[mythtvnz] Slightly OT - which new TV

[tortise]

On 26/03/2011 10:07 a.m., Nick Rout wrote:
> So what should I be looking for in a TV these days, besides the above
> things. Not sure I really need DLNA, but it might be useful. Is 3D
> ever going to be worth it?

I got a Samsung UA40C6200 amd UA46C6200 following returning the 
Panasonic Plasmas I had originally bought. Panasonic never provided the 
power use data they promised to justify their power consumption claims 
they made, nor did they clarify (having undertaken to do these things) 
why they quoted higher power use on their overseas web pages (that was 
consistent with my testing and the max current recorded on the back of 
the panel).  The Panasonic Plasmas were generally nice, to get 
acceptable bright images the dynamic (I think that was what it was 
called) high power mode has to be selected, which it seems like the 
duller economy modes are quoted in the NZ power use data.  A simple test 
for power use is sensing temperature with the back of the hand held in 
front of the panel after some use.  Buckets of heat come out of the 
plasmas, which is a fair reflection of their impact on your power bill.

The choice is really made on the best package meeting your particular 
preferences.  (Somewhat like Politicians?)  With an insurer behind you 
price may be less an issue, however prices vary widely.... Brand weekend 
specials seem to frequently offer good prices.

The Samsung's LED displays are visually nice too.

Some things (IMO) to consider:

Nothing less than full HD should be considered (if you are in any doubt!).

The plasmas screens when off are coloured grey whereas the Samsung's are 
a deep black, something I noticed following having tried both.  Black is 
like a black hole in a rooms decor, whereas the plasma's grey is easier 
on the eye.

LAN access is good for Firmware updates.  (And who knows what else? 
Will the firmware get hacked and morphed into something more, e.g. a 
myth frontend? Cost and wide range of TV's makes this less likely but 
there are sites exploring these things)  I've had two firmware updates 
so far, but cannot tell you the benefits of each...  I've yet to find a 
version file or equivalent...

DLNA to my limited testing is quite inferior to mythtv in usability 
terms.  DLNA playing might be OK if you want to watch something, and 
maybe pause it, beyond that the Samsung's are not in the game compared 
with the list subject.

The Samsung's connectivity is somewhat minimal, (compared to the Sony's 
and Panasonics) for example the stereo audio out is via the 3.5mm 
headphone socket but seems good stereo quality. (The manual does not 
recognise that route at all)  To get 5.1 out your only option from the 
TV is optical.

 From memory overscan on the Samsung's is managed more by it being off 
on certain inputs, e.g. VGA. The PC/DVI input had issues for me, so I 
did not persist with them as the VGA worked fine for me.  This may be 
fixed with a later firmware but I've not checked.  The Panasonic's 
switch worked better to me, although one had to do it.

The Sony TV remotes are nice in having more one touch to change screen 
inputs, the Samsung is painful having to cycle all inputs is painful 
switching between live TV and Mythtv.  What remote(s) will you use?

3D?  I'll look into it when I don't need to wear a headpiece....(and for 
each viewer)

Some consideration has to be given to the whole system, the frontend CPU 
power, what you want from it, how you plan to do the audio, what's going 
to do the switching (if any - TV or AV Receiver or ?  Be nice if Myth 
could do it all) how much else you plan to integrate in to use the 
display and what your mythtv frontend plans are for the future.

Are you going to view youtube (Browse Internet, and similar) and if so, 
what is going to be the engine processing this?  (the TV or your mythbox?)

What's your profile / mix preferences?