Need LED/LCD Recommendation - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

jeneral · 2012-08-21, 08:50 PM

I currently own a Samsung LNT-4665F that I bought in late 2007. It works great and I am very happy with it. My parents bought a small condo and thus will be needing to replace their 20 year-old 27" CRT. I thought it would be the perfect time for me to upgrade while giving them my 4665.

A few weeks ago, I saw a Sale at Future Shop for a Samsung PN51E550 Plasma (including a nice BluRay player). I bought that TV and was impressed with the clarity of fast moving sports. Unfortunately that TV had 7 defective pixels and a horrible mirror-like screen, so I returned it. I was used to a reflective screen but nothing like that plasma. I considered a Panasonic P50ST50 but I've read about some bad image retention issues. Because I sometimes spend hours surfing the net using my TV, I'm afraid my desktop or browser may get burned in. I'm also not fond of the buzzing when displaying bright screens (like an open browser).

I've tried to research LED TV's but all the reviews sound underwhelming. Are there any ~50" LED/LCDs that someone can recommend in the max ~$1600 range? 3D is not needed. Audio quality is unimportant (all audio goes to sound system). No 'SMART' features needed (I use my HTPC for that). No Ethernet or Wireless required.

ta guy · 2012-08-22, 02:10 PM

well all I can say is I'm very impressed with the picture quality on the samsung lcd/led tv's. And future shop is having a big sale this week. I was browsing and an employee showed me a sheet with the sale prices.BIG SALE really worthwhile.

jeneral · 2012-08-24, 12:45 PM

I ended up at FS yesterday and although I wasn't looking to spend that much, I ended up buying a UN55ES8000 for $1900. I was only planning to spend $1500-1600 but it was too good a deal to pass up. Unfortunately, they are out of stock and I can't pick it up for another 2 weeks.

Fordman · 2012-08-24, 10:30 PM

I just purchased the Panasonic ST50 a few weeks ago and couldn't be happier. Yeah there seem to be alot of chatter about image retention on this TV but I don't think that there is nothing to worry about. The sales are high for this TV so its understandable that you may hear a higher amount of negatve things but I think the percentage is pretty low. I own an older Panny plasma, a Panny lcd and a Samsung LED which I purchased last fall and I guarantee that the plasmas outperform the LED. Don't get me wrong, the LED looks nice with a sharp picture, but it can't handle fast motion like a plasma. You may find an LED may have some panel uniformity issues ( light areas, flashlighting in the corners). As far as the plasma buzzing, I can hear a slight buzz when the tv is displaying a white screen and I have my head stuck behind the TV so a non issues as well. I am not complaingabout my LED, I just woudn't want someone to rue out a plasma. Good Luck!

ta guy · 2012-08-26, 10:31 AM

you are right fordman you can't beat a plasma.I own 3 tv's that are all lcd but my next one might be a plasma. I've been checking them out and I keep trying to talk myself out of a plasma but my eyes keep going over to the plasmas. I just really like how thin the led's are.

jeneral · 2012-08-27, 10:53 AM

If you read my first post you will see that I was impressed by PQ of the plasma. The first time I played back some recorded sports from my HTPC on the plasma I was stunned by the lack of motion blur.

What I didn't like from the plasma. The heat. The lack of brightness during the daytime (especially during dark scenes). The image retention fear that made me paranoid and made me keep switching browser sizes, apps, etc... every 10 minutes or so. In my quiet house, without music playing in the background or some TV audio, I could easily hear the buzzing when sitting 8-9 feet away (my couch distance).

Considering my needs, an LED/LCD might be the better fit. Don't get me wrong, part of me still wants to get the ST50 but I'm not sure it's the practical option for me. The sad part is once you use an LCD for a long time you assume the motion blur is normal and you do get used to it.

My new TV won't be available for pickup until Sept. 6 so I still have time to change my mind at least 10 times before that date.

