Which new TV to buy?

Pedro · 02-04-2013, 10:03 PM

My 8 years old 42" Hitachi TV started playing up tonight with a black line down the centre of the screen. It's been giving me signals over the past few weeks with occassional ghosting and pixilating. It might be a simple fix but, just in case, I've just done some research on LCD, LED, and plazma and recommendations on C.net are:-
Best LCD: Samsung LN46D630 46"
Best LED: Visio M3D550KDE 46"
Best Plazma: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 55"

Electronics are not my most knowledgeble subject so any experiences and advice will be appreciated.

JAJH · 02-04-2013, 10:11 PM

I don't know what your budget is but I recently bought a LG 60 inch 3D for about $2300 from Domayne in Bundall. It's got a fantastic HD picture and it also can convert standard 2D into a simulated 3D.

trentski · 02-04-2013, 10:13 PM

I've got a 50 inch Samsung plasma and apart from having a real nice picture it has a nice remote and a good user interface. I don't like the remotes and user interface of the panasonics, so it's worth considering that when you compare them.

Auslandau · 02-04-2013, 10:24 PM

Most of my TV's are Samsung now. Like the remotes, pictures are good, have a 50" and 64" and still going good. I just think they are very good value.

b2tf · 02-04-2013, 10:31 PM

Having had both a plasma and an LED, I very much prefer the LED. A lot sharper picture. They do say that plasmas are better if you watch a lot of sport as the LED can sometimes go a bit pixelated in fast movement images eg a footy match etc. Having said that I cannot fault ours and will buy another LED when this one goes.

usernametaken · 02-04-2013, 10:33 PM

The ST is better value than the VT

With the VT you are paying a lot more for the THX and a couple of smaller extras.

Go the ST

Can be had for around $1800 for the 60" at the moment.

Plasma is still king

Martyvan · 02-04-2013, 11:19 PM

Consider a Sharp (Simply the best? *boom tish*).... I have the 52" version of this one, I got it for about $1700 even thought RRP was $2400 or some such. Absolutely magnificent picture. Plenty of input outputs and its networkable so can play media off a media server too

http://www.sharp.net.au/product-cata...ts/LC60LE940X/

BHDOGS · 02-04-2013, 11:26 PM

http://www.binglee.com.au/samsung-ua...-55inch-led-tv

BHDOGS · 02-04-2013, 11:27 PM

also harvey norman will price match with online stores thats how i got my 55inch sony tv for 1300 when it was advertised at 1700

Resurrection · 02-04-2013, 11:40 PM

I always buy Japanese brands and never had a problem with any of them. (Panasonic and Sony).

Pedro · 03-04-2013, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resurrection

I always buy Japanese brands and never had a problem with any of them. (Panasonic and Sony).

That's why I bought the Hitachi in the first place but my understanding of the current manufacturing is that they are all made in China apart from the Korean brands.

Ford_The_Win · 03-04-2013, 12:36 AM

I bought a new Panasonic LED TV at the start of the year (made in Malaysia) and it's fantastic, I love it. It's a 'Smart TV' so it can hook up to the internet, get facebook and youtube and can also record live TV onto a USB stick or hard drive. Syncs up to a smart phone as well. The full 1080p is so sharp and clear, it's mesmerising, twin USB ports, and it plays absolutely every file type imaginable (avi, mp4, flv, mkv, mov, mpeg, etc etc. I'm wrapt with it.

It replaced a Panasonic CRT TV which my parents bought in 1992 (still working, and the 42 inch Panasonic plasma they replaced it with seven years ago is still going strong too). In my experience you can expect a long and trouble free life with Panasonic products. I also just bought a new Panasonic 'Genius' microwave and that's been outstanding as well, a really noticeable quality difference from the other brands, and not surprisingly it replaced a flimsy Samsung microwave that died after 12 months.

I always come back to the major Japanese brands because I've never had a bad experience with any of them - can't say the same for the Koreans, Samsung and LG.

Downloaded Goodfellas in 1080p, a real treat for the eyes on the new telly.

neptune blue · 03-04-2013, 12:48 AM

I've got a 50 inch Samsung and a 42 inch hisence
The Samsung was replaced a week after we got it cos it started smoking and making funny noises
Lucky we took an extended warranty as the replacement samsung TV has been back twice to have the mother boards replaced
Also have a Samsung fridge that blew up 8 months after I got it and it was near impossible to get it replaced while it was still under warranty even after the samsung servce tech said that it wasn't worth fixing
We had a very bad experience with Samsung customer service or should I say lack of customer service

We we're a week away from a small claims hearing when they decided to act

I believe the Hisence is the only TV on the market with a 2or 3 year ( cant recall the exact period) In house replacement warranty

We have had the Hisense for Just under 3 years and no probs and the picture quality is as good as anything that is on the market

We just purchased another 3 of them one each for the kids and one for my mum

xisled · 03-04-2013, 08:06 AM

If you can get a Sony Bravia.

