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New Gaming HDTV advice DESIDES GET IN HERE

Discussion in 'Gaming Forum' started by Phin-o-rama, Feb 17, 2009.

  1. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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    Does Desides still post here? :lol: (I think I came across some of his internet battling over at avsforum.com)


    I am looking at replacing my 37" westinghouse 1080p lcd due to a very fortunate discovery that I have made regarding Sams clubs epic return policy.

    Therefore I will have about $1050 to spend on a new lcd, and I am thinking the sweet spot will be 40" and have always wanted a samsung


    I was looking at the LN40a630, a650....Frys has them shipped for $1099 and 1199 respectively...

    But then my attention was drawn to the LN40A550 (I think this is what Desides has) and it can be had from Amazon for like $849 w/ free shipping, which would leave me some $$ for a sweet entertainment stand thingy...


    Desides spill the beans on the 550 and will i love it for hd football, ps3 over hdmi, 360 over vga, wii over component...AND is it smart to NOT splurge to get the 120hz 630/650


    also do you find yourself using the USB slot ? and can u play vids off of a thumbdrive through that?


    :knucks:
     
  2. TheMageGandalf

    TheMageGandalf Senior Member

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    I am not Desides but I'll give it a quick go.

    I have been checking out the 52" models, though I am sure they are all the pretty much the same except for screen size.

    People tend to compare the 650 to the 850 and forget about the 750.

    The 550? I wouldn't bother with it to be honest at this point. The 650 is not as cheap but you are getting the upgrades since its the next gen of the TV.

    The three 650,750 and 850 all have the same screen. Yeah people say the 850 is more advanced than the 650 and 750 but when I saw it in-store side by side, it all looked the same to me and I was really trying to vouch for the 850 but just couldn't see any difference. Some people say it has a slightly upgraded screen for viewing certain colors at certain angles, I cant verify that though as I didnt see ANY difference. Also read that it may be due to the slimmer design. I dont know because again, I saw no difference.

    Now, the 750 has a subwoofer (that neither the 650 nor the 850 have) so its got the best sound hands down of the 3 sets. Yeah, you can say it doesnt matter since I am hooking it all up to a decent receiver, but in the end, if you want the best sound from just the TV the 750 is the best. I have also read that it has an improved processor over the 650 which may or may not really make a difference.

    The only knock I have read up on the 750 is the fact that the early models came with a defect from the bezel that would reflect the images on the screen when you would sit at a certain angle. But supposedly Samsung fixed that in later models so it shouldnt be an issue unless you buy it from someplace where the TVs have been siting there in the warehouse for months. In any case, Samsung supposedly will fix it for you.

    But its all relative as even the most advanced 850 has supposedly a 'clouding' problem due to a driver issue.

    I'd go with the 650, at least, unless you just want something really cheap just because its cheap and get the 550. If anything I'd wait another month or 2 since the new models are comming out and the prices may (will) go lower on the 650,750, and even 850 models.

    So to sum it up:

    550 - older model, cheapest (I wouldn't do it, but its up to you)
    650 - cheapest and best value for $$$
    750 - slightly more expensive but has the best sound of all three (better processor than 650?)
    850 - supposedly better picture than previous 2 (although I didnt see it and hence would rather get one of the other 2), most expensive, Slimmer than other 2
     
  3. vmarcilfan75

    vmarcilfan75 blah...blah...blah... Club Member

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    City Of Angels
  4. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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  5. TheMageGandalf

    TheMageGandalf Senior Member

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    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...

    I would not get plasma due to the burn-in man and thats real.

    Panasonic is the only one that really fights that well and Sammy doesnt even cover that in the warranty last time I checked so youd be screwed.
     
  6. vmarcilfan75

    vmarcilfan75 blah...blah...blah... Club Member

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    burn-in??
    you plan on keeping your PS3 on for 2 days straight??? lol
     
    GridIronKing34 and Stitches like this.
  7. vmarcilfan75

    vmarcilfan75 blah...blah...blah... Club Member

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    ok

    from what i read from HT "geeks" go with 720 if its less than 50" if you want to save money.
     
