3D TV Recommendation.

[madhavk8]

I visited Samsung store yesterday and even the sales guy there told me not to go for 3D Tv (quite surprising though) as there are not much 3D content to watch for, so it's not worth to spend so much on a 3D TV.
I am thinking to get nearly 42" TV keeping the budget to somewhere around 60k.

Dude when you are ready to spend 60k then stretch for another 7-8k or max 10k and get the Samsung 51E550 3D plasma. You will get a much bigger and better TV with 3D for just paying like 10-12% extra!! In Bangalore we are getting 51E550 for 67k and for BR Player offer around 3k extra.

 

[just4kix]

@Indian11,

As I said in so many posts (to you and everyone), let 3D not be a deciding factor. Choose TV based on PQ only; AQ will be bad anyway. If you go for any TV with good PQ and smart features, chances are that it will be 3D enabled.

madhavk8 is right. For about 68~74k, you will get the Samsung 51E550 or Panasonic 50UT50. Both have excellent PQ and 3D too.

 

[Indian11]

Dude when you are ready to spend 60k then stretch for another 7-8k or max 10k and get the Samsung 51E550 3D plasma. You will get a much bigger and better TV with 3D for just paying like 10-12% extra!! In Bangalore we are getting 51E550 for 67k and for BR Player offer around 3k extra.

Thanks for the update. Will surely check the models mentioned by you.
Will there be much price difference in Banglore and Delhi?

 

[miniwarmth]

@Indian11,

As I said in so many posts (to you and everyone), let 3D not be a deciding factor. Choose TV based on PQ only; AQ will be bad anyway. If you go for any TV with good PQ and smart features, chances are that it will be 3D enabled.
.

I sort of agree with with 'kix. Most of the content your avg person watches will be 2D. But there are some who love 3D and may watch more of that content -- my neighbour just did this exact thing. His primary criteria were based on 3D viewing and he bought according to his tastes/evaluation: LG 65" Passive.

Now many will say that the "3D content isn't there" but frankly if you look at some of the stats on 3D sales they are pretty impressive and the titles being published only seem to be in increasing -- every kids movie and nearly every big non-kids English title is shown at the theatres in 3D and comes to home release as 3D. There are a few notable exceptions: Chris Nolan of the current Batman fame refuses to put out a 3D version of Batman.

These are good threads for content and opinions:
3D Movies, 3D Blu-ray Movies, 3D Blu-ray Players
http://www.avsforum.com/f/196/3d-content

So what should you do? Try to make a concerted assessment of you TV watching habits (2D SD/2D HD/3D) and then find the best all-round match. Not many of us, my neighbour excluded, will buy dedicated sets for each. The challenge is that there aren't many great 3D set assessments - in fact as far as I know, even calibrating a 3D picture is still pretty subjective by the pros (lack of reference discs etc.) Dave Mackenzie @ TV Reviews – Best LED LCD, 3D Plasma & Smart TVs did a good review of the calibration settings of the ST50 ( Panasonic TX-P42ST50B Performance) and said the same.

If you only watch SD, I wouldn't waste my money on a 1080p set -- CRT actually are better at displaying content. But if you do want those extra HD, all ten of them, and you do buy a BD player and spend the money for those titles or get them from (il)legal online sources, then perhaps a 1080p set is for you. Or if you are like my neighbour and watch mostly 3D stuff, then you may have preferences for active vs. passive.
Check out this forum for add'l opinions on 3D Sets as well: http://www.avsforum.com/f/191/3d-displays

Good luck to you!

 

[god2007]

^^ @ miniwarmth, I agree with you, except for the last point.

It is true that CRT is the best TV for watching SD channels. But nobody is buying new CRTs, and all the established brands have stopped making them. The world has moved forward to flat panels, and every one is trying to buy the largest one he can. The demand for new, large, latest model flat panels from the wife, children, relatives, peers are becoming unbearable. So there is no point now in extolling the virtues of CRTs. Such advices fell only on deaf ears. But we can only advice that those who have a good CRT in working condition, should retain rather than exchanging it for small change.
I have seen many who have gone for large 16:9 full HD TVs exchanging their perfectly working CRTs and cursing their decision and their fate to watch distorted 4:3 SD channels ( often from the cable) on these new TVs.

