Topic: 2012 Holiday Picks!

[Carlo777]

Another year, another round of ball breaking wallet crunching expeditions. A number of TVs in front of us and we'll come up with this years holiday picks!

The choices will be made by yours truly and businessman/actor Juan "Johnny" Revilla (who is a TV/Movie freak), his TV collection is one of the most impressive I've seen He posts under the name of mokongR for Hello Pinoy. I better tell him to make his own account right here...

Stand by.

[ris]

hi sir.  ask ko lang sana kasi malapit na kami bumili ng tv.  gusto kasi ng sister ko lcd tv daw.  basta sure ako na hindi plasma.  ano ma suggest mo na model if ever?  sensya na kung maaga ako nagtanong.  kasi bibili na kami.  baka di umabot pag post mo yung reviews mo.  pumunta mom ko sa tv store at suggested sa kanya yung devant LED daw.  maganda daw at matipid.

ito ang main requirements ng sis ko:
lcd tv - yun ang sinabi nya eh.  at mas maganda yung kasi mas mure kesa led yung presyo. 
mostly for cable tv viewing lang - mas maganda sana yung may booster for cable tv viewing
32inch lang - yun kasi ang kasya sa kwarto nya
hindi nagmumukhang mataba yung tao kahit wide screen mode - yung devant daw hindi ganun sabi ng friend ko.  pag lg daw mataba tignan
matagal masira - at least sana may reputation na matibay.  gamit ng sis ko ngayon crt tv pa.  antique pa nga eh.  1980s pa ata yun.  di pa nga cable ready kaya may converter pa sya.

ito yung choices na naisip ko:
sony 32bx350 - mukhang okay eh.  ito top pick ko.  sony kasi baka matibay.  sony ang current antique tv nya.
toshiba 32inch - basta yung may signal booster for cable
devant 32inch - suggested by shop guy
samsung 32inch - namamahalan ako. feeling ko overpriced pero pwede na rin

no need for full hd.  kasi for cable tv lang talaga madalas.  pinaka important is matibay sana.  sana din maganda yung picture quality.

di naman masyado nagmamadali kaya kung meron kang alam na upcoming sale pwede din yun ang hintayin namin.  budget is at below 20k.  kung kaya ng 15k with good quality then better.

thanks

[Carlo777]

Kung cable TV lang ang main usage, the best for you will be the 32PB200 from Toshiba. It has a cable booster that really improves signal. Tungkol naman sa widescreen mode, you can always switch to 4:3 which is the natural aspect ratio of SD broadcast TV, yun nga lang may black bars ka on the side which is called a pillar effect, but it's not really bad looking.

Toshiba 32PB200 is around 15k lang ata.

Cheers!

[tantra2gadget]

Dont believe in Devant guy in the store,theres lots of good Tv manufacturers na abot sa budget na 15k or less.
Go for Toshiba,Sony,LG,Samsung but not for Devant:)
Just my opinon....

[csr2]

ensogo is has a LED TV deal -> Sharp Aquos 32" (model number not specified in the ad ) LED TV for 14850 only
might be a good deal? 

[Carlo777]

ensogo is has a LED TV deal -> Sharp Aquos 32" (model number not specified in the ad ) LED TV for 14850 only
might be a good deal? 

I saw that SHARP LED model and it's nice! Pictures are just a bit muted in-terms of colors, and to my knowledege it only has 1 HDMI input.

Good price though...

Please check out the Toshiba 32PB200 it's similarly priced with more HDMI inputs.

[juanch]

2nd for the Toshiba 32 PB200
I have inspected this TV in a few shops and I must say that it stans out amongst the 32'' TV's
Signal booster is a sweet addition and it's LED backlit pati. 

[ris]

Kung cable TV lang ang main usage, the best for you will be the 32PB200 from Toshiba. It has a cable booster that really improves signal. Tungkol naman sa widescreen mode, you can always switch to 4:3 which is the natural aspect ratio of SD broadcast TV, yun nga lang may black bars ka on the side which is called a pillar effect, but it's not really bad looking.

Toshiba 32PB200 is around 15k lang ata.

Cheers!

led din pala ito.  thanks for the suggestion sir. sensya na kung di ito ang final decision kasi di naman ako ang gagamit.  but rest assured, your recommendation will be considered very much.  thanks again po

[csr2]

I saw that SHARP LED model and it's nice! Pictures are just a bit muted in-terms of colors, and to my knowledege it only has 1 HDMI input.

Good price though...

Please check out the Toshiba 32PB200 it's similarly priced with more HDMI inputs.

