New telly advice

[andrew_cawood]

Hi All

I'm looking to upgrade and upsize from my old SonyKDL40w400, after doing a fewer measurements I've decided on a 55" that I'd like to be able to wall mount, but not sure what to put on my short list. Most of what we watch is HD via Sky, PS3 or ATV2 - we're not really bothered about 3D capabilities. I'm open to either plasma or LCD. And my budget is £2k, but I would go up to £2500 if it was really worth it. I've noticed that last years TVs are quite a lot cheaper now this year's models are arriving - is it worth the extra c. £1k for this years model vs last years?

Thanks for any advice

Andy

 

[rocketrazor]

Its all down to preference and timing but for me personally I wouldn't buy a new tv now. Newer models are normally better than last years and I'm one for always saying what if I waited 4-6 months for the price of the new kit to come down, I could have gotten a better set. But thats just me. The latest Samsung review for the new 55 inch model by what hifi blew last years sony 55" award winning tv out the water. See below taken from there review

"It’s with sharp detail, minimal noise levels and stunning clarity that the Samsung edges things over the Sony: in absolute picture performance, it’s a better screen, and one that instantly attracts. We can’t wait to see what Sony has to offer us, but as it stands, the Samsung leaves the 2012 Award-winner in its wake. "

Do you have a preference to buy a TV now or wait a little while for all the new ones to come out and for there prices to drop?

 

[andrew_cawood]

I'm in no particular rush, just thinking about it at the moment. I did see that review and I guess that's my point, last years equivalent can now be had for £1700, does this years really warrant an extra £800? I suppose I need to see them side by side to really know the answer to that.

 

[rocketrazor]

Id say not if you buy it now, but if you wait till August/September if might come down £300-400 pound and then it might be worth that extra cash

 

[andrew_cawood]

Fair point! It's hard to make a decision when it all moves so quickly.

What's your view on LCD vs plasma - the samsung plasma thread suggests that plasma is the connoisseurs choice, but not really sure why...

 

[Deleted member 2457]

The Panasonic plasmas are some of the best TVs ever produced. The black levels are awesome too.

 

[Alantiggger]

Hi All

I'm looking to upgrade and upsize from my old SonyKDL40w400, after doing a fewer measurements I've decided on a 55" that I'd like to be able to wall mount, but not sure what to put on my short list. Most of what we watch is HD via Sky, PS3 or ATV2 - we're not really bothered about 3D capabilities. I'm open to either plasma or LCD. And my budget is £2k, but I would go up to £2500 if it was really worth it. I've noticed that last years TVs are quite a lot cheaper now this year's models are arriving - is it worth the extra c. £1k for this years model vs last years?

Thanks for any advice

Andy

Wait till the new Samsung's come out.

They look like they will be the World's finest TV's.

 

[strapped for cash]

What's your view on LCD vs plasma - the samsung plasma thread suggests that plasma is the connoisseurs choice, but not really sure why...

Plasma benefits:

Higher contrast ratios

Faster response times leading to better motion handling (and better 3D performance, if that's important)

More natural colour reproduction (usually)

No problems with off-axis viewing

Better screen uniformity (despite my complaints about issues with recent Panasonic plasmas, I couldn't live with the clouding and torching that's typical of LED TVs)

Plasma drawbacks:

Greater power consumption

Buzzing can be distracting (varies from set to set and depends on individual tolerance)

Some have complained about image retention on recent Panasonic plasma TVs (note, this is not the same as screen burn, which is permanent).

Despite my recent complaints about Panasonic, I'm not ready to buy an LED TV.

 

[Alantiggger]

Fair point! It's hard to make a decision when it all moves so quickly.

What's your view on LCD vs plasma - the samsung plasma thread suggests that plasma is the connoisseurs choice, but not really sure why...

It's because the picture is way better.

As far as new TV's go.... Samsung look to have swamped Pansonic with blacks and all round picture... wish I had the money to buy another Samsung after the lkast one (Samsung PS51E6500) ... man, what a picture ! :bounce: waaaay better than Panasonic's offering.

 

[rocketrazor]

What's your view on LCD vs plasma - the samsung plasma thread suggests that plasma is the connoisseurs choice, but not really sure why...

Plasma benefits:

Higher contrast ratios

Faster response times leading to better motion handling (and better 3D performance, if that's important)

More natural colour reproduction (usually)

No problems with off-axis viewing

Better screen uniformity (despite my complaints about issues with recent Panasonic plasmas, I couldn't live with the clouding and torching that's typical of LED TVs)

Plasma drawbacks:

Greater power consumption

Buzzing can be distracting (varies from set to set and depends on individual tolerance)

Some have complained about image retention on recent Panasonic plasma TVs (note, this is not the same as screen burn, which is permanent).

