Want to buy new TV but Confused!!!!

8LGM

Hi,

I am about to upgrade my Stone Age TV. I don't want to buy a pup so I asked a few people and seemed that a Samsung 52inch LCD TV was a good bet. So off I went to see what was what. Went into Comet and asked a sale guy about a Samsung 52 inch LCD. This is where it went down hill. He first said there wasn’t a 52 but there was a 55 or 47 and did I want LED, LCD or Plasma. When I asked what the difference was he told me what the letters meant for LED and LCD (whoopee... even I knew that), but couldn't tell me what the difference actually was. Then went on to say about refresh rates and resolution plus lots more - all meant sweet FA to me.

Can anyone help me?

For instance:

1. What is the difference between LCD, LED and Plasma? Which is the best for general home use?

2. What obvious difference does a refresh rate of 100mz to 200mz make?

3. I see TVs with contrast ratios ranging from 80,000 to 3,000,000. Again what difference does that make (especially to a 52 inch screen)?

4. What other things are important and what are the effects?

Basically I want to go for a really good TV and don't mind spending the money, but don't want to waste the money (taken a while to save up the hard earned cash).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

8LGM

TEDDYRUKSPIN

Sweet FA.
My question is, why do you need a 52inch tv? Can your room actually fit such a size?

First thing first. Everyone wants a decent tv which can give a brilliant picture and people want the latest technology. Sometimes this is pointless.

Anyway, here is a decent link of the best tv's on offer. Usually pioneer are the best but are way too expensive, next is panasonic. LG has the odd tv which is brilliant and I have to say, samsungs new LED tv is brilliant.

http://whathifi.com/Reviews/TVs-Reviews/TVs-Reviews/Rule-Star-Rating-5-stars!95/

Select the size you want.

1. Nowadays the difference is not much due to technology. Plasma screens are the best for films to be honest, although LCD have caught up. LCD tv are brilliant for gaming. LED are basically thinner and more energy saving. LED are very new and extremely attractive to look out. Looks the part on the wall and definitely the one's to watch.

2. Refresh rate. Supposedly the high the better. But to be honest usually 100Hz is enough. However, some tv's even have 600Hz like panasonic but this does'nt really make the difference.

3. Contrast ratio. The higher the better. This definitely applies. Better picture, better colour and contrast. Darks blacks etc etc etc...

4. Generally the average screen especially in terms of plasma, LCD and LED tv's should be roughly 40 inch or bigger. However, it is pointless having a 60inch tv in a small flat. Take the example of going to the pictures. Sitting in the first sit in the very front makes it difficult to focus of the picture but the premier seats in odeon are usually placed in the prime position.

What other points? I generally follow:

http://whathifi.com/Reviews/TVs-Reviews/TVs-Reviews/Rule-Star-Rating-5-stars!95/

They have recommended excellent tv's:

50inch plus: http://whathifi.com/Review/Pioneer-PDP-LX6090/

46inch to 50 inch: http://whathifi.com/Reviews/TVs-Reviews/TVs-Reviews/Rule-Star-Rating-5-stars!95,Screen-Size-46-50in/

Just a point, sound quality on tv's are usually poor. But just good enough to watch tv.

Final point, I greatly believe it is pointless to spend all that money just to watch normal freeview tv or just standard sky or normal dvd's. I suggest you too look out for the following and see if it is worth it or not.

(1) Freesat. BBCHD and ITVHD. ITVHD is hardly on. Check out BBCHD content by going on bbc.co.uk website.
(2) Bluray. The new standard and much more better quality. Bluray players have eventually hit the £100 and below mark. Films can be purchased from £6 and above or rented cheaply. Definitely worth buying. Players can also upscale DVD films to fit the tv size - to give it a better picture.
(3) SkyHD. Expensive but content to watch. The discovery and geographic channels are great. SkyoneHD is good as well.

hethmar

I also wonder why you want such a HUGE monster in your house!

WaxiesDargle

have a wee look at the Panasonic TX-P42G10B...nice...tiny at 42 inches

TEDDYRUKSPIN

WaxiesDargle wrote: »

have a wee look at the Panasonic TX-P42G10B...nice...tiny at 42 inches

Brilliant tv. If you have the extra money, get the latest model with the wireless DLNA.

macman

It would be helpful to know what platform you are using or intend to use with your new TV-Freeview, Freesat, Sky?
I agree with other posts that, unless you have a very large room, you are going to be too close to a 52in screen. The distance ratio is normally about 3-3.5 I think, so to get an optimum view on that you would need to be sitting 13-15ft away from it.