HDTV Recommendation - 1080p 32"-40"

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Masi_23

Masi_23

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Just like the title says, im looking for a 1080p HDTV.
Budget is around 400-500USD. Really dont want to go over.
32" would suit my small room well, but if there's a 40"er that's
fairly good in quality/features, that be awesome (Highly unlikely
with the price).

So far, ive seen one which goes for $399, but its only 720p.
It's a Sony 32" kdl series.

:D
 
Got a Sony( z series) and i'm very happy with it.
fact with HdTv is:
nearly every Hdtv has some good quality in Hd (720/1080p)
Every Tv( espacilly HDtv) need screen configuration,'cause the factory seetings are never optimal.
depending of the use of your tv you need too choose wisely. (In SD picture most HDTV lack a lot), meaning if you watch normal tv on the tv, you need to get a rather good tv.

Sony's Bravia engine is awesome in rendering Sd content.

Don't want you now to convience you to buy a sony. buy whatever you can (thus i would recommend Sony, phillips, samsung, panasonic, (in that order))

ask before buying to watch a sd content in the shop. is there where crap get divided from gold
 
I've got a 37" 720p plasma Panasonic which I'm very happy with. It's 3 years old now but still perfect IMO although I haven't been looking at any new sets recently. I wouldn't be too concerned with getting 1080p as you can't see the difference from 720p at 40" or less, just don't get 1080i.

I thoroughly agree with *ibo* S3 Racer about getting a TV that handles SD content well as some sets are rubbish at this and it's what you will likely be watching most of the time. Also do make sure you set the screen up properly, THX DVD's (eg Star Wars) have a setup testcard section which is very useful for this and there's plenty of advice to be found by googling TV calibration.
 
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I'm very happy with my Sony 40". Here in Japan, it's practically impossible to buy non-Japanese makes. Toshiba seem to have some pretty good sets too.
 
I think LCD is best for gaming, I have a 40" X series Bravia. :D

Don't think we are all Sony reps though :lol:
 
I have a Sharp 37" Full-HD TV Im very happy with... Looks great and still works really well after two years of gaming abuse... :)

-Just to break the chain of Sony LCD TV owners.. :p
 
I use my LCD for normal SD Tv, PS3 (1080/720p), xbox 720p, bluray, and pc (1080p native 60hz), and absolutly flawless. Some games with different hz on pc have like shutter problems, then i enable gamemode on the tv and i'm fine (i think problem with the motionflow). Gamemode = response < 5ms

as for calibrating, i didn't want to buy something i use once or twice so i used this:






Also very important is to enable: Full pixel in the menu for hd content otherwise egdes are cut off (there are forums full of this)
 
Masi_23
So far, ive seen one which goes for $399, but its only 720p.
It's a Sony 32" kdl series.

:D
Click to expand...

Whats the full model number of that TV?

720p is fine, the current Sony model TV's will accept and display all the high def formats (720p/1080i/1080p etc) even if the screen isn't a native 1080 display. What does this mean? Nothing really, outside of big numbers and bragging rights.

The resolution has little effect on picture quality once you get up to at least 720p (which on a Sony LCD is 1366x768), the human eye just can't make out the resolution jump, especially on screens at 32".
 
I'm using Sony 52 inches KDL Z 5500, it blows my mind in the shop while in my apartment the effect was doubled.

So for that kind of money i would buy KDL40Z5500 or 4500
 
lion-face
The resolution has little effect on picture quality once you get up to at least 720p
Click to expand...
:odd:

So what you're saying is you can't see any difference between these 2 images?

animation1yg.gif
 
Hey, thanks for the replies GTPeeps...

I definitely see a difference. As for the full model number, i forgot. Btw, i found this: Sony 32-inch KDL-32S5100

It looks good, but its a little near my limit. I'll check and see if there's any store that has a better price. Any other suggestions would be great so i can compare 👍

p.s. i have direct TV HD so SD viewing won't be much of a concern. Also, i don't know why im stuck with Sony thus far... i guess i became a fanboy as i've own all PS versions :D

EDIT: i read a few reviews and it seems like it has issues with low level sounds... this will be a bedroom TV so i think that'll be an issue. Anything comparable from Samsung/Panasonic?

TB
I'm seeing a lot of "I have a" but no links to products... :confused:

VIZIO 32" 1080p - $489

VIZIO 37" 1080p - $519
Click to expand...

Those look nice. Worth considering 👍 thanks!
 
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TB
:odd:

So what you're saying is you can't see any difference between these 2 images?
Click to expand...