Thanks for the suggestion sir! Ok na ba analog cable TV reception ng Toshiba? Used to have an old one (AV600 model i think) where reception is quite weak. I'm planning to buy one for Christmas as a gift to my tatay

[Carlo777]

First pick:

Best 720p/HD Ready TV for Movies:

Samsung PS51E450 and PS43E450 Plamsa TV

This is really the first time We're giving this recommendation for Samsung. Since 2007, this area was dominated by Panasonic but 720p Panasonic plasma models have not been head turners. These Samsung plasma TVs have very good blacks, well rendered colors, and fine motion handling (they're also well within budget price category).

If you're into DVD, Blu-ray and don't really want to spend a lot of money on "Large" sets for your home theater then do check these units out!

Best 720p/hd Ready TV for Games (32 inches):

Panasonic 32C30X

Very good pixel and input response time when "Game Mode" is activated, the C30X (LCD) is our recommendation if and when you need a small TV just for your video gaming fix. Image quality is also good for movies considering the price!

[newbie pa rin]

Sir,

Saw these model at S&R, PS43E450 Plasma TV side by side with a a LED one same brand and i was quite dissapointed with how it renders the black and over all PQ as compared to the led model.
Was surprised that it was a recommended model.
Worst PQ in all displayed TV.
Unless my eyes played a trick on me, saw a different model or S&R is really pushing their LCD/LED and change the setting to make the plasma looked bad.

[Carlo777]

Sir,

Saw these model at S&R, PS43E450 Plasma TV side by side with a a LED one same brand and i was quite dissapointed with how it renders the black and over all PQ as compared to the led model.
Was surprised that it was a recommended model.
Worst PQ in all displayed TV.
Unless my eyes played a trick on me, saw a different model or S&R is really pushing their LCD/LED and change the setting to make the plasma looked bad.

We tested this model and found it to be better than most LCDs/LEDs with the same price. During tests we put the TV in a controlled environment (Lighting conditions) to simulate what we tend to use at home.

I remember once we did a contrast on a Samsung 32R8 model vs a Toshiba 32AV500 way back in 2008. The Samsung model (in the showroom) blasted the Toshiba in pq department but when we brought them home it was a totally different story.

LED/LCD with their inherit brilliance tend to outdo their plasma counter parts in a bright light environment. Most tests are done with low lights to none with contrast levels set to bellow or just the mid point based on calibration.

Here are some observations about the TV as well:

http://reviews.sainsburys.co.uk/2678-en_gb/121919427/reviews.htm

[dopogi8]

sir carlo777,
hi, plano ko po kasi mag upgrade ng tv, yung 32 inch lang para sa small room ko,
nakita ko po itong LG 32LM3410 3d tv at 17k lang siya. ang tanong ko po ano pinag kaiba niya sa ibang 3d tv na ang mahal, bukod sa 32inch lang siya.??
thanks!!

[Carlo777]

sir carlo777,
hi, plano ko po kasi mag upgrade ng tv, yung 32 inch lang para sa small room ko,
nakita ko po itong LG 32LM3410 3d tv at 17k lang siya. ang tanong ko po ano pinag kaiba niya sa ibang 3d tv na ang mahal, bukod sa 32inch lang siya.??
thanks!!

Sir we've not seen this model, but next week it will be delivered to us for testing, so I can only answer then.

We'll let you know.

[dopogi8]

Sir we've not seen this model, but next week it will be delivered to us for testing, so I can only answer then.

We'll let you know.

ok sir, thanks! mura kasi siya, 3d na pati.. passive 3d pa. kaso pag search ko sa google, walang reviews e..

[Carlo777]

ok sir, thanks! mura kasi siya, 3d na pati.. passive 3d pa. kaso pag search ko sa google, walang reviews e..

Yes sir, very intriguing. We'll review it.

[ris]

hi sir.

update ko lang po kayo.  ang binili po ng sister ko ay yung 32ex330.  she got it for 18500 with free dvd player.  parang meron din ata ito signal booster.  any comments po?  good and bad ones are welcome po.  just want to know what you think of the tv.  di na ako umabot humirit eh.  at parang ang target nila din ay yung maganda ang design.  at siguro brand name na din. 

[Stagea]

Sir,

Saw these model at S&R, PS43E450 Plasma TV side by side with a a LED one same brand and i was quite dissapointed with how it renders the black and over all PQ as compared to the led model.
Was surprised that it was a recommended model.
Worst PQ in all displayed TV.
Unless my eyes played a trick on me, saw a different model or S&R is really pushing their LCD/LED and change the setting to make the plasma looked bad.

Plasmas don't look very impressive in bright lighting because of limited intensity and panel reflectivity. If your home lighting is fairly strong, then Plasma may not be for you.

