27 replies to this topic

[hired goon]

G'day,

My old 50" Sony rear-pro LCD TV is getting a bit long in the tooth so I'm looking for another 50" - 55" telly. Nothing flash, just the best possible display for watching a bit of telly, putting on some movies, and hooking up me computer and various media players. I want full HD but 3D, apps etc are not necessary.

What's the best telly that would fit the bill these days? I'm not really a plasma fanbois but it's been a couple of years so maybe they are getting better (issues with heat and buzzing were my main concerns here).

I've had a sticky beak at the usual stores but in comparison to the U.S. the jobbies here in Oz seem to be about twice the price so I've run out screaming before having a good look at each telly's capabilities.

Budget around $1500 - $2000.

Ta.

--Geoff

[Zammo]

Should be able to get something decent in that price range Geoff. Plasma still has the best tonal gradation, but the better LCD screens have narrowed the gap these days. LCD's are still significantly more energy efficient than plasmas when comparing same size TV's. Sony and Samsung both produce quality LCD's - that said, most of the majors produce decent sets now.

Hard to avoid 3D, as standard on most TVs now. Just make sure you're happy with picture quality in 2D. You pay a premium for "smart TVs", but sounds like you don't need their extra functionality anyway. Just head to any of the box movers and have a look around. They are very happy to drop prices significantly, so 1500-2000 will buy you a lot. Get them to change the settings to normal rather than the usual in-store "Dynamic" when assessing picture quality.

Edited by Zammo, 20 July 2012 - 04:01 PM.

[mr-happy-pants]

G'day Geoff

I am a Plasma fanboy, but I don't think I would use a plasma as a panel for viewing the interweb/PC due to constant image placement eg toolbars navigation panes etc.

A quality LCD would be the go me thinks.

FWiW; I really like my new ST50 50" Pana plasma.

Graham

[Dr X]

I am a Plasma fanboy, but I don't think I would use a plasma as a panel for viewing the interweb/PC due to constant image placement eg toolbars navigation panes etc.

I use my 58 inch Panasonic plasma with my HTPC which I use for at least 95% of my total PC duties.
No problem so far after about 8 months, just make sure ya switch the screen saver on!

Tip: Use 59.94Hz (NTSC) or 60Hz refresh rate for the best quality images for general PC use.

Edited by Dr X, 20 July 2012 - 04:12 PM.

[Jliang70]

Most of the plasma Tv still buzz a little but if your first priority is picture quality then you still can't pass them. The one to consider are Panasonic ST50 50 inch and if your budget stretch a little higher you can consider 60 inch Samsung E8000 or Panasonic ST50 60 inch model.

[joz]

I second the Pana ST50 range. Love them.

[:) al]

saw st50 today, was most natural looking of a whole bunch of TVs including sonys, lg, samsung panasonic etc. couldnt believe how cartoon like faces looked on some of the LEDs !

[unclemack]

If you want LED the WT50 Panasonic is gorgeous (for an LED) as are the better of the LG LEDs.

The ST or VT Panas still rule the roost though and in the case if the ST, for far less money.

Cheers

M

[Orpheus]

We bought ours last year, and chose a Samsung Plasma over the Panasonic equivalent as it just looked better to us, despite all the opinion to the contrary.

The plasmas created a richer, deeper picture than the LCD tvs, to my eyes.

Screen burn has not been an issue, though I am slightly paranoid about it.

[holdencaulfield2007]

I'm hanging out for the new OLED TV's which have just be unveiled overseas by LG and Samsung. Both are 55 inch models and both are around 10k in cost. Obviously this will come down in time. Supposedly this new technology overcomes the drawbacks of LCD (lousy black levels, poor rendition of fast action such as sport) and Plasma (high energy consumption, heat and washed out resolution in daylight). That is why I still have a large widescreen CRT.

[Orpheus]

I'm hanging out for the new OLED TV's which have just be unveiled overseas by LG and Samsung. Both are 55 inch models and both are around 10k in cost. Obviously this will come down in time. Supposedly this new technology overcomes the drawbacks of LCD (lousy black levels, poor rendition of fast action such as sport) and Plasma (high energy consumption, heat and washed out resolution in daylight). That is why I still have a large widescreen CRT.

I swore by our CRT (Sony Trinitron) until we purchased the plasma. I decided the current crop of plasma TVs are better in every respect over the CRTs, with superior colour gradation, black levels, and resolution.

[holdencaulfield2007]

I swore by our CRT (Sony Trinitron) until we purchased the plasma. I decided the current crop of plasma TVs are better in every respect over the CRTs, with superior colour gradation, black levels, and resolution.

Do you watch it in a bright room or with the blinds drawn? Not an issue?

[hired goon]

G'day,

Thanks for the replies. I might scurry down to Dick Smiths tomorrow and check out those Panasonic ST50 plasmas.

--Geoff

[Orpheus]

Do you watch it in a bright room or with the blinds drawn? Not an issue?

It's not a bright room, because it's in a terrace. Even CRTs are better in a room that's not to bright.

[joz]

Everything looks so much better with light control, not just plasmas>

[Jliang70]

We bought ours last year, and chose a Samsung Plasma over the Panasonic equivalent as it just looked better to us, despite all the opinion to the contrary.

The plasmas created a richer, deeper picture than the LCD tvs, to my eyes.

Screen burn has not been an issue, though I am slightly paranoid about it.

