Your help needed: new LCD TV for HTPC/360

richieboy

richieboy

richieboy

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29 Dec 2004
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Morning,

I've had a Samsung 40" LCD for about 2 years, which is "HD Ready" but not "Full HD", so when connecting HTPC will go up to 1366x768 or whatever. When connecting the HTPC via HDMI it will also look really really shoddy (like a 17" PC monitor at 1024x768...not its native resolution) so have had to connect it via DSUB.

Now i've got a bit of money (budget is around the £1000 mark but can go over if necessary) id like to replace it with a 40" + LCD to use with my HTPC over HDMI so i can get a 1920x1080 resolution and watch 1080p media etc. I also want to be able to use my 360 at 1080p on it, so assume i'll need to get the Elite so it has the HDMI connection as component/DSUB can go up to max of 720p?

Have been looking at various LCDs, wanted to get some suggestions...this is my list so far:

  • SAMSUNG LE46M86BD 46"
  • SAMSUNG LE40F86BD 40"
  • SAMSUNG LE40M86BD 40"
  • TOSHIBA 40XF355DB 40"

Thoughts? My questions are basically, what LCD TV would you go for and will the HTPC and 360 be alright at 1080p over HDMI? Or can i use my old 360 with a different cable?
 
Definitely the Samsung LE40M86BD (some places call it M87). Just ordered mine for £743.99 delivered to Northern Ireland :D

The reviews are really good for it, very little negatives about it.

The 46" in the same group (LE46M86BD) is just the same but bigger obviously, so it depends what size you want. But definitely get one of those two.
 
Thanks pal, any ideas on the Xbox 360? Will i need to replace it and get the Elite so i can connect it via HDMI or can i use my existing 360 and get a different cable for 1080p?
 
richieboy said:
Thanks pal, any ideas on the Xbox 360? Will i need to replace it and get the Elite so i can connect it via HDMI or can i use my existing 360 and get a different cable for 1080p?
Click to expand...

I think you can get 1080p via VGA on the 360. Not completely sure, but i thought component would work as well since they updated it to enable 1080p. Other people here will help you more on that front :)
 
Rightio, pay restrictions mean i would have to get the TV and the Elite on seperate months so can always get the TV and then see if it works, if not get the Elite the next month...although it would be nice if anyone here knows for sure?

Think i'm leaning towards the 46" beauty from Samsung :p
 
richieboy said:
Yeah i had a quick flick through that, appears that it may have been older units...so hopefully all sorted now?
Click to expand...

They all should be fixed by now. I think they use to be made by some other company and then branded Samsung? Could be wrong, but i think they are all sorted now.
 
richieboy said:
Yeah i had a quick flick through that, appears that it may have been older units...so hopefully all sorted now?
Click to expand...

Yes they should all be fixed, it was a firmware fault causing problems such as the movieplus bug which you will have seen mentioned in that AVforums thread. I owned this TV and it had numerous problems caused by the firmware but as I bought it on launch there were currently no fixes for it so Samsung told my retailer I could return it for a refund and now I have the F86 without problems... yet! Once these problems were fixed on the M86 its a top TV for the money, you really cant go wrong.
 
Out of interest how much did you get the F86 for, is it the 40" or 46" version? I am severely tempted because of the better contrast ratio but not sure if i can justify the extra £350...
 
richieboy said:
Out of interest how much did you get the F86 for, is it the 40" or 46" version? I am severely tempted because of the better contrast ratio but not sure if i can justify the extra £350...
Click to expand...

Got it for £1350 this was at launch though so I dont know if the price has changed. This was the 46" version also the M86 was 46" aswell. Really there isnt a massive difference between the two. 100hz is pointless makes the picture look awful and causes triple ball effect on sports. So the only other differences are the higher contrast ratio and its styled a bit differently. The reason I got it over the M86 was that the problems still werent fixed and I hoped this new set didnt have any firmware issues.

As far as I am aware everything is sorted on the M86, so I would recommend that and use the extra £300 or whatever it is to buy an elite or a ps3.
 
After doing loads of research I decided to go for the F86 40" screen.
I only mention this because it was one on "your list of potentials".
As I haven't yet taken delivery of the panel I cannot definitely say it is excellent - however most owners do like it.
I got mine for £1079 and that includes VAT, delivery and a 5yr warranty.
 
Ive got the 46" F86, and im very happy with it.

It's not perfect....but hopefully the niggles will be sorted out with future firmware updates.

I've used mine on my Sky, Freeview, X360, PC and PS3. The picture looks fantastic via all sources.

A little bit of tweaking was required, but thats not the end of the world.

I've also read quite a few reports from people who have changed from the M86, most seem to say that the colours and blacks are a lot better with the F86.
 
Well just ordered a LE46M86BD for £1050 delivered which i think is pretty good, should be coming next Tuesday :D. Here's to hoping its a decent one!
 
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