I have had one for 5 years now.

After 16 months of owing my tv, the LCD panel decided to start flashing red. (LCD is the screen). I called Sony up and they asked me when I got the TV. I had registered it with them so they said it is out of warranty, but we will send someone to look at it.

Gave me the number of the local guy, they came down tested the TV. Said they would be out in about 2 weeks to replace the panel. Panel was replaced within the 2 weeks and I had to pay for nothing.

It was good that Sony stand by the product, even after the warranty period.

The guy I spoke to at Sony said, that the panel should last longer than 16 months. It was such an easy and quick process. I have had other items stop working in the warranty period and have had more trouble than when I spoke with Sony.

trentski · 03-04-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xisled

After 16 months of owing my tv, the LCD panel decided to start flashing red. (LCD is the screen). I called Sony up and they asked me when I got the TV. I had registered it with them so they said it is out of warranty, but we will send someone to look at it.

There should be no surprise that they fixed it free of charge, look up what your statutory warranty rights are and you will see that extended warranties are just a money spinner for the seller.
If it had not been fixed for free then consumer affairs would have helped you change Sony's mind

**MercurySilver** · 03-04-2013, 10:51 AM

we bought the sharp aquos 70 inch

only 100hz and when the footy is kicked its a little hazy as it spins but when you sit 4 meters away from it you dont give a crap
we paid 4500 for it
its prob down to around 3800 now

the 100 inch is out in the states (think its here or is very close) 200hz i believe
usa price 12 grand
au price 21 grand

rort

our 42 inch will go out on the alfresco for summer

we're not into the 3D thing so didnt bother with any of that rubbish

Pedro · 03-04-2013, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

I bought a new Panasonic LED TV at the start of the year (made in Malaysia) and it's fantastic, I love it. It's a 'Smart TV' so it can hook up to the internet, get facebook and youtube and can also record live TV onto a USB stick or hard drive. Syncs up to a smart phone as well. The full 1080p is so sharp and clear, it's mesmerising, twin USB ports, and it plays absolutely every file type imaginable (avi, mp4, flv, mkv, mov, mpeg, etc etc. I'm wrapt with it.

It replaced a Panasonic CRT TV which my parents bought in 1992 (still working, and the 42 inch Panasonic plasma they replaced it with seven years ago is still going strong too). In my experience you can expect a long and trouble free life with Panasonic products. I also just bought a new Panasonic 'Genius' microwave and that's been outstanding as well, a really noticeable quality difference from the other brands, and not surprisingly it replaced a flimsy Samsung microwave that died after 12 months.

I always come back to the major Japanese brands because I've never had a bad experience with any of them - can't say the same for the Koreans, Samsung and LG.

Downloaded Goodfellas in 1080p, a real treat for the eyes on the new telly.

image

Thanks for your concise report. (And thanks everyone else as well).
mmmmm ... that Chrysler convertible would look good in my garage alongside my Park Lane.

Winter XR8 · 03-04-2013, 01:07 PM

I have a new 55" LG LED 3D Smart TV in the lounge room, works very well. A 42" Samsung plasma in guest room, about 3 years old. Being plasma, it's not as good, think it was a cheaper model though. And a 40" Sony Bravia LCD in my bedroom, which is about 4 years old now and it still works and looks good.

xisled · 03-04-2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trentski

There should be no surprise that they fixed it free of charge, look up what your statutory warranty rights are and you will see that extended warranties are just a money spinner for the seller.
If it had not been fixed for free then consumer affairs would have helped you change Sony's mind

This was in 2008. The laws had just been changed. The point I was making was Sony were so easy to deal with, was on hold for a couple of minutes and basically took me 5 minutes of my time to sort this out. Sony did not try and get out of anything. Really happy with that.

I will always buy Sony TV's due to the service I got.

I have dealt with other companies and has taken weeks or months to get similar issued sorted.

duaned · 03-04-2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usernametaken

Plasma is still king

Plasma is no longer the king! All they are these days is a screen full of flicker with dirty whites and buzzing!

