The Best LCD TV?

[rhk111]

Hey, mods, wanted to post the items below in an old thread since I hate redundant threads, but could not find any old threads relating to it because PEx's "Search" function does not allow searches for FOUR OR LESS WORDS (hint, hint, and one more hint there).

Anyway, its like this: I am in the market for a 32" LCD TV, with a budget of P35k max, and was really targeting a Samsung brand, but during my window shopping of LCD TVs, found the Nextbase "Devant" to be a very interesting prospect, for a couple of reasons:

* It has both an HDMI and VGA cable input, which I understand is not so common in other LCD TV brands;

* It has two USB ports at the back, allowing you to play on the unit directly any videos or pics you want to see. No need to go thru a bridging unit (i.e., DVD player with USB port, etc.). The salesperson says it supports JPEG and AVI formats;

* There a promo wherein a Nextbase player with HDMI output will come with the unit. Promo expires on June 30,. 2009;

* The whole unit costs only P28.7k, due to again another promo (ends the same period above).

* Hard surface screen (i.e., won't deflect easily when touched or pressed).

* It looks awesome


I almost bought it right there and then, but what kept me so, was Samsung's DNIe technology, which they constantly demo on showrooms, and it seems to be a big improvement over for the PQ.

Nextbase is a pretty good brand, as proven with their DVD players, and it seems they are not branching out to the LCD TV market.

Will need to decide real soon so I can enjoy the unit, and am not leaning more towards the Nextbase Devant unit .....

[BeerhandBop]

what next base does is buy from a generic oem supplier from china, and then, import it, and slap their logos on the iitem.

[rhk111]

^^^
No, from what I remember, Nextbase was an OEM supplier for other brands, who decided to go on their own. Somebody with better information can either confirm, or deconfirm this, though.

[familia.dos]

So Many Flat-Panel TVs. Which Is Right for You?

By ERIC A. TAUB
Published: June 17, 2009

Just a few years ago, consumers interested in purchasing an HDTV set had to ask themselves just one simple question: Do I have a spare $10,000?

Today, as prices for LCD and plasma HDTVs race to the bottom, flat panel TVs have approached commodity status; stand outside many big-box retailers and you’ll see waves of customers rolling TVs to their cars.

As a result, both well known and virtually unknown TV manufacturers are introducing new features and system tweaks intended to differentiate themselves from the competition and get consumers to buy.

Buying a flat panel TV today means figuring out what resolution you need, how well the set produces a wide contrast ratio, whether the sound system is adequate, whether you can connect the set to the Internet and — most importantly — how to separate important features from marketing gimmicks.

If you’re ready to buy a new TV, here’s a rundown of the latest marketing angles and some tips on how to make a decision.

PLASMA VS. LCD VS. LED While LCD TVs have captured the public’s imagination and the bulk of TV market share, plasma TV still has a leg up when it comes to perceived image sharpness, the richness of its blacks and, often, price. Smaller sets, those below 40 inches in size, are only available as LCD models. In larger sizes, 50 inches and up, plasma tends to be cheaper than LCD.

In an attempt to increase sales and profit, several manufacturers, including LG, Samsung and Toshiba, have introduced so-called LED TVs. There is no such thing as an LED TV; they are simply LCD TVs that use LEDs, rather than fluorescent lamps, to light the screen.

Depending on the type of LED configuration used, some LED-lit LCD TVs — those that use a so-called backlight array — create richer blacks than standard LCD TVs, approaching the level that plasma sets have already achieved. But beware: if you opt for an LED-lit LCD today, you will probably pay a hefty price premium compared with a standard set. The Toshiba Regza SV670, for example, is a 46-inch LED-backlit LCD. It has a suggested retail price of $2,300. A 46-inch plasma from Panasonic costs as little as $1,100.

DISPELLING MYTHS ABOUT PLASMA Early plasma sets were plagued with problems of image burn-in, high power consumption and a relatively short display life. But today’s sets have conquered those issues.

Plasma panels from Panasonic, for example, offer 100,000 hours of life before the image has dimmed to 50 percent of its original brightness. If you watch TV four hours a night, every day of the year, that milestone wouldn’t be reached for 68 years.

When it comes to picture quality, plasma TV remains the benchmark, generally achieving higher black levels (and hence higher perceived resolution), better motion rendition and better viewing angles than most LCD TVs.

“The best LCD sets are now approaching plasmas in their ability to display black levels,” said Jim Willcox, Consumer Reports’ senior electronics editor.

VIEWING ANGLE If you typically watch TV with family members on the floor, or have friends sprawled across the couch to watch the big game, LCD TVs, with their limited angle of view, may not be for you. As you move away from the center of the screen, LCD TVs tend to lose their contrast and color saturation.

