LCD, LED, Plasma and then 3D what affects what?

[irneb]

I must look at new skins which ones do you recommend?

You might want to look at this thread: http://forum.xbian.org/thread-139.html

Apparently my favourite (amber) doesn't actually use up too much of the Pi's CPU (on that test only 20% as opposed to something like Aeon MQ at 98%). It seems to use even less CPU than those others recommended, so I'd advise you try it.

Or look at these guys testing it on a R-Pi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R6S1cgCWhU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHfK-_tWzRU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErWF2sYgJec

[wynn]

How do you watch TV Wynn?
Do you have a bluray or DVD player that you use regularly?
Do you have a home network with movies/series stored on other PC's you'd like to watch?
How big is your lounge/TV room, how far do you sit away from your TV?
Do you have other devices you'd like to be able to plug into your TV such as a Madiator or portable hard drive or even a camera?
Do you currently have a separate sound system for the audio or do you just use the speakers in your old TV?
Do you just want to use your TV as a TV or would you like to be able to browse internet and skype etc.

Thanks Andy, I was lost in 'Geek' for a while there.

I really only watch DSTV, I would tune local SABC 1,2,3 and eTV but they are on the DSTV bouquet already I would like to get a new PVR eventually, I have a DVD player but it is not connected, it would be connected by wires if it was.
The reason I don't have the DVD connected is I watch too much TV already and movies would just cut into my sleep time.
I sit about 10 feet (3M) away from the screen and use the TV speakers,(I would probably get another meter when I dump the old tv and mount the flat screen on the wall)
I might want to get surround sound at the same time.
No no browsing or skyping, my office is just down the passage and all of that happens there.

[irneb]

Sorry if this thread evolved off topic.

From what you're saying: You want something which you're going to hang on the wall and only watch DSTV. Perhaps later add a DVD/BD and a surround system.

For the hanging on the wall, I'd suggest you go with a LED. They're usually a lot slimmer than LCD/Plasma - and tend to stay cooler so you don't need as much vent space behind. Also check that the connections won't mean you have to keep it way from the wall - prefer to get connections towards the sides / bottom (not at the edges of the screen) in stead of sticking straight out backwards.

Because you're not going to use any onboard menus - forget all those posts. You're happy with DSTV's own menu - so the only time you're ever going to see the TV's is when you set it to show the DSTV connection.

You'd need a TV with at least 2 HDMI inputs - one for DSTV and the other for your "future" DVD/BD player. Preferably you'd want an audio out as well (either HDMI/Optical/Coax) to send to your future sound system. It's much nicer to have one place to control (i.e. from the TV) than to remember to also set your sound system to use the same DSTV/Player as you've just set your TV to display.

Alternatively, some sound systems have a pass-through feature for multiple HDMI's. I.e. to change from DSTV to the DVD you set the sound system's "channel" and it then sends the video signal to the TV. You don't need to touch your TV's remote.

Because you're referring to BD (Blue Ray Disc) - you'd want a full HD.

[AndyD]

I'd pretty much agree with Irneb. I'd suggest strongly you spend the extra and get a decent 5.1 or 7.1 surround system to go with your TV, it will enhance your viewing pleasure enormously. Built-in TV speakers never fail to disappoint, most of the time they're basically overgrown laptop speakers with little resolution and very poor frequency response curves.

I'd also suggest you get a TV with a USB port and a good range of built-in codecs for movie and audio playback. A codec is just the software or program that decodes a compressed movie file so it can be played and allows you to use a flashdrive or portable harddrive directly into the TV or via a standard USB cable. It might be something you don't do at the moment but it is the way forward and I'm sure you'll use this feature more and more in future. Many TV's have limited codecs which means thay're picky and choosey about what movies they'll play so it's something to consider when making your choice.

I'd be looking for a TV with support for;

mkv, avi, MPEG and mp4 containers

MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and maybe WMV video formats but it wouldn't be a dealbreaker if Windows proprietary formats weren't supported.

AAC, AC3, DTS, PCM, LPCM, MP3, FLAC and maybe WMA audio formats.

3D and smart features it doesn't sound like you'll use so I would aviod the latest and greatest 3D smart ranges which would be a waste of money for you.

Plasma or LCD or LED? Good question and TBH with most TV's produced in recent years it's much of a muchness. I personally like plasma.....but saying that I bought an LED TV a year ago because it better suited my needs. It's mostly down to budget and personal taste.