  8. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    I know.

    Burn in should not be an issue on any plasma that has been released over the past 2 years (maybe longer).

    And I would have no problem with 720p under 40" not 50".
     
  9. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

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    I really should start charging for my consultation services. :shifty:

    I have an LN32A550, so basically the same thing you're looking at, but smaller. The A550 series in general is excellent, especially for the price. Make sure you get a set with a Samsung panel, however. (Look on the back of the TV at the information sticker and look for the serial number. Adjacent to the serial number, by itself, will be a letter. If that letter is S, then the TV has a Samsung panel.) I really recommend the set, especially at that $900 price point you found.

    About your individual questions:
    • PS3 over HDMI looks excellent, especially when watching Blu-Ray movies;
    • all sports look good, but depending on your tastes, you may want to turn on Sports Mode in the Entertainment submenu: this will increase the TV's brightness/saturation and make the pixel reaction time speed up, thus helping the TV better keep up with sudden camera motions;
    • Wii on component cables looks okay, but this is a double-edged sword: Wii games don't look that much better than Gamecube games, so basically you're going to get a really clear image of last-generation graphics;
    • the USB slot is only used for upgrading firmware, nothing else;
    • 120hz mode is nice, especially for watching sports, but you shouldn't consider it a dealbreaker. If you can find a Samsung model with 120hz mode in your price range, sure, go for it. My A550 doesn't have 120hz mode and I really don't miss it.
    That said, everyone has already announced their models for 2009. One big new feature is LED backlighting, which is nice for a couple of reasons: unlike current CCFL backlighting, LED backlights do not require half an hour to get up to full brightness and warmth. They're also more energy efficient than CCFLs. I wouldn't let the type of backlighting in a TV set be a dealbreaker, though.

    You may also want to look at the Sony XBR/Bravia stuff, though Sony products of course are more expensive than Samsung's.
     
  10. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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    well the 550 for 849 shipped is from amazon.com, which means i won't know the serial number to ensure the panel thingy...

    the local best buy does have a sony bravia 42" 1080p lcd for 999 which seems like a steal...keep in mind this is in my office/den...not the room i want to super slurge on the latest greatest tech ....
     
  11. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

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    The panel type isn't a huge deal. Whichever panel you get, the TV looks great.

    $1000 for a Bravia isn't worth it over $850 for an A550, IMO.
     
  12. TheMageGandalf

    TheMageGandalf Senior Member

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    Nope, but if you dont know what your doing you can mess up your expensive piece of equipment and your warranty won't cover it.

    Panasonic themselves say it:

    "Like a fine new automobile, the performance of a plasma TV can be optimized by allowing a break-in period. By properly following these simple break-in instructions, you should be rewarded with long-term enjoyment of your plasma TV.

    Plasma phosphors are most susceptible to image retention in the first hundred hours of use. The panel becomes considerably less sensitive to burn-in after this period."

    It may not happen as often, if at all, with the new tech Panny has put in its newer displays, but its possible nonetheless.
     
  13. TheMageGandalf

    TheMageGandalf Senior Member

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    In that case go with the 550.
     
  14. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    It may not happen that the LCD comes with plenty of dead pixels that aren't covered under warranty, but is possible nonetheless (and far more likely than burn in).
     
    azfinfanmang likes this.
  15. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

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    Stuck and dead pixels aren't all that common these days, though. Refined manufacturing and better yields have really made a dent in that problem, especially over the life of the display.

    IMO, the only reason not to go with an LCD display is if you're digging in and waiting for OLED to become mainstream.
     
  16. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Or you've had the privilege of seeing a LaserVue TV (and you can afford it).

    Or if you want to get more than 60" for under $1500 (DLP).

