£400 to spend, which 37"- 42" TV?

Kona*

Kona*

Kona*

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Hi chaps,

We are finally getting round to decorating my "man cave" in the house and I've always wanted a mini cinema room. I've already got the PS3 for blu-rays and 5.1 surround sound (Onkyo HT-S5305B) - I now need the TV.

I have a max budget of £400 for a 32" to 42" TV, I don't really follow TV technology so I'm looking to you guys for suggestions please :) We have a LG 42LH5000 in the living room and I'd love it to be as good as that (I know it's not the best TV but I'd want something on-par with it). It's going to be used mainly for PS3 games and Blu-ray however Freeview HD (or Freesat HD) would be a nice bonus if it was built in.

Thanks :)

Edited to include 32" TVs
 
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I have just got a tx-p42u30b for just over £400 great tv love it, only downside is the reflectiveness of the panel, just don't have it in a bright room!
 
kg648 said:
I have just got a tx-p42u30b for just over £400 great tv love it, only downside is the reflectiveness of the panel, just don't have it in a bright room!
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Looking for the same, well will be shortly. Same price range too. That looks cracking tbh, always thought plasma was better over LCD and my rooms pretty dark. Shall keep an eye on the price of these.
 
mrk1@1 said:
its worth considering the samsung ue40c5100 led tv as richer sounds are churning these out at 399 at the moment. if you dont fancy a plasma that is.
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Unfortunately, it's LED, and not true LED at that either. Always stick with the plasmas at this size for better blacks. The Panny tx-p42u30b is a cracking unit
 
My Samsung 40" LCD has just broken down :( Am going to fight for its repair under SOGA, but in the meantime I might upgrade anyway.

Everything I read seems to point to Plasma over LCD/LED, so how come LCD seem to be the main choice when Plasma are generally larger and cheaper, whats the downside to a Plasma?

I've heard they can buzz, that would annoy me...
 
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They don't buzz, certainly the later models (2010 onwards) are hardly noticeable from the top brands like Panny

LED has come about because people believe them to be better. Like diesel cars, the public assume smaller is better, thinner is better. Whilst they are cheaper to run (although this is marginal as well now), they can't and won't ever offer the same colour levels of a plasma. Their response times are on a par with plasma and LCD.

Read real reviews and you'll not that plasma takes the lead at the 37" and over size market.
 
Freakbro said:
My Samsung 40" LCD has just broken down :( Am going to fight for its repair under SOGA, but in the meantime I might upgrade anyway.

Everything I read seems to point to Plasma over LCD/LED, so how come LCD seem to be the main choice when Plasma are generally larger and cheaper, whats the downside to a Plasma?
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Size / bulk are pretty much the downsides really compared to an LED / LED backlit now. On paper it doesn't seem much but when you see the new raft of LEDs on display you really notice the bulk of the older styles including the thickness of the surrounds. Nothing in it between plasma and LCD though.

At this price they are usually 720 not 1080 although the TX-P42U30B is 1080 and there are some bargains about at the moment. There is also the reflective surface to contend with (if you don't like that).

Size is a big one and the main reason why I didn't consider plasma or LCD again recently. Choice of the Samsung UE40C @ 972mm x 596mm x 30mm or somthing like the Panasonic @ 1023mm x 637mm x 93 mm and 2x the weight.

If you can flush wall mount, then the size is less of an issue, if not and it is in a room corner then you may notice the bulk but it is very room / set up / personal preference dependent.
 
Lucero said:
They don't buzz, certainly the later models (2010 onwards) are hardly noticeable from the top brands like Panny

LED has come about because people believe them to be better. Like diesel cars, the public assume smaller is better, thinner is better. Whilst they are cheaper to run (although this is marginal as well now), they can't and won't ever offer the same colour levels of a plasma. Their response times are on a par with plasma and LCD.

Read real reviews and you'll not that plasma takes the lead at the 37" and over size market.
Click to expand...

None really argue about the quality and performance of the Plasma though but like everything it has a price and when people want the latest tech, the LED TVs are the most affordable.

With the new range of slim plasmas panasonic are releasing size becomes less relevant, assuming you can afford them.

Can't blame people for wanting a slim TV though and the new ultra slim bezel D8000 Samsungs are nice if you don't mind paying for it.
 
Looking on Richer Sounds and they have a Samsung UE40D6100 (3D LED) that comes with a 'free' 3D Blueray player (BDC5900) & 2 glasses for £699

Sounds a good deal?
 
Yea, that isn't bad and you can always get the 5 year RS warranty. Most places are doing deals on these atm though. Depends if you want 3D as if not, you can pick up the 40D5520 for £599 with 5 year warranty.

I couldn't think of anything worse than sitting at home with 3D specs on though after trying a few demos in local stores, it is bad enough in the cinema although this is slightly offset by the massive screen and surrounding darkness.
 
Thanks for the suggestions chaps. I went in to RS yesterday and tested out 5 TV's and settled on the LG 37LE5900 - out of all the £350-£450 TV's it had the sharpest picture and smoothest motion. The black levels were only bested by the LG 37LD490 but only marginally. The sound isn't great at all but everything will be going through my Onkyo HT-S5305B so it doesn't really matter :) I just need to finish decorating now and get everything set up properly!
 
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