[37" LCD] - Samsung LE37R8... vs Toshiba 37AV505 vs Sony/Panasonic?

[Francois]

Hi all,

I have researched quite a bit on the Internet and browsed on this forum. Thanks for the good quality information provided on AVForums.

Now, I'd be grateful to get some final advice before I make a decision.

My desired usage:
- PC video watching (through S-video)
- PS3 (when I buy it!) gaming
- DVD watching (on the PS3, does upscaling I think?)
- Blu-Ray when I buy some...
- I have freeview and no HD TV yet. No short terms plans to get it (ie Sky HD)
- I also have a Pioneer DCS303 surround.

My living room size means viewing distance is ~8 feet.

I have narrowed down to 37" (unless there are further arguments for 32"?) because:
- Limited space where I want to put the TV (~90cm width is probably the most. Above is too big)
- 32" seemed not enough of a leap. I currently have a 26" Sony CRT (I think. Will edit with model nb. Overall with the casing it's almost 80cm wide!)

After struggling to figure out going for 1080p or not (and reading a lot!) I figured that 720p is probably the best choice for me because of:
- Viewing distance : I may not notice the difference
- Non-HD feeds would make even more difficult the upscaling to even higher 1080p (right?)
- PS3 will still look very good apparently
- Price tag is about ~250 difference with Full HD/1080p

Shortlist:
I initially considered Samsung and Sony. But Dixons's staff pointed out a Toshiba (I never envisoned I admit) in particular because of high contrast. They mentioned Panasonic but I haven't seen a particular model...
- Samsung LE37R87/88 (my preferred choice so far) ~£500 (Dixons/Amazon)
Then what is the difference... LE37R87BDX? LE37R88BD (dixons exclusive?) etc...
- Toshiba 37AV505D. REGZA series. ~520 (Dixons)
- Sony KDL-37P3020 (the only 37" Sony in the UK?) ~550 (Amazon)
- Panasonic? which model ?

Within the same range and a size there are many models as well, which can be confusing...


Thanks in advance for your help. :)

[homedegel]

Panasonic: TH-37PX80 (PDP)

[Francois]

Thanks for posting the model number but I am planning to buy LCD not plasma... ;)

[DublinDude]

I am looking at the LE37R8 myself. This is for my bedroom, I was originally going to go for the 32 version but I decided what the heck.

From my research I have learnt that there is very little difference in picture quality between 780p and 1080p on 37" monitors and smaller.

Also, as it is the bedroom I don't have SD or HD so pointless having 1080p although I do have a PS3.:confused:

[Francois]

That's the one I'm really close to buying!
(I had the same reaction with regards to 32/37 ;) )

For 1080, I believe the point is that it would/could make the low quality input (eg: non HD TV) look even worse.

I'm keen to understand how it behaves with PS3 but I heard it already looks very good even with 720p only!


But I'm curious to see how Toshiba/Sony/pana compete in this category...

[Francois]

Sorry for the double post, but I didn't realise the amount of threads :eek:

An additional question: I see in some threads mention of 24 fps / 24p capability, which some say makes a difference with the PS3?
Can someone explain?

And of course I'd still like some opinions if possible on the first post please :grin:

[SafeRat]

Take a look here http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=729612 - Contains all 37" sets for this year, both 1080P and 'standard' HD :thumbsup:

[Francois]

Thanks for the link SafeRat, it's useful ! :)
Although it can be difficult when you don't know what half the settings mean. :grin:

I think I may probably go for the Samsung (or the Toshiba :confused:) as there's only one Sony 37 and Panasonic is more expensive I believe ?

I just want to be sure I won't get any bad surprise with the usage I want.

Also any take on this 24p thing? Does the Samsung have it (could'nt see from the specs)


PS (Edit): I didn't realise I posted it in the wrong sub-forum as well, it has been moved so that's good...

[Francois]

OK, I think I will go for the Samsung 37R88/37R87.
I have read a lot of the posts and reviews on this forum and others by now. :smashin:
(I hope it won't look to big in my living room...)

So, no negative point for this one with the usage I want? (see first post)

No where do I buy it from... I am currently shopping around in "real" shops and online shops. Trying to see how I can negotiate/price match (they don't match certain companies and online shops...)

Dixons has a good deal online.
Any specific tips on other shops?


Also any views on the 24p/24fps capability? Is it required? Better? ...

