[magic77]

Well been trying to put in a media center into the living room to get around the limitations of the PS3 etc.

THat wasnt too hard but then hit a wall. Damm TV has only got 1 HDMI port.

This is already in use by SKY. Tried a HDMI switch box but some reason it doesnt like PC HDMI outputs plus with SKY never actually powering down the HDMI output on their box the autoswitch never works.

So plan is sod it and get a new TV. Any recomendations on a 50" LCD/LED/PLasma to replace the current SONY KDL. Ideally under £1000.

Ideally woud like to get something which is more subtle that the silver Sony and maybe less heat genering. At 230Watts this one gets very warm

[kdiz]

Not sure about model numbers but samsung have some really good deals way under £1000, good quality overall. The only thing that usually lets them down is the quality of the internal speakers.

[Dave_3]

The new LEDs are quite remarkable, no real heat given off whatsover. Put your hand over the top of the screen on an LED set and you'll be lucky to detect it is on.

A good friend recently bought a Samsung 46" LED and even brand new in his room, there was none of that new electical smell when warming up a new bit of kit. Wafer thin - quite literally mms thick. I don't know how they fit all that magic into such a thin box. Different models add ethernet/wireless web widgets, movie playback from USB, higher HZ (100/200 etc.).

Think the non-3D LEDs are quite reasonably priced too. The newer Samsung 46" has now dropped to about the £1000 mark. HD pictures are startlingly realistic with first class contrast, deep blacks and dazzling whites - and no "burned out" saturation you get with cheap LCDs. I always think I am not missing much by not having SKY HD ... until I watch a film on his set.

I had a 55" Samsung LED to play with for a few weeks. Was hard to give it back.

Best to check which brand is currently top of the pile, they bring out new models faster than you can blink. But any main brand model is at least very good now (Philips, Samsung, SONY, Panasonic, LG). Have a look here : http://awards.whathifi.com/winners/televisions/2010

D.

[magic77]

been looking at samsungs, not worried about sound as never usethe speakers on my current TV as running a nice 5.1 system which gives far clearer sound than any TV could

Had a browse on friends Which login and found couple Samsung PS50C6900 (Plasma) ,Sony Bravia KDL-55EX50 (LCD)

Both are right size 55 and 50 but again question comes up plasma or LCD.

[KadeSdad]

Check out this LG, I just sold mine, a great 50" Plasma http://www.lg.com/uk/tv-audio-video/...tv-50PK990.jsp

Can be had for around £860 if you look around.

[m@rk]

At that size, for me it would have to be Panasonic and plasma (which is what is in my living room right now)

LED just doesn't come close when you get the dark moody stuff on screen (although it is a lot better than 3 years ago)

The downside of course is plasma runs hotter and uses more juice.

Now if budget isn't a problem then what you really want is one of these

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_G...907/index.html

[RagingKileak]

You could just buy an AV Receiver... Converts your one HDMI input into usually about 4 and amplifies a load of speakers depending on if you want 5.1 or 7.1. They sometimes also upscale non HD video, but that depends on the source and if you want it to etc.

Matt

[dar2008]

Wouldn't an alternative approach be to look into a programmable remote control? That could be set to control all your kit from one single remote, eg: your TV, Sky Box and importantly the HDMI switch box (assuming it has IR control). Then you have button set on the remote called "Watch Sky" and another for "Watch PS3" etc. and with one button press all the inputs and outputs are set to the correct location.

As for recommendations, a Harmony 1 would do the job quite elegantly assuming you have line of sight to the kit.

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/remote...s/devices/3898

...available for £100 at Amazon...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Har.../dp/B0012RHQN4

[magic77]

Problem I have the TV is now about 5 years old so only way to get decent video is using HDMI from the PC, otherwise it just want work. I could use a converter but doubt it would give me a good picture.

Already running with a Harmony remote and it works great. Plus good excuse to get a decent size of telly. We sit about 4 meters from it and 40" is getting small for my eye sight

[magic77]

Originally Posted by KadeSdad

Check out this LG, I just sold mine, a great 50" Plasma http://www.lg.com/uk/tv-audio-video/...tv-50PK990.jsp

Can be had for around £860 if you look around.

that looks like a good deal and with 600Hz it shouldbe great at gaming and HD football

now just to find it for that much.

