1080 Displays (lcd/plasma)

[Bodalenko]

Now that there are a few different brands of 1080 displays out there I was thinking it was about time we got an idea, in one topic, what we are paying for them so as to give potential buyers an idea of what they should be aiming at when negotiating.

Just add what you bought, where you bought, how much you paid and your opinion of the display you bought out of 10.

I guess you could add any good prices you've seen recently. I've had some real good ones just over the last 2 days for the Sharp 46" 1080p.

I bought the 46X in November for $4500 from GG's at DFO Essendon Airport (Melb). Was a pricing error on their behalf. Going price at that time was $5500. Took it back (Clouding) and have ordered a new Sharp 46"for $4950. Special deal cause I was stuffed around. JB across road have ticketed $5699 and were reluctant to move. $5499 for Sony.

Yesterday got a price from 3 retailers. In Melb Nth, for Sharp 46"

HN- >$5600, Clive peters- $5600, CAV- $5600(free delivery). Best price I got was from Retravison in High St, Epping(Melb)-$5000!!!. on Visa.

Sony 46X I'm sure can be had now for $5000. Pioneer 5000EX >$9000. Klapp and Big picture.

As far as rating.

Sony was an 8 for PQ and 4 for QC. Will let you know about Sharp when it arrives. Don't know if any potential buyers know or not but Sharp are not bringing anymore of the current silver models in to the country. As from mid March all will be Piano black gloss. Specs are same apparently. Info direct from Sharp sales.

[Crayons]

Sony was an 8 for PQ and 4 for QC. Will let you know about Sharp when it arrives.

Hey Bodalenko - be interested to hear your opinion of the Sharp. Am also jumping from the cloudy Bravia ship and looking at just going to a 1366x768 panel or maybe the 46 or 42 Sharp 1080s.

Problem for me is twofold...

1. I plugged in my lappy to a Sharp GD7X 46" at the weekend, put a mid grey background on and bingo... there was the banding I've read about at AVS forums. Big Horizontal bands of slightly different colours running through the middle of about 70% of the panel. Dunno if you'd see it often in normal viewing but forum posters at AVS are certinly saying it bothers them.

2. It's just plain ugly. Why the hell design a stand that is open in the centre, so that all your cables will be seen running behind the panel? Just makes no sense. And the little steel rounded corner pieces to cover the seam. And acres of grey plastic. Does my head in. But... not as much as these frigging clouds on the Bravia X it has to be said!

Like I say... I'm beginning to think I might be better saving some cash and going with a 1366x768 panel. For my sins I'm considering the Bravia V 46". As much as it PAINS me to leave my custom with Sony.

lemme know how you go with the Sharp.

[Bodalenko]

Crayons - will do but I'm starting to get nervous. If the Sharp has the issue you described I will be pissed to say the least. Did you bring the banding to the attention of the retailer or Sharp?

I'd read the reports on AV Forum but was hoping it was due to the US and EU versions being assembled in Mexico and Spain and not in Japan as our version is. Obviously the fault is universal. Which brings me to another issue. Sending the Sonys back was relatively easy but dealing with Sharp is apparently a nightmare.

Looks and the stand don't really phase me as it's going on the wall anyway, but that banding will. I'm seriously thinking of ringing my retailer tomorrow (Monday) and saying I'll either take the chance on another 46X or up to the 52X, which apparently doesn't have the cloud issue. I don't want to spend anymore but if I have to I guess I have to.

Buying a frig'n TV should NOT be this difficult.

Stay tuned.

[Crayons]

I'm hearing you B'ko. I can't believe how hard it is to just get a decent 1080 display. i seriously think it's just too early. Which is a bummer because I have to make a decision on what to swap my (2nd) very cloudy Bravia X 40 for.

I plugged in the lappy at the store while the sales guy wandered off to get the remote for the TV to adjust a few things. When he came back I said "stand back here a second." and we stood about 5 foot from the panel and he was surprised and caught off guard for a second. Then he said you wouldnt see it under normal viewing conditions (which is probably true 97% of the time) and then said "well... honestly, I think the Bravia X is just a better buy." Hmmm... been there. Twice.

