complectus Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 Tomorrow I'm going hunting for a new TV. Finally I'll have the cash to get the TV I want... unfortunately I'm still not entirely sure what I want... Until today, the choice was between the Panasonic & the Hitachi, with the Panasonic slightly ahead... they were so close that I was ready to let price be the deciding factor, which probably would have given it to the Panasonic. Today, on my final (I hope) reconnaissance mission, I saw the Samsung LA46F71BX for $3600 "Last One! Must Sell!" at HN & was tempted... From the distance I will be watching, I am clearly able to make out the extra detail in the Hitachi's 1080 line picture compared to the Panasonic. If you've read any of my posts regarding the Hitachi you will remember that I have been unimpressed by that set's image processing, but despite its flaws, it's still in the running because of its extra detail... Now, with the Samsung's full 1080p panel, the detail is even better, but I've spent much less time evaluating this model's picture & it probably has some flaws of its own. As it's the last one, I won't have time to think too long - if I want it, I'll need to do something about it tomorrow... I already have an LG digital twin tuner PVR-whatsit so the Samsung's lack of a digital tuner isn't a deal-breaker, but what would you guys do?
complectus Posted April 18, 2007 Author Posted April 18, 2007 If you're voting for "Something else now", could you please let me know what model? Budget is up to $4000, $4500 at a pinch... Thanks.
sanitarium Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 If you're voting for "Something else now", could you please let me know what model? Budget is up to $4000, $4500 at a pinch...Thanks. mate good to see you're taking the plunge, very exciting stuff!!! even tho i am pretty keen on the Hitachi or the Panna, i voted for "buy something else now" just to throw a spanner in the works. have a look at the Sony SXRD 60", people have been getting prices just under the $4k mark recently. It's true 1080p and pretty HUGE. Bear in mind that they will look pretty average in store, but use Owens settings in his signature and this should net you some better results. i've been looking at these over the last week and they are pretty mint!!
anarchron Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 Check the Pionner 507xda plasma. They have pretty good pq.
complectus Posted April 18, 2007 Author Posted April 18, 2007 mate good to see you're taking the plunge, very exciting stuff!!!even tho i am pretty keen on the Hitachi or the Panna, i voted for "buy something else now" just to throw a spanner in the works. have a look at the Sony SXRD 60", people have been getting prices just under the $4k mark recently. It's true 1080p and pretty HUGE. Bear in mind that they will look pretty average in store, but use Owens settings in his signature and this should net you some better results. i've been looking at these over the last week and they are pretty mint!! I agree that they look spectacular, but when I've looked at them in stores the picture darkens alot as you move to the side or get closer. The room is a long, narrow rectangle with the TV on the long wall & seating opposite, & due to the narrowness, the seating is quite close to the TV. I'm concerned that people at the sides will see a darker picture. So it's sortof off my list, unfortunately...
complectus Posted April 18, 2007 Author Posted April 18, 2007 Check the Pionner 507xda plasma. They have pretty good pq. I kindof ruled the Pioneer out because I can't really see the extra value in their increased price tag compared to the Panasonic & Hitachi - is there anything I might have missed that could change my mind? The included installation & 5yr warranty are not really enough to account for the difference in price, so far as I can tell.
sanitarium Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 I agree that they look spectacular, but when I've looked at them in stores the picture darkens alot as you move to the side or get closer. The room is a long, narrow rectangle with the TV on the long wall & seating opposite, & due to the narrowness, the seating is quite close to the TV. I'm concerned that people at the sides will see a darker picture. So it's sortof off my list, unfortunately... i wouldn't be too concerned about the side viewing, i have an old sony rear pro and one of the seats is at right angles too it and you can see it just fine. my viewing distance ATM is 2.8m the new sxrd's are a heck of a lot brighter than my old telly so i can't see it being a problem. if you're dead against it tho i guess the only real consideration that you have is price IMO. both the Panny and the Hitachi are fantastic panels and they both have advantages over the other, the Panny with its reputation and the Hitachi with its slightly better resolution. i rate these 2 the same so for me it would come down to which one i could get cheaper.
Owen Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 I agree that they look spectacular, but when I've looked at them in stores the picture darkens alot as you move to the side or get closer. The room is a long, narrow rectangle with the TV on the long wall & seating opposite, & due to the narrowness, the seating is quite close to the TV. I'm concerned that people at the sides will see a darker picture. So it's sortof off my list, unfortunately... Away from the bright lighting of a showroom the picture does not suffer anywhere the same level of brightness drop of you experienced. You can sit so far of axis that I can’t imagine anyone wanting to watch from there and the picture is perfectly acceptable. Hell you can see the back of the set at that angle. I have a side seat that is only 1.6 meters away from the edge of my 70” and about 60 degrees of axis and its no problem. Maybe you should not take the SXRD of your list quite so easily.