2012-08-21, 08:50 PM	#1
jeneral Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 321	Need LED/LCD Recommendation I currently own a Samsung LNT-4665F that I bought in late 2007. It works great and I am very happy with it. My parents bought a small condo and thus will be needing to replace their 20 year-old 27" CRT. I thought it would be the perfect time for me to upgrade while giving them my 4665. A few weeks ago, I saw a Sale at Future Shop for a Samsung PN51E550 Plasma (including a nice BluRay player). I bought that TV and was impressed with the clarity of fast moving sports. Unfortunately that TV had 7 defective pixels and a horrible mirror-like screen, so I returned it. I was used to a reflective screen but nothing like that plasma. I considered a Panasonic P50ST50 but I've read about some bad image retention issues. Because I sometimes spend hours surfing the net using my TV, I'm afraid my desktop or browser may get burned in. I'm also not fond of the buzzing when displaying bright screens (like an open browser). I've tried to research LED TV's but all the reviews sound underwhelming. Are there any ~50" LED/LCDs that someone can recommend in the max ~$1600 range? 3D is not needed. Audio quality is unimportant (all audio goes to sound system). No 'SMART' features needed (I use my HTPC for that). No Ethernet or Wireless required.

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2012-08-22, 02:10 PM	#2
ta guy Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nova Scotia responsible firearm owner Posts: 240	well all I can say is I'm very impressed with the picture quality on the samsung lcd/led tv's. And future shop is having a big sale this week. I was browsing and an employee showed me a sheet with the sale prices.BIG SALE really worthwhile.

2012-08-24, 12:45 PM	#3
jeneral Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 321	I ended up at FS yesterday and although I wasn't looking to spend that much, I ended up buying a UN55ES8000 for $1900. I was only planning to spend $1500-1600 but it was too good a deal to pass up. Unfortunately, they are out of stock and I can't pick it up for another 2 weeks.

2012-08-24, 10:30 PM	#4
Fordman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Annapolis Valley, NS Posts: 85	I just purchased the Panasonic ST50 a few weeks ago and couldn't be happier. Yeah there seem to be alot of chatter about image retention on this TV but I don't think that there is nothing to worry about. The sales are high for this TV so its understandable that you may hear a higher amount of negatve things but I think the percentage is pretty low. I own an older Panny plasma, a Panny lcd and a Samsung LED which I purchased last fall and I guarantee that the plasmas outperform the LED. Don't get me wrong, the LED looks nice with a sharp picture, but it can't handle fast motion like a plasma. You may find an LED may have some panel uniformity issues ( light areas, flashlighting in the corners). As far as the plasma buzzing, I can hear a slight buzz when the tv is displaying a white screen and I have my head stuck behind the TV so a non issues as well. I am not complaingabout my LED, I just woudn't want someone to rue out a plasma. Good Luck!

2012-08-26, 10:31 AM	#5
ta guy Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nova Scotia responsible firearm owner Posts: 240	you are right fordman you can't beat a plasma.I own 3 tv's that are all lcd but my next one might be a plasma. I've been checking them out and I keep trying to talk myself out of a plasma but my eyes keep going over to the plasmas. I just really like how thin the led's are.

2012-08-27, 10:53 AM	#6
jeneral Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 321	If you read my first post you will see that I was impressed by PQ of the plasma. The first time I played back some recorded sports from my HTPC on the plasma I was stunned by the lack of motion blur. What I didn't like from the plasma. The heat. The lack of brightness during the daytime (especially during dark scenes). The image retention fear that made me paranoid and made me keep switching browser sizes, apps, etc... every 10 minutes or so. In my quiet house, without music playing in the background or some TV audio, I could easily hear the buzzing when sitting 8-9 feet away (my couch distance). Considering my needs, an LED/LCD might be the better fit. Don't get me wrong, part of me still wants to get the ST50 but I'm not sure it's the practical option for me. The sad part is once you use an LCD for a long time you assume the motion blur is normal and you do get used to it. My new TV won't be available for pickup until Sept. 6 so I still have time to change my mind at least 10 times before that date.