Did you buy D8000 or D6900 ? I bought 59D8000 last years and am using it with Lumagen mini 3D. The combo is by far the best visual experience I have with any flat panel including the current plasma favourit like Samsung E8000 and Panasonic VT50.

[Batty]

I paid just under $1000 for an LG 50" plasma with USB input for playing movies off a HDD.

Oh this was 3 weeks ago

Edited by Batty, 20 July 2012 - 09:00 PM.

[Orpheus]

Did you buy D8000 or D6900 ? I bought 59D8000 last years and am using it with Lumagen mini 3D. The combo is by far the best visual experience I have with any flat panel including the current plasma favourit like Samsung E8000 and Panasonic VT50.

D8000

[likwidsh0k]

G'day,

Thanks for the replies. I might scurry down to Dick Smiths tomorrow and check out those Panasonic ST50 plasmas.

--Geoff

I'd have a look at DJs in the city too. Last place I would have thought of before was recommended to me but when I was shopping around 2+ years ago was an asian guy there (sorry cannot remember his name) everyone recommended and he was very helpful. Had a chat about how DJs used to be premium brand but as they stocked lines the same as everyone else were working very hard to be competitive. They offered a great deal and 3 years interest free all year round which I was ineligible for so had to pass, just have to sign up for their card which you can do on the spot for free.

[hired goon]

G'day,

I had a look at the Panasonic ST50 at Dick Smiths today ... looked pretty average the way it was setup (a dvd via component video). Very soft image. I did try the setting adjustments mentioned in an earlier post but still could not get rid of the soft look.

I then saw the same telly at JB's and the image looked much better, very very nice in fact (probably a blu-ray). However JBs wanted $1599 vs $1399 at DS, and would only come down to $1499.

Videopro has the same telly for $1292 but are waiting on stock to arrive in late July. I think I can wait until then to save a couple of hundred bucks.

--Geoff

Edited by hired goon, 21 July 2012 - 06:33 PM.

[likwidsh0k]

Handy thread - Whingepool - Panasonic 2012 Plasma - PRICES ONLY

"Perth Dicksmith P50ST50A $ 1250. Following others advice just got the price. Others shops didn't want to move from $1399 (actual promotion)"

Edit: "dvd via component video" that's funny, was he on work experience.. demoing some 640x480 mpgs he created on his Commodore 64

Edited by likwidsh0k, 21 July 2012 - 06:52 PM.

[Probbo]

... looked pretty average the way it was setup (a dvd via component video). Very soft image. I did try the setting adjustments mentioned in an earlier post but still could not get rid of the soft look.

--Geoff

No matter what you get, investing in a TV setup disk is highly recommended........and a lot quicker than fiddling around yourself..........from experience, the factory settings (Pana, Samsung, Hitachi) are cr#p !

[Jliang70]

You don't need to buy a set up disc. Most of the set up disc only allow you to adjust brightness and contrast. Colour intensity is more of personal choice. You want to adjust brightness or contrast you can simply download a copy of calibration disc from www.curtpalme.com for free. Without a colorimeter and software the best you can do is to play around the setting starting with either standard, movie or cinema settings.

[Probbo]

Wow.....good read Jliang70...........only problem is I would have my TV set up and be an hour into my first movie before I managed to finish reading the article......of course, YMMV

Even my trusty (10 year old) Sound and Vision disk goes way beyond just brightness and contrast

Cheers

Edited by Probbo, 23 July 2012 - 10:56 PM.

[Jliang70]

Wow.....good read Jliang70...........only problem is I would have my TV set up and be an hour into my first movie before I managed to finish reading the article......of course, YMMV

Even my trusty (10 year old) Sound and Vision disk goes way beyond just brightness and contrast

Cheers

That is for you of course, I could easily pull the greyscale adjustment in less than 20 minutes and if I am lazy with my setup I can run a full automatic calibration in less than 20 minutes with few click of button on my computer. I had that sound and vision disc fo rmore than 10 years and trust me it never deliver anywhere near the result of a display calibration even a simple greyscale calibration yields substantially better result than using one of those discs. Let me ask you this question can you use your disc to do a simple greyscale adjustment ? Have you actually see a calibrated TV or projector ? The learning curve may be steep for most people but the visual experience is well worth it.

[hired goon]

G'day,

I got a Pano 50STA 50" today. Got Dick Smiths down to $1250, which is not a bad price considering there's bugger all stock out there at the moment.

It came with one pair of 3D glasses. I did try to scam two pair but they wouldn't budge. The Panasonic 3D specs are $95 each so I'll be looking for something compatible that is cheaper.

Now to try out the calibration stuff mentioned a few posts back ...

--Geoff

[unclemack]

G'day,

I got a Pano 50STA 50" today. Got Dick Smiths down to $1250, which is not a bad price considering there's bugger all stock out there at the moment.

It came with one pair of 3D glasses. I did try to scam two pair but they wouldn't budge. The Panasonic 3D specs are $95 each so I'll be looking for something compatible that is cheaper.

Now to try out the calibration stuff mentioned a few posts back ...

--Geoff

Nice buy mate and a great TV. I'm sure you'll be very happy with it.

Congrats

M

[likwidsh0k]

G'day,

I got a Pano 50STA 50" today. Got Dick Smiths down to $1250

--Geoff

Nice one

And you're welcome