LED tv's - who knows their shit?

[Ben Wha]

Sup yo!

In the process of purchasing a new tv, pretty set on an LED tv. Thing is, I know sweet fak all when it comes to picking the best one.

The question for you guys is;
- what's the best value for money out there.
- my budget is around the 2k mark

I have looked the Bravia ex600(??), which looks pretty awesome, but need to know for certain before committing.

Thanks in advance.

[mitchy]

i just bought a 40" EX500, i'd be sticking with either sony or samsung personally.
i can get you a price for both tomorrow if you like... (i kinda sell them)

[Jazza]

sony r shit, buy Samsung and you'll be a happy camper!

[Ben Wha]

That would be awesome Mitch.

Jazza, only reason I was keen on the Sony is they are giving away a free PS3 with selected Bravias. There was a samsung LCD that grabbed my attention, but didn't take a model number.

[mitchy]

what size are you after?

[Jazza]

they'd sell SO many tvs coz of that, pretty much the best add on ever lol

[180SXTCY]

Just recently bought a new 46" Sony Bravia led tv. Think it's the ex700 series/model. Very happy with it and got a ps3 with it.

[Ben Wha]

what size are you after?

40" should suffice.

[MMM]

id either go sony led or panasonic plasma

[YOUR MATE]

Fuck the free PS3 off, Samsung with a free $800 blu ray home theatre! So happy with my new Samsung 46" LCD, $1800 with home theatre, can't go wrong.

[RGVFAST]

The sound quality from those home theaters in a box are pretty substandard.

[YOUR MATE]

Sell for more than it costs to buy PS3 and come out infront though.

[Lmx]

so apparently if < 42" go lcd and > 42 plasma is greater?

[RGVFAST]

Its purely personal preference as to which is better. Buy what ever looks best to you.


Dont forget you cant lay a plasma flat. If you're buying a big screen, home delivery might be needed unless you have a ute or a van.

[MMM]

i find plasma's are better for watching sport on

[180SXTCY]

A mate of mine just bought a 58" samsung plasma with all the 3d shut etc. The picture quality is mint too and we were trying to tell the difference between that abd his 46 inch samsung LCD. Was impossible.

[Ben Wha]

Any ideas on lifespans between led and lcd's?

[Joe]

Lifespan = More than the time most people will keep the TV.

[Brett_J]

I heard a rumour Samsung made Sony's panels anyway?

[BASSULA]

I got a 46" samsung LED TV

is the series 8 prior to the 3D models being released.. and tbh its awesome.. would def buy another samsung again if I needed to.

[mr_rotary]

I heard a rumour Samsung made Sony's panels anyway?
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200607/06-0714E/index.html

http://www.cnet.com.au/behind-the-scenes-at-samsung-s-tv-factory-part-ii-339297449.htm

So this comment is rather amusing..

sony r shit, buy Samsung and you'll be a happy camper!

[RMX]

Just to throw it out there, Sony and Samsung do use the same panels but they are far from the same TV.


Think Commodore and Corvette, Same motor but the rest is not same same.


I've got a Samsung LA55A950 (55" Backlit LED LCD), Looked at the Sony Z and the XBR and neither looked as good. Both models are known for the DTV tuner to fail and Sony don't/wont just replace the tuner, They don't sell it separately as a service part. You buy a a new main board.

Sony are really relying on the name + free gaystation to move panels now days, Their build quality has gone down the toilet.

[RICEY]

Any ideas on lifespans between led and lcd's?

afaik LED TVs are still an LCD tv, just backlit in a different way.

[Azrian]

What you want is the OLED TV. They will/are the true LED TV's.

[mr_rotary]

afaik LED TVs are still an LCD tv, just backlit in a different way.
If you have a look at my second link above, it actually shows you what the LED looks like.

As for Sony quality, I bought my XBR a few years ago and have been nothing short of impressed with it and you can't go past Made in Japan quality either. My brother in law was so impressed with the display he also bought one himself. Both have been faultless. Personally I've been rather dissapointed with Samsung TV displays in that you need to stand a fair distance away so they don't look so pixellated. Mind you this is displays I have seen in people's homes and not what they have to offer in stores.

My PC LCD is a Samsung and at that time was the best of offer have not been dissapointed with it.

Forget about brand names and if you like what you see, buy it.

[shifted]

Samsung makes the panels that Sony uses. Sony rides on their name rather than a quality product and use the PS3 to increase their sales.

