TV recommendations

[tnf]

I'm looking for a 40-42 inch - given up on reviews online as there doesn't seem to be any consistency so I figured I'd see who has something in this range they are
happy with and I'm sure there are people here more knowledgeable about this than I am (as I know very little about new technology in this area).


I have always liked the look of plasma's better than LCD's for some reason - colors, vibrancy, etc., and it seems like you can get a lot more TV for less money.
Are there still drawbacks to the longevity of plasma sets or was that always overblown?

Anybody own a Vizio? Also read a mixed bag of reviews for these sets.

I'm guessing I want no less than 120Hz at this point? What's the equivalent in plasma (from what I saw 600Hz was pretty standard in plasma's - do they not suffer from the pixelation issues that LCD's did in fast moving pictures?)

That's a lot of questions, so if you want to keep it simple and just recommend something you've used and are happy with in this range that would be great.

[obsidian]

I don't know too much, but beware of all the numbers, they are mostly heavily padded figures that don't mean anything anymore. Anything over 120Hz is usually inflated figures, same with contrast ratios - they are pretty much astronomically large and meaningless values.

Maybe look into LEDs, they're supposed to have really great contrast like a plasma but without a lot of the pitfalls of a plasma such as requiring a relatively dark room for proper viewing.

(Or you could wait for OLEDs or wait for plained to tell you to buy a Sony)

[tnf]

It will be in a room where ambient light isn't a real big problem. The basement project is finally making significant steps but I've decided to go with a TV down there instead of a projector (did wire the ceiling up for one to be mounted in the future though). Walls are framed, drywalled, taped, mudded, lights and wiring are done. Time to paint, prime, put in a floor and we're done.

[Tormentius]

I just picked up an LG 42" LED (42LE5300) a week ago and once the picture settings were dialed in I couldn't be happier with it. Its an upgrade to my early generation LG 720p LCD so the difference in contrast depth for Dark Knight and Avatar was incredible. The blacks are actually deep and detailed and the colours are vivid without being overdone.

Check AVSForums for optimal picture settings on whatever you get. You'll have to fine tune a little for your room lighting but the time spent is well worth it.

[bam!]

I'd like one of the new Google TVs, but fuck if you could pay me to own anything Sony. 2nd gen stuff is on the way and those apps served directly from the TV are slick shit.

[Deathshroud]

FYI, most of the pixelation problems with LCD's only occur when using the de-judder, and motion smoothing options. If you don't prefer these modes, you should be safe.

I have been enjoying my Sony KDL46EX-501. When it comes to audio equipment Sony is usually cheap horrid shit, but their TV's are competitive for the price.

[U4EA]

Samsung Series 6 LED imo.

[Doombrain]

panasonic panasonic panasonic neo PDP

http://www.johnlewis.com/231062407/Product.aspx
edit: http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/P ... RRWidgetID

Blackest levels you can get on a TV, sharp but organic and not unreal like all LCDs. Huge colour gamut and no blur. uniform backlite, no ghosting.

DNLA ready etc etc.

Awesome TVs, easily best on the market today. have a look through the review sites.

this is a good one to start with

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/

[Don Carlos]

Samsung LED TV's are fucking wonderful; 7000 series if you want to save some beans.

[mac]

People still buy plasma tvs? After the best plasma tv manufacturer stopped manufacturing them they now buy panasonic crap? Thats sad.

You cant make much wrong with lcds from samsung.. Sadly they do not have any localy dimmed lcd backlit units anymore over here.. They had the best picture quality and the edge lit ones steped down quality wise just to be thin.. Weird descision.

[plained]

use your eyes and ears...

sony is best

[tnf]

panasonic panasonic panasonic neo PDP

http://www.johnlewis.com/231062407/Product.aspx
edit: http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/P ... RRWidgetID

Blackest levels you can get on a TV, sharp but organic and not unreal like all LCDs. Huge colour gamut and no blur. uniform backlite, no ghosting.

DNLA ready etc etc.

