Discussion
I'm about to buy a new flat screen TV, moving from a large CRT set.
Should i go straight for a 3D TV, or get a standard flat screen set, and wait another 5 years for 3D.
If a 3D, which one? What should i look out for?
The size of the TV will largely be dictated by the external dimensions rather than viewable screen size, due to where it will be sited, but i expect it to be no less than 42" screen.
Any ideas chaps please?
Should i go straight for a 3D TV, or get a standard flat screen set, and wait another 5 years for 3D.
If a 3D, which one? What should i look out for?
The size of the TV will largely be dictated by the external dimensions rather than viewable screen size, due to where it will be sited, but i expect it to be no less than 42" screen.
Any ideas chaps please?
I wouldn't buy 3D TV right now.
If you watch a lot of Bluray movies it might be worthwhile thinking about, but as most of my TV viewing is broadcast or DVD I settled on a Panasonic Viera Plasma from Richer Sounds last Christmas and it still looks better than anything else I've seen on broadcast quality signals or DVDs.
M
If you watch a lot of Bluray movies it might be worthwhile thinking about, but as most of my TV viewing is broadcast or DVD I settled on a Panasonic Viera Plasma from Richer Sounds last Christmas and it still looks better than anything else I've seen on broadcast quality signals or DVDs.
M
Got my pan 10 days ago, watched the golf - superb - its hard to describe but i was underwhelmed by HD and i see 3D as a HD+ sort of thing - superb pictures from Sky.
As a 2d the pan is great, I havea LCD Sony 40" and a plasma pan 42" as well as this 50" and the pan is the best pic but a lot "less bright" than an LCD especially through glasses.
As a 2d the pan is great, I havea LCD Sony 40" and a plasma pan 42" as well as this 50" and the pan is the best pic but a lot "less bright" than an LCD especially through glasses.
I tried out a friends 46" Samsung the other night (can't remember the model number).
I was pleasantly surprised. The viewing angle in 3D is very good, and the glasses seem comfortable.
If I had the money now and needed a new TV I would certainly consider buying one. The main downside for me is the cost of glasses at the moment. The Samsung ones cost around £100 for two sets.
The deal my friend got was
46" TV
Blu-Ray player
3x 3D glasses
£1300 from Costco (his wife told me this so I don't know if it was a lot more and he told her that to keep her happy
)
I was pleasantly surprised. The viewing angle in 3D is very good, and the glasses seem comfortable.
If I had the money now and needed a new TV I would certainly consider buying one. The main downside for me is the cost of glasses at the moment. The Samsung ones cost around £100 for two sets.
The deal my friend got was
46" TV
Blu-Ray player
3x 3D glasses
£1300 from Costco (his wife told me this so I don't know if it was a lot more and he told her that to keep her happy
)I don't see any reason to wait to buy a 3d tv, maybe wait for december sales but I don't see any reason to wait until it's old fashioned!
I would recommend a Samsung 3d Tv, they have different models to suit a variety of price ranges. Personally one that I am looking to get is the 40" 750 series one, its an LCD (might be worth getting the LED version if you can afford it) and great value for money at £998 (46" version at £1298), at Currys and most other places, included in the price is a 3d blu-ray player and 2 additional pairs of glasses (one pair supplied with the TV in the new batches, in the old batches you can redeem a free pair from samung-connect.co.uk)
One of the reasons I like about the Samsung TV's is you can watch normal TV in (upscaled) 3D, which is pretty good and awesome on gaming. The earlier models in other makes don't allow you to do this although I think most manufacturers have caught up with this now.
I am not a fan of Panasonic because they still use Plasma screens, but that's just personal preference I guess.
If you wan't passive 3d (like at the cinema) then your only option is with LG, they do one passive 3d TV aswell as several active 3d sets.
Hope this helps
p.s. Do you have a PS3? Any age/model PS3 can be used as a 3D Bluray player, all you need to do is hook it up to the internet and install a free firmware update.
I would recommend a Samsung 3d Tv, they have different models to suit a variety of price ranges. Personally one that I am looking to get is the 40" 750 series one, its an LCD (might be worth getting the LED version if you can afford it) and great value for money at £998 (46" version at £1298), at Currys and most other places, included in the price is a 3d blu-ray player and 2 additional pairs of glasses (one pair supplied with the TV in the new batches, in the old batches you can redeem a free pair from samung-connect.co.uk)
One of the reasons I like about the Samsung TV's is you can watch normal TV in (upscaled) 3D, which is pretty good and awesome on gaming. The earlier models in other makes don't allow you to do this although I think most manufacturers have caught up with this now.
I am not a fan of Panasonic because they still use Plasma screens, but that's just personal preference I guess.
If you wan't passive 3d (like at the cinema) then your only option is with LG, they do one passive 3d TV aswell as several active 3d sets.
Hope this helps
p.s. Do you have a PS3? Any age/model PS3 can be used as a 3D Bluray player, all you need to do is hook it up to the internet and install a free firmware update.
Edited by Goliath205 on Tuesday 5th October 14:37
Thanks for some great feedback chaps. I need to buy a new TV now, and don't want to wait any longer (I'm still on old CRT technology), which is why I thought I may as well go straight to 3D. I like the thought of sport, especially rugby, in 3D, as well as movies. I'll have a shop around, and also see how Costco prices compare. Last time I looked, they weren't. Any cheaper than the hight street stores.