Thanks again :)

[delta_42]

Not a suggestion, more of a question. If you get a big plasma TV, why on earth would you want to watch PC Videos over SVideo? VGA or DVI<>HDMI would seem the logical choice, especially using something like FFDShow that will upscale video to any resolution. Or have I misunderstood what you mean?

If you can stretch to £599, Play.com are taking pre-orders on the new Tosh 37" Full HD set.

[Francois]

Not a suggestion, more of a question. If you get a big plasma TV, why on earth would you want to watch PC Videos over SVideo? VGA or DVI<>HDMI would seem the logical choice, especially using something like FFDShow that will upscale video to any resolution. Or have I misunderstood what you mean?

If you can stretch to £599, Play.com are taking pre-orders on the new Tosh 37" Full HD set.

Good point!! I have been using PC -> TV (CRT) over S-video because of my current setup. Although I am not sure my PC graphics card has DVI output (quite sure it doesn't have hdmi) I shall look into that. :smashin:

But it's an LCD I want not a plasma ;)

Also I have ruled out full HD as I believe with my viewing distance and type of content, I won't see the difference. (and upscaling of low-quality content may be even harder with 1080p)


(On the size of screen I am having second thoughts and fear 37" may be big for the room... :confused: )

[delta_42]

Just for reference, if your PC does have DVI out, it is basically much the same as HDMI and a straight-forward converter dongle or DVI-HDMI cable can be used.

However, I found that with the Sony 26" LCD I currently have I got a terrible choice of resolutions with DVI/HDMI and that VGA was the best way to go.

I use FFDShow on my media PC to upscale all my AVI/MPG files to 1360*768 and the results are quite marvellous.

[Francois]

I will look into that, sounds interesting. I used to use ffdshow long time ago but know just use the regular divx codecs + media player classic.

On the TV front, I had made a choice (samsung LE73R88 or 87 depending where I buy it from...) but I'm even more torn know I saw this:
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/3477919/Sony-Bravia-37-KDL-37P3020U-HD-Ready-Freeview-LCD-TV/Product.html

Sony 37" - £549 with a Free stand!!
Although the design of the TV is not great... :(

So I guess from a pure TV performance perspective Sony is better...

I think I should stop reading, calculating, evaluating, considering, reviewing... :lesson:
... and make a decision ! :god: :grin:

[delta_42]

I think I should stop reading, calculating, evaluating, considering, reviewing... :lesson:
... and make a decision ! :god: :grin:


I know what you mean, I stopped buggering about and made a decision and ordered one of these. (http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/5320394/Toshiba-Regza-37-37XV503DB-HD-1080p-Freeview-Widescreen-LCD-TV/Product.html)

[Francois]

Yeah I considered Toshiba as well but don't bring it up again or I'll be even more confused! :grin:

Anyway, it seems the Sony doesn't have optical out and the Samsung has. So that will decide for me, as I have a surround system!


On a side note, sorry for raising again the question:

Also any views on the 24p/24fps capability? Is it required? Better? ...

Thanks again :)

Anyone got any info on this?? :confused:

[Francois]

That's it the choice has been made: Samsung LE37R87BD

I haven't had more than 30minutes trying it as I went of travelling, but I can already say that it looks great, the initial setup was incredibly easy, and I'm well pleased with my choice. :thumbsup:

I'll do a proper review soon... :)

(And a few more questions to come on how to optimise PS2, DVD player connectivity and display etc... until I get a PS3... :grin:)

[mark99]

What's the difference between the Samsung LE37R87BD and the LE37S86BDX that Argos are selling for £650? All these model numbers, for what appears to be essentially the same TV, are really confusing me!

[jayshogun]

Glad to hear u r happy with the Samsung mate...

I'm also looking to buy a 37" LCD TV and currently, I am torn between the Toshiba 37XV503DB and the Samsung LE37M87BDX-XEU. I'll be using my TV for regular SD viewing but will upgrade to Sky HD sometime later this year; therefore, it is important that the LCD I purchase has decent picture quality on both SD and HD feeds.

[Francois]

@Mark99: The LE37S86BDX may be an older model. But check on this forum.
Search, you'll find threads like this: ;)
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=713170
It seems the R87 is better ;)

@jayshogun: Both the models you mention are 1080p Full HD I believe. From what I read on this forum and other sites, you can only see the difference between 1080 and 720 if your viewing distance is close enough. Try and search more on that. Also it seems that "even" 720p looks pretty good on HD quality. Finally, if you view SD content on 1080 I think the TV will struggle even more to upscale... but again others may have more explanations on this...