    Every TV type has their pros and cons. Many could argue plasmas are better than LCDs. I could make either case, and it will depend on a person's preferences as to which they prefer.
     
  17. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

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    Oh, sure, just throw every exception in the book at me. What, no mention of projectors? :lol:

    Plasmas definitely used to be superior to LCDs. These days, not so much, which is mainly what I was getting at. Plasmas used to be noticeably superior in terms of color reproduction, especially deep blacks. Comparing the current generation of plasmas to LCDs, though... it's really too close to call, which pretty much means LCD wins that battle when you consider the deficit it came back from. At least IMO.

    OLED needs to hurry up and "arrive" so we can finally get rid of this stupid plasma vs LCD debate.
     
  18. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    :no:


    DLP's are almost dead, and at the going rate plasmas shouldn't be too far behind.
     
  19. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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    sooo...

    fry's electronics has the 630 for $1099 shipped, and the 650 for $1199

    should I splurge on the 630 for 120hz (which is probably a bit of a marketing trick) or go with the solid 550 for 849 leaving me cash for a stand


    anyone here ordered online? I'm kinda scared but the savings are enough I think I'm gonna do it (amazon or fry's)
     
  20. mor911

    mor911 pooping

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    ok... lost. But fun to read.
     
  21. Dolphin1184

    Dolphin1184 Member

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    For those of you on a tight budget, I have a Dynex 32" TV. It is the Best Buy brand, but I have heard that most of the parts are made by the major brands. I have had it for over a year now and haven't had a single problem at all. The HD picture is fantastic, especially for the low price. I saw this TV on sale for $399. So if you are tight on cash and you want to get into the HD world anyway this may be an option.

    The only cons I see with this TV is first, the SD picture isn't great, but I watch mostly HD stuff anyway. The other con is the sound is horrendous, but most people get some kind of home theater speaker system anyway.

    If you have the cash, however, Sony or Samsung are best. My preference is probably Samsung.
     
  22. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

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    The 650 and the 550 are pretty much the same thing with a different bezel. The 630's 120hz mode is helpful, but not worth an extra $250 over the 550.

    I bought my 550 on sale at Best Buy, can't help you with online ordering. People over at AVS Forum like the Amazon delivery service, for what it's worth.
     
  23. TheMageGandalf

    TheMageGandalf Senior Member

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    Thats in the eye of the beholder then because both techs have their issues, no one has said they dont. You like plasma and thats fine its all good bro:knucks: I almost went plasma a few years back but desided not to.

    Like I said before though, IMHO, if your going to game a lot, itd be safer to go with LCD. Because I know for a fact that you can game for as long as you want and have that mini map up in the top corner of your screen, or the ESPN logo watching TV, or the market ticker when watching Bloomberg TV (yeah some of us do that :lol:), and I wont have to worry about burn-in no matter how likely it is with LCD.

    I am going to wait until this next year with the newer LCD/LED TVs and see whats up with them as I want a monster 60+ as these 52s dont do it for me (dont know who if anyone will make one that big) so I stay with my old 60" XBR1 LCOS set which has its own crap load of problems (but looks great to me when it works:lol:)
     
  24. McLovin

    McLovin Resident Pats fan.

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    i like my toshiba 42inch 1080. all around, great tv. its come way down in price too.
     
  25. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    I actually like DLPs for the money. :tongue2:


    :up:
     
  26. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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    desides

    on the 550 I'm pretty sure it has an audio line out right?

    here is what i am thinking of doing...i own a set of logitech z2300's ..2.1 speakers...i have them hooked to my pc but i always use headphones anyways...so i am thinking of de-cluttering my entertainment area and getting rid of the onkyo reciever and monster speakers and if i could run a line out to the z2300's that would rock

    there is no remote for the z2300's so upping and lowering the tv's volume would have to work with the line out or i can't do it...

    any idea on that one?
     
