |