Help with tv decision...

rhysduck

rhysduck

rhysduck

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It's time to get a new tv for my bedroom. I've not had one since analogue was switched off!

Have been looking at the Sony KDL40EX403U but have read that it suffers from input lag when used for gaming. Something that I will probably be looking to use it for.

Any recommendations for any tv set that overcomes this?
Thanks.... This will be wall mounted so needs to be light if possible.
 
The 403 is a decent all-rounder and has some nice features (eg freeview HD, BBC iPlayer etc). It can be had for £399 at some places so is a good buy. When you say gaming... console or PC? Hardcore FPS's won't be ideal for it, but you wouldn't notice it on console tbf. The only others in that price range and size are the samsung LE40C530 and LG LD450, neither of which are terrible, but not amazing either.
 
Thanks for the reply. It'll be used for both console and pc gaming. I want the tv to be a great all-rounder like you say the Sony is.
I want deep blacks, zero ghosting, full hd (for future proofing), and plenty of inputs/outputs for future expansion.
I am definitely open to down sizing for the same price if needed... I've always been drawn towards plasma and would also like led (full) backlighting but I think that may push my budget.
Thanks for the reply mate :)
 
What budget have you got?

Zero ghosting is something that you can't really avoid with an LCD. Only plasmas will give no smearing, ghosting or motion blur. Plasmas also don't suffer anywhere near as badly, if at all, with input lag.

Although plasmas don't suffer from screen burn anymore, I'm not sure about using it as a monitor for a PC. Consoles will be perfectly fine, and you will only get some image retention when using a PC, but it's up to you.
 
These panels aren't going to give you "zero" ghosting, as they're 50Hz and are going to have a bit of blur where there's fast movement. Not a huge amount, but it's not going to be perfect. The only tv's I've been really impressed by in the smoothness/clear movement department have been 3d tvs (I still think the Samsung C8000 is wonderful). For deep blacks and better colour representation it might be worth stretching to an LED, and I can highly recommend the samsung C6000 range, which are hard to find but have come down a lot in price (we have it at £649 for a 40" atm, but no stock in the southwest right now). Great colours, all the features you were looking at, great contrast, and it's a 100hz panel which will help with movement clarity. It is edge-lit, but it doesn't suffer from the same issues I've seen on the cheaper LG LEDs, which I would avoid.
 
Nymins said:
What budget have you got?
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About the £400 mark. I need to leave room cor a vest mount and other bits and bobs like cables... Oh and a new desk.

Like I said I'm willing to down size... Maybe a 40" is a bit too big for my room. Maybe a 37" or a even a 32" would be ideal. I'm not THAT fussy but am after the best for my money, it's going to be a birthday present for myself so needs to be something nice :)

I'll add more info to this if and when I think of it and if I feel it's neccessary to recommendations. Cheers guys.
 
The 40EX403 is probably the best option. The input lag shouldn't be that noticeable, and you will get use to it.

Plasmas will cost more, for 1080p in particular. There are a few good priced 37/42" 720p Plasmas from Panasonic and LG.

Again LED 1080p TV's will cost more than £400 as well. The EX403 is probably your best bet for features and price.
 
Thanks again for the reply :)
I feel I may have to push my budget up slightly to get what I want. A great all round tv that's light (the wall it's going on isn't up to much and won't take a 40" plasma unless it's led backlit.) and offers everything I want.
I saw a YouTube video on the input lag for the Sony thats been mentioned and whilenit was slight, it's something that would probably bother me.
There's also the factor of would I notice the difference between 720p and 1080p? I do plan on watching blu-rays on it through the pc.
So, are there any good priced, 100hz (or low input lag), full-hd(?), light tv's out there. I don't ask much :( cheers.
 
"Your wall isn't up to much!!" Do you live in a dodgy rented bedsit where a cowboy builder has thrown up a single skin plasterboard dividing wall... or is your house is falling down??

It's perfectly possible to mount any current plasma screen up to 60" and <70Kg in weight on a flat bracket on any wall in a standard domestic property. The trick is to do it right rather than bodge the job. Wall mounting shouldn't be a reason not to buy the TV you want. :)
 
Depends how far you sit from the screen as to whether or not you will notice the difference between 720p and 1080p.

Console games are all (pretty much) rendered at 720p, so 1080p isn't needed.

SkyHD and Virgin HD are broadcast at 1080i (not P), so again the difference isn't noticeable.