Best manufacturer? My choice is Sumsung but there are other good ones. Sony are good picture but I avoid Sony because of lack of codecs any USB support etc. I have a Bang and Oulfsen Beovision in my bedroom which is a throwback to times gone by when money was no object, nice TV if your budget will accomodate but at 10 times the price of a mid-range Samsung I doubt you'll be interested. The mother-in-law recently bought an LG led and for what she paid I can't fault it apart from it being a bit picky what video formats it will play from a flashdrive. One thing I would caution against is generic and store home-brands. I know a few people who've opted for these because it looks like you get the same spec as a global brand but for cheaper. Believe me there's some crap ones!! I'd stick with a Samsung/LG etc and avoid the Sinotec and Dixon etc.

Next question, how much moola you got?

[irneb]

I'd pretty much agree with Irneb. I'd suggest strongly you spend the extra and get a decent 5.1 or 7.1 surround system to go with your TV, it will enhance your viewing pleasure enormously. Built-in TV speakers never fail to disappoint, most of the time they're basically overgrown laptop speakers with little resolution and very poor frequency response curves.

+1, that's usually where those salesmen get you. I've yet to see any new TV with even acceptable sound, never mind "decent". Even my laptop's speakers sound better. And my PC's speakers are definitely better. So you can imagine just how poor the built-in speakers are, I'd go so far as to say they're comparable to your cellphone's speaker.

If budget constraints is an issue, then be warned - decent sound systems could mean you need to sell your car. But not to worry, nearly anything's better than the built-in speakers. Even if you don't go with a full fledged surround system (i.e. 5 to 7 speakers and a subwoofer - 5.1 or 6.1 or 7.1), just a decent hi-fi quality stereo system would enhance your experience tremendously. Even some hifi's these days come standard with HDMI inputs and pass through so you can use them as a sound system for your TV. Even if you have an old hifi (i.e. from the 90's) I'd opt to get analogue audio outputs into that hifi's AUX port instead of trying to listen to the either too soft and/or distorted crackling from the TV - though it might mean usability is a bit poorer as you'd need to set the hifi to the Aux channel whenever you want to watch TV.

I've had some good experience from this: http://www.philips.co.za/c/home-thea...sb2313_12/prd/
Though that was bought quite a few years ago (for around R1500). It's a 2.1 (i.e. 2 stereo speakers with a woofer for base sounds). Not "great" but enough for my small lounge (around 3x4m). Has some pseudo surround effects, but that I disregard (you never get the same effect with this fake surround stuff - it basically uses an echo to produce the impression that the sound comes from behind/to the side of you). What is nice about this is its inputs - if your TV can't handle too many (e.g. only has one HDMI) then this is exactly the sort of thing you'd be after. Not to mention, I've actually lost my TV remote since I've yet to actually use it - all channel switching goes through this "soundbar" as does volume +/-/mute - though even that I do very seldom (since my media centre can handle most of what I need to "adjust").

Personally if I was going to buy my "home theatre" (seeing as I very seldom actually watch "TV") I would go for something like this (or a full sound system) - then a really impressive PC screen instead of a "TV". To me the screen should be just that - a screen. I've got a media centre to manage everything using a very good menu system, DVD player/external disc/network share for my movies, a sound system for my sounds, a decoder for watching DSTV ... why should the screen have all this stuff inside (only in inferior quality). If the quality was comparable then I might think about reducing cables, but it's so far behind that I don't mind a few cables hidden behind the shelf. It seems like such a waste to me, they can throw all that S#!T out and make it cheaper. Especially seeing as they tend to use the most inferior C#@P they can possibly find to stick in there (every manufacturer including the bigname brands).

E.g. if I want a screen to suit my lounge (i.e. around the same distance away as yours 3 to 4 m) with impressive quality and decent sound with lots of connectivity and extremely easy usage I'd rather want something like this: http://www.samsung.com/africa_en/con.../LH46UEPLGC/XY
Than something like this: http://www.samsung.com/africa_en/con...UA46F6800AKXXA
Simply because I'd only use the stuff available from the 1st, all the extras in the 2nd are superfluous to me. And price-wise I'd be saving between 20% and 40% depending on where I buy it:

http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/55141286/Samsung+MD46B+46%22+Large+Format+Display/

http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/4...+46%22+LED+TV/

[wynn]

Next question, how much moola you got?

I will have about 7 grand.

I like the idea of a computer screen with PVR and the rest but I am a real 'Technodactyl/phobe' and would be afraid that I would blow the budget on something that won't work properly.