“LCD viewing angles have gone from poor to good, but there are still a number of sets that are only fair,” said Mr. Willcox.

MOTION DETECTION LCD TVs have traditionally had more trouble displaying motion than plasma sets. If you generally watch sitcoms and news shows, that won’t be a problem. But if you’re into fast-moving sports you’ll want a set that won’t turn a slide into first base into a blurred mess.

Manufacturers have improved the way that LCD TVs handle motion by introducing sets that use 120 Hz technology; simply put, the set’s circuitry doubles the number of video frames, smoothing out the motion.

Some manufacturers have gone a step further, introducing 240 Hz TVs that quadruple the number of frames.

Can most people see the difference? Unless you’re buying a gigantic TV, probably not, according to executives at the top TV manufacturers. But it makes for a nice marketing strategy. Before you pay extra to buy a 240 Hz set, watch a favorite DVD on TVs that use that and the less-expensive 120 Hz technology, and see if you can tell the difference.

SCREEN RESOLUTION While 1080p TVs have become almost standard issue, if you’re on a tight budget you can still save money by buying a lower-resolution 720p or 1080i resolution set.

Whether you can see the difference in screen sharpness depends in part on how far you sit from the set. If you’re watching a 30-inch HDTV screen from 20 feet away, they’ll all look the same.

Various charts are available to show you how far you should sit from a particular size screen in order to maximize the perceived resolution.

THIN AND THINNER Today’s flat TVs have slimmed down, with some plasma and LCD sets not much more than an inch deep.

The thinner they are, the higher the price. And unless you’re planning on mounting the TV on the wall, thinner sets may give you bragging rights, but with their higher prices, they’ll also give you a thinner wallet.

Also, the thinner the set, the more difficult it is to get decent sound out of the speakers that generally need to face downward to conserve space. “Downward facing speakers do not work well,” said Gary Merson, owner of HDGuru.com. “They sound as if you’re speaking to someone while facing away from them.”

ARE YOU WELL-CONNECTED? Modern HDTVs, as well as the additional audio and video components you’ll join to them, use HDMI cables as the standard connection method. Unlike other cables, HDMI combines audio and video; Blu-ray signals will only pass through an HDMI plug.

Before you decide on your purchase, figure out how many HDMI inputs you’ll need on the TV. If you plan on connecting a Blu-ray or DVD player, an audio receiver, a digital video recorder and a video game console, that could be as many as four. Some manufacturers offer a side-mounted HDMI input, handy for the occasional times you want to plug in a digital video camcorder.

SURF’S UP Many new HDTVs from most manufacturers, including LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp and Vizio, offer proprietary Web-based content, like news, weather, YouTube videos, the Picasa photo site and access to certain movies and TV shows from Netflix and Amazon’s online download services.

To receive it, you’ll need an HDTV that has an Ethernet connection. New models are beginning to appear that offer wireless connections, perfect for those whose Ethernet access is in another room.

Even if you’re not interested in accessing Web-based content on your TV, an Ethernet connection can prove useful when a manufacturer needs to upgrade the digital TV’s operating system to, for example, address incompatibilities between it and a set-top box.

Some day, manufacturers will be able to use your TV’s Internet connection to remotely diagnose any problems with the set.

Technicians from the electronics maker Sharp can already remotely adjust picture quality over the Internet.

[rhk111]

Hokay ..... I bought the Nextbase Devant 32" LCD TV. Haven't had the chance to test it fully, I plan to do so by next week, after my vacation from the provinces.

Initial feedbacks:
- The base is a bit heavy, but I think that is standard for most LCD TVs this size. The unit is attached to the base by four medium sized screws.
- The unit, despite being around 3 feet long, is not really that heavy, am able to carry it relatively easily.
- Analog TV picture quality: This maybe a subjective observation, but I think the unit's picture quality (using cable connection) is comparable to the Samsung LCD (old model) TV in my room. We'll never know unless we put them side by side, but nevertheless I was pretty happy with the picture quality of the cable TV programs.

[TriNa-Bee]

pinaka maganda ang samsung pagdating sa LCD
calibrate mo lang yan

[rogerjon]

hi!! any updates on your review?? i'm planning to buy an LCD tv an i'm curious of what de vant would give me? the 32" right now is selling at 25k at abenson. samsung of same size is still at 29k. please post po your review. thanks

[Verbl Kint]

The best choices now for under 30k would be:

toshiba 32av550...new 32av600 cash P25K FREE hdmi cable of 1.3b version
panasonic 32x10...cash P25K FREE hdmi cable of 1.3b version
samsung 32b350...cash P25K FREE hdmi cable of 1.3b version

All of the above are better than whatever NextBase, Changhong, Syntax, etc have on the market as the lcd's listed are relatively cheap, highly rated for this price group and are 2009 models.