Heiser202 Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 Well if you get this: Samsung LA46F71BX JB have it in the current catalogue for $3294
lighthammer Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 Well if you get this: Samsung LA46F71BXJB have it in the current catalogue for $3294 Is that from the latest JB Hifi catalog, as last one i saw didnt have anything remotely that cheap~! Ill be sure to check out jb hifi, im sure that price would be negotiable with paying cash and all..
Guest Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 Away from the bright lighting of a showroom the picture does not suffer anywhere the same level of brightness drop of you experienced.You can sit so far of axis that I can’t imagine anyone wanting to watch from there and the picture is perfectly acceptable. Hell you can see the back of the set at that angle. I have a side seat that is only 1.6 meters away from the edge of my 70” and about 60 degrees of axis and its no problem. Maybe you should not take the SXRD of your list quite so easily. Am I missing something here? Owen you're clearly a SRXD fan as you offer them up to every thread that asks about LCD and Plasma. I've seen these sets in Sony Central several times - they have decent incandesant lighting - no flouro and not too bright. but Ive never seen these set look better than a furry old home recorded VHS tape with whatever theyve got going on it. Gotta say also I'm not with you on your screen size recomendations most ppl do not want to be sitting at arms length of a 60-70" or bigger screen. No 'dis intended, I know your settings are well regarded, I just don't see it with the sxrd.
Owen Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 You’re quite right that not everyone wants a big screen, but unless they have lived with one, I don’t know how they could know that. There is also more to the SXRD’s then just shear size, and plenty of discerning people think the SXRD’s are top class, but people need to buy whatever they like, as not everyone likes the same type of image. As long as they have availed them selves of all the options without any preconceptions or bias, it’s all good. If the best image you have seen on a 1080p SXRD looked even remotely like a VHS tape, then you really need to do a lot more looking around mate. Do you really thing I would make a fuss about a display that is as bad as you seem to think it is? At least I put my money where my mouth is.
sanitarium Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 Well if you get this: Samsung LA46F71BXJB have it in the current catalogue for $3294 are you sure that price is right, it seems very cheap!! If it is it would be a pretty good buy, this is not the new Samsung is it?
Guest Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 You’re quite right that not everyone wants a big screen, but unless they have lived with one, I don’t know how they could know that.There is also more to the SXRD’s then just shear size, and plenty of discerning people think the SXRD’s are top class, but people need to buy whatever they like, as not everyone likes the same type of image. As long as they have availed them selves of all the options without any preconceptions or bias, it’s all good. If the best image you have seen on a 1080p SXRD looked even remotely like a VHS tape, then you really need to do a lot more looking around mate. Do you really thing I would make a fuss about a display that is as bad as you seem to think it is? At least I put my money where my mouth is. I believe you when you say they're good, I just havent seen them at their best obviously. But I have seen it looking WORSE with the same feed than any other LCD in the store. Ones options in Melb are limited for viewing these sets, the only store I have ever seen one on display is Sony Central and they don't seem to keen to sell any they way they have it presented.
complectus Posted April 18, 2007 Author Posted April 18, 2007 are you sure that price is right, it seems very cheap!!If it is it would be a pretty good buy, this is not the new Samsung is it? It sounds right-ish for a catalogue price for the 40" version. The one I saw today for $3600 is the just-about-to-be-replaced-in-the-next-week-or-two analogue-tuner-only 46" 1920x1080 LCD. It's their best LCD for at least another week... the new one has a HD tuner, a better contrast ratio & probably a few other improvements. With respect to the SXRD... I just don't know... it's so big... it will be replacing a 76cm widescreen CRT & that's more than 4x the screen area... & there are some other concerns... lamp life & the cost of replacements... focus & geometry... viewing angles... I have to say though, that when I've been in this TV's sweetspot, watching the local 1080i test broadcast, I've not seen a better picture at any price. I might have a closer read of some of the SXRD threads... With respect to the viewing angles, is it actually the vertical viewing angle that is most susceptible to contrast loss? From memory, it was when I was closest to it that it looked worst & i'm pretty tall & the TV was quite low to the ground. But I am considering it... although if I do seriously consider it, I'll probably take about a week to convince myself. I suppose, since I've waited so long already... LOL.
Chairman7 Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 The 1080p Samsung in the JB HiFi catelouge is not the new model. It is the old model and they don't have stock (at least the multiple stores in Brisbane that I have been to).
Shonky* Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 The 1080p Samsung in the JB HiFi catelouge is not the new model. It is the old model and they don't have stock (at least the multiple stores in Brisbane that I have been to). It's also the 40" version - not 46". If you can find one expect to pay <$3k. Clive Anthony had a display model for $2900 on the sticker (i.e. no haggling)... None of the three or four JBs in Brisbane I went to had one either.