Despite my recent complaints about Panasonic, I'm not ready to buy an LED TV.

I'd second Strapped on this, I'd pick Plasma over LCD/LED any day, the problem at the moment is finding one without any faults! Having said that I think you will find that LCD/LED has its own pitfuls as well so in general its about finding a TV that you can live with that doesn't have any issues. For me Plasma gives a much more natural picture, LCD/LED looks just to photo like and makes the picture look like what you want it to rather than what it actually is (ie to bright) if you get what I mean :?

 

[Fred_Barker]

I was hoping to get on of these new TV's, if the wife will let me:

http://panasonic.net/avc/viera/eu2013_led/index.html

I like the: L47DT60E - A nice man in John Lewis Department Store says they should be in the shops by mid April..

If not - I'll have to move the sofa a bit nearer to my old 37in Panasonic..I want BIGGER! - I recon those awesome Plasma's will be over £3k - I'll never get away with that!!

 

[strapped for cash]

I was hoping to get on of these new TV's, if the wife will let me:

http://panasonic.net/avc/viera/eu2013_led/index.html

You're not swayed by our talk of plama superiority, then...

 

[laserman16]

I was hoping to get on of these new TV's, if the wife will let me:

http://panasonic.net/avc/viera/eu2013_led/index.html

You're not swayed by our talk of plama superiority, then...

Perhaps he can't live with all the faults people keep reporting on here and other sites.

Seriously though both technologies seem to have their faults, I suppose it boils down to which faults you think you can live with at the end of the day.

 

[Fred_Barker]

I was hoping to get on of these new TV's, if the wife will let me:

http://panasonic.net/avc/viera/eu2013_led/index.html

You're not swayed by our talk of plama superiority, then...

Hmmmm! - Hang on while I ask her for my opinion! - some nonsense about a budget although she spends more time glued to the TV than me....

 

[Fred_Barker]

I was hoping to get on of these new TV's, if the wife will let me:

http://panasonic.net/avc/viera/eu2013_led/index.html

You're not swayed by our talk of plama superiority, then...

Perhaps he can't live with all the faults people keep reporting on here and other sites.

Seriously though both technologies seem to have their faults, I suppose it boils down to which faults you think you can live with at the end of the day.

My sofa is so far away from the TV and I'm not as young as I was, so it probably makes little difference!! - I just want a new tele!!

I thought the 8 inch screen Murphy my dad bought in 1958 was fine at the time..

 

[bigboss]

What's your viewing distance? You may want to go for a bigger TV!

Although I'm a plasma person, I would advise to demo the TVs regardless of technology. LED lit LCDs have got better over the years. So have plasmas. Just pick what's best to you.

 

[strapped for cash]

Hmmmm! - Hang on while I ask her for my opinion! - some nonsense about a budget although she spends more time glued to the TV than me....

If it's a question of price, plasma TVs are often cheaper than LED TVs.

 

[bigboss]

Apart from ZT65, none of the plasmas are going to cost over £2K for a 50-inch one. So don't worry about that.

 

[strapped for cash]

Seriously though both technologies seem to have their faults, I suppose it boils down to which faults you think you can live with at the end of the day.

True, though buyers should appreciate that LCD/LED uniformity problems are not evident under bright shop lighting conditions, with the TV set to "Dynamic."

Plasma TVs also look their worst under shop lighting, which is why so many consumers buy LED TVs.

When you get a TV home and calibrate, however, the results are very different. Plasma's qualities shine through, while LED's uniformity problems become far more apparent.

 

[Fred_Barker]

Apart from ZT65, none of the plasmas are going to cost over £2K for a 50-inch one. So don't worry about that.

That would be good - guess we'll just to wait and see - just a few more weeks!!

P.S. Is that really all your kit at home or do you live in a hifi shop??

 

[Fred_Barker]

Hmmmm! - Hang on while I ask her for my opinion! - some nonsense about a budget although she spends more time glued to the TV than me....

If it's a question of price, plasma TVs are often cheaper than LED TVs.

I was hoping to get one of those sexy TV's with the very thin silver bezel's - not sure the Plasma's are gonna have those, thus making the width of the unit wider and therefore not fitting on the max size TV stand I can get into the available space - stress!!

 

[bigboss]

P.S. Is that really all your kit at home or do you live in a hifi shop??

It's just the furniture. Otherwise I've only got a modest kit.

 

[Alantiggger]

See here : http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/samsung-ps60e6500-ps51e6500-201207262022.htm