I'm looking at getting myself a new TV (probably just after Xmas - sales!) and I'm after some recommendations. I really don't have much personal experience with Plasmas and LCDs so any advice is more than welcome. My budget is 600 - 900. I could stretch it to 1k but I'm not thinking I'm going to need to. I'd be looking at using it either in my bedroom (approx 10ft x 12ft) or my living room (approx 12ft x 13ft). In the former it'd be flat against the wall at the widest point, in the latter it'd be in the corner. Based on this, I'm looking at anything from 32" to 40". Either way, it will mainly be used for my Xbox 360 and DVDs, but good SD scaling is also essential. So far, most of my research has been pointing towards Samsung and Panasonic and mostly all the ones I've seen in the flesh all look fantastic. I also don't really know whether or not to go for LCD or Plasma. I can see the benefits and negatives of both but I can't come to a conclusion myself over which would suit me better. Another thing I'm on the fence about is 1080p. Is it really viable at this price point? Generally, any advice would be great. Thanks!
anything over about 40" go for plasma, anything under it'd be better to go the LCD route, but as for an actual recommendation, i'm not your man
lcd for gaming or plasma for dvd, im no expert but from looking at tvs the was the thinking i came up with and bought a 50" samsung plasma
Plasma's are not made smaller than 42" and I don't think you'll find a good plasma for less than $1300. As far as Plasma and LCD go, It's all personal preference now. Plasmas have image retention, no refresh rate, and have the best contrast. LCD's Don't have image retention, are typically brighter, and generally cost less at larger sizes. Brands: LCD - Samsung and Sony. They are by far the 2 best. If you are looking at gaming a lot on it, you may want to look at Sharp. Sharp is well known for response times. Another thing to check out would be the 120hz T.Vs like the XBR4 and 71 series from samsung. Some people don't like how 120hz looks, but it makes a picture arguably the best looking it can be. Wherever you shop, ask if they have a display of it, I think Best Buys and Circuit City does. Plasma - Pioneer is the best plasma tv. There is no one that comes even remotely close to them. Way below them would be samsung and panasonic, and way below them, everyone else. 1080p and 720p- The only thing that currently broadcasts in 1080p is Bluray and HDDVD's. 1080p also adds about $500-$1000 to a TV but hooked up correctly looks amazing. In the end it is all personal preference now, just don't fall pray to the cheap T.V's because they are just that, cheap. Stay away from any brand you haven't heard of and these: Vizio, Dynex, Insignia, Westinghouse, Magnavox, Olevia, Kreisen, Maxent, Toshiba It's a short but popular list of cheap T.V's being sold currently.
Narrow it down to a couple (Samsung are my personal favs, and make the panels for sony) and then look at them in the flesh. find a store that'll play a direct feed (non of the low quality split stuff) through each of the ones you want, and pick the picture you prefer. Personally i find a lot of makes have a very odd image quality, which although isnt a huge problem, would put me off. RwD
Cheers for all the advice... Although I have seen a few 37inch plasmas from the likes of Panasonic. Does anyone have experience with the Samsung M86/M87 range? The 40" 1080p M87 is currently on play.com for 800quid, which seems a bargain considering everywhere I saw it today was for about a grand or more.
I totally forgot about the 37"s but they aren't a big thing in America, they're much more popular in the UK. I'm still not used to a forum with this many users from outside of the USA, . I haven't had any personal experience with these models, but from the reviews I have just quickly read, the m86 model seems like a great buy. 8ms response, 15,000:1 dynamic contrast, and component that accepts 1080p. It doesn't look to be 120hz but at 8ms it shouldn't be a huge issue. The m87 looks to be almost the same TV as the 86 except for a design change or 2. Theres the bottom bar lined with silver and an "anti-glare" screen, whereas the 86 has the reflective screen which will arguably get you a better picture. But overall both look like great TV's.
If you go to trustedreviews.com and look for their best of 2007 awards you should get some ideas. IIRC, the Toshiba Regza range were well recieved.
I still don't get how a brand is good somewhere and terrible somewhere else. It shouldn't be that big of a change going from PAL to NTSC and vice versa. But Toshiba makes a pretty garbage TV here.
Good call on the matt screen. I thought the only difference was that cosmetic silver bar thing. Is that really gonna make enough of a difference to try and find an 86 at the same price? The current deal is so good. I'm not a fan of Toshiba TVs in general. I've had a couple of their products in the past and I've never been particularly impressed. My current antique TV is a Toshiba and I want to throw it into the reservoir at the end of my street... But that's purely by the by.
Panasonic Plasmas are good. We have a 37" HD one and it's a great picture. LCD just doesn't come close on big screens imo. [edit] We got this one btw
Not necessarily. In the end you are going to have ONE in your house and won't be looking at them side by side. Both will give you great pictures, but set up optimally next to eachother, you'll typically get a better picture from the reflective plastic screen. The matte screen adds a smoky look to a picture when compared side by side. Also it depends on your room, if there's a lot of light, especially sunlight, that comes into the room, then the m86 may be a bad choice.
Where did you read that the 87's got the matte screen dude? I can't seem to find any info on that anywhere. Even on AVForums. I think right now this is the set I've got my heart set on so I'm going to annoy John Lewis into showing it me some more today and then order it from Dabs
I didn't specifically read it, but it's in all it's pictures. I'll look around a little more today and see if I can find it 100%
No need dude, I saw both of them in stores today. Quite noticeable with all the lights they have! Both looked equally as good though. Like you say, I doubt you'd know what you're gaining or missing unless you had em side by side. Thanks for all the advice. I'm definitely gonna be ordering one of these sexy things. Cheers!
