Which 50 inch Kuro?

Hussman

Hussman

Hussman

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Maidstone, Kent
Looking at getting myself a Plasma TV (upgrade from Toshiba 32inch CRT). After reading many reviews, and visiting Tottenham Court Rd, I was going to buy a 50inch Samsung plasma (A558).

However, reading the reviews of Samsung plasmas both here and in AVForums I have now decided to go down the Kuro route.

My dilemma is which one to go for...

Its usage will be roughly :

70% TV (SD mainly until I get a Freesat box (xmas time))
15% PS3 / PC connection
10% Blu-Ray DVD (via PS3)
5% SD DVD (via PS3 or my current Pioneer DVD player)

I will be sitting approximately 7 foot from the screen.

I usually like to buy myself the best that I can afford as I hate the little voice in my head which says, "This is good, but it could have been better."

For that reason I am currently tempted by the LX5090. However, this is chuffing expensive (really more than I can currently afford unless I put the cat on the game and sell the cooker and fridge!)

That then leaves the LX508D (still rather expensive) or the 508XD (could afford this now).

I like the idea of Full HD, and am fully aware that the resolution is only part of the story. However, I know the difference between the image on my PC screen running at native res compared to non-native is vast and am a little concerned that buying only an HD Ready set (bearing in mind how close I will be sitting) will be noticable.

So a few questions :

1) Is the huge extra expense of the 5090 really worth it?
2) What's the SD quality like on these sets (SD TV and DVD)?
3) Which set would you say would be best for my needs?
4) Is there anything "just around the corner" which I should perhaps wait for?
5) Anyone care to donate to my recently formed charity, the New TV for Hussman Fund?

A final question, I know screen burn is no longer the issue it once was, but I am concerned about TV channels that insist on bunging a logo in the top corner. Would it be necessary to avoid these channels until my set had been used for over 200hrs?

Happy to hear all suggestions and advice as I don't want to make a mistake with this purchase as it will have to last me at least 5 years.

Many thanks in advance.

Hussman
 
If you're not too fussed about full HD you could buy a 5080, basically a 508XD without ISF feature, about £1000 cheaper than the 5090, with a stand for £1600 inc. 5 year warranty. I wouldn't buy a LX508.

I'll be buying a 5090 next week. As for screenburn it's best to view in pitch black room, that way you'll set contrast much lower than normal in a bright room, so reducing possibility of SB. Take it out of stock mode into movie, and disable all processing/nr, reduce contrast.
 
your right about full HD compatibility, the difference between 1080p and 720p is minimal at best and will take a keen eye up close to notice. I have a panasonic 50" 1080p and a 50" samsung 720p and full HD looks better on my samsung.

however, SD is a different baby altogether. The simple fact is that your CRT 32" will display SD a whole lot better than a 50" plasma can. when I watch SD a need to sit further away (around 3m) or the picture will look very grainy indeed. your DVD's should look fine though.

from your list I'd go for the poineer 508XD. It's not full 1080p HD but easily one of the best 720p's. As for the 5090, nice panel but too expensive. I certainly wouldn't spend more than £2000 on a plasma !!

look at the Panasonic TH-50PF10EK. It's a fine panel and full 1080p HD ready. certainly within your price range.

and remember, there's always something around the corner so don't bother worrying about it, or you'll never get yourself a yummy plasma.

hope this helps.
 
Some people also break in their sets for ~200 hours using specially designed DVDs (that display changing colours etc) to reduce the chance of burn in and uneven 'wear' on the screen.

The jury is still out on that i think.. some people swear by it.. some people say it's a placebo......

As for what's around the corner, AFAIK, the next sets to be released are going to be as expensive (if not, MORE expensive) than the current 9Gs. I some bits on this, in the other Kuro thread (basically 'monitor only' sets - and the Elite series etc)

Badbob - i hate you! Please make lots of pics when you get your set ;)
 
The only reason I'm buying the Pioneer is because spending less buys crap. Had the Samsung M86, and A556 and both rubbish. Panasonic de-interlacing isn't working properly.

Don't forget the Pioneers do not come with speakers or stand, each £100-£200. So rather than spend £100 on a pedastal then buy a strong table I've just gone for a new complete freestanding plasma stand.

s2a002.jpg

£270.
 
If you buy that, you still need to buy the "foot" for the Pioneer, £100 for the fixed one, £180 for the swivel type. The height of that Optimium is 57cm

Also with that Optimium the plasma could could be quite high, a 50" plasma is about 740mm high, so get a piece of card and place that about 10cm higher than the surface and should give a idea.

If my setup, I couldn't physically have the plasma on a pedastal and my center speaker on the top shelf, just not enough depth. However have free standing screen means the center speaker can be placed, either with a speaker stand or with a low av stand. A low av stand on it's own doesn't have enough space for av components so had to relocated them to another part of the room in a hifi stand.
 
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Those models are all modular, so you can buy different size legs for each section, so it probably wont end up being that high.. although i can't remember now!