If you want Plasma - go Panasonic.
If you want LCD - go Toshiba or Samsung
If you want LED - go Samsung

And buy your PS3 with one of the crazy deals going around or second hand with a shitload of games (as long as it comes with original receipts for warranty purposes).

If you want to watch sports more than anything - go Plasma - however the increase in quality of picture is minimal compared to LCD now anyway. So really, makes no difference.

I bought a Panasonic Plasma myself, and I play PS3 on it, watch movies, a bit of sport, normal TV etc. and it is perfect.

Plasma's prefer a darker room, LCDs work better in lighter rooms.

Distance sitting from a TV is roughly as follows:

>2m away from a TV - >37" to 37"
2.5m away from TV - 40" or 42"
3 -> 3.5m away from TV - 46" or 47"
4 -> 4.5m away from TV - 50" or 52"
5 -> 5.5m away from TV - 55" to 60"

etc.

Using a wall mount, you can usually go up a size comfortably.

If I were you, I would get a better price on a Panasonic Plasma or Samsung LED and buy the PS3 separately. It will probably come out cheaper for you anyway and you will have better gear.

I dislike how Philips pulled out of Australia. Their European built TVs were the best around the last couple years.

Anyway, I stopped selling TVs almost 2 years ago, and having worked at Harvey Norman - Sony are not cheap and can be hard to discount. Samsung in the larger sizes have a special "rebate" so their cost price can be a little higher but you can still get a kick-ass deal. Providing nothing has changed since I worked there.

Sorry for the long post - just thought it might help ya. :)

[mitchy]

who the hell sits 2 metres away from a 40" LCD?

[Ben Wha]

Ok, so if I were to go a Samsung, which would be the best option in my price range, there is a few at JB for under 2k. I'm looking at the 40".

[Joe]

I always LOL when people say they bought a TV because it looked a shitload better than another one when they went and saw it at Harvey Norman or Good Guys. I hear this alot with Samsung vs Sony... TV’s are setup as default to look good in a big showroom next to 100 other TV’s, and obviously Samsung have a much nicer default setup than the Sony.

When you get the fucker home, they never look quite as good.. you need to calibrate them properly with a proper calibration DVD, or have a professional do it.

I bought a 46” Bravia full HD 2 years ago, its still going strong. It looks absolutely brilliant on Digital HD Free to Air, DVD and Blu-Ray.. because I calibrated it with a calibration DVD.

P.S. I got a significant discount on mine when I bought it, and I got the PS3 which I was going to buy anyway.. so win win for me.

One thing that Samsung definitely has over Sony is its TV guide.. the Sony one sucks a little, but apart from that, I’m extremely happy with it.

[Riggs]

Bought a 200Hz 55 inch Bravia a few weeks ago and cant fault the picture, Compared it to the rest of the same size (LCD, LED and plasma) Imo picture was the sharpest of the lot.

Couldnt be happier with it.

[shifted]

who the hell sits 2 metres away from a 40" LCD?

Fixed, my bad.


I always LOL when people say they bought a TV because it looked a shitload better than another one when they went and saw it at Harvey Norman or Good Guys.

LOL they are set-up mainly to run Blu-Ray, rarely does actual TV run. Ask specifically to see the TV running free2air. But half the shop set-ups are shit anyway.

Edit: From my memory anyway, things probably have changed since.

[shifted]

Ok, so if I were to go a Samsung, which would be the best option in my price range, there is a few at JB for under 2k. I'm looking at the 40".

Not sure man, depends what models are out there and the features you want. Best bet would be to compare in a couple different shops what to go for - otherwise, mitchy said earlier he can get you a price on a Samsung - he could recommend something?

[mitchy]

i can't reccomend shit, hah.
i don't deal with retail sales, i just have access to them.

[cplagz]

Samsung 100hz LED. Don't bother with any panels that are slower then 100hz, they look shit.

So now... who has hookups for them? Looking to buy one shortly :)

[j3rk]

Imo theres not much difference between LCD and LED except the width and wank factor...
Raise your budget by $500 ben and get the 55" sony... free ps3 still.
(Offer ends on the 12th)
>>Linky<< (http://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-lcd-led-plasma/sony/55-inch-full-hd-lcd-100hz-tv-sku-52079/) This is what I was/am looking at getting shortly. Just as a random exercise with minimum bargining JB can sort out a 5 year warrenty, wall bracket and this TV for 2.5k total. So, I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't get a better deal if you knew someone / went between harvey and JB.

55"+ is baller.