 

[Indian11]

^^ @ miniwarmth, I agree with you, except for the last point.

It is true that CRT is the best TV for watching SD channels. But nobody is buying new CRTs, and all the established brands have stopped making them. The world has moved forward to flat panels, and every one is trying to buy the largest one he can. The demand for new, large, latest model flat panels from the wife, children, relatives, peers are becoming unbearable. So there is no point now in extolling the virtues of CRTs. Such advices fell only on deaf ears. But we can only advice that those who have a good CRT in working condition, should retain rather than exchanging it for small change.
I have seen many who have gone for large 16:9 full HD TVs exchanging their perfectly working CRTs and cursing their decision and their fate to watch distorted 4:3 SD channels ( often from the cable) on these new TVs.

Well, If we go for rural area, we can still find the availability of CRTs still there. No doubt LCD have gained popularity in the recent times but they still have a long way to go to conquer the rural area of India.

 

[Indian11]

@Indian11,

As I said in so many posts (to you and everyone), let 3D not be a deciding factor. Choose TV based on PQ only; AQ will be bad anyway. If you go for any TV with good PQ and smart features, chances are that it will be 3D enabled.

madhavk8 is right. For about 68~74k, you will get the Samsung 51E550 or Panasonic 50UT50. Both have excellent PQ and 3D too.

Finally got 55" LG LM8600 today....More Pics to be updated soon.

 

[just4kix]

Congratulations. Please share the price for the benefit of other users.

 

[Indian11]

Congratulations. Please share the price for the benefit of other users.

Thanks...The Tv cost me Rs 2,19,298..Having invested a huge amount, I hope LG won't disappoint me...

 

[just4kix]

Thanks...The Tv cost me Rs 2,19,298..Having invested a huge amount, I hope LG won't disappoint me...

Wow! That is one huge investment.

 

[Indian11]

Wow! That is one huge investment.

yeah,,,,I know but it was like that I had made the decision to get one and then i didn't find the reason to roll back.
Even though I am aware of lack of 3D contents here but still I hope I can view some good 3D content in this Tv.

 

[madhavk8]

Congrats. Enjoy the TV . But one question though, for almost the same price you could have got the Samsung 64E8000 plasma, why did you choose this over that??

 

[Indian11]

Congrats. Enjoy the TV . But one question though, for almost the same price you could have got the Samsung 64E8000 plasma, why did you choose this over that??

yeah.I have a look at it and a model from Sony as well but there were few things which made me bend towards LG.
1) The use of passive tech by LG, while Samsung,Sony use active glasses.
2)The use of IPS Panel in LG 3D Tv which provides wide viewing angle.

 

[avmaxfan]

Congrats. Hope you enjoy the TV but really there were many better options at that price - 65ST50,Sammy 64E8000, and the Panasonic 50GT50 being almost a lac cheaper.. Anyways, I was right that you were decided on getting the LG even before you started this thread

Yes LG uses IPS panels which have excellent viewing angles but at the cost of poor contrast and black levels. Which is why in the high end segment LG flagship always has the worst black levels and contrast, sometimes even worse than mid range TVs by Sony/Samsung.

 

[Indian11]

Congrats. Hope you enjoy the TV but really there were many better options at that price - 65ST50,Sammy 64E8000, and the Panasonic 50GT50 being almost a lac cheaper.. Anyways, I was right that you were decided on getting the LG even before you started this thread

Yes LG uses IPS panels which have excellent viewing angles but at the cost of poor contrast and black levels. Which is why in the high end segment LG flagship always has the worst black levels and contrast, sometimes even worse than mid range TVs by Sony/Samsung.

More from the Box.....

a) Magic motion Remote and Normal Remote
b)Glasses for Dual Play gaming.
c)Passive 3D glasses and Dual Play Glasses.