For 34k I would get the Panasonic 37x10, as it is 37" and is a great tv with good picture quality. Bang for the buck pick for the 35k price range.

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php?topic=89249.270

[rhk111]

hi!! any updates on your review?? i'm planning to buy an LCD tv an i'm curious of what de vant would give me? the 32" right now is selling at 25k at abenson. samsung of same size is still at 29k. please post po your review. thanks

I've been very happy with the unit, except that it is not "Full HD", but only "HD-Ready". But then again, not many 32" LCD TVs these days are "Full HD", and those that are, are pretty expensive.

I have a sort of a review on the unit from my blog, you can get more info there about the unit, and also about the difference of "Full HD" and "HD Ready":

http://rhk111.byethost14.com/2009/07...d-and-lcd-tvs/


The unit comes with HDMI cable and a DVD player with HDMI output, so you can save a little bit of money there.

In addition to my review, the unit comes with two USB ports at the back, where you can therefore put your USB sticks, and the unit will just play the pictures or videos in it (please confirm this, though, because I haven't tried it yet. I think that's what they're there for anyway. ).

I actually got to use the unit for only about a week before I left, but during that experience, i was very happy with it. My mom who's using it everyday has not had any problem with it up to now.


But don't take my word for it: Look around the other brands, ask for a demo. Bring a DVD disc, should be original, and preferably Region 1.

Then ask for a demo using a DVD player with HDMI connection. My experience is that the difference in picture quality between a standard DVD video output and output from a HDMI cable is really great. 'Malaki diperensya', so use a DVD player with HDMI cable to demo the units.

If you're going to buy one, don't be shy to ask for demos, the sales people should be happy to help you out on those.

[Verbl Kint]

But don't take my word for it: Look around the other brands, ask for a demo. Bring a DVD disc, should be original, and preferably Region 1.

Then ask for a demo using a DVD player with HDMI connection. My experience is that the difference in picture quality between a standard DVD video output and output from a HDMI cable is really great. 'Malaki diperensya', so use a DVD player with HDMI cable to demo the units.

Bring it a step further. Using upscaled DVD signals to check HDTV picture quality is not a good idea. Insist on HD tests using true HD content (Blu-ray, HD-DVD or a Networked Media Tank) when buying an HDTV.

Better yet, I suggest you stay away from appliance stores in malls where LCD TV's stand next to Magic Sings. Go to A/V enthusiast stores (e.g. TheaterWorks, Sights&Sounds) where you can get to check high-end models of various brands side-by-side with entry level ones playing the exact same content simultaneously. This will give you an idea on what good picture quality is, AND, (surprise, surprise!) prices at these stores are actually CHEAPER, too.

Why settle for a Changhong when you can get a Panasonic? Why bother with a TCL when you can get a Toshiba? Why get a GanzKlar when you can get a Samsung?

Please don't think for a fact that this is being brand-conscious as it is really getting better quality at lower prices.

Malalaki ang patong ng mga appliance stores na yan sa mall at kadalasan ay hindi alam kung ano binebenta nila.

Enjoy!

[ColeMcGrath]

samsung for playing games

[junior01]

kung bibili ka ng LCD tv dapat full HD na kasi ang specs ng full HD ay 2 mega pexel kaya okey kung gawin mo siyang screen for playing computer games, pero kung hinde siya full HD ibig sabihin 1 mega pexel lang resolution niya kaya pang movie lang talaga siya medyo pangit na siya pang computer games. meron na ngayun mga mura na china made full HD 32 inch tv magsipag ka lang maghanap.

kung may pera ka the best pa rin ang sony bravia full HD iba talaga ang kulay ng sony tv.

[rhk111]

It seems prices have dropped for the known brands since I bought my unit back in June. At that time, only Nextbase and other lesser known brands were selling 32" LCD TVs for less than P30k.

I bought the unit then for about P27k, and now its down to P25k. Since then the known brands have also dropped their prices to around P25k.

At that time, I saw LG and Samsung with sub P30k 32" models, but these were for the older models.

By next year, the 32" LCD TVs will probably start to go down below P20k.

[Verbl Kint]

kung bibili ka ng LCD tv dapat full HD na kasi ang specs ng full HD ay 2 mega pexel kaya okey kung gawin mo siyang screen for playing computer games, pero kung hinde siya full HD ibig sabihin 1 mega pexel lang resolution niya kaya pang movie lang talaga siya medyo pangit na siya pang computer games. meron na ngayun mga mura na china made full HD 32 inch tv magsipag ka lang maghanap.

kung may pera ka the best pa rin ang sony bravia full HD iba talaga ang kulay ng sony tv.

Please don't listen to the above post as this guy obviously doesn't know what he's talking about.

By next year, the 32" LCD TVs will probably start to go down below P20k.