[romantic_guy08]

First pick:

Best 720p/HD Ready TV for Movies:

Samsung PS51E450 and PS43E450 Plamsa TV

This is really the first time We're giving this recommendation for Samsung. Since 2007, this area was dominated by Panasonic but 720p Panasonic plasma models have not been head turners. These Samsung plasma TVs have very good blacks, well rendered colors, and fine motion handling (they're also well within budget price category).

If you're into DVD, Blu-ray and don't really want to spend a lot of money on "Large" sets for your home theater then do check these units out!

Best 720p/hd Ready TV for Games (32 inches):

Panasonic 32C30X

Very good pixel and input response time when "Game Mode" is activated, the C30X (LCD) is our recommendation if and when you need a small TV just for your video gaming fix. Image quality is also good for movies considering the price!

Hi, would you know the power consumption of the 43/51E450? thanks.

[Carlo777]

sir carlo777,
hi, plano ko po kasi mag upgrade ng tv, yung 32 inch lang para sa small room ko,
nakita ko po itong LG 32LM3410 3d tv at 17k lang siya. ang tanong ko po ano pinag kaiba niya sa ibang 3d tv na ang mahal, bukod sa 32inch lang siya.??
thanks!!

We tested the LG already! So far 2-D performance is quite respectable almost like the Panasonic 32X30 LED, so when it comes to that we can safely recommend it.

We still need to do 3-D tests.

[juanch]

Best 720p/hd Ready TV for Games (32 inches):

Panasonic 32C30X

Very good pixel and input response time when "Game Mode" is activated, the C30X (LCD) is our recommendation if and when you need a small TV just for your video gaming fix. Image quality is also good for movies considering the price!

How would you compare this to the Tosh 32PB200? or the Pana 32X30 LED?

I'm going to trade in my brothers 32'' Avision sometime this week and I was set on the Tosh PB200 until you recommended the Pana 32C30.

Thanks

[Carlo777]

How would you compare this to the Tosh 32PB200? or the Pana 32X30 LED?

I'm going to trade in my brothers 32'' Avision sometime this week and I was set on the Tosh PB200 until you recommended the Pana 32C30.

Thanks

I will still recommend the C30X over the PB200, because the C30 does not have as much "black crush". The Toshiba is not a bad TV, it's actually the better choice, if Cable viewing is all what you have in mind. HD sources though...favor the C30X.

The X30 LED from Panasonic is actually the best (overall for HD/SD use) from the three you have in-mind but it's quite pricey compared to the others and the advantage in picture quality is not miles apart.

[pao9307]

hi carlo,

between these 3,which would you recommend:
panasonic 42X30
lg 42CS560
lg43PA4500

used mainly for wii,360 and ps3 gaming maybe 50% of the time,maybe 40% for bluray watching and the rest for cable,mostly hd channels from sky.

the prices are very tempting too,under 25k cash from vic.

your thoughts?thanks.

[Carlo777]

hi sir.

update ko lang po kayo.  ang binili po ng sister ko ay yung 32ex330.  she got it for 18500 with free dvd player.  parang meron din ata ito signal booster.  any comments po?  good and bad ones are welcome po.  just want to know what you think of the tv.  di na ako umabot humirit eh.  at parang ang target nila din ay yung maganda ang design.  at siguro brand name na din. 

Sorry sir, we've yet to see the 330 from Sony.

[DonMiguel85]

Carlo, if possible please test Wipeout HD and Super Stardust HD on the 3D LG.
A friend of mine recently bought that TV but hasn't tested 3D material yet.

[Stagea]

I will still recommend the C30X over the PB200, because the C30 does not have as much "black crush". The Toshiba is not a bad TV, it's actually the better choice, if Cable viewing is all what you have in mind. HD sources though...favor the C30X.

It's sad that the Black/White Level menu setting of older Toshibas is no longer in this model. Tinkering with this used to be enough to eliminate the black crush.

[DonMiguel85]

Is the black crush affected if you set the PS3's RGB to limited or full?

[Carlo777]

Is the black crush affected if you set the PS3's RGB to limited or full?

Both. Worse of course if set to FULL RGB.

Carlo, if possible please test Wipeout HD and Super Stardust HD on the 3D LG.
A friend of mine recently bought that TV but hasn't tested 3D material yet.

These are HD games right?

It's sad that the Black/White Level menu setting of older Toshibas is no longer in this model. Tinkering with this used to be enough to eliminate the black crush.

Yeah this model does not have those settings! Thanks for pointing them out.

[juanch]

Is the black crush affected if you set the PS3's RGB to limited or full?

This is why I always set my Ps3 to RGB Limited and Xbox 360 to RGB Standard.
Even the guys at AV forum do because Full RGB crushes blacks.

In the end it does not matter which option you choose after proper calibration.

[DonMiguel85]

Most modern TVs (LCD at least) have the option to choose low or full black level. If it does, then best to set the PS3 to full/Xbox 360 to Expanded.