GK · 03-04-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xisled

If you can get a Sony Bravia.

I have had one for 5 years now.

After 16 months of owing my tv, the LCD panel decided to start flashing red. (LCD is the screen). I called Sony up and they asked me when I got the TV. I had registered it with them so they said it is out of warranty, but we will send someone to look at it.

Gave me the number of the local guy, they came down tested the TV. Said they would be out in about 2 weeks to replace the panel. Panel was replaced within the 2 weeks and I had to pay for nothing.

It was good that Sony stand by the product, even after the warranty period.

The guy I spoke to at Sony said, that the panel should last longer than 16 months. It was such an easy and quick process. I have had other items stop working in the warranty period and have had more trouble than when I spoke with Sony.

+1

I recently bought a Sony Bravia 55 inch 200hz TV. Very, very happy with it. Great picture, 8 star energy rating, thin screen, fast response to remote inputs.

They're on special for sub 2K at the moment.

Cheers,

GK

Alan D Segal · 03-04-2013, 02:24 PM

I got a 40" Sanyo LCD from Dick Smith 12 months ago. Very happy with it. hth

Mr Brooksy · 03-04-2013, 02:40 PM

I saw a 142cm LED for $888. Looked quite good actually. But it was an Aldi TV, personally I have never had an issue with anything electronic from them. But as its not a Samsung, Sony, Panasonic etc many will automatically write it off.

Yellow_Festiva · 03-04-2013, 03:51 PM

Anyone here got a TV from Kogan? Prices are dirt cheap, don't know if they are just re-branded Chinese stuff or Korean panels.

b2tf · 03-04-2013, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

http://www.binglee.com.au/samsung-ua...-55inch-led-tv

Thats very similar to the one we have. Paid a lot more for it back then though

Road_Warrior · 03-04-2013, 04:05 PM

We bought a Toshiba Regza 42in LCD back in 2008, I'm not sure if I'd buy another again. It has an odd little 'feature' with the EPG if you want to flick to certain channels it will switch itself off. It is also as slow as a wet week.

**aussiblue** · 03-04-2013, 04:06 PM

I am happy with my 2 Hisense with their 3 year in house warranty.

Has bought in a lot of Japanses technology

"electronics makers and began to manufacture televisions under the name Qingdao General Television Factory[Bell 3] in Shandong province.[Bell 3]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hisense

"Color televisions were manufactured through the purchase of a production line from Matsushita,[Bell 3] the first of many such technology transfers from foreign firms Hisense has made in order to remain competitive. The companies it has bought from include Hitachi, Lucent, Matsushita, NEC, Sanyo, Toshiba, and Qualcomm."

It also makes TV's for other companies:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_makes_Hisense_TVs

"Hisense sells under multiple brand names such as Hitachi. Other companies are Lucent, Matsushita, NEC, Sanyo, Toshiba, and Qualcomm."

Alan D Segal · 03-04-2013, 04:14 PM

I bought the Sanyo to replace a Hisense 32" which we had. All the colour basically decided to go 'inverted' after about 2 years. When we claimed on warranty I wasn't able to be home during those times, so I had to arrange to take it to one of their repairers to assess it, and then I had to go and pick up their replacement (which looks to be a reconditioned older model) after that.

Because all of this took about 2 weeks I bought the Sanyo so I wasn't without a TV in the meantime. I haven't even tried the Hisense they gave me under warranty. The Sanyo for $399 is a much better TV than the Hisense we paid $699 for a few years ago.

fte50 · 03-04-2013, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duaned

Plasma is no longer the king! All they are these days is a screen full of flicker with dirty whites and buzzing!

You havent seen the Pioneer Kuro - if you had you would swallow ur words.
Kuro is king and IS still benchmarked as the reference standard for pic quality.

Silly Sounding Tip - its all in the black. When considering a TV, look at how black the screen is 'turned off'. In a nutshell the blacker the screen appears the better it will project its black.... the better it does this the better the pic.

My choice in no preferred order
Sharp Aquos
Panasonic
Samsung

I would not look at Sony - over rated !

sgt_doofey · 03-04-2013, 05:41 PM

Plasma - heavy TVs that use a lot more power than LCD and LED/LCD TV's. Also have a larger border around the screen
LCD/LED - Lighter and uses about a quarter of the power of a plasma. Also, the borders are a lot smaller so the screen looks more like it goes right to the edge of the TV.