Samsung or Sony?

borich_planner · 15 Sep 2009 at 22:01

I am looking at replacing my sony 32" d3000 tv as its over 2 years old and a bit small for my sitting room. I have been looking at 100mhz refresh rate tv and found

Sony 40W5500 or the Samsung LE40B650, both can be found online for 700-730. Both speces seem similar but I have heard about the issues of clouding and poor backlight on the Sony tv

Use will be for
Blu Ray
Sky Hd
popcorn hour C200
Xbox 360

Borich

photoshop · 15 Sep 2009 at 23:06

Why not stretch to a 42" and get a panny plasma?
It will be perfect for what you need it for.

Paddyw01 · 16 Sep 2009 at 02:10

photoshop said:
Why not stretch to a 42" and get a panny plasma?
It will be perfect for what you need it for.

I agree. Considering that Pioneer have backed out of the Plasma TV market, Panasonic's would be the better choice now.
Samsung are badly made with cheap plastics, and Sony always cost a little more for the same Panasonic would offer.

borich_planner · 16 Sep 2009 at 07:15

I'm just thinking a 42" willl be a little to big for the room

Borich

Random Guy · 16 Sep 2009 at 07:35

Trust me, once you have a 40" Set, you will want a 42" one.

I bought a Panny plasman, 42" last year. Immediately wished I had gone for a 46"!

borich_planner · 16 Sep 2009 at 07:39

what decent 42" can you guys recommended for around that price?

Borich

RSR · 16 Sep 2009 at 08:55

IMO. Id always choose a Sony over a Samsung. Even though the pannels are made in a joint venture between the two companies. Sony by far has the better picture engine.

danny_mac · 16 Sep 2009 at 12:03

I personally cannot fault my Samsung 40" LCD. Done quite a bit of research before i bought it as well. Always comes down to personal taste. Go to your local currys / comet and you will notice a fair bit of difference between the picture quality of the different brands.

Dougsnake · 16 Sep 2009 at 12:47

Well i went from a 40D3000 to a 40W5500 a few weeks ago and the W is a great improvement all round with all the familiar menu items and more,once you have set the picture correctly up its a great tv
I was also concerned about the backlight issues that got reported but im happy to say mine has non of the problems

maybe im lucky ......
I did look at the panasonic plasmas but i couldnt live with the dated feeling castrated menu system and lack of per input settings even compared to my 2 year old 40D3000 despite the decent picture on offer plus i had no use for freesat.
As suggested go look at some tvs in the high street to see the ergonomics of them as you carnt get any foregone conclusions on picture quality in the shops.
I use mine for ps3 skyhd and a media centre and it does everything i want of course im a little biased to the sony as i have one but thought id share my opinion anyway.
anyway goodluck finding the perfect tv as its a nightmare the more tvs you read about and see

borich_planner · 16 Sep 2009 at 21:25

I have a 2 year old 32D3000 and can get a 40w5500 for 734 delivered, I like the look of this tv and saw one in the Sony Centre today. Would be a very nice step up from HD ready to a full HD tv.

Borich

Paddyw01 · 24 Sep 2009 at 00:26

danny_mac said:
I personally cannot fault my Samsung 40" LCD. Done quite a bit of research before i bought it as well. Always comes down to personal taste. Go to your local currys / comet and you will notice a fair bit of difference between the picture quality of the different brands.

That's because Samsung ask the retailers to ramp up the backlight giving the illusion that the picture is sharper, whereas Pioneer and Panasonic ask retailers to leave their TV's at default. Trust me, I know from a reliable source (a couple of technicians), and I've adjusted the picture on my Samsung 32" loads and it still doesn't come close to my 32" Pioneer at default settings.