Do you have a 55inch TV that you love? Please tell...

Cheap Steve on 26/02/2012 - 17:20

I am looking to buy a 55 inch TV in the next 2-3 weeks for a new home that I have just built and move into shortly. If anyone has bought a 55' TV in the last 12 months can you please let me know what you bought, why you love it, how much you paid and where from. Probably the main thing you need to know is that the TV will be located in an open plan living room that will be very light filled (the room has a lot of glass windows and glass sliding doors). I was told by a HN salesman today that for this reason I should be looking at a LCD LED TV with a non-relective panel. He suggested I stick to LG and Sony. However as I am no "techy" I am happy for people to re-educate me on what I should go for.

cheers, Cheap Steve

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Comments

  • leonheart1 on 26/02/2012 - 18:05

    Got a Samsung 55 3d led about 9 months ago from hn for 3k.
    I don't love it.

    I'm no techy either but the first thing I found was how dim it was compared to our old CRT. Should've just gotten a plasma for 1k less.
    I haven't even watched a full 3d movie yet. Hell, I should've just gone without the 3d feature and saved even more.

    However, I can say that Ps3 games look smoother on it than on my computer monitor. Also, unlike my lcd monitor, gaming for long periods doesn't burn my eyes even in a dimly lit room.

    Sorry I can't give any relevant advice as this is the only tv we got. Try to wait for a bargain on one.

    • Cheap Steve on 26/02/2012 - 19:46

      Thanks for reply. Shame you spent so much money and don't love it. I haven't bought a TV in over 15 years so i am hoping to be blown away by the technology advances.

    • voiletmay on 26/02/2012 - 20:06

      We've got a 55inch Panasonic plasma and love it, don't have any problems viewing it in a lit room or anything like that. Only ever had Sony tvs before, but really happy with the Panasonic. We didn't get 3d or anything as two of my kids get really bad headaches from 3d technology as it currently stands.

      I've heard that the Samsung smart TVs are fantastic, so will definitely be trying one of those next. I'm very curious about them, but have heard that buying a samsung smart blu-ray player turns any tv into a smart tv, so I need to research that a bit more.

      Got a panasonic blu-ray player but it never gets used and lives in a box in the garage, just use ps3s for bluray playing in both loungeroom and bedroom (where we have a smaller LG lcd Tv which is also very lovely).

      Just make sure you've got a good warranty. I think aslong as you avoid the cheaper brands you'll be right.

  • minijumbuk on 26/02/2012 - 20:53

    I wouldn't get a smart TV if I were you though. Just get a good quality TV without all the gimmick which would save you heaps, then add a logitech revue ($120 or so) to turn it into a fully featured android tv.

    EDIT: PS: I recently got a Sony 3D tv. Dn't get one of those 3D tv's that have huge 3D glasses because they're too heavy to wear for the duration of a movie.

  • ode1online on 26/02/2012 - 21:03

    New Models are due in April from most manufacturers
    so you may get a bargain on last years models now
    But Id wait till the new models are launched

  • Steptoe on 26/02/2012 - 22:42
    +1

    http://www.bigbrownbox.com.au/led-tvs/55-inch-led-tvs/

    The superceded LG @~$1400 delivered was a good buy IMO.

    • Cheeper on 27/02/2012 - 00:53

      My preference in a 55" too Steptoe… LCD (led) LG for sure.

      We have 2 sets atm… a 4y/o LG and a almost new panasonic plasma that was a wty replacement for a almost 4y/o panasonic that died.

      In short… the LG lcd is far is a far better set to watch. The new panasonic plasma is better in the audio area but i am comparing it with something that is much older (and has not failed even though it is used all day every day).

      A mate got a 55" Samsung (non 3d) and it is definitely not worth raving about… pathetic picture.

      Samsung, Panasonic & Sony only give 1yr wty on all their sets. LG gives 3 yrs on LCD (led) but only 1 yr on plasmas.

      The reflection from the plasma screen is painfull. You almost have to resort to a total blacked out room to use it during the day.

      If you go 3d forget the heavy galsses (battery) used for active 3d. I prefer the passive 3d sets (same as they use in the movies) but that is something that varies from person to person… like ice cream flavours.

      BTW… Full High Definition sets will be superceded shortly… the new standard will be Ultra High Definiton. Google is your friend for more info on that. They were previewed at the electronics expo in las vagas recently.

      • MattyD on 27/02/2012 - 16:28

        As a keen downloader I can't get behind LG until they support DTS sound. Too many rips these days (esp. 3D) are DTS, and I'm not going to unpackage an mkv just to convert sound to AC3.

        May not apply, but I mention it here because of friends who now regret buying LG. For the record I love my Samy 3D plasma but don't pretend to be an AV guru.

        • Cheap Steve on 27/02/2012 - 21:05

          Thank Matty. That is a good heads up. I haven't downloaded movies, music etc in the past except from Itunes, Bandit FM etc. Does this apply to this type of downloads as well?

      • Cheap Steve on 27/02/2012 - 20:59

        The LG LW5700 which was the $1,400 deal from big brown box was the TV that the HN salesman was recommending me..at a price of $1,778. It looks like a good choice but now I have to work out where I can buy at the lower price.

        I have been following TV prices through Ozbargain for the last year and there haven't been too many great deals from what I can see. I have been patiently waiting but will have to pull the trigger in the next 3 weeks as I don't want to move into a house with no TV.

      • ozb-442 on 02/03/2012 - 13:58

        BTW… Full High Definition sets will be superceded shortly… the new standard will be Ultra High Definiton. Google is your friend for more info on that. They were previewed at the electronics expo in las vagas recently.

        Wikipedia - "The final goal is for UHDTV to be available in domestic homes, though the timeframe for this happening varies between 2016 to 2020 (mainly based on technical reasons concerning storage and broadcast distribution of conten"

  • plmko on 27/02/2012 - 01:03

    On the contrary of what a lot of people tell you, you can't buy a good quality TV without the 3D feature as it's simply a TV that can show pictures above 120hz. The only exception is the old model LG TV Steptoe maybe referring to, the "LX9500" I think, which can do it theory but it was disabled as LG wanted to bail out of active 3D technology.

    Personally I use the Sony HX925, which I believe will remain the best LCD money can buy in Australia until OLED technology becomes affordable simply because they give you Full-array LED (that is well done) rather than rip you off with Edge LED, which Sony unfortunately will no longer support as profit was way too low per unit. However I favour these types of technology which most people will not care.

  • xfiledavid on 27/02/2012 - 06:57

    Soniq LCD Full HD 1080p 10bit 55" inch $777 at JB Hi-Fi
    Does the job well.

    can record to USB.

    Im happy with it, so are most who brought it.

    http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/plasma-lcd-tvs/lcd%20tv/soniq…

    if you want cheap, worth looking at.

    • Cheap Steve on 27/02/2012 - 21:10

      Wow, that is a very budget-friendly price. Might look at this for another room. Thanks.

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