Rascal's guide to big screen TVs

Life Technology
1

Given the recent discussions / questions about flat and big screen TVs here is my take on some of the models (>40") available in Taiwan. Prices are in NTD and approximations only.

NOTE: Some links point to sites outside of Taiwan, thus please verify the specifications before purchasing the product here!

Plasma

Eleo PRO-3846
Type: Plasma 46"
Resolution: 852x480
Price: 110k

Eleo PRO-3846X
Type: Plasma 46"
Resolution: 1024x768
Price: 140k

Both models support PAL and NTSC, works with 110-230V and have a HDCP compliant DVI input.
Difference is in the resolution, with the lower res model offering a better contrast.

LG 42PX4RV
Type: Plasma 42"
Resolution: 852x480
Price: 100k

Nice and reasonable plasma if HDTV resolution is of no concern; NTSC / 110V only.

Optoma PD50
Type: Plasma 50"
Resolution: 1366x768
Price: 150k

Uses a Panasonic screen, supports NTSC and 110V only. Considering the size and price this represents a bargain for plasma TVs.
Replaced with the PD50A model that is said to be 1080p compatible though not spotted in Taiwan yet.

Panasonic TH50PHD7
Type: Plasma 50"
Resolution: 1366x768
Price: ???

Panasonic TH42PHD7/PHW7 (black/silver)
Type: Plasma 42"
Resolution: 1024x768
Price: ???

Panasonic TH42PWD7
Type: Plasma 42"
Resolution: 852x480
Price: ???

Differences are in size and resolution mostly while the picture quality of all models is hard to fault. All support PAL and NTSC but work at 110V only. None of them has any digital input like DVI or HDMI and the normal video (composite) input uses BNC connectors. RGB and YUV (component) are provided.

Pioneer PDP-435HDG
Type: Plasma 43"
Resolution: 1024x768
Price: 150k

Nice design and a very good picture, sufficient connectivity. Has an external box for connectivity.

Pioneer PDP-436
Type: Plasma 43"
Resolution: 1024x768
Price: 160k

Successor of the model above, with increased black levels. Nice design and a very good picture, sufficient connectivity including HDMI via external box. Can handle PAL and NTSC.

LCD

Benq DV4670
Type: LCD 46"
Resolution: 1920x1080
Price: 250k (estimated)

Saw it at an exhibition earlier this year but can’t find it in any shop to take a closer look and verify my good impression. Can work with 110-230V and supports PAL/SECAM via the AV inputs.

Kolin KLT-4251
Type: LCD 42"
Resolution: 1366x768
Price: 100k

Spots two HDMI (DVI-D compatible) inputs with HDCP but display is meant for NTSC only. HDTV picture looks good but glass screen is too reflective.

Sharp LC-45GX6T
Type: LCD 45"
Resolution: 1920x1080
Price: 260k

Has HDMI/DVI inputs but the picture quality is not convincing. Blacks are sufficiently dark but there seems to be a lot of noise in the picture. Given the price it dosen’t deserve a recommendation.

Rear-Projection

Optoma RD50
Type: RPTV (DPL) 50"
Resolution: 1280x720
Price: 70k

Nice picture and reasonable price-wise but not up-to-date anymore (a few years old), e.g. no HDCP support. The new model RD50A and H replace the RD50. Has a 65" brother, too, though new models have not yet been seen in Taiwan.

Vivitek RP56HD21-T
Type: RPTV (DLP) 56"
Resolution: 1280x720
Price: 140k

Very nice picture quality when using external sources, in particular HDTV, but pictures from the internal tuner are too dark, changing brightness and contrast cannot improve that. Several zoom modes available.

Others

Optoma MovieTime DV10
Type: Front-Projector (DLP) with built-in DVD player
Resolution: 854x480
Price: 40k (!)

Put the MovieTime on your coffee table facing a white wall, throw in a DVD and off you go. Unfortunately the unit get’s incredibly hot that you can “smell the heat”, which may also affect the performance of the DVD drive over time. No flexibility since everything is integrated into one box though some external connections are on offer (including VGA that accepts RGB or YUV/component).

So which is best? I can’t say, there are too many different, partially subjective, criterias to consider. And of course cost is an issue to most, too.
I quite like the Eleo - big screen, very good picture quality and good connectivity and all that at a reasonable price. But unfortunately my intent is to use it with a PC where the native resolution of the display would cause a distortion of the picture.
My 2nd favorite is the Kolin though I need to take a closer look at it first, if I can find a shop that is willing to connect it to a proper signal (HDTV). The missing PAL compability is something I still need to think about though.

