Need advice

[D-P]

Hi guys, this is my first message. Great site btw! Since a few weeks i am trying to find a nice LCD TV. My plan is to connect it to my PC via HDMI so i can watch downloaded 1080p movies and normal DVD's. I also want to use it as a screen to surf on the internet. My viewing distance will be around 2 meters, 2.20 meter to be exact That will be around 7 feet.

How many inch are recommended for my purposes?

Read a lot the past weeks, been to shops but cant make up my mind
I am thinking about a Samsung, 656 serie or a Sony. Both design is very nice. Sony has great colors but is more expensive and Samsung delivers nice features with a nice pricetag.
Maximum i want to spend is 900 euro's. It's a lot of money, so i want to do it right. Thanks in advance!

I'm dutch, so i hope i didn't made a lot of mistakes.

 

[D-P]

Anyone?

 

[Nielo TM]

If you have a post 2006 graphics card, you can connect it to any HDTV using the video standard formats (CEA). In other words, you can send 480i/p, 576i/p, 720p and 1080i/p via HDMI/DVI and component video.

However, if you prefer the texts via PC to be crystal clear, then you'll need a display with 1:1 pixel mapping.

As for the res, that's a little tricky. You see, if you get a 1080p 32", texts will appear very small, which means you'll have to sit close. However, that's not a problem with 720p (768p) 32" sets. So it is up to you.

PS: Considering the viewing distance, I recommend no smaller than a 32" set.

 

[deadslow]

So, does the KDL-32V4000 do 1:1 pixel mapping? The Aussie version does but I can't seem to find a definitive answer for UK.

Thanks.

 

[D-P]

Thanks for the replies, forget to mention, i got a HD 4850 so the sound and image will be send to the TV. My plan is to get a decent sound setup when i got more money Then i will connect it to a receiver which gives master hd.

Indeed 1:1 Pixelmapping is a must. Plasma got very good colors, nice motion etc. but because i want to hook it up to my PC i decided to choose for LCD, burning ect.

So you recommend to get a 32 inch model? Sony got a nice 32 inch but no 100 hz or Full HD. I want to play 1080p so a HD ready which plays 720p seems to be "old stuff". i want something "futureproof". What are your opinions?

 

[Nielo TM]

I personally believe you will benefit more from a 40" 1080p set, than from a 32". Also, the price difference between the two sizes is very minimal.

As usual, I recommend the Sony KDL-40V4000 from Amazon UK

Amazon.co.uk: Sony KDL-40V4000 - 40" Widescreen 1080P Full HD Bravia LCD TV - With Freeview: Electronics & Photo

 

[Nielo TM]

So, does the KDL-32V4000 do 1:1 pixel mapping? The Aussie version does but I can't seem to find a definitive answer for UK.

Thanks.

That I don't know

You'll have wait until CHRISGEO comes online

 

[ChrisGgr]

So, does the KDL-32V4000 do 1:1 pixel mapping? The Aussie version does but I can't seem to find a definitive answer for UK.

Thanks.

yep it does

 

[D-P]

Is 40 inch on 7 feet distance, not to big? 40V4000 is 'lesser' than a 40w4000 but still expensive, is a Samsung 40a656 not a better choice? The Samsung also got 100 hz, or is the image from the Sony better than the Samsung with 100 hz less? I heard that the colors from the Sony are very natural looking.

 

[ChrisGgr]

at 7 feet the 40" is ideal

 

[Nielo TM]

Is 40 inch on 7 feet distance, not to big? 40V4000 is 'lesser' than a 40w4000 but still expensive, is a Samsung 40a656 not a better choice? The Samsung also got 100 hz, or is the image from the Sony better than the Samsung with 100 hz less? I heard that the colors from the Sony are very natural looking.

Sony TVs produce very realistic image compared to Samsung, which is why most of us like it so much.

The 40V4000 and the 32/40W4000 are very identical in terms of performance. So get the 40V4000 and enjoy.

 

[audiphile76]

at 7 feet the 40" is ideal

I really dont think that at 7 feet, 40" is enough for HD material. I would suppose you would need atleast 46" screen for this distance! unless you sit closer

 

[D-P]

Thanks for the replies! 7 feet is 2.10 metres, that's very close i think to watch on a 40 inch so a 46inch would be huge. But Samsung gives many features for the money, is Sony worth the money? Above that, the Sony model hasn't got 100hz. Hmm, difficult.

 

[Nielo TM]

You wont benefit from 100/120Hz (if fact, most people don't).

 

[ChrisGgr]

I really dont think that at 7 feet, 40" is enough for HD material. I would suppose you would need atleast 46" screen for this distance! unless you sit closer

yeah for HD a 46" would be more suitable,the 40" is the best for a combo of SD and HD

 

[D-P]

Update: I have been today to see the Sony 40W4000 and the Samsung 40A656, both are great, but I can't make up my mind. Couldn't see them on the same source so I can't just. The price is almost the same, so I shouldn't worry about that. I really don't know what to choose. What would you guys do?

 

[DongaTon]

I think the Sammy has a higher contrast ratio and, most importantly, has 100hz capability, if you are watching sports a lot, and for general standard def tv use?

That's what swayed that for me, I got the 686 which is slightly newer, but just cosmetic changes as far as i know.

 

[D-P]

I'm connecting it to my PC to use it as a monitor and to watch Blueray etc. material. Sports is not important. Watching movies is the most important. But because i connect it to my PC i didnt choose for plasma.

 

[ziffius]

The V4000/ W4000/ W4500/ A656/ A686 are all good Tv's, both as a TV and as a PC monitor. After a few weeks of using any of them, you should have got used to them and be fairly happy with them.

The W4500 may be slightly better than the V4000/ W4000 as a PC monitor, as it has a text mode. For that reason I would rule out the W4000, as the W4500 is the same but much more.

The £599.99 deal at John Lewis for the 40V4000, is a very good easy buy though.

 

[D-P]

Thanks for the replies, but the 40W4500 is above my budget. I live in the Netherlands, so that deal isn't possible.

 

[Nielo TM]

stick with Sony

 

[D-P]

Ok, i'm going for the 40W4000, because of the more natural colors, minimum input lag, in my opnion the brand is more reliable and the sound is better. I'm going to buy a decent soundsetup, but still, for the while the Sony got better sound.

 

[ziffius]

Ok, i'm going for the 40W4000, because of the more natural colors, minimum input lag, in my opnion the brand is more reliable and the sound is better. I'm going to buy a decent soundsetup, but still, for the while the Sony got better sound.

I like the Samsungs, but would agree with all 4 of those points. The sound in most of the brands isn't that great though. It's the price you pay for having hidden/ slimline speakers. Better than having massive ears on the side though.

 

[audiphile76]

Ok, i'm going for the 40W4000, because of the more natural colors, minimum input lag, in my opnion the brand is more reliable and the sound is better. I'm going to buy a decent soundsetup, but still, for the while the Sony got better sound.

V4000 is having same configuration as the W4000 minus the XMB, USB port and some sound things like 10bit panel etc etc. As earlier mentioned, at below £600, 40V4000 is definitely a steal.

 

[D-P]

I still havent made a final decision and i'm saving money for the 40w4500 because i think it's worth the extra money. But now i'm reading about clouding.

But now i'm interested in the Panasonic 42PZ80, plasma. But i am a bit worried about plasma because of the rentention and plasma dies slowly in time... I'm connecting it to my PC via HDMI so that means its a static image, what causes rentention. Neglectable? I want to use the screen as a PC monitor and most of the time to watch HD movies. Is plasma suitable for my purposes or is LCD recommended because i will use it as a monitor for my PC. Thanks in advance