What should I be looking for/avoiding in a new TV? I posted this question 2 years ago and I am sure a lot has changed. There is plasma, LCD, LED etc. Looking for around a 40". Don't need 3D!
Thanks, Peter.

Peter,

We have both a plasma and a LCD.

Both are good, but they do have their differences.

I have no experience with LED screens, but have seen them in the shops.

For a 40 incher, you are almost certainly going to have to pick an LCD or an LED model, because I think plasla tend to be bigger.

My suggestion is you pick the biggest screen you can accomodate, as 40 inch tends to be on the small size right now.

Of course, if your videwing room can only accomodate that, then that is different.

Plasma have teh advantage of having a much wider viewing angle. But they tend to be less bright than an LCD screen.

My suggestion is to go and have a look at both, and pick the one that looks good to you.

Forget all the past claims of one being better for sports for instance than the other.

They are both very good now.

Bear in mind that you should pick one that support FULL HD 1080P. Also, you might consider having one with more than one HDMI input, as all futute HD sources will have to be connected via an HDMI.

I hope this helps you making a decision.

Thank you Saeed. The problem with looking in the store is that, from what I hear, they always adjust the more expensive models to look really good and don't do the same with the less expensive models, so, obviously the more expensive TVs will look better!
Peter.

Two things about buying technology:

1. Don't make decision too quickly.

Regardless of the technology you are considering, you need to take time to understand it unless you buy it fairly frequently. This is true whether we are talking computers, cameras, or audio visual equipment like TVs or projectors.

I haven't bought a new computer or camera in five years, so I just don't know whats out there.

2. Remember that technology may continue to provide value for many years.

So buy for the long term. Spending a little more now may pay dividends in the future. I've found for example that buying pro-level camera equipment means that it will last longer because it tends to be made of better materials and is designed to take abuse.

TVs are the same. Buying a bigger screen means higher cost now but when viewed in the long term may mean a more satisfying viewing experience over the 10 to 20 year life of the device.

I just purchased one of each recently (LCD and Plasma) and I'm happy with both. Panasonic has focused a lot of R&D on plasma and have eliminated a lot of the earlier issues like high heat discharge and whatnot.

Several companies make outstanding LCD TVs. My only issue with the cheaper LCD TVs is I've had two whose backlights failed, making the screen unviewable. The fix is more than a new TV.
Stay away from 60HZ LCD TVs (cheapest) and go at least 120HZ. I think they charge too much for 240HZ right now because its the new greatest thing they can use to justify an upcharge. They'll drop in price as soon as they find a new better thingy to overprice.

I see that 3D is now a sort of standard thing in a lot of classes of TV whether you want it or not. It sucks no matter how much you pay. One day soon they'll release a new 3D technology to have that next "thingy".

About the best advice I ever took from a techie was to have a proffesional come out after a couple of months of operation to do full tune-up on the TV. It made a big difference in picture quality.

quote:

One day soon they'll release a new 3D technology to have that next "thingy"

Don't hold your breath ... until you can adjust your eyes to a standard distance apart, focal length and convergence, stereo TV or Cinema will not work well for everyone.

A week ago I bought the latest technology in Smart TV's, a Samsung 46" LED series 8000 (actually an immense Smart phone, linked to internet, with vocal and gesture control, integrated camera, 3-D, etc., etc.). Gadgets left aside, the image quality is bluffing and I was really impressed with the 3-D quality, it works (the TV comes with 2, button-battery powered and cordless, liquid crystal spectacles).

As already suggested, don't buy too quickly and certainly not before having had a look at the different offerings.

Even though an old topic I'll throw in a few data points for consideration

a) as of 2014 there are currently Plasma and LCD/LED

I Say LCD/LED because TV's advertised as "LED" are still LCD screens.

What is different from older LCD models is that he older models had florescent back lighting to illuminate the LCD display

The newer models are LED backlighting (FAR more reliable than the older Florescent lights)

While there is something called OMLED which is used on some cellphone displays this technology seems "unripe" at the current time.

Plasma TV's tend to be not as bright (this is how they gain their "Blacker Blacks") and tend to be power hogs.

the other thing is resolution, minimum is 1920x1080

I just bought a 50" Samsung LED smart tv (UN50F6300). I have a small living room and from 10 ft a 50" is too big. I usually watch from the dining room 15+ ft away and that is fine.

SAMSUNG is giving a lobotomy to their smart tv so be aware that Hulu, netflix and amazon apps. may not be avail on them even thought they have a web browser option.

Like everyone said. do your research.