[magic77]

cool found it for £700 at comet so with my discount comes in at £630 now

what are peoples thoughts about plasma vs lcd

[KadeSdad]

Originally Posted by magic77

cool found it for £700 at comet so with my discount comes in at £630 now

what are peoples thoughts about plasma vs lcd

Plasma all the way mate. Just be careful about 'screen burn' especially when playing consoles. It happens when a static image (like in game text etc) is paused for to long as it can burn the image on to the screen. It will fade in time and can be got rid of though.

The LG was a great set, you won't be disappointed. The sound quality is also very good. We only sold it because I got hooked on the 3D stuff and ended up with the Panasonic 65" monster

[CHG]

Got both a Samsung 50" Plasma, and a Sony 40" LED (no model no's sorry ) and the samsung is a million times better!

Actually bought an LG LED and then swapped it for the Sony as I found the colours a bit better! But the Samsung beats them both Hands Down! There was a Samsung Plasma with Bluray player, and 3 pairs of glasses somewhere for about £899! Great Buy!


Try www.hotukdeals.com there's some great deals on there

[magic77]

John lewis had an offer but its out of stock now. Not too fussed about 3D as with my head issues its tough to watch constantly gives me headache and balance issues

The LG looks appealig for the price especially as LG PK990 Infinia is 600hz so be better for games. I recon it be between the samsung and the LG. Thoug the samsung has a Game Mode to help as well even though its only 200Hz

John Lewis has the samsung PS50C680G for £999 with 5 year warranty not quite the PS50C6900 but cant see how much difference there could be.

But no LG so case of comare suppliers.

Need to find reviews on the two to see if 80G is as good as the 900

arghh the choice. THe LG at £630 be easier to get past the boss as well

[willhollin]

Panasonic plasmas are very good.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by willhollin

Panasonic plasmas are very good.

+1 but not as good as Pioneer

Also +1 to Matt, sounds like you need an AV amp.

[chris330D]

I had the same problem and managed to get the HDMI switch to work. Found that at least one of the inputs is a 'lead' ie it switches off the others so by changing the connections around I overcome the Skybox issue. Now if I turn the PS3 on it switches over from the sky box automatically and as soon as the PS3 is off, it goes back to the Sky box. A lot cheaper than a new TV unless you are looking for an excuse

[magic77]

Amp already in place its an ONKYO AV AMP but it is only cmponent no HDMI( is about 5 years as well) however its going well and sounds perfect.

Coupled with set of Tannoy Arena Speakers they give amazing sound. Only prob is the TV. I couple upgrade the AMP to new Onkyo with HDMI but money better spent on TV

Currently after quick search its lookinig like Comet is a good buy esp with my 10% discount :d

LG 50PK590 @ £800 50" Plasma 600Hz

Then range of samsungs
SAMSUNG PS50C680 £900 Plasma 600Hz 3D
SAMSUNG PS50C550 £720 Plasma 600Hz
SAMSUNG PS50C6500TKXXU £1000

Question is which one - lol
Things like freeview HD or 3D dont really offer me anything I need so main thing is picture quality and ability to handle games/

tough choice

[225_AB]

Lots of info on avforums.com.

Echo most of the comments on here.

Plasma better blacks, less motion blur especially on sport.

LCD (there are really no true LED tv's as they are all LCD with some LED lighting not true LED where all pixels would be LED) better for brighter rooms, lower power consumption and generaly thinner than plasma.

Reliable brands are down to personal preference. Pioneer was the king but they have pulled out of making plasma's. Panasonic are generally well rated although Samsung almost as good but probably better value.

Just waiting on my samsung 3d!

[magic77]

thanks for that doc, Since the LED LCds do get probs with dark areas etc due to endge lighting I'm tempted to actually switch to plasma. Both seem to have similar lifespan these days so not an issue like in old days.

While our room is southfacing and very well lit most of TV watching is done in evenings so not an issue, however since its used as the games console tv, and movies with added superbowl trail plasma looks good.

Trying to keep the budget low and Samsung are getting decent enough write ups.

Off to Comet this afternoon as they have few of the sets in place so can do a comaprison and see whats what

[225_AB]

dont forget John Lewis as if they have the same model they will do a price match and five year warranty. Also watch out for deals with blu ray players etc thrown in on some models (although this may only be on 3D models).

[magic77]

John Lewis is a good key to get the warranty but one place I dont get any discount.

Just as I thought I was ready to choose friend of mine emailed me a link to Sony. Two 46" LCDs both under £1000 with 5 year warranty. Very tempting as the new LCDs have great UI and web link and also allow you to control PS3 using the TV remote.

KDL-46EX503 and KDL46EX713

One LCD one LED LCD doh