[irneb]

Ok for that, you'd probably not be able to go much larger than a 36" (i.e. similar to a typical old box TV size), but for your size room you'd not need anything over a 50" (that would just look silly - might as well then go for a projector instead, to get that cinema experience ). So anything between 36 to 50 should be sufficient for the distance you're sitting away from it, but I'd rather go with a full HD 36", than a HD ready 50". So check for the largest full HD you can afford.

And to keep the price down while getting a decent resolution, you'd probably want to check Plasma or LCD first (I fear a decent sized LED is going to get very close to your limit or surpass it, so don't worry about the hype surrounding it - it's major benefits over the other 2 if resolution/size is the same is that it uses less elec and is flatter, quality will be much the same). Follow those links to the PriceCheck website, it lists most of the stuff available in SA so you can at least get an indication of the relative prices (might even be able to use it for some bargaining power). There are definitely some 43" plasmas well within your range (e.g. the JVC full HD plasma 43") - so you would have some spare cash to look for a soundbar or the like. But definitely check in the shop how it looks and operates before making up your mind.

As someone's said already, try to stay away from the non-big-brand names. Try to stick with Samsung/LG/Sony/similar (I might class JVC/Telefunken/Sharp/Panasonic/Toshiba as a 2nd tier just above the stuff like Hisense/Rectron/Ellies/PVision/Benq/etc.), though some of the others aren't "bad" you might find that service isn't too great. I do see that some PC-big-names also make TV's, though I'm not sure how well their interfaces go - I know brands like Acer/Asus/Mercer/Nec make reasonably good PC screens, so their TV's might be similar.

If you want to go for the PC screen thing, then I'd first ask a few extra questions:

1. Do you already have some sort of sound system (hifi or the like)?
2. Can you explain (or better yet take a picture and post here) what connections your decoder has?
3. Or if you're going to get a PVR one - which model?

Alternatively, you can always later go for a sound system and live with some crappy sound for now while you have a decent screen.

On a side-note, you might have noticed that some screens/TVs have glossy glass and others have a matt finish. I like the matt finish personally since it doesn't show reflections as much, but if you've got direct sunlight onto your screen (which you must avoid at all costs) then glossy is the only one which might allow you to still see some picture.

[AndyD]

Okay, I'd caution about using a PC monitor as a TV for several reasons.

The first is price. You're going to pay considerably more for a PC monitor which is the same physical size as a TV.

Secondly a PC monitor often has different plugs and sockets to a TV so it can sometimes cause issues when you want to connect devices such as decoders, set-top boxes, DVD players etc etc.

Thirdly the native resolutions of monitors and TV's are fundamentally different. In the good old days both monitors and TV's were all 4:3 so if the screen was 40cm wide it would be 30cm high. Nowadays the width to height ratio of a monitor is usually 16:10 whereas TV's are usually 16:9. This might not seem important but it means if you play media such as movies on a monitor they don't physically fit so you're either stuck with the black bars filling in the gaps or even worse the software that's responsible for playing the movie will 'adjust' the picture to fit the screen. This means playback is at a non-native resolution and the result is poor quality picture. Likewise if you use a TV to play games that were made for use on a PC the game graphics will be native 16:10 and the quality will suffer on a 16:9 TV. Also to add insult to injury the TV is likely to be larger so the poor quality will be even more pronounced.

In a nutshell (I'm trying to avoid complex technical explanations) a monitor and a TV lay the picture onto the screen in different ways. If you want to read about the differences Google 'anamorphic playback', 'interlacing', 'progressive scanning' etc. My best advice would be to buy a TV if want a TV and buy a monitor if you're using it primarily connected to a PC.

[irneb]

The first is price. You're going to pay considerably more for a PC monitor which is the same physical size as a TV.

I've seen that too, but only when the screen is in the region above 60". the reason being that the PC screens at that size are usually UHD (i.e. in the 3480x2160 or even 7680x4320 pixel range) while the TV's stay with while 1920x1020. It's because a PC screen is designed to be viewed while you sit very close to it, and at those sizes sitting 1m away a "standard" full HD will show you the dots. For TV's this generally doesn't matter because with those size screens you're meant to sit at least 5m away - so you won't notice the "large" dots. Though you do still get PC displays at similar resolutions, e.g. this 82" Samsung is only 1020p (1920x1020) at 16:9 - around same price as this 75" TV. While the other way round is also true, e.g. UHD TV's: http://www.samsung.com/za/consumer/t...evision/uhd-tv

Secondly a PC monitor often has different plugs and sockets to a TV so it can sometimes cause issues when you want to connect devices such as decoders, set-top boxes, DVD players etc etc.

