Flat Screen TV's

[Shilo 371]

Guys,

 

I could use a little help with picking out a flat screen tv. Back in the states I had a monster Big Screen that I bought ages ago. It was like living with a small elephant in the living room... but I loved my baby. Here in LOS, most of the places I've lived in have had the old box sets.

 

I want to buy a new flat screen. I can pretty much make up my own mind on the screen size vs the cost to see where I would get the best value. But I could use some help with choosing the right make, specs and features. From what I've seen it looks like Samsung (with series 4/5/6) is the most common, followed by LG, and then a spattering of other brands like Sony, Philips ect. The screen sizes seem to be 26 (a little small), 32 ( seems about right for a bedroom), 42-46 which is what I'm leaning towards for the livingroom, and 50+ which would be great but a bit more then I'd like to pay...

 

Prices (with sales) seem to be around 10K=26, 15/20K=32, and 20/25K=42.

 

And there seems to be different choices between LCD, LED and Plasma.

 

I guess what I'm looking for is a little bit of a primer on what makes to consider or avoid, what features or specs to look for, and any suggestions on which retail stores in or around Pattaya to use and or avoid.

 

Thanks in advance

[js007 795]

Back in the states I had a Series 7 Samsung and a few Sonys. At the time, I bought the best I could buy, but as usual they keep jumping up the specs. Now, the latest thing, last time I looked, was LED. Samsung has new LED models. Also, look at the refresh rate.

 

Given the rare at which things seem to be changing, why not go for a cheaper middle of the road model?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Bear in mind that (currently) there aren't any HD transmissions on True satellite so a high-spec model is probably only going to be beneficial for playing HD discs.

 

It's worth keeping an eye on the likes of Craigslist to see if something comes up that fits your needs.

Edited March 23, 2010 by CheshireTom

[Lucky 47]

I would opt for a 42" LCD or LED and stay away from the plasma. I think that plasma flat screens are going the way of the rear projection sets of a few years back, the LCD and LED have a better picture, last longer, and run a lot cooler. I prefer the Samsungs but any of the new ones are great and I know that you will enjoy it.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

I like my Samsung.

[jacko 8,814]

I like my Samsung.

Ditto... and the latest series ones look great. Edited March 23, 2010 by jacko

[bigdelta 46]

Don't buy a 1080p on anything smaller than 37" because the screen is too small to appreciate it.720p is fine for 37" and smaller.

[chris2004 67]

My Samsung 42in LCD only lasted 2 years before it expired. I've always had plasmas and never had a problem. Will never by LCD or samsung again.

[Kev 178]

Before buying bear in mind that new 3D TVs will be coming on the market soon (if not already) and the prices of these other TVs should drop quite a bit.

 

But then again buy something today you nearly always find it somewhere else cheaper the next week or day.

[BigDUSA 71]

I've done a fair amount of research on this subject. For the best picture, check out Panasonic plasma. Plasma sets have the blackest blacks and to my eyes a better color picture. If you like sports? Plasma is the way to go. No motion blur. LCD can have this problem. I've had a Panasonic 37" for two years and so far no problems. I also own a 37" Toshiba LCD and the picture is very close to the Panasonic. When I watch basketball, I can see a bit of motion blur on the screen. Last but not least I own a 65" Mitsubishi rear projection CRT. This TV is six years old but it shows the best picture out of all of them. I use DIRECTV as my video source and all the TV's have been professionally calibrated.

Edited March 24, 2010 by BigDUSA

[Bazle 1,485]

I've done a fair amount of research on this subject. For the best picture, check out Panasonic plasma. Plasma sets have the blackest blacks and to my eyes a better color picture. If you like sports? Plasma is the way to go. No motion blur. LCD can have this problem. I've had a Panasonic 37" for two years and so far no problems. I also own a 37" Toshiba LCD and the picture is very close to the Panasonic. When I watch basketball, I can see a bit of motion blur on the screen. Last but not least I own a 65" Mitsubishi rear projection CRT. This TV is six years old but it shows the best picture out of all of them. I use DIRECTV as my video source and all the TV's have been professionally calibrated.

When I bought mine, I paid all the attention to the picture. I am pleased with the pic on my choice - a Panasonic 32" LCD. However, I'm far less happy with the sound. A mate has a Panasonic 37" Plasma (maybe the same model as BigD) and both the picture and sound are excellent.

[torrenova 644]

Note that in all the shops, they only show you DVDs and will tell you all sorts of porkies as to why they cannot fix up UBC etc.

 

Best head to Numchai and get them to show you some http://www.numchai.com/

 

Some models are better at regular TV than others and regular TV, not HD, is what you are going to be watching except for DVDs (perhaps) and downloaded stuff.

[Ian_Kilmister 0]

The price of a 1080p set here is about 10,000 Baht more than a 720p set. That's 3x the price difference from back home.

They do have 1080p sets starting in the 32" size now, but unless you are sitting close to it, I'd say less than 3 meters, you can't tell the difference.

 

If you really want to compare pictures you'd need to be running a Blu-Ray player, even UBC/Truvision doesn't do 1080p or even 720i for that matter.

 

I've got a 720p Sharp that can do 1080i & it had the best picture in the shop, that was compared side by side with Sony, Samsung, LG

I was gagging for the Samsung that went on sale a week later that had picture in picture, but sufficed with the Sharp

 

1. The Sharp picture is better

2. You've got to jump thru some serious hoops to return any item in Thailand, very much unlike in the West.

[jacko 8,814]

The price of a 1080p set here is about 10,000 Baht more than a 720p set. That's 3x the price difference from back home.