I was going to wait for the KRP 500A model (monitor only) and wall mount... but my room isn't straight enough to allow that... plus its drywall haha greeeeeeeeat!
 
Thanks for the replies so far...


Anyone know what res freesat HD uses?
Also is it best to get the PS3 or the TV to upstair SD DVDs?

Thanks
 
Just noticed you are considering the A558. Don't buy it. Also don't buy a hifi stand with chrome legs they'll reflect light and stick out.
 
What about the
Alphason Apex TV Stand APX50/4-B
STUK 2053CHBL - Stil Stand 2053CHBL Glass TV stand
Alphason Universal Flat Panel TV Bracket Support ST480 120B
Plus the Origin S2/S4 range
 
look at the original post

discussing 'stands' doesn't really help him out.

getting off topic I think

Anyone know what res freesat HD uses?
Freesat HD TV uses two different formats, 720p (1280x720) and 1080i (1920x1080), because they use similar amounts of bandwidth but offer programme makers the ability to choose how to capture their subject matter.
720p is ideal for recording fast action such as sport, while 1080i is better for programmes which benefit from showing an increased level of detail like natural history.
Broadcasters are free to choose the format that best suits their mix of programmes. So in answer to your question it uses both !!

Also is it best to get the PS3 or the TV to upstair SD DVDs?
not really sure what you mean ...
 
maxtoon said:
look at the original post

discussing 'stands' doesn't really help him out.

getting off topic I think
Click to expand...

Thanks, agreed.

I'm looking at TVs at the moment. The stand will be a secondary issue as I will be using the tv unit which I currently have.




maxtoon said:
Also is it best to get the PS3 or the TV to upstair SD DVDs?
not really sure what you mean ...
Click to expand...

Me neither ...doh...

I meant UPSCALE, not upstair...apologies.

Thanks
 
Get the 5090 if you have a slight incling that you might be happier with it and can scrape together enough pennis to afford it.

When I demod the 508XD I nearly bought it there and then as it was a great upgrade to my 4280XD, but then the 5090 was coming into stock as a demo the following weekend. Glad I waited, much better picture, honestly for me it was like hopping from a panasonic plasma to a normal 720p kuro.

With regards to upstairs, upscaling I presume, 'bumtious' over at avforums has posted with what he thinks is the best way to setup the scaler on the PS3. Put the upscaling on 'normal' then tick 1080i as the maximum resolution, which allows the pioneer to round off the upscaling. Have to say it looks better than the settings I used before. Plus he is an ISF calibrator, so knows what he is on about and certainly has his eyes tuned in very well, and can't wait for him to come and calibrate my set.

Go for the 5090 if you just about afford it, and if not go the 5080 from the store that bumtious works for as a calibrator. just pop over to avforums and check his sig, the store is based in elstree just north of london. Don't get the lx508, far too expensive for an out of date model, but the 5080/508 is a bargain at £1600.

Popped into a a high street electronic shop named like an indian cuisine ;) and their LCDs were setup horribly and the pioneer looked soo dull compared to them, and naturaly. All obvisouly setup wrong, but it reminded me of why the pioneers are great, they look soo natural. Watching panic at *** disco on C4 now perforing at abbey road and it looks great. Plus a lot of bbc programs look almost HD onthe pios.
 
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Hi,

Thanks for all the valuable help so far.

-Ad- is the 5090 REALLY worth the extra £1K?

Is it a case of side by side the 5090 looks a bit better than the 508, or is it "chalk and cheese" different?

Thanks
 
It wasn't chalk and cheese, more like 'lead and water' :D

Well, i honestly thought the difference would be minimal, but the blacks were much better and made the 508 already great blacks look like a dark grey. The dynamic contrast was better with the darker blacks and whiter whites, and there seemed to be much more depth to the image, more 3D like. Plus 1080p is the cherry on top.

I bought mine as I knew that with the 508 i would probably want to upgrade in a few years, but with the 5090 Im done on tvs, it really is the perfect set. For me it was more of an 800 pound difference, as I got my 5090 a bit cheaper, and the 508 was 100 more than the 5080 that is now being sold by that same company. 800 is 3 digits not 4 like 1000, so that swayed it for me too :D

I'm just quite a picky bloke when it comes to video and sound :D
 
-Ad- said:
It wasn't chalk and cheese, more like 'lead and water' :D
Click to expand...


LOL - excellent comment!

Thanks for taking time to help me through the questions etc.

On the "bumptious" site I see the 5090 is currently £2350 and the 5090UT is £2495. Is this the same TV just one has a stand & speakers?

Anything else I need to know?

Thanks
 
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maxtoon said:
-Ad- is the 5090 REALLY worth the extra £1K?

absolutely not !!!!!

:(
Click to expand...

:confused: Definately worth it if you can afford it. Well it isn't quite 1k, more like 900.

Hussman: not sure what that model is, probably jsut a bundle inc the speakers and stand. I would ring them tomorrow and have a chat, they will tell yuo all you need to hear.

Can't wait for bumtious to come round and calibrate my set, even more to get out of it :D
 
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