[mitchy]

Samsung 100hz LED. Don't bother with any panels that are slower then 100hz, they look shit.

So now... who has hookups for them? Looking to buy one shortly :)

;)

did you not notice what my work email address was the other day? :p

[RGVFAST]

I bought the tv j3rk is referring to the other week and couldnt be happier with it.

Big screen at a good price with free ps3.

I would recommend getting the extended warrenty, my last bravia died 20 days out of manufacturers warrenty period.

[cplagz]

;)

did you not notice what my work email address was the other day? :p

Samsung UA40C6900 and slim wall mount. Do it. Email me back.

[RGVFAST]

Dont buy wall mounts from jb.

www.selbyacoustics.com.au
These guys do any mount you care to think of at reasonable dollars

[Brockas]

I bought a 46” Bravia full HD 2 years ago, its still going strong. It looks absolutely brilliant on Digital HD Free to Air, DVD and Blu-Ray.. because I calibrated it with a calibration DVD.

P.S. I got a significant discount on mine when I bought it, and I got the PS3 which I was going to buy anyway.. so win win for me.
+1

Bought the same tv as Joe with the free ps3 and couldn't be happier.

Don't listen to Jazza, he doesn't know fucall about tv's as seen by his comment haha

[mitchy]

I always LOL when people say they bought a TV because it looked a shitload better than another one when they went and saw it at Harvey Norman or Good Guys. I hear this alot with Samsung vs Sony... TV’s are setup as default to look good in a big showroom next to 100 other TV’s, and obviously Samsung have a much nicer default setup than the Sony.

When you get the fucker home, they never look quite as good.. you need to calibrate them properly with a proper calibration DVD, or have a professional do it.

I bought a 46” Bravia full HD 2 years ago, its still going strong. It looks absolutely brilliant on Digital HD Free to Air, DVD and Blu-Ray.. because I calibrated it with a calibration DVD.

P.S. I got a significant discount on mine when I bought it, and I got the PS3 which I was going to buy anyway.. so win win for me.

One thing that Samsung definitely has over Sony is its TV guide.. the Sony one sucks a little, but apart from that, I’m extremely happy with it.

where did you get the calibration disc from? i want mine looking shmick when my blu-ray player turns up.

i dont know if they have changed the guide, but on my bravia its pretty good!

[RGVFAST]

The Samsung guide is woeful. I have a 40 inch ful HD panel that takes ages to display the show, and scrolling through is a chore.

By contrast the Sony i have loads instant channels/shows and there is no lag in selecting anything.

[///M]

+1 for bravia TV's

[_S9_]

I just bought a cheap 50" Full HD (LG) Plasma to tied me over for the next 1.5 years or so.

By then the 55-60" 3d LED tv's will be cheaper in price and I'll pick one of them up :)

[RGVFAST]

Joe do you still have the calibration disc you used to adjust your set?

[yeahlow34]

Mitchy, get me a good deal on 42 or 46" Sony or Samsung LCD. Not LED.

PM will suffice.

pingpingpingping.

[mitchy]

you pingpingpingpings owe me bulk reach arounds.

[Joe]

Joe do you still have the calibration disc you used to adjust your set?

Fo shizzle!

PM me if you'd like to grab it.. I'll be able to lend you a back-up of my legitimately purchased copy of a calibration CD ;)

[Joe]

i dont know if they have changed the guide, but on my bravia its pretty good!

Mine doesn't even have a guide.. has that stupid iPlate thing when you press Info, and even then it just displays "No Information Available" 80% of the time.

[yeahlow34]

you pingpingpingpings owe me bulk reach arounds.

Yet to recieve PM.

Do not keep me waiting.

[Joe]

OK as for my Bravia not having the guide, apparently Aussie Bravia's started getting the full TV guide in 2009

My 2008 spec TV only has i-Plate.. Sony in all their wisdom apparently disabled full TV guide for pre-09 Bravia’s sold in Australia.

You can update the firmware to enable it, but f*cked if I want to do that and risk bricking it!

[mitchy]

Mine doesn't even have a guide.. has that stupid iPlate thing when you press Info, and even then it just displays "No Information Available" 80% of the time.

ahh... mine has a full foxtel spec guide, can set it to change channels for certain programs, etc.. win!


Yet to recieve PM.

Do not keep me waiting.

look, it takes me longer to look up a tv price than you last in the sack, ok?

[bhappy]

what is the name of the calibration dvd?

