While I do extensive research before I commit to anything, my dad believes one should go by heart and not waste time doing over analysis of things. During breakfast, I casually mentioned the possible contenders for new TV (listed below) and just asked him to check the prices as he was going out for Deepavali purchase
42E6 - Due to +ve reviews
50F500 - Best VFM, but plasma
50B6 - Meets the requirement of my parents 100%
Well, at around mid-night, my dad came back after Deepavali purchase with 50B6 :lol::sad:. Initially, I was disappointed as my mind was mostly on E6 or 50F5500 and my disappointment turned into anger as the price paid for the TV was 70k in full cash and the dealer didn't even arrange for free home delivery. Since, my dad was quite eager for his first LED tv experience, didn't show my disappointment and started Un-boxing the TV. The set up was so easy, I just un-boxed, connected the electric plug and Tata Sky set top box cables and there you go the TV started showing up the channels.
I don't know much about the LED/Plasma and basically about the electronic gadgets itself, so read the below review keeping this in mind
Day 1
SD contents
I previously said I was not impressed with the SD contents display of E6 and that was not just for E6. Most of the SD contents displayed in LED/Plasma in the showrooms are not impressive at all. This judgement is based on my previous CRT viewing experience and I have no previous LED/Plasma experience. The SD contents in my TV looked slightly better than what I saw in the showrooms, may be because I don't have other TV's displaying HD contents distracting me or may be because we already own this TV
. Anyway, I'm OK with the decent/average SD display. By then it was past midnight and I slept convincing myself since this TV is specifically for my parents, it's not a bad purchase, but only thing that was bugging me was I wouldn't have bought this for more that 65k. I planned to check the HD contents and check the usage hours the next day.
Doubt 1: As per the manual, the initial set up should ask for language and country set up, but mine didn't show that, it directly started displaying channels when I selected AV2. I got a suspicion if the TV might already been used as demo model, so checked the TV for scratches and any wear & tear. Well, all looked OK to me. But, still not sure why it didn't show me the initial
set up.
Day 2
Usage Hour check
Woke up early morning with the first task of checking the usage hours due to my Doubt 1. Switched on the TV, pressed the info key in remote thrice while pressing the Volume '-' button in the TV and the usage hours were displayed straightaway. The time showed 0.54 and the count showed 7. So, even I switched on the TV twice or thrice and watched it for 30 minutes or so the
previous day, the TV might have been already used. I was thinking the time will become 1.00 after the minute exceeds 0.59, but to my surprise it changed to 1.00 after it exceeded 0.99.
Doubt 2: Well, guys, is my interpretation 0.54 is h:ss correct? I hope it's not day
Well, assuming my interpretation is right, since the TV has been used only for 1.00 hr including my initial attempt I thought it was OK.
PQ and Audio check: This TV comes with 5 picture setting and 3 audio settings. Not much calibration possible. I was not impressed with any of the picture settings and only dynamic seemed OK and I altered the contrast and brightness. Kept the audio setting to music. I read the audio in flat TV's are not impressive and I must say the audio in this TV is not bad at all.
Doubt 3: What is the Back light option for in PQ setting? Can someone clarify?
Doubt 4: I have my previous Onida TV's 5.1 home theater, is it possible to connect that to this TV?
USB check: This TV comes with limited, in fact very limited external inputs. Just 1 USB, 2 HDMI's and 2 pairs of AV pins. Right now, I don't have HDMI port in both my laptop and desktop, so unable to check it. So, I connected my 1 TB WD HDD and the device was not detected to my very disappointment. I copied Lone Ranger BRip and Skyfall DVDrip to my pen drive and inserted it to USB. The devise was detected and the contents were displayed so quickly. So, this is it, one has to contend with 1 USB that does not support more than 16GB and 2 HDMI's.
HD check and formats supported: Horses, trains, vast landscape, guns blazing - I loved the visuals of Lone Ranger. Watched this first and was quite impressed with the picture clarity/quality. The resolution of this TV is 1080p with IPS panel. Next tried Skyfall and to my surprise the content was not played though it is .avi. Must be some codec issue, I'll try with BRip. So, overall I'm impressed with the HD visuals in the first attempt and can't wait for the day when all the channels are converted to HD only. This TV will be a pleasure when that time comes. I guess most of the formats should be supported as it plays .mkv.
Looks: This TV is easy on the eyes, but doesn't grab your attention. I have just kept the TV leaping on the wall. I've to see after it is properly mounted. So, my opinion might change.
So, all this done before the engineer's visit. I'm not very confident about this engineer guys knowledge and all they need to do is mount the TV. But, I have to check with them if it's possible to connect my 5.1 home theater and about the need of UPS/Stabilizer.
Doubt 5: Do we need an UPS/Stabilizer for these LED/Plasma TV's? Someone clarify please?
Finally, our previous Onida KY thunder gave us a very, very hard time, but it's predecessor another Onida was a very fine TV. My parents were watching 16 inch TV (Kalaignar TV) for a long time and I just wanted to give them a rich TV watching experience. Unlike me they don't know much about internet and 3D is irrelevant. I don't watch TV at all as I'm stuck with my computer monitor all the time, but will play the HD contents for the kids who visit their grandparent every week. So, this TV suits what we need and 3 years warranty gives peace of mind. I don't know much about black, grey, white, yellow depths and other technicalities, but I do watch a lot of movies in different formats and screens. So, IMO, this TV gives a pretty good movie watching experience when the content is full HD. So, who ever want a very basic, but big LED Full HD TV can go for it, but make sure to finish the deal between 60 to 65k.
Now, my hunt for 32 inch TV/monitor continues.
You got a company buddy
Well, yes some SD channels look alright, for instance Ten Sports and Discovery were pretty good, where as some were not impressive. Should check the HD channels offered in Tata Sky.
Please could you tell the manual calibration details?
Definitely, Plasma TV gives better PQ as per my showroom visiting experience. But, as you said lot of factors needs to be considered. One of my problem is bright day light for hesitating on 51F5500. We need to buy a TV that ticks all the requirement and it's indeed VFM considering the price you paid and I paid 5k more :sad:
Also, could you recall if you saw the language and region setting during the initial set up? I'm wondering why it didn't show up in my TV. TV's usage hour is less and I don't mind it, though I'd like to know if it was previously unpacked.