It wasn't terrible. Just that what should have been a pure 50% grey had stripes of varying colour variations to the grey over most of the panel. Just a bit, sort of messy for want of a better word. And I have to say when fed a proper signal it didn't look as sharp or as bright as the 46" bravia nearby... but then who knows what settings they were all at. I sat and watched a bunch of video on the Sharp for another 10 minutes or so and couldnt spot the banding at all, BTW, so maybe it's not such a big deal.

By most reports it seems the 52X is cloud free and they do look sensational. If you have the money and the space it must be pretty tempting (I have neither!).

[Owen]

If you want a top quality image and 1080 res forget LCD.

The best options IMHO are in no particular order, Pioneer 50” 1080p Plasma, Panasonic 65” 1080p Plasma, 60” and 70” 1080p Sony SXRD.

The plasmas are hampered by relatively poor blacks, still better then LCD though.

Unless you are space constrained, or have a REALLY bright viewing environment, look no further then the SXRD’s.

The LCD’s make the best PC monitors, but for picture quality they are not in the race.

[liveonimpulse]

i dont think you can discount the LCD's totally, excepting blacks other colours appear more vivid and life like on a LCD

[Owen]

Myself and many other people would disagree.

LCD colours are false and cartoon like.

Pasteurization (colour banding or clay face) is common.

Some people my like this look, along with the over bright default setting of many LCD’s (Sony in particular) but that’s a personal preference, it’s not accurate.

You wont find a videophile with an LCD.

[drsmith]

I tried two LCD's as TV's and sent em back.

Black levels woefully inadequate.

[Bodalenko]

I have the 46X still on the wall here and despite the clouding it is still an amazing picture. The blacks look as good as any I've seen on any plasma including the Pio 5000EX.

I have never seen clay face or cartoon like colours. Don't sell the Sony short. The picture, when set up right, is stunning and the display easy to use and navigate around. Once this clouding issue is sorted they will be a very hard act to follow. For me it's a case of hoping the Sharp does.

Just as a by line re the Sharp; The current model here is the LC-46GD7X. In the US I think the same model is the LC-46D62U. It now appears that this model has been replaced by the LC-46D92U, which is an up spec'd version, with 3 HDMI inputs and higher C/ratio. I've contacted Sharp and have been told that the current silver LC-46GD7X is being phased out, yes already, and being replaced with a piano black new model. Sounds to me like the new Piano black version may be the Aus equivalent to the LC-46D92U. Can't confirm it but I'm changing my order to the new one due out mid March. Sharp can't give price but if it was any more expensive than the current LC-46GD7X it would be stupid when they're trying to get a new range up and going.

Just for the info of potential buyers.

[Crayons]

I've contacted Sharp and have been told that the current silver LC-46GD7X is being phased out, yes already, and being replaced with a piano black new model.

So... when you say silver are you referrig to the current one in stores that has the silvery stand, speaker and back but with the black frame surrounding the panel? Pretty ugly thing IMHO.

[Bodalenko]

Yes. The current 'pewter' version is being changed to the piano black version as sold in the US. Have no issue with the pewter but I'm suspicious that the piano black may be the upgraded version which went on sale in the US last week.

As usual trying to get any facts from the manufacturer is near on impossible. Only way I knew this new piano black version was on coming was it appeared on the GG's computer. It was listed but not yet available, and current model was being discontinued. Rang Sharp and confirmed that pewter was being discontinued and all future units would be the piano black. Sales person said specs were the same but I'm suspicious. That's exactly what they'd say to get rid of stock already on hand.

Make of it what you want but it's pretty strange to stop importing a model that's been released here less than 2 weeks. Times all fit in. US version released last week. AU version to be released mid March. 3 weeks later. Sorry 4 weeks later!

[liveonimpulse]

I have the 46X still on the wall here and despite the clouding it is still an amazing picture. The blacks look as good as any I've seen on any plasma including the Pio 5000EX.

I have never seen clay face or cartoon like colours. Don't sell the Sony short. The picture, when set up right, is stunning and the display easy to use and navigate around. Once this clouding issue is sorted they will be a very hard act to follow. For me it's a case of hoping the Sharp does.