 

[miniwarmth]

@avmaxfan

Some people have different perspectives on what's good in a TV, Car, computer, etc. @Indian11 made his choice on what he values -- not what you value. While I have an ST50, it isn't perfect but it's what I wanted. So give the guy a break and let him enjoy his new TV

My neighbour bought the 55" model LG 7600 and he has never, ever messed with the picture settings. He picked the default setting day 1 has enjoyed it ever since. I, on the other hand, am constant trying to achieve PQ nirvana and am never 100% happy

I am also jealous of several features that his TV has over mine: edge to edge screen size; Fresh UI; motion control remote; and the magnitude of in-built settings. His set even includes two ISFcc presets that can be used for direct calibration; if he cared. The LG can also make a 3D movie (side by side) and make it a clear 2D film. I've been downloading both versions -- what a pain for me.

Yes I rejoice in the deeper blacks and better colour representation but my neighbour can't tell the difference and was happier getting what many consider the best 3D set out there right now.

 

[just4kix]

It is usually like this: in the deepest recess of the heart (or brain), the wish is already made up. The rest is all confusion and ultimately a storm in a tea cup. As stated by miniwarmth, 99% of the people are not even aware of black level. Actually the human body is very adapting. Once the eyes adapt to a certain viewing, the brain starts believing that it is seeing proper black, gray, red, blue, green, etc.

Finally who watches the TV most? They are the people who are mostly at home - the parents, the wives, young children. And what is watched most? DTH/Cable. Does black level and superfast response matter while watching drama? And even most sports do not involve lightening fast action. So while black level is important to movie watchers (and that too hollywood movies), it is not the 'nirvana' that one needs to attain.

So Indian11 liked passive 3D and LG and was totally sold to the idea. He has made the choice. He saw, he liked, he purchased ... end of story. I am very happy for him because once the decision is made, the agony of wait is over. And we should now no more talk about what was good or what was not.

avmaxfan, We have different values that need not be necessarily better. My father in law thinks "TV = Sony". And he is not totally off track.

Indian11, enjoy your gadget. But don't get so engrossed that you forget to update your experience on the forum.

 

[avmaxfan]

I know I shouldn't have said all that AFTER Indian11 has already purchased the TV, but it's just that there are a lot of disappointed buyers of this particular model and its contrast ratio is equivalent to a 20k Desktop Monitor. Surely that's not great bang for the buck, no ?

Other than that, didn't mean to offend Indian11 or anybody else. If he's happy with the purchase, then all's good.

 

[Indian11]

It is usually like this: in the deepest recess of the heart (or brain), the wish is already made up. The rest is all confusion and ultimately a storm in a tea cup. As stated by miniwarmth, 99% of the people are not even aware of black level. Actually the human body is very adapting. Once the eyes adapt to a certain viewing, the brain starts believing that it is seeing proper black, gray, red, blue, green, etc.

Finally who watches the TV most? They are the people who are mostly at home - the parents, the wives, young children. And what is watched most? DTH/Cable. Does black level and superfast response matter while watching drama? And even most sports do not involve lightening fast action. So while black level is important to movie watchers (and that too hollywood movies), it is not the 'nirvana' that one needs to attain.

So Indian11 liked passive 3D and LG and was totally sold to the idea. He has made the choice. He saw, he liked, he purchased ... end of story. I am very happy for him because once the decision is made, the agony of wait is over. And we should now no more talk about what was good or what was not.

avmaxfan, We have different values that need not be necessarily better. My father in law thinks "TV = Sony". And he is not totally off track.

Indian11, enjoy your gadget. But don't get so engrossed that you forget to update your experience on the forum.

No doubt, I was always fond of passive tech but I tested the other Passive model as well but somewhere I felt LG has an edge over the other so I decided to go for it.
I will share my experience in this forum for sure.

 

[Indian11]

I know I shouldn't have said all that AFTER Indian11 has already purchased the TV, but it's just that there are a lot of disappointed buyers of this particular model and its contrast ratio is equivalent to a 20k Desktop Monitor. Surely that's not great bang for the buck, no ?

Other than that, didn't mean to offend Indian11 or anybody else. If he's happy with the purchase, then all's good.

I would like to correct you on this that as far as now I am way too happy with the contrast ratio, even watched a movie in 3D as well and It was too good.