55 inch TV, I need some help!

[Muncher]

Hi chaps, I don't usually frequent this part of the forum but I could do with some advice.

We are finally getting closer to thinking about moving in to our self build (2 years in the making!) and we need to think about a TV, particularly as the seasonal holidays might be a good opportunity to pick one up.

We have created an alcove above the fireplace (it is a low one) which is approx 127cm wide, which can't be made any bigger due to the chimney behind it. I know this is big enough for some 55" TVs. Above it we have space for a soundbar, with wiring to another part of the room for a sub. We also have wiring for surround style ceiling speakers should we need them but I suspect the soundbar will be sufficient.

Viewing distance from the TV will be around 8 feet I think, or much further from across the open plan kitchen.

I don't really have any idea of what I need, other than it must fit in the space and some smart TV features would be nice. I'm not fussed about 3D and I'm not too bothered about bleeding edge features that you pay a premium for.

So if you could recommend a set and a soundbar that would be great!

[tdm34]

Muncher said:

Hi chaps, I don't usually frequent this part of the forum but I could do with some advice.

We are finally getting closer to thinking about moving in to our self build (2 years in the making!) and we need to think about a TV, particularly as the seasonal holidays might be a good opportunity to pick one up.

We have created an alcove above the fireplace (it is a low one) which is approx 127cm wide, which can't be made any bigger due to the chimney behind it. I know this is big enough for some 55" TVs. Above it we have space for a soundbar, with wiring to another part of the room for a sub. We also have wiring for surround style ceiling speakers should we need them but I suspect the soundbar will be sufficient.

Viewing distance from the TV will be around 8 feet I think, or much further from across the open plan kitchen.

I don't really have any idea of what I need, other than it must fit in the space and some smart TV features would be nice. I'm not fussed about 3D and I'm not too bothered about bleeding edge features that you pay a premium for.

So if you could recommend a set and a soundbar that would be great!

Usual suspects really, as none of the Panasonic 55" plasmas will fit i'd look at a 50VT65 Plasma (120cm wide)
but if it has to be a 55" set then

Samsungs F7000/8000 are great looking TVs with a massive feature set, a few quirks but largely a great picture, Sonys W905/805 are brilliant as well, but the Samsung and Sony share the same VA panel which in your
situation might cause you a problem namely viewing angle, they both fade quite badly when you're not
immediately in front of them and it's particularly noticeable if you're viewing anything that's dark.

Now, Panasonics WT/DT series LCD sets are available in 55" size, and both use IPS panels which give a much wider viewing angle, on paper they're not quite as good as the Samsung/Sony but it's all about what's best in your viewing environment, and with a fixed wall mount the Panasonics offer a much more consistent picture from any location.

For a Soundbar, i'd look at it two ways either match whatever brand of TV to the same brand of Soundbar it makes life simple, as they all sound roughly the same...

But! Recently i've been selling loads of Sonos Playbars, which sound superb, they're incredibly easy to set up (just an optical cable) plus you then have the option of a wireless sub/rear speakers and IMO the best operating system i've ever seen using iPads/iPhones or other smart phones/tablets. plus you'll have the other option of having multi-room
audio in your home...

PM me if you want anymore info....

[Muncher]

Thanks, I see the higher end ones are around £1,900. What kind of improvements would you see over ones that are priced around £1.2k?

[tdm34]

Muncher said:

Thanks, I see the higher end ones are around £1,900. What kind of improvements would you see over ones that are priced around £1.2k?

Panasonic WT65 is £1890 free 5 yr warranty, and free iPad2 3600hz skype camera built in
Panasonic DT65 is £1535 free 5 yr warranty, and free iPad2 1600hz

Panasonic 50VT65 Plasma is £1469 free 5 yr warranty 3000hz THX for Video certified, the best picture

Samsung F7000 £1799 free 5 yr warranty, upto £200 cashback if additional Samsung product purchased
Samsung F8000 £1999 free 5 yr warranty upto £200 cashback if additional Samsung product purchased

Sony W905 £1699 free 5 yr warranty
Sony W805/7 £1179 free 5 yr warranty

Out of all these sets the 50VT65 plasma is the best picture by a long way, but if it has to be a 55" LCD
then the 55DT65 offers the best all round "bang for your buck" with the warranty and free iPad


Generally with the higher priced sets you get better video processing which generally gives better motion handling and colour accuracy

[Muncher]

What's the pricing like on these kind of high end TVs, are they relatively static and similar amongst suppliers or are there "deal" periods or certain suppliers bucking the trend and going for big reductions?

[tdm34]

Muncher said:

What's the pricing like on these kind of high end TVs, are they relatively static and similar amongst suppliers or are there "deal" periods or certain suppliers bucking the trend and going for big reductions?

