Which To get? (HDTV) - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

AllanVS · 2012-05-04, 08:50 PM

So I went out today to some stores today.
All but the Sears TV's are brand new, boxed.

SO my question for you is: what would you chose?
(plz note, I'd LIKE 1080 res... but will settle for 1366x768 (NOT 1024x768).)

Staples has
Sony KDL40BX420 for $499 ($15-20 cab fare)
Toshiba 40E220U for $519 ($15-$20 cab fare)

SIG Elec. (P-Mall) has
Toshiba 40E220U for $500 ($18-$20 cab fare)

Sound City Elec. has
Toshiba 40E210U for $439 ($40 cab fare.)

Zellers has
LG 50PT350 for $569.99 ($15 cab fare.)

Sears has
LG 42LV4400 for $636 ($15 cab fare.) [REFURB, 1yr Sears warranty]
Samsung LN40D550 $434.99 ($15 cab fare.) [REFURB, 1yr SAMSUNG warranty, confirmed with sam.]

Futureshop has
Insignia 46L240A13 $499 ($20 cab fare)

Mik James · 2012-06-06, 04:34 PM

I'd steer clear of the insignia as it isn't a very good deal and is more of a budget brand which means cheaper parts and minimal support.
The lg lv4400 had some serious problems if i remember corectly (It would die within the first few weeks for alot of people) and it isn't all that good of a deal so why take a chance.
Lg and insignia tv's tend to have poorer contrast ratios as well while making up for it with good color (that applies to both the lg plasma and lcd).
Out of the 3 remaining lcds i would probably pick the sony but it would be a close call.
The sony has the deepest black levels and therefore the best contrast ratio but they are all very close and very good for lcds.
Contrast ratios: ln40d550 5500:1 e210u 5800:1 bx420 7500:1
Black Level: ln40d550 0.06 e210u 0.08 bx420 0.04
The toshiba 40e210u is reviewed to have the best viewing angles of the three, as well as a very bright screen but the speakers are apparently terrible, i couldn't find anything on the e220u but it will likely perform similarly.
The samsung has the best uniformity but as with most lcds there is slight clouding on all three lcds on a black screen.
Samsung also focuses on dynamic contrast so when there is light and dark areas on the screen dark areas won't be as dark as on the toshiba or sony.
They all have decent color performance for the price range and this is where the plasma really shines, I'm curious why you don't have more plasmas on your list?, competing plasmas from samsung or panasonic offer much deeper blacks than the lg for very good contrast ratios with the better uniformity and viewing angles inherent to plasmas.
If your set on lcds though i would definetly recommend the sony, with the toshiba e210u as a close second. The final judge is you though whatever looks best to your eyes is the one you should get

Good luck.

Mik James · 2012-06-08, 11:46 PM

I should also mention motion resolution. 1080p is all well and good but if the pixels can't keep up then you'll get as little as a third of that when objects or people are moving on the screen, that's another area where Plasmas shine in that price range.
Philips and lg make some of the cheapest 120hz lcds available.
120hz lcds usually have a quicker pixel response time leading to a higher motion resolution which is very important for video and gaming.
I have even seen a 240hz model by Philips right around your price range, I think it was a refurb though.

2012-05-04, 08:50 PM	#1
AllanVS Rookie Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 3	Which To get? (HDTV) So I went out today to some stores today. All but the Sears TV's are brand new, boxed. SO my question for you is: what would you chose? (plz note, I'd LIKE 1080 res... but will settle for 1366x768 (NOT 1024x768).) Staples has Sony KDL40BX420 for $499 ($15-20 cab fare) Toshiba 40E220U for $519 ($15-$20 cab fare) SIG Elec. (P-Mall) has Toshiba 40E220U for $500 ($18-$20 cab fare) Sound City Elec. has Toshiba 40E210U for $439 ($40 cab fare.) Zellers has LG 50PT350 for $569.99 ($15 cab fare.) Sears has LG 42LV4400 for $636 ($15 cab fare.) [REFURB, 1yr Sears warranty] Samsung LN40D550 $434.99 ($15 cab fare.) [REFURB, 1yr SAMSUNG warranty, confirmed with sam.] Futureshop has Insignia 46L240A13 $499 ($20 cab fare)

2012-06-06, 04:34 PM	#2
Mik James Rookie Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 24	My 2 Cents. I'd steer clear of the insignia as it isn't a very good deal and is more of a budget brand which means cheaper parts and minimal support. The lg lv4400 had some serious problems if i remember corectly (It would die within the first few weeks for alot of people) and it isn't all that good of a deal so why take a chance. Lg and insignia tv's tend to have poorer contrast ratios as well while making up for it with good color (that applies to both the lg plasma and lcd). Out of the 3 remaining lcds i would probably pick the sony but it would be a close call. The sony has the deepest black levels and therefore the best contrast ratio but they are all very close and very good for lcds. Contrast ratios: ln40d550 5500:1 e210u 5800:1 bx420 7500:1 Black Level: ln40d550 0.06 e210u 0.08 bx420 0.04 The toshiba 40e210u is reviewed to have the best viewing angles of the three, as well as a very bright screen but the speakers are apparently terrible, i couldn't find anything on the e220u but it will likely perform similarly. The samsung has the best uniformity but as with most lcds there is slight clouding on all three lcds on a black screen. Samsung also focuses on dynamic contrast so when there is light and dark areas on the screen dark areas won't be as dark as on the toshiba or sony. They all have decent color performance for the price range and this is where the plasma really shines, I'm curious why you don't have more plasmas on your list?, competing plasmas from samsung or panasonic offer much deeper blacks than the lg for very good contrast ratios with the better uniformity and viewing angles inherent to plasmas. If your set on lcds though i would definetly recommend the sony, with the toshiba e210u as a close second. The final judge is you though whatever looks best to your eyes is the one you should get Good luck.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2012-06-08, 11:46 PM	#3
Mik James Rookie Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 24	I should also mention motion resolution. 1080p is all well and good but if the pixels can't keep up then you'll get as little as a third of that when objects or people are moving on the screen, that's another area where Plasmas shine in that price range. Philips and lg make some of the cheapest 120hz lcds available. 120hz lcds usually have a quicker pixel response time leading to a higher motion resolution which is very important for video and gaming. I have even seen a 240hz model by Philips right around your price range, I think it was a refurb though.