Help me pick a TV!

[Qbert]

Our family's had our main TV for just over 10 years and it's starting to cark it, so we're getting a new one. I've researched a bit, but don't know too much, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is some requirements I was thinking of (mainly just looking through catalogs and reading what people are saying online)...

Around 40-42 inch as it will sit in a corner which isn't spacious. For this I'm thinking LCD over Plasma, as the area is near a window and has glare as bad as it gets. Only thing about that is that I've heard LCDs don't have the best viewing angle, which may be a problem?
2 HDMI output
HDTV tuner built in
1080p
5.1 surround
response time of around 15ms
Contrast Ratio of 400:1
Viewing angle of around 150

We're looking for a good quality TV, with all the features, top of the range ect. Something that will last 10 years like our previous one. In the next 12 months I'll have 360 and maybe PS3 so am I right in assuming you'd need 2 HDMI outputs to have them running nicely at the same time? I know very little about this unfortunately.

And are half of the requirements I listed just buzz words, or actually important?

Thanks heaps.
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[Itachi]

I heard if you want the best quality and are prepaired to spend money get a LCD tv. You must get the Sony BRAVIA X Series here is a really good one:

40IN X SERIES FULL HD BRAVIA LCD TV KDL40X2000

Key features

Full HD 1080 Resolution
1080P compatibility via HDMI connection
Integrated HD Digital Tuner
Sony S-PVA Panel
BRAVIA Engine
2nd Generation Wide Colour Gamut CCFL (WCG-CCFL)
Wide Viewing Angle (178 )
HDMI Input
PC Input
Changeable Bezel colours
Floating Glass Design


trust me my friend said they are the best on the market so yeah heheh i hope it helps
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[Frozencry]

Your best bet is the Bravia X series as they have some brilliant picture quality and everything you're looking for. They're just a bit pricey though, ranging from around $3000-$4000. But still, what you get is well worth it as the picture quality is just outstanding.
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[admeister]

[838 La]

+1 for the Bravia X series.

You'll love it.
I'd loved it.
I'd hug it if her dad didn't stare me down every time I go over.
.. let's just say you'll look at the TV alot more then your girl friend.

Yeah, definitely a good TV to boot. The color range on that thing look absolutely fantastic.
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[Se7en]

Sony Bravia, Sharp Aquos or Samsung M8. Biggest bang for your buck = Samsung M8. The Samsung 40" LA40M81BD, although having a RRP of over $4k, can be had for $3k.
Features:
- Built-in HD Tuner
- 3 HDMI Inputs
- Full 1080p Resolution
- 15,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio (proclaimed contrast ratios on LCDs can be deceptive but the Samsung's blacks are true blacks)
- Wide Colour Enhancer (ensures great colour reproduction - the edge LCDs notoriously have over plasma panels)

In short, save the headtrip and start shopping for a Sammy M8 for $3k or less.
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[admeister]

[Klawrence]

I think ill get a 40" something towards the end of this year.

[Se7en]

[admeister]

Damn, looks like I got my facts wrong, I should change that to "we got it for just over 3k".
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"The first person to prove that cow's milk is drinkable was very, very thirsty." - Fact Sphere.

[Frozencry]

LOL Se7en, pure genius there. Gold.
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[Qbert]

Thanks a lot guys, I don't think price will be too much of an issue as Dad likes to get quality stuff that lasts ect. ect. I'll let you know back how it goes.
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[Marka]

Samsung and sony have the best picture quality in my opinion. Samsung also offer good range of feature and high end specs for you money and often a 3 year warranty.

[Qbert]

OK guys change of plans. Dad decided quality was too expensive when i told him what he'd be looking to pay. After getting all research together and showing him a crap load of stuff which I had spent ages on he straight away goes "Oh, btw I want to spend under $3000...didn't I mention that"! Haha, the man who spent $20k on a 4WD that sits in the carport because we don't go camping lol. /end frustration.

Anyway, I'll probably just go into JB or somewhere and talk to the guy unless you can suggest me anything. Like I said I don't have BluRay/HDDHD, 360/PS3 atm so would an LCD without 1080p make really much difference? And am I right that 720p>1080i?

Cheers again!
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[Sin Ogaris]

720p vs 1080i is in the eye of the beholder, I would say that 720p is superior simply because progressive creates a better picture (less artifacts like mosaic and the like) than an interlaced image. Some people however prefer extra res over picture quality and as such will scream 1080i till the cows come home. 99% of HD tvs offer both now anyway, so once you pick up a set you can look at both and decide for yourself.