[Joe]

Can't remember.. but its downloadable ;)

[RGVFAST]

Some dvds/ blu-ray movies come with calibration menus as a part of the normal movie disc. Might be worth checking the dvd's you already own

Im unsure of the brands of any standalone discs

[RELEASE]

Can't remember.. but its downloadable ;)that wink doesnt contain link to said download LOL!

i like my samsung but just not 100% right...i am either tooo picky or i need to calibrate it or something.

[bhappy]

is it called digital video essentials?

[RGVFAST]

Make sure the calibration disc is for Pal and not NTSC

[Brett_J]

A friends parents have the Samsung LED pre 3D version, shit freaked me out watching it, especially watching 2 and a half men, shit looked 3d, took me ages to get used to it.
If I update TV's it will be to one of these, hands down bullshit amazing quality.

TV guide is fucking retarded though, wait 5 mins for it to update, old school teletext would be quicker.

[colt75]

anyone reccomend forking out and getting the 3D tv's?

also planning on getting a new tv soonish.

46" 100hz LED LCD of some sort give or take

[180SXTCY]

I was messing around with the 3d feature on mates samsung.. We were watching avatar blu ray in 3d was pretty good. The 3d gives the picture a "depth"

Only thing that piss me off was having to wear the glasses and after a while instarted getting abit of a headache

[Jazza]

You can listen to whatever you want but go stand infront of a Samsung and a compareable Sony lcd or led, playing the SAME thing through the SAME units with the SAME cables firstly in a bright area then a dark one and the choice will be obvious to you :) Still if it's not a bright room.. the refresh rates and colours in a plasma make them a better choice.

FKN LOL @ the Samsung/Sony tv's being exactly the same.. spanner.

[Sciflyer]

Samsung makes the panels that Sony uses. Sony rides on their name rather than a quality product and use the PS3 to increase their sales.

If you want Plasma - go Panasonic.
If you want LCD - go Toshiba or Samsung
If you want LED - go Samsung



You realise there is currently no such thing as a true LED screen as far as we're concerned here...Samsung "LED" TVs are just LCD screens with LED edge lighting, the same as other manufacturers like Sony and Sharp. In fact the higher-end models from Sharp which use back-lit LEDs are more "LED" TVs than the Samsungs :)

The is some question over edge-lit screens being as good a quality as back-lit ones - The back-lit CCFL Sony models for example often get better reviews for picture quality than the new edge-lit ones, whether by LED or CCFL

Dont get sucked in to marketing hype, there a reason Samsung got busted for false advertising for this.

One other thing - i would check what warranty you get - flatscreen TVs can and do fail no matter what tech is in them, with most brands you only get 1 year manufacturers warranty, if you want extra you have to pay for it and its through a 3rd party company

There are only a couple of manufacturers actually supporting their product with decent warranty periods, and theyre not Sony or Samsung...

[V8ENZ]

recently got a 55" TCL (china) lcd
big, cheap and bluerays and hd channels look fucking sweet on it.
occasionaly get the jerky effect on sd channels but no biggy

[RMX]

You realise there is currently no such thing as a true LED screen as far as we're concerned here...Samsung "LED" TVs are just LCD screens with LED edge lighting, the same as other manufacturers like Sony and Sharp. In fact the higher-end models from Sharp which use back-lit LEDs are more "LED" TVs than the Samsungs :)

The is some question over edge-lit screens being as good a quality as back-lit ones - The back-lit CCFL Sony models for example often get better reviews for picture quality than the new edge-lit ones, whether by LED or CCFL

Dont get sucked in to marketing hype, there a reason Samsung got busted for false advertising for this.

.......

There are only a couple of manufacturers actually supporting their product with decent warranty periods, and theyre not Sony or Samsung...


My Samsung LED LCD is back lit (LA55A950 Series 9 55" *click* (http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/tv-audio-video/television/archive/LA55A950D1FXXY/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&returnurl=)) and came with a 3 year factory warranty.

Looks a shitload better than the gay 'Slim' edge-lit models.
Samsung dropped the back-lit models to be competitive on price, Hence a new 55" Edge-lit (non 3D) is less than half the RRP of the Back-lit. ($7999 vs $2899).

Knowing I could have two 55" LCD's now for the price I paid 1.5 years ago burns a little.. But they don't look as good.

Samsung have only dropped the warranty down to 1 year after Sony did it last year.

[mitchy]

the UA55C8000 is back lit, and retails for $5499.

[TJ]

What can you sneak out the back door in the 500 dollar range mitchy?