  27. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

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    A receiver isn't clutter, it's an integral part of a home entertainment system. I mean, if you're bound and determined to get rid of it, then yes, you can output audio from the TV. I use a Y-cable to run the TV's stereo outputs to my Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 PC speakers... but that's because I don't have a receiver, which is a FAR better option.

    Keep in mind, though, that the audio output volume is dependent on your speakers. The TV doesn't control the volume, because it's not playing the audio--your speakers are. That's another reason to keep the receiver, IMO, especially if you have a remote for it.

    But if you really want to get rid of it... send it my way. :up:
     
  28. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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    it's mostly that the speakers are freaking huge...and this is a small room...also i did some scouring of the net and found that if you hook into the headphone jack then you can control the volume with the samsung's remote...

    have you tried that? if so, was the audio decent?
     
  29. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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    ok desides, and others....if you had to choose from ONE of the following...which would it be (i think they will only give me store credit so i have to buy again from sams)

    Samsung LN40A540
    http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=397682



    Phillips 120hz 42PFL7403D/27
    http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=393519&pCatg=5883


    Sony Bravia KDL40SL140
    http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=408131&pCatg=5883

    The sony has "hospitality" features which I think makes it ideal for hotels/hospitals to buy in bulk..lol dunno if thats good or bad for me


    Vizio 120hz SV420XVT1A
    http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=408191&pCatg=5883
     
  30. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    I'd go with the sammy, but vizio is an all right tv too.

    You could always get smaller speakers to go with your receiver btw. :wink2:
     
  31. ether79

    ether79 ****

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    I just purchased this TV recently at Sam's also, after moving on from a 54 inch rear projection HDTV. It is awesome for the price, clear and crisp colors. I have a PS3 and the games look great on it. IMO.
     
  32. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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    link to cheap smaller speakers that would have a better center channel for voice...i'm always having to turn volume up/down to hear voice then action comes on and blows me away


    i run it in 3.1 basically....right, left, center + sub
     
  33. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    I don't even know what speakers you have, or what you consider cheap. (or small for that matter)

    PS: I don't really see the perks of a 3.1 system.
     
  34. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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    heh...i have an onkyo HTIB...i dont remember the model but the speakers are very large and wooden...they sound very good except for the center chanel problem I have...

    the perks of 3.1 over using tv speakers is HUGE...

    could i even buy a set of 5.1 speakers for like...100-200 that are worth a darn?
     
  35. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Centers:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...lickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16882290108

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...lickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16882290105

    Or you can go to harman audio's factory store on ebay and get refurbished units for like 50% list price or more.
     
  36. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

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    Good advice by Stitches here. Getting a new speaker system is an option, though for 200 bucks I don't know what you'll find. But even bookshelf speakers are better than most PC speakers. At this point you might want to post on AVS Forum and take advantage of the technical knowledge over there. And I still recommend the 550.

    As for using the headphone jack, on my speakers the headphone jack is an output, not an input. I've already got the Samsung running to the input jack on my speakers, and no, I can't control the volume with the TV remote. Speaker volume knob only.
     
  37. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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    I'm saying use the headphone jack on the tv to your input on the speakers silly...u can control the volume that way


    if the rca audio out had a fixed/variable setting it would work (many tv's do)...but you can use the headphone jack on the tv to your speakers but it greys out the equalizer..should just be 3.5mm to 3.5mm
     
  38. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

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    Oh, I see what you're saying. Haven't tried that. I'll have to go out and get a 3.5mm cable to test that with. Good idea.
     
  39. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Wouldn't that give even worse sound than the TV speakers (or about the same), since with a 3.5mm out to an input, the pc speakers wouldn't be able to distinguish L/R.
     
  40. Phin-o-rama

    Phin-o-rama Well-Known Member

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    nah...my z2300's only have one green 3.5mm plug anyways...and from what I've read, supposedly the audio quality is slightly worse using the headphone jack, but barely noticeable, if at all.
     

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