Some explanations of the technology and abbreviations will follow soon.

Updated 29.12.2005

2

We ended up getting a Sampo 42" plasma, at the time it was around NY$80K, don’t recall the model but will try to find. They have a couple of versions; we got the one with the Panasonic panel that is a better grade of display. It makes a whole lot of difference.

DVD is great (I use YC), PS2 is awesome, TV is fine but it depends a lot on the signal strength in your area. Only comment, which I believe it true for all large screens is Red, is a little blocky at times… not as bad as many lower cost TV’s thou. My cousin has a TaTung 46" and the picture is crap and uncomfortable to watch.

3

Great job Rascal. I’m still searching and it is daunting looking at all the different technology.

[quote=“Rascal”]Optoma MovieTime DV10
Type: Front-Projector (DLP) with built-in DVD player[/quote]

The more I check these out the less I like them. Some people get ill watching the screens because of the color wheel frequency. Inivte your friends over to watch a movie and the odd one will puke.

4

Yeah, I know the one you mean but can’t recall the model number either.
I would put it in the same league as the LG, at a cheaper price though.

Thanks. Similar problem here actually, my requirements are somewhat high as I must admit and each technology has their pros and cons, so it’s difficult to make a decision if you have the feeling you still don’t get the best, no matter how much you pay (though my own limit is 100-120k, 150 at most). Next year Toshiba will debut SED panels, they are said to combine the best of LCD, plasma (flat, big, thin) and conventional CRT TVs (fast response time, bright colors). But of course the first models will be prohibitively expensive, just as plasma and LCD were initially.

5

Well, when you get one Rascal, call me so that I can come over and do some of my own ‘research’ :laughing: :laughing:

6

Thanks Rascal - I echo Ironmans comments. And I also have given consideration to a few Sampo models.

7

Thanks. If you like Sampo check out the new Sampo 42" LCD with a resolution of 1366x768 for just under 100k that I spotted during the weekend. Wasn’t too impressed initially as the picture looked either “hazy” or blurry, but at the 3rd shop it was obviously set up correctly and didn’t look bad at all. The design is rather, shall we say, boring though.
In the shop I was told it supports NTSC only which is confirmed by the data sheet that can be viewed at the above site (note though the site itself says it’s PAL compatible but I guess it’s a mistake) and the user manual, however 50Hz HDTV signals (1280x720p) are supported via DVI and VGA. 720p is also supported at 60Hz and input signals at its native resolution (1366x768/60Hz) are accepted, too. :bravo:

I am a bit concerned that the display has only one DVI input and no HDMI at all but at least two YUV (component) and one VGA (RGB) input are provided, plus various other standard connections (e.g. composite and S-Video). The TV works at 110-240V/50-60Hz btw. Things are looking up. :slight_smile:

8

Time for an update. Some models are still on sale, I list them here with the up-to-date pricing. For description please see above.

Pioneer PDP-436
Type: Plasma 43"
Resolution: 1024x768
Price: 120k

Pioneer PDP-506
Type: Plasma 50"
Resolution: 1280x768
Price: 180k

Kolin KLT-4251
Type: LCD 42"
Resolution: 1366x768
Price: 80k

Sampo LM42
Type: LCD 42"
Resolution: 1366x768
Price: 75k

Pioneer and Panasonic have released new plasma displays. The problem with Panasonic is that all models work with 110V only and do not support PAL. The Pioneer models however do work with 230V and can take PAL signals. They are now ‘one-body’ units, i.e. no external media box is needed, so all connections are done directly at the display.