[Jazza]

There are only a couple of manufacturers actually supporting their product with decent warranty periods, and theyre not Sony or Samsung...

Pioneer! Mine came with 5 years! Wait.. they dont make tv's anymore.. :( hahahaha

[TJ]

For a more serious answer than above..... I truly am amazed by the amount of tv experts on Antilag.

[MMM]

Pioneer! Mine came with 5 years! Wait.. they dont make tv's anymore.. :( hahahaha

best tv's ever made!

[doriae86]

got a pana 54" NEO plasma, does ok for the one hour a month that i watch it...its awesome at collecting dust though..

[shifted]

recently got a 55" TCL (china) lcd
big, cheap and bluerays and hd channels look fucking sweet on it.
occasionaly get the jerky effect on sd channels but no biggy

TCL make the panels for a couple TV brands from my understanding, and are apparently a very decent TV. And can get it for a decent price off of the net?


You realise there is currently no such thing as a true LED screen as far as we're concerned here...Samsung "LED" TVs are just LCD screens with LED edge lighting, the same as other manufacturers like Sony and Sharp. In fact the higher-end models from Sharp which use back-lit LEDs are more "LED" TVs than the Samsungs :)

The is some question over edge-lit screens being as good a quality as back-lit ones - The back-lit CCFL Sony models for example often get better reviews for picture quality than the new edge-lit ones, whether by LED or CCFL

Dont get sucked in to marketing hype, there a reason Samsung got busted for false advertising for this.

One other thing - i would check what warranty you get - flatscreen TVs can and do fail no matter what tech is in them, with most brands you only get 1 year manufacturers warranty, if you want extra you have to pay for it and its through a 3rd party company

There are only a couple of manufacturers actually supporting their product with decent warranty periods, and theyre not Sony or Samsung...

Cheers, I don't know much about LEDs myself - as I haven't looked into it.

Samsung and Sony have the same panels from my understanding (Samsung panels) but different running gear. Also, I don't know if Sony are still saying they are made in Japan - but unless it has changed - they were "compiled" in Japan - or something there-of anyway.

There are some manufacturer's that do stick by their product and offer more warranty - just depends what you are buying.

Also, Samsung is no different to Sony and bunch of other companies that falsely advertise. The 200Hz bullshit, the contrast ratio which is another load of crap etc. Either way, people should do some of their own research.

If you want the best TV, buy a Pioneer. Can't be beat. If you can find one, and are willing to pay the price.

For extended warranty - here is a tip, knock the price off of it a bit. There is ALWAYS room to budge in warranty prices. ;)

PS. If you ever have problems with your TV and it is fucking up like no tomorrow, and the warranty is still under the manufacturer and people are dicking you around, or its been fixed a couple times etc. go back to the shop, and DEMAND to speak to the State Manager of the manufacturer. Previously we have had issues with one manufacturer of TVs and customers were being dicked by the warranty stuff. A quick call to the rep and they had their TV replaced with a brand newy at no charge to them. No mucking around, all sorted.

[mitchy]

PS. If you ever have problems with your TV and it is fucking up like no tomorrow, and the warranty is still under the manufacturer and people are dicking you around, or its been fixed a couple times etc. go back to the shop, and DEMAND to speak to the State Manager of the manufacturer. Previously we have had issues with one manufacturer of TVs and customers were being dicked by the warranty stuff. A quick call to the rep and they had their TV replaced with a brand newy at no charge to them. No mucking around, all sorted.

negatory, do NOT do that.

you can REQUEST their number if you believe you have been unfairly dealt with, but don't go demanding anything.

consumers take retailers for a ride as it is, being in a position where i have to deal with some warranty claims myself, if people start having a go at me cause their product shit itself, i'm less inclinded to do all i can to get them a new/repaired product.

1) i didn't break it, 2) it's not my product, and 3) i'm trying to help a nigga out, abusing me will get you nothing.

[Fryman]

definately two different sides of the fence there!! use common sense in your approach, the abusive approach should be a last measure

[Ben Wha]

Ended up getting Samsung 40" LCD and a brand new Xbox with 3 games and a controller at an awesome price!

Mad props to 'Ragh' for looking after me, top bloke.

[cplagz]

AVIA is a good calibration DVD. But realistically with the quality of TVs these days, I'd be looking for a blu-ray media calibration disc or if you want to fork out buy a calibration "eye" like you get for studio monitors (Spyder .etc)

There's an epically long and detailed thread on AVForums if you want to do some hardcore technogeek reading :)