Blu-rays and PC games are the only sources that "require" a 1080p screen to get the benefits of 1080p, but again this is subject to how far you sit from the screen.
 
lucid said:
It's perfectly possible to mount any current plasma screen up to 60" and <70Kg in weight on a flat bracket on any wall in a standard domestic property. The trick is to do it right rather than bodge the job. Wall mounting shouldn't be a reason not to buy the TV you want. :)
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How would you mount a 40" to just a beam and plasterboard wall then?
Can't see how the strength would be there to accomodate the weight of the tv from just plasterboard. It's a dividing wall between bedrooms. Not sure how old the house is.

Im about 2ft away from the wall when I'm at my desk - and about 6ft when in bed...
Seems only the pc games and bluray will need 1080 then.. both of which ill probably be doing (definitely the former) when at my desk.
 
Sorry to double post.
I've kind of made my mind up on the Sony 32EX503 LCD tv... For sport, gaming and films.
Is this my best choice for the money (£400ish budget)?
would I be better off saving for a little bit longer for a slightly bigger led plasma set?
 
I'd forget plasma. For a PC it'll drive you mad with the screen burn. The 503 is a nice TV, but I think the 403 is just fine for what you've described. £399 at two big high street retailers (or price match it elsewhere and get the extra 10% difference too=£394). At the distances you've described either size would duit though so it's up to you.
 
Devrij said:
I'd forget plasma. For a PC it'll drive you mad with the screen burn. The 503 is a nice TV, but I think the 403 is just fine for what you've described. £399 at two big high street retailers (or price match it elsewhere and get the extra 10% difference too=£394). At the distances you've described either size would duit though so it's up to you.
Click to expand...

Plasmas don't get screen burn anymore, just image retention which goes away after a few minutes.

If its primarily for PC use, then an LCD would probably be better. But for everything else, go plasma.
 
Well.. two contrsating posts there. Thank though :)
I just don't know what to do!! I havent really looked at 32/37inch LED PLASMA sets as a guide of price and what available for about £500 :(
It's not going to be used much for the pc, so according your post Nymins, it should be a plasma im going for..... :( Jeez, why's it so hard!! :D

Edit: Have found a LG 37LE5300 for £550 with 5yr Garauntee. Whats the opinion?
 
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If you dont need 1080p, then I'd go for a Panasonic plasma, like the 37X20B. Can be had from RicherSounds for £349.99 atm. 1080p Plasmas tend to be a large jump in price from the 720p sets.

Just depends if you really really need 1080p. Obviously for PC gaming it would be good, but the only other 1080p source would be Blu-ray. Console games are all (pretty much all) rendered at 720p.

I myself have put a deposit down on a 37X20B from RicherSounds (they need to order them in as its a small store), as I currently just have a Panasonic 42PX80, which is pretty much exactly the same as the X20 series PQ wise. I don't think I could go back to LCD after having a plasma for so long, and my PX80 has had no issues at all, so I want to get another Panasonic. Although I think the new 2010 LG plasmas are pretty decent.
 
Nymins said:
If you dont need 1080p, then I'd go for a Panasonic plasma, like the 37X20B. Can be had from RicherSounds for £349.99 atm. 1080p Plasmas tend to be a large jump in price from the 720p sets.

Just depends if you really really need 1080p. Obviously for PC gaming it would be good, but the only other 1080p source would be Blu-ray. Console games are all (pretty much all) rendered at 720p.

I myself have put a deposit down on a 37X20B from RicherSounds (they need to order them in as its a small store), as I currently just have a Panasonic 42PX80, which is pretty much exactly the same as the X20 series PQ wise. I don't think I could go back to LCD after having a plasma for so long, and my PX80 has had no issues at all, so I want to get another Panasonic. Although I think the new 2010 LG plasmas are pretty decent.
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Not to hijack the thread but I'm in a similar situation and have a question about you saying really needing 1080p. I was going to get a 42X20B which isn't 1080p although I won't be gaming and currently don't have a Bluray but I keeping wondering should I be getting a 1080p TV, for future proof more than anything else.
From what you say I take I don't really need 1080p and my choice of TV will be fine for watching the HD & SD channels on Virgin Media. The TV is for our living room and we sit about 10' or so from the screen. The only thing I can think of in the future is when our 4yr old discovers gaming consoles or if we pick up a Bluray player for the odd film.
 
At that distance and screen size you probably wouldn't notice the difference between 720p and 1080p. The X20 sets are great if my PX80 is anything to go by.

I use my PS3 for blu-rays and they look great on it even though its "only" 720p.
 
Nymins said:
At that distance and screen size you probably wouldn't notice the difference between 720p and 1080p. The X20 sets are great if my PX80 is anything to go by.

I use my PS3 for blu-rays and they look great on it even though its "only" 720p.
Click to expand...

Thanks for reply, appreciate it.
 
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