Panasonic TH-42PX600T
Type: Plasma 42"
Resolution: 1024x768
Price: 100k

Latest Panasonic model that is priced cheaper than the new Pioneer 42" plasma (see below). Standard connectivity including HDMI but also a memory card slot. DVB-T tuner. Review (comparable model TH-42PV600H)

Panasonic TH-50PX600T
Type: Plasma 50"
Resolution: 1366x768
Price: 160k

Latest Panasonic model that is priced cheaper than the new Pioneer 50" plasma (see below). Standard connectivity including HDMI but also a memory card slot. Does AFAIK not support WXGA input, so no 1:1 pixel mapping possible. DVB-T tuner. Review (comparable model TH-50PV600H)

Pioneer PDP-427XG
Type: Plasma 42"
Resolution: 1024x768
Price: 140k

7th generation model with the new BLACK2 panel (improved black levels) but priced cheaper than it’s predecessor. Comes with 2 HDMI inputs, one VGA input (WXGA compatible but will scale it to 1024x768) and component (YUV) in. Bottom-mounted speaker. Review

Pioneer PDP-507XG
Type: Plasma 50"
Resolution: 1366x768
Price: 200k

7th generation model with the new BLACK2 panel (improved black levels), as well as a native 16:9 resolution and cheaper than it’s predecessor. Comes with 2 HDMI inputs, one VGA input (WXGA compatible!) and component (YUV) in, as well as S-Video and composite. Can also take 1080p/24 signals from Bluray DVD Players (but not HDTV 1080p/50 or 1080p/60!). Review

Pioneer PDP-5000EX
Type: Plasma 50"
Resolution: 1920x1080
Price: 350k

The first 50" plasma with the currently highest HDTV resolution (1920x1080) though the price is rather steep compared to the PDP-507XG, especially if you consider that it doesn’t have a TV tuner (i.e. it’s a monitor only model). 2 HDMI and 1 DVI input (all with HDCP), as well as component (YUV) and VGA (RGBHV) via BNC connections, plus the usual S-video and composite of course. Review

NOTE 1: Seen the following prices in shops for the above Panasonic and Plasma models, e.g. at Best (formerly Daiichi):

Panasonic TH-42PX600T . 90k
Panasonic TH-50PX600T . 150k
Pioneer PDP-427XG … 120k

NOTE 2: Above specifications are based on best effort and sometimes taken from websites that are not controlled/maintained by the manufacturers. Therefore please check yourself in the shop before making a purchase!

Some comments on the latest Toshiba & Sony LCD TVs and LG 50" Plasma later …

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very happy with our panasonic TH-42PM50T so far. saw them for 67K recently i think. assembled in taiwan, japanese plasma panel.

10

[quote=“Ironman”]

[quote=“Rascal”]Optoma MovieTime DV10
Type: Front-Projector (DLP) with built-in DVD player[/quote]

The more I check these out the less I like them. Some people get ill watching the screens because of the color wheel frequency. Invite your friends over to watch a movie and the odd one will puke.[/quote]

Dude. Thems fighting words. :slight_smile:

I love my Movie Time. I can’t wait to hook up a Wii to it. Its great! It has a 5x colour wheel, not 4, so very few people get sick. The slower wheels had problems. Its awesome to watch the downloaded TV through it, cable is good, and it plays DVD fine. And the best part: Its cheep!

Like all projectors it has one flaw, the light. It REALY needs a dark room. But not black, just dark.

11

hi,

quick question. if i buy a plasma here and head home to australia will it work correctly?

i know that may be a broad question.

thanks

12

[quote=“JoeyJoJoJnrShabadu”]hi,

quick question. if i buy a plasma here and head home to australia will it work correctly?

i know that may be a broad question.

thanks[/quote]
There are not many models that will work in Australia since it uses PAL B/G and 230V. Currently your best bet will be the Pioneer 6th or 7th generation models that I listed on the previous page as they are compatible.

13

thanks. so i need to ensure the tv is pal and 230v

14

Yes, though note that PAL compability doesn’t necessarily mean the tuner is PAL capable. This is important if you need to receive TV broadcast via antenna/CATV. If you receive TV broadcast via a satellite receiver, STB or similar you won’t need a PAL tuner, PAL compability (via the AV inputs) would be sufficient.
AFAIK currently only the Pioneer plasmas ‘do it all’, most other models sold in Taiwan are NTSC and/or 110V only.

There is an AV show during this weekend, perhaps they introduce some new models that do PAL and work with 230V, but I wouldn’t hold my breath …

15

cool. do the pioneer plasma tv’s here have an inbuilt dmb tuner? and would it work in aus? sorry for all the questions.

thanks

16

Don’t forget you need a HDMI 1.3 (?) input and resolutions up to 1080p (1080 pixels high). Without both of those, you might end up looking silly like I did.