Just as a by line re the Sharp; The current model here is the LC-46GD7X. In the US I think the same model is the LC-46D62U. It now appears that this model has been replaced by the LC-46D92U, which is an up spec'd version, with 3 HDMI inputs and higher C/ratio. I've contacted Sharp and have been told that the current silver LC-46GD7X is being phased out, yes already, and being replaced with a piano black new model. Sounds to me like the new Piano black version may be the Aus equivalent to the LC-46D92U. Can't confirm it but I'm changing my order to the new one due out mid March. Sharp can't give price but if it was any more expensive than the current LC-46GD7X it would be stupid when they're trying to get a new range up and going.

Just for the info of potential buyers.

I would have to agree, after caliberating this tv with the setings posted on AVS forums, this TV matches any other tv out there. I have very very little or no clouding whatsoever, and i think it was money well spent.

[hotwrc]

Hi All,

Samsung showed off the following models at CES recently. Does anyone know when they are due to be released?

"The 65 F series will have 1080p resolution with contrast ratio of 12,000:1 and 3 HDMI 1.3 connections. There will be three products in this series LN-T4065F, LN-T4665F and LN-T5265F all will have USB 2.0 ports."

Main Specifications Model # LNT4065F/LNT4665F/LNT5265F

Resolution 1920*1080

Contrast Ratio 12,000:1 (Dynamic Contrast)

Brightness 550cd/m2

Color Gamut 92%

Viewing Angle 178-degrees

Connectivity 3 HDMI1.3, HDMI-CEC, USB 2.0

Also, I've noticed that the current F series have dropped in price fast over the past 2 months so it might be sooner rather than later. I'm looking at buying the current 40" Samsung F series panel, but should I hold off for these future models?

[Ptechnix]

I just purchased the Sony Bravia X 52 inch LCD from Bing Lee at Rhodes on Saturday. The displayed price was $8999. We saw it advertised on Cworld online for $7850. After much haggling we eventually managed to bargain the price down to $7810. We payed $200 extra for the extended 5 year warranty. So that was a pretty damn good deal.

I guess a good way to sus out the best price is find the cheapest price online from places with minimal overheads.

I looked first on www.staticice.com.au

[NapoleonDynamite]

People,

I'm looking to upgrade and get a 46"+ TV and a HD-PVR.

I'm interested in the Sony X-Series 46", but this clouding is a big concern. Now reading this thread the Sharp has some funky issues too. Crazy. Maybe, I just have to hold off until the next generation of HD LCDs appear - I definitely want a HDTV. I've been holding off for a year now (saving up ).

In addition on the HD-PVR front, from my understanding there is no absolute rock-solid HD-PVR out there which is has true 2.0 HD tuners. Nothing like my DVD-R or my ancient VCR in terms of triggering and doing what you tell it to do! (I know a HD-PVR is alot more complex however... ). I'm seriously thinking of a MCE, but that's another saga.

I'll re-access the situation in 3 months and see where we are at with these two great topics. Just thought I'd have a whinge!

Great info guys.

Ray.

[hotwrc]

I'm interested in the Sony X-Series 46", but this clouding is a big concern. Now reading this thread the Sharp has some funky issues too. Crazy. Maybe, I just have to hold off until the next generation of HD LCDs appear - I definitely want a HDTV. I've been holding off for a year now (saving up ).

I think every model/brand that is a true 1080p panel has issues. It appears that they make panels to a price nowadays & quality comes second, at best.

So basically it doesn't matter what you get because they all have issues. So even if you hold off for the next model it doesn't necessary mean it will be better. Specs maybe, but performance????

[BribieG]

Just to bring thread back to its original track, latest Good Guys Catalogue:

Philips 42" plasma inbuilt HD tuner 1080 --- $2899 (maybe clearance? see price of next model below)

as above but 50" and pixel plus 2hd --- $4999

Everything else in catalog 1024 x 768

Oh and of course 42" noname plasma 852x480 $1299, less for cash. Why in 2007 are they still pumping out these abominations? The anti-LCD crowd must be so disappointed that the Plasma industry itself seems dead set on tarnishing the image of Plasma out there in the real (ie not forum-cluey-people-like-us) world.

I work in a big workplace and so often I hear discussions in the tea room about "don't get a plasma because I hear that blah blah blah and my brother blah blah". Plasma is starting to stink out there.