Purchase of new televison advice

[npd4432]

So, I have caved to buy a new HDTV for football season. I have narrowed it down to two LCD models. The Sony 46" or Samsung 46". Both are LCD, Both are 1080p, and both have 120hz refresh rate and both are the same price $1,299. Here are the model numbers of both:

Sony: KDL-46V5100
Samsung LN-46B630

The only technical difference I can find is the contrast ratio. The Sony is 50,000:1 and the Samsung is 80,000:1.

Anybody have any experience, advice or suggestions??

 

[pmat1]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

samsung ftw (for the win)

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

After working on HD set-ups in the past, many people were not satisfied with the Samsung. It depends on the layout of the room it was going in, I would only purchase the Samsung if you will be sitting at least 15 to 20 feet back from the tv. They are both good, but Samsung is better viewed from a distance.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

Sony is a much better quality TV. We've had one for almost 2 years and not a lick of trouble. It was rated higher in quality than Samsung in consumer reports. Samsung is ok, but have a high rate of return/repair.

 

[npd4432]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

I have been leaning toward the Sony due to my past history in owning Sony products which all have been good.
As Shanecarroll stated the Television will be going on the wall in my basement rec room which is 35' X 40'

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

Both Samsung and Sony have had issues in their sets in the past but it varies by model. Best thing to do is to Google the model numbers to see which ones have had the most complaints. My parents have had a Samsung Plasma fail and my brother has had a Sony fail. Personally, I have a Sony LCD that is still working fine after 4 years and it was one of the first LCDs they made.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

I would only purchase the Samsung if you will be sitting at least 15 to 20 feet back from the tv.

A 42" TV seems too small to be sitting that far away. I would think around 12' to be the max for a 42". I have a 60" and I am 15' away. Wouldn't want to be any further.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

A 42" TV seems too small to be sitting that far away. I would think around 12' to be the max for a 42". I have a 60" and I am 15' away. Wouldn't want to be any further.

I can see my 52" from about 25 feet away. The only time I could see that as causing a problem is trying to read the score of the game, which is small no matter how close you are. If you're gonna sit within 12 feet, I would not go with the Samsung as in my experience they seem grainy (or macroblock) up close.

 

[npd4432]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

Thanks Shane.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

(or macroblock) up close.

macro blocking is an artifact of the compression used by the transmitter. The TV itself is in no way responsible for this.


This site shows viewing distance based on the size of the screen.
http://www.dtvcity.com/lcdtv/lcdscreensize.html

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

We have a SHARP Aquois, and we love it !!!!!

 

[kmk_7110]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

depends on how u hook up the tv also, but working in the cable industry i would go with a vizio, i persionally love the picture but it varies from tv to tv main thing is to do your research and also do research on ur local cable companies, the major phone companies have some great interactive services also

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

Have you gone to an electronics store to look at the different sized TV's from your viewing distance? While doing research at home, we were flip-flopping between 42" and 46" sets. Then we went and looked at the electronics store and nixed the smaller sets, they looked to small from our viewing distance of 14'. We ended up with a Toshiba Regza 52" for $1100 (caught a price dip on Amazon) and couldn't be happier.

We spend about $1800 because of other stuff to bring it all together; up-scaling DVD player $70, home theater system $250, cables $50, line conditioner (protection) $50 and I built an entertainment center $300. Just mentioning, the TV isn't the only thing you need to buy if you want to get the most out of the TV.

 

[John_S]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

We purchased the Samsung LN40B630 about a couple of weeks ago to replace an old failing 27" tube type Panasonic. This is our 1st flat panel. Our viewing distance is about 10-12'. Picture seems fine on HD channels, upscaled DVD, and just connected a Panasonic Blu-ray. For theater, I still like the projector, even though it is lower resolution. There is something about a 7'+ wide screen.

 

[jacknbella]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

We have 2 Samsung plasma TV's, 42" (720p) and 50" (1080p). I wouldn't trade them for the world. Unbelieveable picture in both!!! It's just too bad Directv doesn't broadcast in true 1080p, unless you purchase one of their On-Demand movies... We're about ready to upgrade to Blu-ray. Sony vs Samsung is similar to Ford vs Chevy. You'll get a ton of opinions about both!!!

 

[dr_bowtie]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

you'll be fine with either...

those TV both use the SAME LCD panel....both made by Samsung...

go to the store and test drive and get the one you are most comfortable with using...

with 1080p and 120hz you cant go wrong..after that it's just price...I am going to nab a Vizio just because here they are only 799.00 for the 42"

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

While you are at the electronics store, check out the sound of the TV too, speakers. One of my relatives bought a Visio (40 something ") that I installed for them and when I had it all hooked up I couldn't stand the way it sounded, poor sound quality.

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

I recommend doing some measurements to see how much space it will actually take up. The 50" didn't look so big in the store when I bought it, but it was...believe it or not...too big once I got it home. It fit in my entertainment center, but didn't look right, & our room wasn't big enough as we sat too close. We took it back for a 42.

At the time I wanted an LCD, but the only LCD that could get close to a plasma's picture was too high. The cheaper LCDs couldn't produce the black levels. I haven't researched them lately, but I'm sure the picture quality has improved & the prices have dropped on LCDs.

While you're at it I'd add a surround system if you don't already have one. How the film sounds is equally as important how it looks IMO. Watching a movie or game running in surround adds a whole new level to the experience.

I'm a Sony fan myself.

 

[i386]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

I also concur about the viewing distance being important. Evaluate the sets in the store from the distance you'll be viewing them at home. I sit about 13 feet from mine. It's a LG 50" 720p plasma. From that distance in the store the 1080p Sony didn't look any better (even though up close the difference is pretty obvious).

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Purchase of new televison advice

I may be wrong, but Samsung (Korean) manufactures LCD screens and TV's. I do not believe that Sony does. I believe that I was told that Sharp (Japan) makes the LCD's for Sony.

With that said, I have a 57" Sony HD (rear projection) that I bought about 6-7 years ago. We were concerned about the viewing distance. Really has not been a problem at all. I do think we paid more for name than product. Still works good, but....

My choice would be the Samsung. Though, my next HDTV will be either a Vizio or LG due mainly to price for what you get.