Big Screen Tv's

what to buy?

Started by abbs · 18 Jun 2005 · 7 posts survive (1 recovered from printable/lo-fi copies) · Wayback

abbs18 Jun 2005, 1:09pm

HELP!! im in the market to but a new tv, but there are so many different types, i dont know what to buy! i dont want to spend too much tho, up to about $3000.

rear projection or plasma?

plasma's look sweet as they are so slim, but ive been told they have a short lifespan, and the screens can easily get damaged with burn in. i have found both samsung & an LG 42" (106cm) for around $3000

on the other hand, rear projections look good too, but are a lot bulkier, and have a smaller viewing span (if u sit at an ange, the pic doesnt look as good). but their lifespan is greater than that of a plasma...i have found a panasonic 47" for $2300, or an LG 56" for a similar price...

does anyone have any of these tv's? are u happy with them? what advice can u give me?

thanks peeps

Decepticon18 Jun 2005, 1:51pm

I work at david jones and by far the best tv for your cash is the new LG 42" Plasma. The LG is deffinately the best plasma screen in that price range. It also does not produce much heat.

We also recently had 10% off all TV's ... not sure if its still on but if it is that makes it $2700.

Despite all the rumours about Plasmas they have a garenteed lifespan of 15 years. thats viewing it 3 hours a day.

Where are you going to be in 15 years? no doubt with another tv as technology is advancing so quickly. so i wouldnt worry about a short lifespan out of it.

PaulHamon18 Jun 2005, 2:49pm

my prime lounge roomk set would be >>>

Attached Image

75cm widescreen LCD

Would replace DVD read/write unit, Video unit, CD Player, Minidisc Recorder and TV

I'd just leave my amp

and speakers...

At around $8k... I don't think I'll be getting it anytime soon!

/me wanders off to do the maths...

buph18 Jun 2005, 3:32pm

Yeah still a bit to go Paul, at least a coffe table is a start.

Davin18 Jun 2005, 6:49pm

Unless you spend top dollar on rear projection TVs, they look like crap. Buy a cheap one and that viewing angle......*shudder* Depending on the type, many rear projection TV's have a lamp like a projector that needs replacing, so ask about lamp life and replacement cost. 2000 hours is common.

If you're worried about the lifespan of Plasmas, check the rating in hours. Most are exceeding 80 000 hours these days.

One of the problems with purchasing low to medium end TVs, is the fact that many retailers connect 20 TVs to 1 TV tuner though an amplifier, and they all like like crap. It's only the high end models they will go to the trouble of connecting it to it's own digital tuner. The performance of the cheaper TV's will often be better when you get them home

SUPERSHOOTER18 Jun 2005, 7:53pm

QUOTE(PaulHamon @ Jun 18 2005, 02:49 PM)

my prime lounge roomk set would be >>>

Attached Image

75cm widescreen LCD

Would replace DVD read/write unit, Video unit, CD Player, Minidisc Recorder and TV

I'd just leave my amp

and speakers...

At around $8k... I don't think I'll be getting it anytime soon!

/me wanders off to do the maths...

You need the G5 with the better video card to view the 30" LCD monitor at Full res. Otherwise it runs at a lower res similar to the smaller monitors. Not that I'd be complaining if I had a 30" Apple monitor!

asianfunkphenomenar1 Aug 2006, 10:43pm

My dad does hifi and audio/visual advisory services to his friends with key contacts in the audio/visual industry as a kinda hobby.

At the moment it is definitely High Definition LCD's that is worth looking out for if you can be bothered waiting that long. One company to go the LCD only direction is Sony. Plasma and Rear projector televisions create burn-in especially with the watermarks that television and some satellite tv channels like to leave on their programs; and when some videogames are paused for too long, they leave a burnt-in image of the game screen. Not too good for the distant future. But at the moment plasma has the most availability of bigger screens while LCD has a crisper picture I dare say.

Things to look for when buying a big screen TV is contrast ratio, connectivity, referesh rate (if you play console games alot) and a whole lot of other stuff that I've forgotten about. Also barter.

You have to be realistic with your needs as well. If its just for general watching tv and dvds then just go for any but if you want to go for a dedicated home theater system...go for the projector with a screen. Dont do the white wall thing. A projection screen helps with picture clarity and sharpness. Also would help if you had a good surround sound set-up.