I'm in the Market for My First HDTV

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

I know I have posted in the past that I would never buy one, but I have to concede that because I'm considering it.

I am currently looking at two models, a Samsung UN40D5500 and an LG 42LK450.

Is 1080p worth it at 40" or 42" (my room is not big enough for anything larger)? Is the price difference between the LG ($547 at Amazon) and the Samsung ($744.98) worth it? Which is better?

A major draw for me is the use of headphones as TV speakers suck and I like the more personal connection to the audio using headphones. Also, I don't have a sound setup. The LG has a headphone jack, but from what I can tell, the Samsung doesn't. If I go for the Samsung, what do I need to buy to allow for headphone use?

If you have another model TV in mind that will be less than $760 or so, let me know and explain why it is a better choice.

Thanks!

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

No one here can help me?

[Gempulse]

Best less than 50inch HDTV(in the US) is the Panasonic 42" ST30 Plasma, cheaper than those two you mentioned as well.

42" ST30

The ST30 is going to provide much deeper black levels than those two LCD's that you mentioned. The ST30 is going to provide better color accuracy, and also provide better off-axis viewing. For example, you can still see the full picture of the TV while sitting off to the side of your TV. If you sit off to the side while viewing an LCD the color, blacks and picture diminishes. This is a huge plus side to plasma, for me.

[overdrive79]

I agree. Go with a panny or even Samsung plasma for a better picture, as long as you get a 1080p model.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by JLTucker

I know I have posted in the past that I would never buy one, but I have to concede that because I'm considering it.

I am currently looking at two models, a Samsung UN40D5500 and an LG 42LK450.

Is 1080p worth it at 40" or 42" (my room is not big enough for anything larger)? Is the price difference between the LG ($547 at Amazon) and the Samsung ($744.98) worth it? Which is better?

A major draw for me is the use of headphones as TV speakers suck and I like the more personal connection to the audio using headphones. Also, I don't have a sound setup. The LG has a headphone jack, but from what I can tell, the Samsung doesn't. If I go for the Samsung, what do I need to buy to allow for headphone use?

If you have another model TV in mind that will be less than $760 or so, let me know and explain why it is a better choice.

Thanks!

I have this:

http://www.amazon.com/LG-42LE5300-10...0334282&sr=1-1

I paid 750 for it at Christmas last year, and haven't had any issues with it. I sit about 5-6ft away from it, and have no 1080p PQ issues. It has the IPS panel in it, which means I can sit at odd angles and still have a good picture. I also haven't had any issues with the black levels. I like it because I can also hook up a USB HDD to it, and it can be in NTFS format, and will play full DVD rips, although you can't watch them consecutively, once a "chapter" ends, you have to manually hit play on the next one. Other than that, it's play just about every file format I've thrown at it. It's sometimes fussy about codecs though.

I know it's about 40 bucks more than your budget, and it's a 2010 model, but I'm just giving an example of an LED edge-lit tv. Of your models, I'd go with the LG, because I've found them to be more reliable than Samsung. My friend has one, and has had nothing but problems with it. I went with the LG because:
1. It had the best features out of the sets I looked at within my price range
2. it looked the best, compared to LEDs and Plasmas, and it was "tiny." well, 42" isn't tiny, but compared to my parents' 42" tv, this one was thin, and didn't have a large bezel, and was therefore better suited for my apartment
3. it was on sale. I ended up getting more money off of it because it dropped even further on boxing day
3. LG is a brand that I know is quite reliable, as I still have a DVD player of theirs that is 6 years old, and has been moved around and beat around more times than I can count, and it still works. Seriously, there's a huge dent in the top near the disc tray.


I would personally look at the features I want in a TV, rather than whether or not it's Plasma, LED, LCD, etc. Plasma isn't the be all and end all of TVs, as there are non-plasma models that provide nice PQs. It's all personal preference. Ditto with brandnames, I'd consider after features. I usually try to avoid this forum because it always ends up in a giant pissing contest.

Edit: i am an idiot, my TV came out in 2010, and was only on the market for about 7-8 months before I bought it.

