Buying a Bravia need some help <---noob

Born_2_Kill_83

Born_2_Kill_83

Born_2_Kill_83

Soldato
Joined
10 Nov 2006
Posts
8,578
Location
Lincolnshire
I want to purchase a Sony Bravia, no smaller than 32" no larger than 40". It must be proper HDMI.

I'm having problems doing my homework though, the thing is im trying to concentrate on most is the contrast ratio. Could some-one explain to me what this is and what the difference between contrast and dynamic ratios?

The TV I have my eye on has a dynamic contrast ratio of 16000:1 (which sounds pritty good) (Sony KDL40V3000) But the more expensive KDL40W2000 has a "contrast ratio" of 1800:1 and a dynamic of 8000:1.

I'm open to surgestions on other makes and models too! :cool:

EDIT: is 1080P better than 1080i?
 
Last edited:
1080p is better than 1080i, really you want to be looking at contrast Ratio. Dynamic is more to confuse the consumer on the spec of the TV something that was brought in by a very well named brand when they were suffering slow sales. There are great TV's available around. My personal favourites at the moment are the below

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=AV-019-OK&groupid=703&catid=1127&subcat=1132

cheaper end of the budget but a great TV and well liked in forums.

alternatively go a little more top end and get

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=AV-097-LG&groupid=703&catid=1127&subcat=1132

again a very well like and publicised product.
 
does it have to be a bravia? does it have to be an lcd? think about the uses first and then decide, because by far plasma's are better value for money tv's.

apart from that, dynamic contrast should be ignored. setting the displays up involves turning off all the dynamic contrast rubbish anyway.
 
Last edited:
Dynamic contrast ratio is what you will get when taking in to account the dynamic dimming of the backlight during dark scenes. It is not a true figure and should be taken with one giant pinch of salt.

Your best bet is to go and view some in the shops. I think limiting yourself to a Sony is a bad idea also. Lots of them have problems with smearing and clouding among other things.
Mind you, there are problems with basically every TV out there so you pay your money and take your choice really.
 
Kamakazie! said:
Dynamic contrast ratio is what you will get when taking in to account the dynamic dimming of the backlight during dark scenes. It is not a true figure and should be taken with one giant pinch of salt.

Your best bet is to go and view some in the shops. I think limiting yourself to a Sony is a bad idea also. Lots of them have problems with smearing and clouding among other things.
Mind you, there are problems with basically every TV out there so you pay your money and take your choice really.
Click to expand...


pretty much correct. Doesn't really matter how much you pay or what brand you get, someone will find a fault to complain about. See some working or ask around people you know they might be able to help. Either that or try a cheaper brand first and work your way through the brands.
 
On the bravia front the newer 32W4000 (£700) and 40W4000 (£1-1100) both true 1080p (also think the thedean ment these in his previous post) are just entering the market i suggest looking at them rather than the older models,not saying the older ones are carp but the new ones do look great to me specs and looks wise.
As others suggest look closer at your usages for the tv and i wouldnt close my eyes to other brands even though i like my own sony but i wouldnt say im a brand snob was just the best tv for me at the time.
The new panasonics,samsungs and lg`s look pretty good too

Btw the lg scarlett 32" is not true 1080p its only got resolution of 1366x768 still looks a decent tv for the money though
 
Last edited:
marketing nonsense. at the time of testing even the w2000 with its 1800 quoted ratio tested in at a calibrated range of close to 1:1200 but at the time it was (and probably still is) up there with the best of the best LCDs.


You need to think about this though. Plasma's are far FAR better value for money in this price range. Believe me i own a particularly good 40w2000 and it pales to plasma's in terms of black levels and that is one thing i cant ignore.
 
Maybe look at the Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" plasma. It's meant to be a good one and fits in between the sizes you want.

What are your uses of the screen going to be and how close will you be sitting? With that info you can get some more recommendations. And like most PC and electrical products, don't get too caught up in the specs.
 
Hen_Dawg said:
Maybe look at the Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" plasma. It's meant to be a good one and fits in between the sizes you want.

What are your uses of the screen going to be and how close will you be sitting? With that info you can get some more recommendations. And like most PC and electrical products, don't get too caught up in the specs.
Click to expand...

Ill be using it for playing blu-ray dvds, standard dvds and ps3 gaming, no sports or tv. I sit about 3 to 4 meters away. Getting it narrowed down to about 3 tvs now, can anyone recommend the lg 37lf66? Also wuld 40" be over kill for 4 meters sitting distance?
 
Loowi_ashley said:
Ill be using it for playing blu-ray dvds, standard dvds and ps3 gaming, no sports or tv. I sit about 3 to 4 meters away. Getting it narrowed down to about 3 tvs now, can anyone recommend the lg 37lf66? Also wuld 40" be over kill for 4 meters sitting distance?
Click to expand...

Ok from that I would have to say that for 3-4metres a 42 would be preferable or 50inch if you could afford it. Also no one has asked what is your budget ?

You mention that it will be used for gaming and movies, but how much would you say you do percentage wise, and how many hours a day, E.g. 50% films, 50% gaming for 4 hours a night?

Lglf66 at any price is a waste of money and money would be much better spent on a panasonic PX80 37 or even 42 inch. I sit at about 3-4 metres and a 42 is perfect, although sometimes I wish I had a 50. But always go for the best one you can afford and the one which looks the best, as this contrast ratio malarkyl means nothing, and at the distance you will be sitting, getting a 1080p set will be useless (unless a 50) as your eyes jsut won't be able to resolve those small pixels.

So, budget ? :)
 
TheDean said:
the W3000 is the best 40" Bravia at the moment, it has just come out. It is horribly expensive though
Click to expand...

Came out last year, W4000 has just came out.

We had one in the shop in at £1300 (we're expensive) which puts it as the direct competitor to Panasonic TH-42PZ85 which is a much better set!
 
-Ad- said:
So, budget ? :)
Click to expand...

My budget is from £600-£800, this is not a budget I will spend in a high street retailer of course, I wont come out with anything decent, I will shop for a week to find the best price. Hopefully somthing thats £1k in a retailer I should find for £750 elsewhere.

Why do you rate the LG 37LF66 so poorly?

I think Ive nearly decided on the Sony KDL-40V3000 can any-one put me off this screen last minute?
 
YES GET A PLASMA

why arent you listening to reason lol

LCDS ARE INFERIOR> PLASMA GIVE YOU BETTER QUALITY FOR THE MONEY
FAR BETTER BLACKS
BETTER COLOUR RANGE
CHEAPER
 
Last edited:
Loowi_ashley said:
I think Ive nearly decided on the Sony KDL-40V3000 can any-one put me off this screen last minute?
Click to expand...

I bought a V3000 and have decided to return it in favour of a Panasonic PX80. The blacks on the V3000 are really awful and the PX80 beats the V3000 in every category.
You can pick up the PX80 for £649 with a 5 yr guarantee if you get it price matched
 
Loowi_ashley said:
LOL I'm just not a Plasma fanboy sorry :p
Click to expand...
its a good time to start learning then. take it from somebody who owns a 40w2000 - im selling it and getting a plasma because im no longer going to put up with the black levels.

new-setup.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom