Big tellys on the wall

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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:50 pm

I want a big TV that I can hang on the wall. Our front room is long and narrow, like a corridor, and we get a stiff neck watching the TV at the end of the room, while sat at one side.

My solution is for us both to sit at one side, watching a flat Tv on the wall opposite. Our old fashioned dinosaur TV, as well as being on the way out (see my earlier thread) is way too deep.

i have questions like what is the difference between LCD and plasma? Is there a quality difference? How big is too big / too small?

I'm not bothered about HD, seen it at my brother in law's, I couldn't see the difference or justify the extra cost from Sky.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 55

I think:

LCD is better, as you have to get the plasma ones "recharged" every now and again.

The general conversion rate is, if you've got a normal (chunky big one) TV thats 32", you should be getting a 37" LCD. Not sure why that is, but that's what i was told.

You'll prob get at least one HD socket in the back as standard, but I've not bothered with the HD box with Sky due to the massive cost!

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:58 pm

LCD's tend to be brighter and sharper, black is more dark dark grey

while Plasma's tend to be more earthy and real, and produce true black

The technology for plasma's is cheaper is why you can get plasma's cheaper at larger sizes. they have about equivalent burn in problems.

both will last an insane amount of time without failure or recharge so no real difference there

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:05 pm

This one looks tempting at the price, a 42" Swisstec Plasma, T42/1 HD Ready, �499 inc Vat on special offer. I won't say where in case someone bags it first Smile

Link to a dearer one: CLICKY

It looks like wall brackets cost about �50 though, I dont see any mention of them being supplied. I also have to hide the electric strings from the decoder/DVD/Plug etc.

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:47 pm

Sounds like a plan Roy. Consider the distance and angle between the display and your viewing position. Huge displays at close distances are really strange. With poor resolution sources, its not a pleasurable experience. Real 1080p displays and sources make a difference. Remember HDMI or DVI and fiber optic for your connections. Component or S connectors are bandwidth bottlenecks and really do make a difference unless the screen is really small and the viewer is quite distant. Can't see the difference between analog and digital? Someone cheaped out.
Plasmas give better viewing angles but suck the juice and give off a ton of heat. LCDs are better than they were, but I would not put one on a long wall. It might be OK from a love seat a few feet away but not for a crowd. Check the angle at which the display goes strange.

Its your money. Make yourself happy.

I've been giving people a stick of Unistrut and letting them use my Saws-all to make themselves a mounting bracket.

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:30 pm

Thanks for the comments. talked to a mate with a 42" Plasma, he thinks it may be a bit overwhelming when we're only 6 feet away across the room.

On the other paw, as you say CLG, an LCD may suck if were watching at an angle, say from the kitchen. A bit of browsing in Comet may be in order.

How about this one? 32", LCD, �323 inc VAT.
LINK

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:37 pm

Roycropper wrote:

I'm not bothered about HD, seen it at my brother in law's, I couldn't see the difference or justify the extra cost from Sky.

Are you sure he's got it hooked up right? On my set, the difference is incredible. No extra charge from my provider. I suspect that will be standard someday.

I understand plasma uses a lot of electricity.

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:07 pm

Yes the difference is amazing. I bought into the technology when the sets were "HD Ready". The set was 1080p but running at 480i, which is about the best one can expect from a VHS tape. I thought it was good. After connecting an OTA decoder and DVI connectors, I refuse to watch a VHS tape. Life is too short.

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:53 am

I have to agree, the difference between SD and HD is astounding.

I've had my Samsung 40" LCD for about a year now, and recently decided to buy an HD-DVD player (I know, I know, format war, blah blah, but at �180, it was too good to pass up!). The first HD film I got was The Chronicles of Riddick, and I have to say, its a totally different experience to watching the regular DVD. I got 300 a couple of weeks ago (HD-DVDs are region-free), and its just spectacular - and my TV will only display up to 1080i.

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:04 am

I got my LCD tv (720p) last November and the picture is great. From what I've heard, 720 is better than 1080 when it comes to refresh rates as it would relate to watching sports. Don't know how true it is, but my picture is just fine.

One thing to consider is weight. Plasma weighs a lot more than the same sized LCD, which means a lot when putting it on the wall. Mine is wall mounted, and it was very easy to do. Just make sure the mount is anchored directly into the 2x4 studs behind the wall and no worries. But do yourself a favor and don't buy the mount in a place like Best Buy (if you're in USA) get it online where you can save a ton.