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by Gempulse

Best less than 50inch HDTV(in the US) is the Panasonic 42" ST30 Plasma, cheaper than those two you mentioned as well.

42" ST30

The ST30 is going to provide much deeper black levels than those two LCD's that you mentioned. The ST30 is going to provide better color accuracy, and also provide better off-axis viewing. For example, you can still see the full picture of the TV while sitting off to the side of your TV. If you sit off to the side while viewing an LCD the color, blacks and picture diminishes. This is a huge plus side to plasma, for me.

The LG is more than $100 cheaper at Amazon at the moment. It also has a headphone jack, which is a must for me. If I can cheaply use headphones on the Panasonic or the Samsung without a diminish in audio quality, then that's great. Also, Plasma burn-in is a concern of mine.

How is the 3D on that television?

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

So, I think I'm going to go with the Samsung.

[Steedeel]

Glad to hear it. just don't go feeding it sub standard pictures dude!

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by JLTucker

So, I think I'm going to go with the Samsung.

Did you figure out how to use headphones with it? not being snarky, I'm seriously wondering.

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Glad to hear it. just don't go feeding it sub standard pictures dude!

Mang, I canceled Netflix when they announced the price hike.

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Did you figure out how to use headphones with it? not being snarky, I'm seriously wondering.

Not yet, no. I'm thinking I can use the PC audio out, but I'm not sure if It'll work. I was hoping people on this forum would be able to help with that.

[Steedeel]

Can't you use a headphone amplifier? It uses AV leads (red and white normally)
use audio video out connection on back of your tv and into the back of amplifier. The more expensive ones come with a remote control also. Do some research and see if anything catches your eyes.

(See, im not a moron!!!)

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Can't you use a headphone amplifier? It uses AV leads (red and white normally)
use audio video out connection on back of your tv and into the back of amplifier. The more expensive ones come with a remote control also. Do some research and see if anything catches your eyes.

(See, im not a moron!!!)

I was thinking about doing that. Would you have any recommendations?

Any thoughts on this? http://www.amazon.com/Rolls-Ch-Headp...dp/B0010BWLMS/

[Steedeel]

Looks good. I got a little Keene box. don't know if they make them outside Uk though. Maybe stick with the one on Amazon. good reviews and looks easy enough. good luck, let me know how you get on. Oh, and please feed it some blurays for me?

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Looks good. I got a little Keene box. don't know if they make them outside Uk though. Maybe stick with the one on Amazon. good reviews and looks easy enough. good luck, let me know how you get on. Oh, and please feed it some blurays for me?

I have a collection, so that will happen. Fellowship of the Ring will be the first thing I watch.

[Steedeel]

All the best

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

All the best

Thanks.

Brandsmart in my area had all of the TVs listed in this thread on display when I went, and I determined that I like the Samsung LED the best. I will be purchasing that one next month. I will update this thread with my impressions on it, after I calibrate it using the Disney WOW release. Yes, I know it's not a professional calibration, but I can only spend so much on entertainment.

[Mahatma]

I second Panny plasma-if you can afford it.

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Looks good. I got a little Keene box. don't know if they make them outside Uk though. Maybe stick with the one on Amazon. good reviews and looks easy enough. good luck, let me know how you get on. Oh, and please feed it some blurays for me?

You know, I don't even think I need that Rolls 4 headphone amplifier. I have one that I use with my computer monitor that can fit in the pc audio in jack on the tv. I can then control the volume on the television at will.

[Steedeel]

Wont the sound be a little bit tinny though Tucker? Don't know for sure, just wondering. Personally i would still go down the route of buying that one you showed me. but that is just me. I use a really good pair of headphones on mine and didn't want the sound compromised. I can crank it up to decent levels without any distortion. If you are happy with the sound on your pc amp then fair enough but i would go the other route. At the end of the day it is your money though!

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

I have a receiver in my house that I can use temporarily via the RCA connections. It has bass, treble, and other controls, so that may be my best bet for now to save money.