(HDMI won’t be compulsory for a few years, but it probably will be if you want high definition)

17

Isn’t DMB for mobile devices? Doesn’t go along very well with a plasma TV … :wink:

The Pioneer plasmas have a DVB-T tuner, as well as an analog tuner (VHF/UHF and CATV).
(NOTE: This is from the specs for the European XD model, I believe it’s also valid for the XG model sold here but to be 100% sure I need to look into the user manual, which I haven’t seen yet.)

[quote=“Big Fluffy Matthew”]Don’t forget you need a HDMI 1.3 (?) input and resolutions up to 1080p (1080 pixels high). Without both of those, you might end up looking silly like I did.

(HDMI won’t be compulsory for a few years, but it probably will be if you want high definition)[/quote]
A HDMI input that supports HDCP (High-Defintion Content Protection) is highly recommended already now, better even if you have two ore more inputs to cater for DVD player (BluRay or HD-DVD), HDTV set-top-box, games console etc. They will sooner or later all come with HDMI, especially if HDTV signals are involved. A screen resolution of 1080p is not really required though, with current signals there is more scaling to be done (which may affect the quality from inferior sources like standard TV broadcast or normal DVDs even) and it’s questionable if TV broadcast will actuall go 1080p. Well, later it probably will but then it’s time for a new TV with a totally different technology like SED anyhow.

Most new sets have HDMI but there isn’t much if any stuff around with HDMI 1.3, which is required e.g. for the new lossless audio-formats like Dolby TruHD and DTS HD. There are some changes for video, too, see here for technical details. Basically it caters for future formats that use a higher bandwith due to higher resolution, color depth or frame rate. 1080p however is supported since HDMI 1.0 already though it is only recently implemented by manufacturers.

FullHD displays (i.e. those having a resolution of 1920x1080 and accepting input signals with 1080p/24, 1080p/50 and 1080p/60) are very, very limited and AFAIK none has HDMI 1.3 yet. The aforementioned Pioneer PDP-5000EX is a FullHD set but it does not have HDMI1.3, yet it costs a small fortune. There are other 1920x1080 sets around but not many accept 1080p signals from external sources, so beware.

If you would insist on HDMI 1.3 you still have to wait a bit. (The Sony PS3 will have a HDMI 1.3 output I heard.)

As for now I would settle for a 720p screen (1280x720) or thereabouts (like 1366x768, which happens to be more common) that can accept at least 720p and 1080i signals in either PAL or NTSC. Though I might change my mind after tomorrows show, we will see … :wink:

18

I don’t know why Rascal posted all that info on other TVs and never mentioned Sony. According to these folks, they’re #1.

[quote] TOP 10 LCD TVS

1 Sony KDL-46XBR2
2 Sony KDL-40S2010
3 Sharp LC-42D62U
4 Samsung LN-S5296D
5 Sharp LC-32D41U
6 Sharp LC-52D62U
7 Sony KDL-32S2400
8 Sony KDL-V32XBR2
9 Samsung LN-S4695D
10 Sony KDL-46S2010[/quote]

lcdtvbuyingguide.com/top10.shtml

And, I’ll let you know soon if it’s true, as our 40" Sony will be delivered this afternoon. :slight_smile:

19

I don’t like them. No, just kidding - never got around to it (see my earlier post where I said I was going to comment on them). :wink:

Anyhow, in brief:
The X2000 models (Full HDTV resolution of 1920x1080) look nice with HDTV resolution but suffer from motion-smearing. Sizes are 40, 46 and 52" (not sure though if the latter is sold here) but all models are NTSC only.
Note that I have seen some dealers showing the newer Japanese X2500 models (similar to the XBR2/XBR3 in the US).

The X2000 series does not support 1920x1080 via VGA (only via HDMI), the X2500 series however does.

The series below (W or V, can’t remember) has a lower resolution @ 1366x768 and a different design, it’s also cheaper as one would expect, but generally the Sony’s are on the expensive side.

20

I don’t know what all that technical stuff means but the HD programming they were showing on the sets in shop looked fantastic. Almost 3D. I do know enough however to realize an HD tv is just a regular tv unless one has HD programming (by disc, cable or satellite), and I take with a large grain of salt any comments about HD programming being just around the corner. Haven’t they said that for years.

But all that’s moot as that was the set my wife wanted and she’s the one earning all the money in the stock market lately, so I didn’t hesitate for a moment. I’m sure it’ll be fine.