That's probably true. Most PC screens would only have 1 (or perhaps 2) inputs. In general a DVI input instead of HDMI, but you do get those with HDMI these days also. They also don't have remote sensors built-in like TVs do, so for the remote you might need something else.

Thirdly the native resolutions of monitors and TV's are fundamentally different. In the good old days both monitors and TV's were all 4:3 so if the screen was 40cm wide it would be 30cm high. Nowadays the width to height ratio of a monitor is usually 16:10 whereas TV's are usually 16:9.

This is a bit of a yes..and...no situation, I'd say 16:10 is about 40% of the PC screens you get these days. All TV's are 16:9, but PC's vary quite often. I've even seen some PC screens at 2.35:1 (i.e. the same as a cinema screen - more than twice as wide than they're high), thus it could even go the other way round - the black bars on the sides as the screen's proportions means it's wider than the video's 16:9. But you also do get PC screens at 16:9, e.g. my desktop's 23" is a 16:9.

So yes, caution should be applied if you go with PC screens. Best would be to get one with at least one connection for each of your equipment so you don't need a intermediate device to "convert" one cable into another. And to get a screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9 with apples-for-apples comparison of resolutions.

[wynn]

So it looks like I will settle for a 36" or 40" LED in either Samsung, Sony or one of the other big brand names.

Thanks very much for the help!

[IanF]

Be careful of the sony the playback from USB is very limited, take your own stick and test it in store.

[irneb]

Be careful of the sony the playback from USB is very limited, take your own stick and test it in store.

+1 ... best to go test in the store. If you don't have a USB, and not going to use such things, then it probably doesn't matter.

Also check what the screen actually is. I'd go so far as to rent a BlueRay movie for the day when I go to these shops and have them play it for me there - stops them from choosing some special purpose video they coded to look best on a crappy screen. Choose something with lots of action and preferably a lot of fine detail, e.g. something like Hugo might be a perfect test. And then also a standard SABC channel to see how it handles poor video sources.

E.g. higher price doesn't necessarily mean it's a better screen. E.g. compare these 2:

• http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/4...ctshare+Movie/
• http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/5...+Hd+Plasma+Tv/

So for an extra R400 you get 11" extra inches but only half the resolution. To me the cheaper of those 2 is actually the better one, not because of the price - I'd still go with the full HD if they were at the same price. And not because of Plasma/LED, to me that's less of a consideration than the resolution.

[Dave A]

I'd go so far as to rent a BlueRay movie for the day when I go to these shops and have them play it for me there - stops them from choosing some special purpose video they coded to look best on a crappy screen.

My tip is make sure there's a low light scene (The Dark Knight, for example). My experience is this is one area where the difference in quality between screen displays becomes really obvious.

[bjsteyn]

I baught a Samsung 46" LED Smart 3D TV. And i am impressed with the quality of picture and features that it pack.

There are one or two things that arn't perfect. The motion sensing for controlling the TV doesn't work that great, although the voice recognition works almost perfect. Also things like when having to turn up the volume via voice it only increases/descrease by one at a time.
If my volume is 20 and i want to get it to 50 i have to say "Hi TV, Volume Up, Volumen Up, Volume Up, Volume Up, Volume up, Volume up x 25 more times" I woul like to say "Volume up by 5" or something. Don't know if there is a way mabe to this. But dont see anything in the guide.

Secondly when trying to connect to media on my server using either Plex or Samsung Link the network connection just breaks at times and every time i add new media to my server is such a mission for the TV to pick up the new media. Also if there is media in folder that the TV doesn't recognize it doesn't want to read the folder. The samsung link web interface for configuring shared folders doesn't work so i had to edit the SQLLite database manually and tried to use Plex as-well, but it also have problems also with the interface and media being read.

Thirdly, when watching movies form my server directly threw the media player on the TV it has an soap opera effect, and doesn't look like a movie. I am linking my TV to my pc via HDMI, and movies has much more of a movie feel playing it with nero showtime or vlc media player.

I haven't played a movie threw a DVD player yet. But baught a 3D blue ray external dvd drive to hook up with my pc. Am still to get a movie and test it out.

Overall i am very impressed, there are just a few things that bug me , that i wish samsung would have sorted out. Hopefully i can update the firmware/software on the TV when samsung release updates and that they will fix the issues.

Since i moved my TV to a different room where the lighting is much better, the motion control is working perfect. I also got Plex Media Server to work correctly since i am running it from my desktop pc and not from my laptop anymore.