They do have 1080p sets starting in the 32" size now, but unless you are sitting close to it, I'd say less than 3 meters, you can't tell the difference.

 

If you really want to compare pictures you'd need to be running a Blu-Ray player, even UBC/Truvision doesn't do 1080p or even 720i for that matter.

 

I've got a 720p Sharp that can do 1080i & it had the best picture in the shop, that was compared side by side with Sony, Samsung, LG

I was gagging for the Samsung that went on sale a week later that had picture in picture, but sufficed with the Sharp

 

1. The Sharp picture is better

2. You've got to jump thru some serious hoops to return any item in Thailand, very much unlike in the West.

I have sophon cable so most of the time the resolution is irrelevant, but now and again I stick a DVD in, select HDMI and am pleasantly surprised.

[Ian_Kilmister 0]

You've got a upscaling DVD player or a Blu-Ray player ?

 

Right now my cable signal is looking pretty good thru the Sharp. I forgot to mention that it also looked best connected to local cable while the other looked a little snowy or patchy.

I am 90% sure that's due to the Noise filters in it.

The old TV was total shit, a 21" with only about 19" viewable CRT that blipped all the time because of the crappy cable signal.

The Sharp is 1,000 times better at handling that signal from the cable company.

 

I was watching Law & Order this morning from StarHub (Singapore satellite) & you'd think there was a DVD or Blu-Ray disc in, that clear.

 

that HDMI jack is great for watching movies off the laptop too, Spartacus was f'in brilliant the other day in 1080i.

Lucy Lawless's gumdrop nipples in Hi-Def, oh yeah !

[BigDUSA 71]

When I bought mine, I paid all the attention to the picture. I am pleased with the pic on my choice - a Panasonic 32" LCD. However, I'm far less happy with the sound. A mate has a Panasonic 37" Plasma (maybe the same model as BigD) and both the picture and sound are excellent.

 

When I bought my Panasonic, I soon purchased a cheap JVC home theater system. I dumped the speaker system except the sub woofer. I had a pair of B&W that I use for the TV. Sound quality is much improved. Check out a sound bar for good sound.

[js007 795]

When I bought my Panasonic, I soon purchased a cheap JVC home theater system. I dumped the speaker system except the sub woofer. I had a pair of B&W that I use for the TV. Sound quality is much improved. Check out a sound bar for good sound.

 

It's amazing what a good home theater sound system can do to improve the experience. It can get expensive, though.

Receiver, subwoofer, center channel, and the left, right and surround speakers. Throw in a Sony Blu Ray player or Playstation III and you're all set.

Edited March 31, 2010 by js007

[LocalYokul 214]

Sony PS3 will play Blu-Rays & a Sony sound bar sounds like proper surround sound

You could get the whole package at Walmart for XMas at about $1,000, including a 37" 1080p

[Shilo 371]

Well, I think that I'm making some progress.... I've got it narrowed down to a choice between two units.

 

Samsung 40", LCD, 1080p, 120Hz, Series 6, at a price of around 25,000 baht

 

or

 

LG 42", LCD, 1080p, 120Hz, also priced around 25,000 baht.

 

They both seem to be comparable on just about every level, decent reviews, middle of the line so seem to offer decent value, and at least in the central Festival there is a Power Buy, Samsung, and LG stores right next to each other... so easy to scoop out for sales or bargains.

 

I still have a few weeks before I move into my new condo so I'll use the time to save up some money and watch for a bargain.

[LocalYokul 214]

I'd go with the LG, just cause it's bigger & the same price

[js007 795]

Well, I think that I'm making some progress.... I've got it narrowed down to a choice between two units.

 

Samsung 40", LCD, 1080p, 120Hz, Series 6, at a price of around 25,000 baht

 

or

 

LG 42", LCD, 1080p, 120Hz, also priced around 25,000 baht.

 

They both seem to be comparable on just about every level, decent reviews, middle of the line so seem to offer decent value, and at least in the central Festival there is a Power Buy, Samsung, and LG stores right next to each other... so easy to scoop out for sales or bargains.

 

I still have a few weeks before I move into my new condo so I'll use the time to save up some money and watch for a bargain.

 

 

I don't know anything about the LG, but I've had a Samsung Series 7, which is pretty much like the Series 6 except it has certain features for certain Web access, I believe. Anyway, I'd buy one again, or maybe an LED model. By the way, the 25,000 baht price seems to be pretty good. How much would it cost you to bump up the size to 46" or 52"?

[torrenova 644]

As a final check I'd count the HDMI inputs and other connectivity as well as future proofing for PC to TV. With Sophon Cable seemingly in for up to 20mb speeds (just read it, haven't seen it, so don't shoot the messenger), I would think that TV via the internet could be on the cards before you want to replace the TV.

[Fornicator 106]

I have a 46 LED Samsung and I love it!!!!!!!!! I would not buy any other tv IMHO!!!!!!!!!! Uses lot less electric and runs l lot cooler than all the rest :D

[jacko 8,814]

I have a 46 LED Samsung and I love it!!!!!!!!! I would not buy any other tv IMHO!!!!!!!!!! Uses lot less electric and runs l lot cooler than all the rest :D

True, I was surprised by the heat my LCD gave off.

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

I have just bought a 40 inch Samsung LED TV and the picture is stunning in High Definition and great on normal satellite here in the UK.

 

It runs nice and cool too !