KRiSX Posted April 18, 2007 Posted April 18, 2007 yeah its next to impossible to get your hands on the current 1080p samsung... either wait for the new one or look at something else... i was tossing up between a 46" sony x series, 46" samsung 1080p and sony sxrd 60"... i had one of each on order in the whole time i've been looking and have now got a sxrd on the way... should get it today or tomorrow hopefully
sanitarium Posted April 19, 2007 Posted April 19, 2007 With respect to the SXRD... I just don't know... it's so big... it will be replacing a 76cm widescreen CRT & that's more than 4x the screen area... & there are some other concerns... lamp life & the cost of replacements... focus & geometry... viewing angles... I have to say though, that when I've been in this TV's sweetspot, watching the local 1080i test broadcast, I've not seen a better picture at any price. I might have a closer read of some of the SXRD threads... the best thing about the size and the resolution is that you probably won't have to upgrade for a while. people have voiced there concerns about lamp life but Sony rate this for 4000hrs. If you watched 8 hours of tv for 2 years straight then you'd probably be up for a new one, but realistically who uses their TV constantly for 8 hours a day 7 days a week in a home environment? Nobody that i know.....i have a sony rear pro atm and its lasted 5 years without a single hiccup, so the lamp will last at least that long if not more! viewing angles, i read on one of the owners threads that owen has a couch at a 60 degree angle and there is no probs viewing it. as for the setup and focus etc. you'll probably have to do that anyway on whatever screen you buy to get the picture that you're happy with, there are settings posted on the forums to help with that so it will be pretty straight forward to plug those in then fine tune to suit your taste. as you pointed out and i have started to see, for the cost of these there isn't anyting in the same ball park
Owen Posted April 19, 2007 Posted April 19, 2007 as you pointed out and i have started to see, for the cost of these there isn't anyting in the same ball park Actually I would go further and say what can you buy at any price that is comparable in size and quality to the SXRD’s? The only comparable display is the 65” 1080 Panasonic Plasma, and it’s a matter of personal preference which is preferable. I took the 70” SXRD in preference to the Plasma, not on price but on overall quality.
gavincato Posted April 19, 2007 Posted April 19, 2007 mate whats your viewing distance? For a little more than your initial budget you could get the 70", or for your existing budget you could get the 60". Think about it. The screen is darn huge so you won't get the upgrade temptation as readily & it's 1080p. In a home living area (i.e. no crazy bright lights everywhere) the picture is bright, vibrant & spectacular. And did I mention big? I bought a 70" recently and everyone I know told me I was crazy, it was too big etc. - but when they see it in my house and I flick on a high def disc, it blows them (and me again and again) away. awesome boxes. It sounds right-ish for a catalogue price for the 40" version. The one I saw today for $3600 is the just-about-to-be-replaced-in-the-next-week-or-two analogue-tuner-only 46" 1920x1080 LCD. It's their best LCD for at least another week... the new one has a HD tuner, a better contrast ratio & probably a few other improvements.With respect to the SXRD... I just don't know... it's so big... it will be replacing a 76cm widescreen CRT & that's more than 4x the screen area... & there are some other concerns... lamp life & the cost of replacements... focus & geometry... viewing angles... I have to say though, that when I've been in this TV's sweetspot, watching the local 1080i test broadcast, I've not seen a better picture at any price. I might have a closer read of some of the SXRD threads... With respect to the viewing angles, is it actually the vertical viewing angle that is most susceptible to contrast loss? From memory, it was when I was closest to it that it looked worst & i'm pretty tall & the TV was quite low to the ground. But I am considering it... although if I do seriously consider it, I'll probably take about a week to convince myself. I suppose, since I've waited so long already... LOL.
PanaSung Posted April 19, 2007 Posted April 19, 2007 I kindof ruled the Pioneer out because I can't really see the extra value in their increased price tag compared to the Panasonic & Hitachi - is there anything I might have missed that could change my mind? The included installation & 5yr warranty are not really enough to account for the difference in price, so far as I can tell. No....do not buy a Pioneer.....they aren't worth the premium over the excellent Pana 50in. I voted wait for M81 btw....but this is on it's ability with HDTV, not with Foxtel/DVD.
Owen Posted April 19, 2007 Posted April 19, 2007 I voted wait for M81 btw....but this is on it's ability with HDTV, not with Foxtel/DVD. Since according to you LCD’s are not much good with Foxtel, and you have said you watch a lot of Foxtel, so why are you interested in an LCD? I assume it must be for gaming. It appears that just about everyone on this forum except me is into gaming. 90% of my viewing is Foxtel-Austar, and I have not played a game of any kind this century. Maybe that’s why I have little time for LCD’s.
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