It sounds like I need to understand the difference between active and passive 3D too.
It sounds like I need to understand the difference between active and passive 3D too.
DSLiverpool said:
Got my pan 10 days ago, watched the golf - superb - its hard to describe but i was underwhelmed by HD and i see 3D as a HD+ sort of thing - superb pictures from Sky.
Sorry I'm a bit slow here.Are you saying that you watched the Ryder Cup in 3D?
Did sky broadcast it in 3D?
Is it on a dedicated 3d chanel?
I have an HD box, but no 3D TV (yet)
allgonepetetong said:
DSLiverpool said:
Got my pan 10 days ago, watched the golf - superb - its hard to describe but i was underwhelmed by HD and i see 3D as a HD+ sort of thing - superb pictures from Sky.
Sorry I'm a bit slow here.Are you saying that you watched the Ryder Cup in 3D?
Did sky broadcast it in 3D?
Is it on a dedicated 3d chanel?
I have an HD box, but no 3D TV (yet)
Bullett said:
Yes, Sky were transmitting the Ryder cup in 3D, it's been advertised to death.
I think you need a 3dtv and a 3d sky box (and an extra sub probably)
You cynic you!I think you need a 3dtv and a 3d sky box (and an extra sub probably)
The 3D channel is on my HD box. No new box needed. Just a phone call to activate it for free, or you can even do it online.
JustinP1 said:
Bullett said:
Yes, Sky were transmitting the Ryder cup in 3D, it's been advertised to death.
I think you need a 3dtv and a 3d sky box (and an extra sub probably)
You cynic you!I think you need a 3dtv and a 3d sky box (and an extra sub probably)
The 3D channel is on my HD box. No new box needed. Just a phone call to activate it for free, or you can even do it online.
How much content is there currently in 3D? I am still rather dissapointed the amount of HD produced especially by the BBC.
allgonepetetong said:
JustinP1 said:
Bullett said:
Yes, Sky were transmitting the Ryder cup in 3D, it's been advertised to death.
I think you need a 3dtv and a 3d sky box (and an extra sub probably)
You cynic you!I think you need a 3dtv and a 3d sky box (and an extra sub probably)
The 3D channel is on my HD box. No new box needed. Just a phone call to activate it for free, or you can even do it online.
How much content is there currently in 3D? I am still rather dissapointed the amount of HD produced especially by the BBC.
I think it will always be 'events' at this stage. Theres 3 3D films I know of, and of course big sporting events that Sky cover like England/Premiership football is the mainstay. That said, a lot of broadcasters are on board to use 3D, David Attenborough is doing a documentary series with them.
If you go to browse the HD channels on your box the Sky 3D channel will come up so you get an idea as to what is on. The 'flavour' seems to be a similar mix as BBC HD channel.
There are two other factors which are just as important for me at the moment over the Sky 3D channel:
1) The Samsung sets (somehow) make a 3D picture out of a standard 2D input. I know it will not be *as* good, but reviews of it seem that it is useful and worthwhile.
2) Gaming. There's already 3D games out on the PS3, and Gran Turismo next month is the first really big title to use 3D.
The effect on bespoke 3D films is in my opinion superb. We had a Eurosport cam card given to us by Panasonic ,to demo the VT series, and to be honest it wasn't up to much. As with any 3D content, the only benefit, is when there is a foreground, midground and background. I really didn't see the effect when watching a tennis match from long distance.
However, it is a superb set and with the arrival of the 42" range seems to open up the market to more bods. I tend to demo it on the basis that its probably the best set available BUT also has the added advantage of 3D should you require it in the future.
We do seem to lose sight of the fact that a 50" top spec screen from just 3 years ago was in excess of £4000.00 so the new models with Iplayer, You Tube , Freesat and Freeview HD all integrated, aren't really too steep.
The new USB rechargeable glasses are a lot more comfortable [ 3 sizes] plus just pop them in to the USB port on the panel to recharge.
Time will tell
However, it is a superb set and with the arrival of the 42" range seems to open up the market to more bods. I tend to demo it on the basis that its probably the best set available BUT also has the added advantage of 3D should you require it in the future.
We do seem to lose sight of the fact that a 50" top spec screen from just 3 years ago was in excess of £4000.00 so the new models with Iplayer, You Tube , Freesat and Freeview HD all integrated, aren't really too steep.
The new USB rechargeable glasses are a lot more comfortable [ 3 sizes] plus just pop them in to the USB port on the panel to recharge.
Time will tell
Edited by E31Shrew on Wednesday 6th October 11:03
So, my research so far has me taking a serious look at the Panasonic 3D plasma set.
Any views on Plasma versus LED? (it seems as though LCD is yesterday's technology)
Comet have a 50" screen, i know its much bigger than i had initially anticipated, for a touch over £2k, which also includes a blue ray player.
It's getting more expensive by the day, but i have a 6 week recovery period from an operation coming up in November, with no driving, and may well gorge myself on TV and films!
Any views on Plasma versus LED? (it seems as though LCD is yesterday's technology)
Comet have a 50" screen, i know its much bigger than i had initially anticipated, for a touch over £2k, which also includes a blue ray player.
It's getting more expensive by the day, but i have a 6 week recovery period from an operation coming up in November, with no driving, and may well gorge myself on TV and films!
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