50"+ TV For A Conservatory - Toshiba 52XV555DB ?

[tays27]

I have about a grand to spend on a big telly for a conservatory.

Main use will be with a sky hd box, usually watching F1 or the usual SD stuff on the comedy channels. PS3 as a blu-ray player and importantly plugging my laptop in to browse the web.

People seem to suggest LCD for lack of reflections, so I'm most tempted by a 52" Toshiba 52XV555DB from Cosctco @ 919.96 incl VAT & a 5 year warranty.

Online review aren't the best though, but at that screen size for that money I'm not expecting the best.

[Plotloss]

How much time spent viewing it in broad daylight?

If its relatively low, then look at Plasma primarily, its so much better.

[tays27]

Not much to be honest. Work away all day, weekends busy and catch up with telly in the evening.

As resident guru, what would you recommend for me?

[derestrictor]

The only question, rarely asked but the single most important: viewing distance?

[tays27]

Good question.

The plan is having a sofa fairly close in one half of the room and a pool table in the other. Arranged so that when I am playing pool I am looking over the sofa to the telly. That's why I'm thinking the bigger the better.

The conservatory is about 30 ft x 14ft.

[derestrictor]

If you're going to be sat (i.e. with relatively concentrated) viewing close by, it could be a mistake on all but HD content.

LCD is a pig's ear if utilised incorrecty and bangs/buck is one of the worst assumed measures of value for money.

So go on, what's the seated viewing distance, approx?

[tays27]

I don't get the keys until September so it will have to be an estimate - 12ft.

[Plotloss]

If you're talking HD, so only one side of the overall coin.

From a 52" set:

At 15.2ft all resolutions will look the same
At 10.2ft 720p/1080i will look as good as it possibly can
at 6.8ft 1080p will look as good as it possibly can

If you're going to be 12ft from it, 1080p as you can see is not a consideration at all and 720p would look a bit better if you sat a bit closer.

[tays27]

Interesting. Given my needs then, which TV's should I be looking at?

[E31Shrew]

Pana 50V10 or the G10 or G15 Panasonics depending on final cost

[tays27]

Panasonic seems to be the best then.

Off to Costco on Sunday so will see what they've got available. Good thing with them is there 90 day no quibble returns. I can buy now and if it doesn't look right in the daylight take it back for a refund.

[gbbird]

The LG 50PS8000 plasmas are meant to be very good, and look gorgeous.

I am pondering one myself, if only i could justify the size

[tays27]

After viewing a few tellies this weekend, I've decided upon the LG 50PS3000. Looks like Richer Sounds has the best deal with a 5 year warranty for 769.

[derestrictor]

Nice set but way off the mark ito vfm.

[gbbird]

tays27 said:

After viewing a few tellies this weekend, I've decided upon the LG 50PS3000. Looks like Richer Sounds has the best deal with a 5 year warranty for 769.

Can you not stretch and go for a PS6000, 7000 or 8000? They look simply stunning - i think the PS3000 is a slightly different design.

[tays27]

I think I must be the only person that prefers the frame design of the 3000 over the 6000-8000's. And from what I've read they all share the same panel, albeit with different settings / controls.

For the 770 quid that Richer Sounds want with a 5 year warranty I'm hoping I cant go wrong.

[gbbird]

tays27 said:

I think I must be the only person that prefers the frame design of the 3000 over the 6000-8000's. And from what I've read they all share the same panel, albeit with different settings / controls.

For the 770 quid that Richer Sounds want with a 5 year warranty I'm hoping I cant go wrong.

Indeed the PS3000 is a nice bit of kit. Would be interested to hear your thoughts on the TV once you have had chance to play around with it. Enjoy