I never said that. Also, that picture looks like the difference when I use my 13megapixel camera, take a shot at full resolution and scale it down to 640x480 and then flick between the two images.

Anyway, when talking about TV's you can't use pictures like that to get an accurate representation of what it will look like. Sure you can compare one resolution to another on paper (1280x720 vs 1920x1080) but in the real world its not so cut and dry. All 1080 native screens allow you to do is to sit closer to the screen without losing any detail or getting the 'screen door' effect as your eyes start to break up the pixels of the TV. I have to sit within 5 feet of a 46" TV before I can see the difference between a 1080p native set and a 720p native set, so why pay for something I'm not going to be able to see anyway? And when you shrink the size down to 32", just how close do you have to sit to see the difference between the two resolutions?

When it comes to a TV picture, Color accuracy, Contrast, Black levels are far more important to the over all look and realism of the picture before resolution. I would far rather pay money for a 720p set that can deliver a great black than a 1080p set that gives me a dark grey.
 
Masi_23
Hey, thanks for the replies GTPeeps...

I definitely see a difference. As for the full model number, i forgot. Btw, i found this: Sony 32-inch KDL-32S5100

It looks good, but its a little near my limit. I'll check and see if there's any store that has a better price. Any other suggestions would be great so i can compare 👍

p.s. i have direct TV HD so SD viewing won't be much of a concern. Also, i don't know why im stuck with Sony thus far... i guess i became a fanboy as i've own all PS versions :D

EDIT: i read a few reviews and it seems like it has issues with low level sounds... this will be a bedroom TV so i think that'll be an issue. Anything comparable from Samsung/Panasonic?



Those look nice. Worth considering 👍 thanks!
Click to expand...


Like I said, I think the Toshiba ones are quite nice and this one has 1080p

Toshiba 32RV525R 32 in. 1080p LCD HDTV

Toshiba 32" TV
 
"When it comes to a TV picture, Color accuracy, Contrast, Black levels are far more important to the over all look and realism of the picture before resolution."

Agreed.

Buying a good 720p set is better choice than buying a mediocre 1080p set.

@Masi_23:

if you look for a good tv for around 500 bucks, i wouldn't take a Sony because you are likly to get an old set (not current gen). A friend of mine has the same budget, and his opting for phillips or toshiba.

@darkos:
Does the z5500 still has a bit of clouding, and how is your video1 (downpulling)
I have the Z4500 and it has a bit of clouding in the corners (ain't big, and i don't really care), but my video mode1 lacks on the image, it just ain't flawless? I would have loved to get the new bravia engine, it seems it's far better than mine

my images are:
First one (with the ladies) for color, hue, brightness,...
Second is for saturation, .... (need to look at the lines and intersectins between the lines).
 
You can't really go wrong with Samsung, added to the fact they have the best customer service in the market.
 
What about response time I know some cheap ones have more than 5ms. I think thats an important factor in choosing a TV too since we are all gamers here and need quick response times for our controllers.
 
Resolution shouldn't be your focus at that small size. A 720p TV will suit your needs just fine while saving you money, and that means you'll be able to get a higher quality TV too. Specifically at 32 inches, spending for 1080p will be an utter waste of money. I got my 32 inch Samsung 720p for just over $400 on sale at Sears. According to some Consumer Reports surveys Samsung had the least overall reliability concerns than any other HDTV brand.

EDIT: I see many other people are saying go for a high-quality 720p rather than a low-quality 1080p. If you were look at TVs much over 42 inches you would start to see a difference, and 1080p is almost required above 50 inches. It works just like a computer screen. The bigger the screen the more pixels it needs.
 
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Looks like the Samsung Link i posted seems to be way off my range.

Thanks for the inputs so far guys. I would really like to get 1080p, but i'll look into 720p like everyone seems to be suggesting.
 
Thanks for the suggestion Crow, but im not familiar with 'PROSCAN'

Meanwhile, here's another to consider TV: Samsung LN32B30 ...Anything comparable?

Can you find a TV with 120Hz processing under $500?
 
Probably not. In my experience you don't need all the biggest numbers. I got the previous version of this for $400 on sale and it does everything I ask of it and looks spectacular. I got a great price and don't need anything more.
 
I currently have a Panasonic plasma TV, 50" 1080p. The picture is awesome, but I am constantly nervous about screen burn in. If I were you I would look at an LCD for sure.

I also agree with the other members about the 720p resolution. With a screen smaller than 40", you will almost not be able to tell the difference between 1080p vs 720P. I found this link to be very helpfull in finding the right TV for you. http://carltonbale.com/home-theater/home-theater-calculator

Be sure to let us know how it all goes. :)
 

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