Also, don't waste money on Monster Cables (brand name) HDMI cables. WAAAAAY overpriced means to send zeros and ones. Go to someplace like Monoprice.com and save about 90%.

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:10 pm

I know this is a necro, but I thought it would be better than starting a fresh thread. If I'm wrong, may the mods show mercy on me.

I want to buy a 40" LCD but am stumped at what to buy. I have about �800-�850 to spend. So far, I've been tempted by the Sony KDL40W2000U and the Sony KDL40D3500 although I'll be buggered if I can decide which one is better. I do need a set that plays Digital TV well.
So which one? Or is there something better out there for the same price.

Any ideas?

Trophy Videos · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:02 pm

Roy,
Only 6 feet from screen? A 32" might be big enough for you. I'm about that far away myself in my bedroom, and it's plenty big enough for me. I have a Toshiba Regza, and it's got a really nice picture. The Sharp Aquos is also nice, and the Sony's are nice, too, but hundreds more for the Sony.

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:40 pm

@Slightlyoutofit- I think you confused SlapHappy. He thought Roy just posted up this thread but in actually Roy has sorted this all out last year. But to answer your question Slightlyoutofit, we need to know how far away are you going to sit from the screen? Does the wall that you have scream for a eye candy? Is it a size thing? Look at Consumer Reports and see what they have to say. Its a major purchase and I hope that you enjoy it.

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:18 pm

^^^ I've measured it out and it's a 40" screen that I need. I'm in two minds wether to put it on the wall or on the side - but I probably won't wall mount it.

Elite Baiter Joined: 02 Jul 2006 Posts: 1702

clicky me

For a long room that one blows the competition away, the 1080P is better than the 1080i (if you imagine i = injection and P = GT Turbo) what it actually means is progressive scan as opposed to interlaced scan - the piccy moves faster hence 1080p on a 42" + is a better TV both use the same res, both display the same content, but p is faster thus better no horrid full screen smears lol.

But they aint cheap, ask your local store to see one next to the best samsung they have - you will see a massive difference. (obviously ask them to pump some hd into it lol to see the difference Wink

)

720 vs 1080p (1080p would blow it out of the water twice the definition and nearly four times as fast at refresh lol)

the thing about lcd widescreen heres what ive found from playing with them

1. The angle on lcd is almost 150' these days, theres no concern of it being at an angle.
2. allow 7 inches per foot = 6X7 = 42" (UK does not broadcast HD yet - and digital keeps swapping from letterbox to wide to advert full etc meaning viewable screen is sometimes 3/4 of avail hence 42" at the full 6 foot would be impressive and clear and easy to see - although the one i recommend is 46 inches but have a look its almost twice your budget tho.
3. 1080i on sky sports is actually quite crisp its not shuddery but on 1080p the image seems to simply run smooth and crisp (and yep its noticeable sort of)
4. Look at end of range lcd tv's its important to have at least 2hdmi inputs, RF and at least 2 scart - this makes it backward and forward compatible, many new devices will have this new hdmi such as hd video, xbox, ps3 and a whole range of new blu ray and dvd rw etc
5. One shop might charge 600 one might charge 2000 you do need to shop around - and mention online prices - because its YOUR money - its not like 20 quid its over 800 so tell them if they do a deal or get something expensive thrown in as a sweetner. bargaining is long since the norm now in the uk - shop prices = starting point lol.(just cos it says 2000 dont mean it will sell for 2000)

Not quite a Newb Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 26

When I first got HD content activated I wasn't terribly, impressed. Like "yeah, that looks nice, so what", but then after watching a few minutes, if you switch to the SD channel of the same content, it's night and day. Yuck, can't watch that ever again. This is especially true of sports programming.

Now, I can't stand to watch sports in SD.

Trophy Videos · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:22 pm

You are right. I was confused. It happens to old farts like me. Smile

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:18 am

I got me a 37" Samsung LCD (from Costsco 'cos they bunged in a 3 year guarantee), fixed it up to my stereo and nailed it to the wall using a bracket from eBay.

We have never looked back (too busy watching telly).

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:49 pm

I've got a quicky if you don't mind me jumping onboard ...

My HDTV only has one HDMI slot but I have a DVD player thats HDMI upscalable which at the mo I have to keep fiddling about swapping cables at the back of the TV, is there any sort of HDMI splitter I could use and if so can anyone recommend a decent one ?

muchas graciaaaaaaaaaaas Very Happy