PC Pals Forum
Technical Help & Discussion => AV Lounge => Topic started by: mrapoc on November 09, 2008, 19:52
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Hello again all
;D
As posted on Idnetters:
Im after a nice 1080p flat screen in my room for use with my PS3. I also want a go at freesat and possibly hook it up to sky from the box downstairs.
I could get one of those panasonic offerings with freesat onboard but this does increase in price...perhaps spend less on perhaps what could have a better picture and get a dedicated/standalone freesat box which may also perform better?
The better picture i can get for cheaper the better (sub £1000 at the very least)
cheers!
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A Freesat box would enable recording, Sam, currently to a second recording device, but Freesat boxes with record facilities are about to appear.
Have you decided whether you'd prefer LCD or Plasma?
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You might also want to check out this thread (http://www.pc-pals.com/smf/index.php?topic=26790.0), Sam, as Clive is also in the market for something new. You could compare notes! ;)
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No idea tbh mate ???
It would primarily be for gaming on my ps3...movies off my ps3...and freesat (which i can always purchase at a later date once recording ones come out or w/e)
My room isnt exactly bright..or large
Just dont want to risk burning a nice image into my £500 - £1000 tv lol :o
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LCDs are less prone to screen burn, but you may find, certainly with the cheaper ones, you can notice motion blurring, especially with games.
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Will a £700 lcd tv be considered "cheap" ?
1 thing i wouldnt be able to stand in a tv is
Gradient banding! drives me nuts
Blurring is a bit annoying too
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No, £700 should get you something very nice, if you shop around. You won't go far wrong with a Sony (LCD), or a Panasonic (Plasma). If it's a smallish room, I wouldn't go for anything much bigger than a 32", especially if you're sitting up close to it. That way, you should still get a good picture quality, but I can't comment on gaming on one, as I've never tried it. I do know that a tennis game on one I saw in a shop, looked incredibly realistic, and it took me a while to actually realise it wasn't a real match!
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Id be sat about..........2.5m - 3m away
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That's about where I am from mine, which is a 37 inch plasma. I don't think you'd want much bigger for that viewing distance.
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Which way would you go for Sam's use, Simon, plasma or LCD?
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Iv just done a bit of reading on the matter (shock horror!) and plasma doesnt seem as bad as it was (anti burn in, less ghosting) but it still is succeptible especially with those games with HUDs (heads up display) around the side. Almost like a element of the game in the same position for about 80% of the time. I sir would not like to take this risk. It is also succeptible to such things as ... erm ... when there is a lot of bright light.. i.e explosions... it can almost make the pixels stick like a ghostly mist temporarily..this would be annoying as to remedy it you would need to watch normal tv/do something else/turn it off :laugh:
LCD seems the way to go..in my underexperienced eyes
Sony bravia looks sweet..but is it overpriced like most sonys?
Obviously then i will not have the built in freesat which the panasonic plasmas do have...how much am i looking at for a decent HD box? I may take advantage of sky multiroom but the lack of HD would sadden me :cry:
thanks
much loveness :stupid:
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Which way would you go for Sam's use, Simon, plasma or LCD?
It's difficult to say, Rik, as I don't play games on mine, so I can't really advise as to which is best on that front.
The points Sam made about screen burn and stuck pixels with plasmas is a valid one, but I think today's models are probably pretty immune to such catastrophes. The best thing is to turn down the contrast while playing games. If you're in a fairly dark room, you'll still get good picture quality.
With LCDs, the risks of screen damage are less, but you have to consider the possibility of motion blur, although again, modern panels will probably have more or less overcome this.
Sam, my advice would be to dig around on AVForums, and then go and look at some panels in action in the shops. Ask if they can plug a game in, and see what the quality is like, on both LCD and plasma. Don't forget, under shop lighting, the picture on a plasma may look slightly 'dull', compared to the LCD, but when you get it home, that won't be an issue.
Oh, and if you go for a Bravia, a Freesat box will currently set you back about £150 for the HD version, and about £299 for a recordable one, but I'm sure they will soon come down in price.
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Anyone has experience of the Sony "KDL40W4000" ?
Supposed to be good for gaming, IDK if i saw it myself in the sony centre today but it seems one to look out for.
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I think all of the Sony Bravia range have a good reputation, but do a search for the model number on AVForums. I'll try to find some reviews for you later, when I'm back on the computer.
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Ok thanks mate
I can get it for as little as £750 (hmm still quite a bit)
Is it worth getting these extended warranty? Whats the likelyhood it will die?
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Well, there's a good review here (http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Sony-KDL40W4000/), Sam, and the majority of Amazon (http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=BB8zIEZMcSY_TMZnW0ASR6YznBe7puJAB4Lad-Ajr7uCDENDwMwgAEAEYASgDOAFQ8tewrgVgu76ug9AKyAEBqQKFVe-CHvC0PtkDWXl01C68SnU&ggladgrp=147554498668184387&gglcreat=14466656023750331982&sig=AGiWqtwKHKlkGdNGtV30ZEg2Lpe2x8lLjA&q=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0018PIBL6/300001552-21/%3Fm%3DA3P5ROKL5A1OLE) customers seem to like it. :thumb:
As for the five year warranty, I certainly wouldn't recommend you buy it, but shop around and get it free! John Lewis will price match, and offer the free extended warranty, so if you can find it at a good price, and there's a JL nearby, it's worth the effort. There will also be other dealers who offer the 5 year warranty, including PRC Direct (http://www.prcdirect.co.uk/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=KDL40W4000U) (but you have to purchase in store), and others, if you Google, but I would advise the JL route, if you can.
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Is it worth getting these extended warranty? Whats the likelyhood it will die?
No and slim, Sam. IAC, the Sale of Goods Act covers you for six years.
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Not doubting the 6 year SoG thing, Rik, but I've yet to hear of anyone invoking a claim under it.
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It does work, but you'd get little in years 5/6.
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I may go for the 32" version and save £200 about. 40" may still be a bit too big and probably only used for bragging rights? lol
So without the warranty, secretly, I am actually fully covered in the scenario that it actually does die/go wrong/un acceptable degrading?
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This gets a good rating sony-kdl-32v4000-32-lcd (http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/275818/sony-kdl-32v4000-32-lcd-3-years-gua/showthread.php?t=275818)
Worth reading the thread about it in the link and i'm sure John Lewis is the same price (or price match) with 5 years warranty.
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I may go for the 40v4000 as its 40", 1080p, good enough in the reviews iv seen plus its the same price as the 32" i was looking at (the 32w4000)