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Thread ID: 98747 2009-04-05 21:03:00 WHICH LCD TELEVISION TO BUY? brig (1359) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
762546 2009-04-05 21:03:00 Mrs brig has been on to me to get a new LCD TV and since it may be the last one well ever be able to afford (global financial meltdown, looming hyperinflation, tory government, falling NZ dollar, etc.), I'd like to get one that has reasonable future proofing.

Anyone in the business know if now is as good as anytime to buy?
Any recommendation for a good 42" model - price is not too important?
Are there digital receivers available in NZ yet?

Thanks

brig
brig (1359)
762547 2009-04-05 21:44:00 Consumer recomend the Samsung LA40A750R1M at the moment. Bit pricey though.


Model
Model Samsung LA40A750R1M
Origin Malaysia
Price ($) 3998
Ratings
Overall score (%) 81
Picture quality (/10) 8.4
Sound quality (/10) 7.3
Ease of use (/10) 7.6
Standby energy (/10) 9.0
Specifications
Screen type LCD
Pixels (horizontal x vertical) 1920x1080
Dimensions H x W x D (cm) 70 x 105 x 28
Annual running costs ($) 69
Accessible connections
AV composite-in side
S Video connection-in side
HDMI-in side
USB port side
SD card slot
Headphone connection side
Features
Swivel stand
Picture in picture
Sub woofer
On timer
Bass and treble control

Good points
Very good picture quality. Easy to use. Good sound quality for a flat-panel TV. Digital (Freeview) tuner fitted. Has picture-in-picture. Has a sub-woofer for improved bass sound. Most connections (S-video, AV composite, USB slot and headphones) accessible from the side.
But
Expensive. Very shiny reflective screen (shows background lighting). Restricted viewing angle - like all LCD sets.

:)
Trev (427)
762548 2009-04-05 21:49:00 V-series Bravia all the way :thumbs:

Or an X-series if you watch a lot of sport (and have a lot of money!
nofam (9009)
762549 2009-04-05 22:14:00 BTW I have a Sony Bravia KLV-40V300A which I have had since Feb, last year. No complaints.
:)
Trev (427)
762550 2009-04-05 22:41:00 Thanks for that
Anyone else got any suggestions?

brig
brig (1359)
762551 2009-04-05 22:49:00 Hey Brig, im in the same boat, and have nearly saved $2000 for a 42 inch plus but i really want larger. (I watch a lot of movies:banana)
My dad just got a LG 50 inch plasma from Farmers for $2000 and it is 1080p and the picture is great, i really want a LCD but the prices are too high for me at that size.
I know plasmas are not meant to be as good as a lcd but well the prices relflect it.

What do the experts/tv gurus think?? I dont want to start a plasma/lcd debate as it has been thrashed but come on 2 grand for a 50inch HD.... that is well priced
Gobe1 (6290)
762552 2009-04-05 22:51:00 Not in LCD's... but if you should ever consider plasma:
Panasonic PV8 is a good entry level 42"
Otherwise (and this is what I want in a 42") is the PY800

I would go somewhere like Noel Leeming, Bond & Bond, HN, and just do a compare between the various types of TV (LCD, plasma)

Obviously the salesman will point you to what he wants to sell you, but visit a few places... ask around
Most bigger screen TV's appear to be moving to plasma
Myth (110)
762553 2009-04-05 23:15:00 Sony all the way. V or X series. Awesome TVs, near enough as makes no difference quality panel as the Samsungs, but the UI is much nicer.

IMHO it would be foolish to buy a Plasma at the moment, depending on what you want to use it for.
wratterus (105)
762554 2009-04-05 23:26:00 IMHO it would be foolish to buy a Plasma at the moment, depending on what you want to use it for.Explain please :) Myth (110)
762555 2009-04-05 23:35:00 Explain please :)

Looking at the Panasonic TH-42PV8 specs - does it support widescreen resolutions through the D-SUB input? I can't tell for sure from the specs.

I set up a Samsung 42" Plasma for a mate recently, it wouldn't take any resolution above 1024*768 through the D-SUB input.

It worked fine with 1080i and 1080p resolutions with a PS3 through one of the component inputs, but through the D-SUB it wouldnt accept a higher resolution.

Either I'm barking up the wrong tree, or maybe the newer TVs are being a bit more sensible with the signals they accept?

If you wanted to plug a laptop or PC into one of the new Panasonic Plasmas through the D-SUB, could you display resolutions up to the highest the TV can handle? Either 1366*768 or 1920*1080?
wratterus (105)
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