[Wozza]

To be honest, I think 1080p is overrated. If you can see the differance, you are sitting far too close to the TV unless you have a HUGE set or are using a projector blowing up the picture a heap.

That said if money wasn't an object, and I could get any LCD, I would get the Samsung M81. Yes it's 1080p, which I admit I wouldn't say no to, but the contrast has a lot more to do with why I like the set so much. You look at a black on that set and it's very black, you look on any other LCD and you'll see dark greys or dark blues.

Value for money - Panasonic have fantastic Plasma's for a fraction of a top end LCD's price. Sure I'm talking 720p sets, but with how Plasma's display the picture (less harsh) - it makes even less differance. More importantly there is no delay on a Plasma, the blacks are fantastic and the Panasonic sets will force a refresh on area's that have remained static for a while. The delux set (a few hundy differance) even has a less reflective screen. But to be honest, just get shutters.

Out of the Bravia series, I think a V or the new D series are a much better buy for your money than the X-series. Not saying the X isn't a good TV though.

[sydneyninja]

I just got a Samsung 32" LCD, 1080i - it is bloody brilliant for the bedroom.
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How come I'm always the bear!?

[Klawrence]

Hey guys,

was thinking about getting a 40" Sony Bravia X series LCD TV. I thought there maybe someone on the forum that may have one (40", 46", 52") and could give me a quick impression of what gaming was like on it and how cheap i could get it for, even if you don't have one and know more about it than me(almost a given) then any advice on what i should do with my money would be welcome.

Thanks guys.

EDIT: 3.2 meters distance between wall and view point from couch, the TV will be wall mounted, is 40" big enough?

EDIT 2: I know its been said before but LCD vs PLASMA? in terms for value for money witch is better? (i.e. $4000 plasma or $4000 LCD)

[A13x]

We recently upgraded the living room TV from a 32" Hitachi 1366x768 screen to a 40" Bravia, and really like it. The colour and contrast is really good and the tuner and interface all works well. I haven't tried my 360 on it, but playing PS3 and Wii is pretty well flawless.

The only downfall I have found is that the VGA input is quite low res only supporting 1366x768 or so through VGA for some reason. As for size, we typically sit between 3-5m from the TV and have no problems with it. Bought it for $3600 at Harvey Norman.
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<3

[Lboy]

If you want a excellent quality tv and space isn't a problem, stick with a big CRT such as a sony or panasonic HD version. You get no blown pixels as is plasmas, and no ghosting or pixelation as in LCD's. The HD versions still offer the best quality picture around and they are very reliable. Only problem is they aren't as big. I got an 86cm wide screen which is plenty big enough. If you want a flat screen, wait for the new flat screen CRT's that are on the way.
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60% of the time, it works every time

[Tristan]

I hear Sony are bringing out a new range of LCD's (D3000's and S3000's) in the next couple of months
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www.redkingsdream.com

[Klawrence]

Thanks for your replies guys, interesting info. I dont have to choose until November 16th or around then so i still have some time to make up my mind and convey that to my parents that will ultimatly be paying

[Tristan]

The both have 3 HDMI ports.

They're both out in the UK and the d3000 40" is £ 1,195.00, the s3000 40" is £ 1,045.00. Not sure hoe that will translate to Aussie dollars.

have a look at http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=odw_en_GB&category=TVP+LCD+TV for the full details.

There's plenty of other decent brands out there too. I just know about the Sony as it's the one I've been looking at online and waiting for so that I can see whether it's all it's cracked up to be.

[Capoeira]

So I'm going to buy a HD TV. For the longest time I was after an LCD screen but for some reason I've decided that maybe a plasma screen would give me more bang for my buck.

The only problem is, I'm paranoid about burn-in/image retention.

I just wanted to get some insight from those of you on this forum who own a plasma screen. Do you guys have any problems with image retention? Got any general advice/anecdotes about gaming on a plasma screen that would calm my nerves? I'll be gaming a lot on it, is that going to be a problem?

I'm literally heading out later today to put cash down on a screen so some reassuring advice would come in very handy right about now...

Btw the screen in question is the Samsung PS-50Q91HD
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Say You Want A Revolution

[Karai Pantsu]

Don't Plasma screens have a pretty short lifespan, consume a bucketload of power, and generate a stupid amount of heat? Or have those issues been rectified?

Unless things have changed drastically since I last looked at these things (entirely possible), LCD represents a much better product for a much cheaper price-point than Plasma.

Edit: Although that review makes the TV sound pretty damned nice. Hrmm, maybe I'm suffering from a outdated perspective on Plasma screens?
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