Awesome TVs, easily best on the market today. have a look through the review sites.

this is a good one to start with

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/

The unreal look you mention is exactly what I've been noticing on LCD's that has drawn me to plasma. My brother just got a new LCD 120hz 1080P and the picture looks odd for some reason...not sure if its the sharpness or what, but its not a look I liked. Just looked unnatural.

[Doombrain]

Don't take my word for it, go see one and take a bluray with you. Something like dark knight and get them to play it while you play with the settings.

Thx is very good as well but being able to access your digital films, photos and music direct from the tv is fantastic (you'll need a nas)

Overall I'm done with LCD until the backliting is sorted out. Led backlite is a joke unless you spend £5k and cheaper LCD led use edge line lighting which is shite

[phantasmagoria]

light*

This 'unreal' thing you're talking about. Is that the look that makes everything in HD look like it's been filmed in a studio on a shoestring budget or are you talking about something else?

[Doombrain]

I suggest you watch some hd on a good output device.

Ps bats etc.

[phantasmagoria]

how does that answer my question?

I'm interested because whenever I watch something on an HD tele I am completely distracted by how shit everything looks (not the quality, but that you can tell it's a set and everything's been built and painted) and it stops me being immersed in it and I find I get bored and would rather just be watching it on my tv back home that i pulled out of a skip instead of the thousand pound monstrosity dominating this person's living room. Is this a byproduct of all home HD or is it a byproduct of poor home HD? I don't notice it in the cinema.

[seremtan]

blu ray always looks shit hot on a 26" monitor

shame it's only 26"

[tnf]

Yea, I wish I could make everything on the TV look like it does on the 27" iMac.

[Doombrain]

TNf, I'm not shitting you. On the tv I linked it will.

[tnf]

DB - is it all the TV's with that NeoPDP system that look great? The one you linked showed up as $2000 on froogle and I could only find one retailer that had that specific model (US-UK thing?)

What about this one?
http://www.us-appliance.com/tcp42s2.htm ... _7ctcp42s2

$649 at BestBuy.

[menkent]

got a vizio for the father in law for xmas - picture is good but the menus and setup are a bit of a mess. would play around with it a bit before buying and would only use it with external speakers&amp.

[LawL]

Don't take my word for it

Duumbrain's best advice in the thread so far.

[mac]

how does that answer my question?

I'm interested because whenever I watch something on an HD tele I am completely distracted by how shit everything looks (not the quality, but that you can tell it's a set and everything's been built and painted) and it stops me being immersed in it and I find I get bored and would rather just be watching it on my tv back home that i pulled out of a skip instead of the thousand pound monstrosity dominating this person's living room. Is this a byproduct of all home HD or is it a byproduct of poor home HD? I don't notice it in the cinema.

it looks like shit because people don't know jack about tv.

all this 100, 200, 300, 4000hz crap is the cause for the effect you describe. all a good tv needs is a decent 24p mode.

yes thats right 24fps not 100 not 200 or 600whatever crap.. 24p like in cinemas, 24p like every movie stored on blueray..

what people need todo is switch off ALL(!) of the digital enhancement. especialy the "hz" ones who just add synthetic frames in between original frames.. thats the reason it looks artificial.. because it is.. hollwood productions look like they are recorded with a 50$ camcorder..

but the mass is a stupid herd.. running after bigger numbers.

do youself a favour, do not buy panasonic junk. and if you are for a quality tv 650$ is quite low for 40-42inch.

ask yourself what matters to you .. size or quality.. because you can't have both for your amount.

[tnf]

How does the synthetic frame thing actually work?

I'd also say that my TV standards are much lower than others - if its sharp, decent color, dark blacks and no major pixellation/ghosting I'm happy.

I'm currently using 4+ year old 32 inch LCD's - primarily a Samsung 720P set that has worked well. Based on the progression of technology, wouldn't a 'decent' set by today's 1080P standards be an improvement? I realize that there is a difference in the quality between what I'd get for $650 and $1650 - its no different than the cameras I've bought - there is a difference between what a $2500 camera will do and what a $700 camera will do. My point is that, in the case of a TV, I feel like I fit in the crowd that is also looking for the $700 camera and would be satisfied with what it can do.

[Doombrain]

I run my panasonic in 24hz mode.