PM sent..

[aussieal]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but looking at something new myself between 46" and 50".

Would ideally like to keep it under £1k but think I might be tempted to stretch it for something like a Samsung F7000 or maybe a Panasonic P50GT60b.

Any thoughts?

[tdm34]

aussieal said:

Sorry to hijack the thread, but looking at something new myself between 46" and 50".

Would ideally like to keep it under £1k but think I might be tempted to stretch it for something like a Samsung F7000 or maybe a Panasonic P50GT60b.

Any thoughts?

Panasonic everyday of the week, unless you live in a greenhouse without curtains and game on the set 27 hours a day.......

[aussieal]

Cheers, thought as much. And no, live in a house with normal amount of windows and blinds!

If only I could find enough live football to watch all day!

Any idea how much longer the GT's are likely to be available? I note the likes of john lewis are out of stock and richer sounds only have them in store. Thought I'd read somewhere that production didn't end until March 2014.

[kippax]

I can highly recommend this can be found cheaper now too

http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/tv-audio-video/...

[Stu R]

For LED Samsung win for me. If you're looking at the Samsung F7000 series, it's probably worth checking out the F6300 range too (or F6350 from costco). . It'll save you a stack of cash for not a lot of difference in picture quality.

For Plasma - IMO the Panasonic ST60 is the best VFM on the market. Available in 55" too

After years of Panasonic Plasmas, I've defected to Samsung LEDs and wouldn't switch back now.

Edited by Stu R on Monday 2nd December 21:05

[tdm34]

I just can't watch Any LED sets when watching sport the loss of detail
With fast camera movements drive me to distraction, for movies the
Backlight bleed and uniformity irritates hugely. They're bright and attract
People like moths to a flame, but if I'm honest all the sets I've mentioned
Are capable of a standard that 5 years ago would've been considered
Impossible, and as I say to all punters the only thing that's important
It that they like it.

When Panasonic announced that they were pulling out of plasma production
We were amazed, as we had expected one more year of production.

The rumour is that they've sorted the production issues with OLED and are looking
At launching a range next year that'll be very price competitive.

Also they're expanding the 4k LED range with sizes from 55" to 75"
So the CES show looks like it could be interesting in January.

[Output Flange]

tdm34 said:

I just can't watch Any LED sets when watching sport

Strange. In my kitchen I've got one of the first Samsung 32" LED TVs, and it's perfect, including for sport.

I've just replaced the Panasonic in the bedroom for a new Samsung 32" LED. I'd say the older set has the better picture, but there doesn't seem much wrong with the new one either.

[Stu R]

tdm34 said:

I just can't watch Any LED sets when watching sport the loss of detail
With fast camera movements drive me to distraction, for movies the
Backlight bleed and uniformity irritates hugely. They're bright and attract
People like moths to a flame, but if I'm honest all the sets I've mentioned
Are capable of a standard that 5 years ago would've been considered
Impossible, and as I say to all punters the only thing that's important
It that they like it.

When Panasonic announced that they were pulling out of plasma production
We were amazed, as we had expected one more year of production.

The rumour is that they've sorted the production issues with OLED and are looking
At launching a range next year that'll be very price competitive.

Also they're expanding the 4k LED range with sizes from 55" to 75"
So the CES show looks like it could be interesting in January.

I'm much the same with cheaper sets, particularly the early 60hz ones. The newer ones I find much better with no motion blur to drive me nuts (I only really care about watching sports so it was a huge consideration). Much as I love the inky blacks my Panasonic plasma gave, I wouldn't buy another after it blew up and Panasonic were dicks about it. I'm glad I jumped ship. The big 4K sets are already out here, they cost the earth though. 4K OLED will be the end of my bank account though

[maffski]

Sure it won't get cooked - enclosed space and a fire below/chimney behind?

[Muncher]

maffski said:

Sure it won't get cooked - enclosed space and a fire below/chimney behind?

It shouldn't, it is recessed a reasonable way back and well insulated with concrete liners and vermiculite then a layer if plasterboard.

[Cactussed]

I've just spunked for a 55in Samsung on the wall above the fire, and the picture is stunning. the only thing I regret is not going for the 65in...

[Output Flange]

Cactussed said:

I've just spunked for a 55in Samsung on the wall above the fire, and the picture is stunning. the only thing I regret is not going for the 65in...

Pop round and I'll show you the 64" plasma you could've won

[OldSkoolRS]

Output Flange said:

Pop round and I'll show you the 64" plasma you could've won

Still looks like a portable TV when you're used to seeing a 128" screen though.



Even if I'm cheating by using a projector.

[Output Flange]

Not if you've got a 9'x9' lounge like mine