Meron na! Union ang brand:

Union LCD TV Model: UGLCD 3202A



Brand New

Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor

Nationwide Service Centers


Piano Finish

HD Ready

Cable Ready

Multi System

Resolution 1080i

1920 x 1080i

Component Video (YPbPr) Input

Dual HDMI Input

PC-RGB Input

DOS/VGA/SVGA/XGA/SXGA

Multi Media

165W Power Consumption

Read more: http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/vi...#ixzz0QK627Wrp

[junior01]

^^sinong walang alam ang sabihin mo pinapaubos niyo na ang stocks niyo na hinde full HD kasi papalitan niyo na sila ng stocks na poro full HD after 6 mons to 1 years depende kung gaano kabilis maubos stocks niyo, eh nagmura na rin ang full HD sa china. iba pa rin ang full hd pag VGA ang ginamit mo na input sa video. 2 mega pexel(full HD) never equal sa 1 mega pexel mo na hinde full HD. Tanong mo yan sa lahat nakabili ng lcd tv ngayon gusto na nila palitan ng Full HD.

[rhk111]

Meron na! Union ang brand:

Well, it seems the days of the Cathode-Ray Tube TVs are numbered here in the Philippines. I'd give it around half a decade, and the CRT TVs will start going the way of the Typewriter and the Floppy Drive.

What I can't figure out with this model, though, is that it says it has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, and yet they say it is only "HD-Ready".

'Di ata alam nung nagbebenta kung alin and "HD-Ready" at "Full HD". Dapat "Full HD" na iyan kung ganyan ang resolution.'

Its a local brand, by the way, so it might be worth looking at, to help the Philippine industry.

[HK-47]

They probably mean that it's HD-ready in the same sense that TVs used to be advertised as cable-ready. In other words, you're going to need an HD source to make it display real HD video.

By the way, it's pixel, not pexel. And regarding the megapixel thing, you might want to read this.

[Verbl Kint]

^^sinong walang alam ang sabihin mo pinapaubos niyo na ang stocks niyo na hinde full HD kasi papalitan niyo na sila ng stocks na poro full HD after 6 mons to 1 years depende kung gaano kabilis maubos stocks niyo, eh nagmura na rin ang full HD sa china. iba pa rin ang full hd pag VGA ang ginamit mo na input sa video. 2 mega pexel(full HD) never equal sa 1 mega pexel mo na hinde full HD. Tanong mo yan sa lahat nakabili ng lcd tv ngayon gusto na nila palitan ng Full HD.

Hindi po ako ahente ng TV. In any case, your post pretty much summed up what I said.

What I can't figure out with this model, though, is that it says it has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, and yet they say it is only "HD-Ready".

'Di ata alam nung nagbebenta kung alin and "HD-Ready" at "Full HD". Dapat "Full HD" na iyan kung ganyan ang resolution.'

Its a local brand, by the way, so it might be worth looking at, to help the Philippine industry.

It is assembled in the Philippines using parts from China and Taiwan. If it's HD ready then it's resolution is probably 1366 x 768, which can do 1080i and 720p.

[junior01]

They probably mean that it's HD-ready in the same sense that TVs used to be advertised as cable-ready. In other words, you're going to need an HD source to make it display real HD video.

By the way, it's pixel, not pexel. And regarding the megapixel thing, you might want to read this.

what ever the correct spelling your correct back there on technicality your wrong, HD ready doesnt mean your TV is FUll HD yes its HD but not FULL HD. its the same as saying your player have HDMI output, HD upscaling but its a DVD player how can your DVD player be an HD player when its not a bluray player.
BTW i have 37" bravia S series sony but its not full HD it have only 1 mega pixel resolution, i have also the latest of the model sony dvd player the one thats is HD upscaling and with usb player and can play all XVID format. but when i play a BRRIP H.264 mp4 format movie it will not play because the movie is HD thats why it will not play nor any other brand of dvd player it just wont play a HD file format.
now my advise since cheap full HD LCD tv will soon flood the market so why not wait for this cheap full HD lcd than buy a HD only LCD with 1 megapixel resolution and be sorry later.
ngayun pa nga nagsisi na rin ako bakit hinde yung full HD bravia binili ko.
but what i cant believe is that some people will want to hit you below the belt just to win a point in an argument what a pathetic ang sama talaga ugali ng ibang pinoy.

[Verbl Kint]

LATEST SIGHTINGS

Panasonic 32" L32c10x (comparable to the Samsung Series 4) at Abenson's, Anson's, Western, at 19.5k to 20k!

This is probably the best 32" you can get at the 18-22k price range.

Pag sinabi ng staff nila na di kaya, sabihin niyo itawag sa main office. Btw, cash basis only daw to.

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php?topic=102096.0