Plasma LCD etc

[kay]

You definitely need to be able to control light/reflections in the room if you go plasma. I do prefer the look of plasmas, especially cheaper plasmas vs cheaper LCDs. Although LCDs have gotten a lot better in the last couple of years.

I have a 42" Samsung plasma and I play lots of games - you get a bit of retention of logos/static displays, but it goes away in a few minutes as soon as you switch to something else that moves.

[WaterHond]

 Whatever you get, here are my best tips for getting the best from your big screen. If you have DSTV get a decoder that is s-video capable. Those with scart connecters can be converted with a cheap scart-to-Svideo adaptor. If you have an HD decoder use the component connections.
Don't upgrade your theatre amp to do upscaling to HDMI - not worth it, most Samsungs (!) do it better.
  Get a good quality s-video cable: Ellies cables and similar are no good, get something like AR brand from Tafelberg Furnishers or better.
Never ever use composite video (yellow output next to red and white audio output) it gives massive colour crawl and very degraded picture.
  You'll also have to go into your DSTV menu - Advanced Options - TV Installation -PIN Code = 9949 -Scart output - change to S-video - and accept these settings.(While you're there also check that the aspect ratio for 3x4 and 16x9 is selected correctly. Depending on your decoder the options might be slightly different but you get the idea.
 Picture-wise I find that the digital sharpening is horrible and should always be swiched off.
Audio, use a digital connection to your surround amp, if you have one, and use the setting that will decode Dolby digital on MM1 and MM2 - you also have to set the Language option - little speaker/question mark button (go figure) to surround on your decoder for DSTV's Dolby 5.1 on the relevant channels. You can also set it permanently in the menu.

[KenMasters]

If you have an HD decoder use the component connections.

I would say rather use HDMI. Also, I though SA's HD STBs didn't output HD over component?

[Shonver]

Yeah it's very bad if you want to put it on your stoep.  Plasma needs a nice dark room.

But hey i don't even like light on a LCD :/

I'm not even talking stoep. Let's just say that in my living room that has a glass sliding door to one side of where the TV is (about 2.5m away) the plasma was outperformed by the old CRT TV.

[Larry]

Thanks for everyones input, I'm starting to see a trend...

My concern in terms of "response time" on LCD related to ghosting on fast moving objects.

I don't care much for broadcast TV itself, but I was planing on getting and HD DSTV decoder, and using HDMI or Component.  If my understading is correct, DSTV braodact is 720p that TV can then upscale?

In terms of blueray and Xbox360, I'll go with a reasonable quality HDMI cable.

I'm quite happy with my "Home Theatre" situation, and older Marantz 6.1 amp, with Paradigm Reference Studio 40 v4's for mains.  Centre is B&W LCR 600, and to B&W 602 S2's for the rear and Yamaha Sub. 602's were migrated to the back when I purchased the Paradigm's. Not exactly matched, but I'm happy with it at this stage.  Result of this, is that I cant see to much point upgrading my receiver.

The feeling I get here is that most ppl recomend going down the plasma route.  And yes, finding someone unbiased and actually willing to help is a little tricky.....

[Larry]

Let me re-phrase that last statement:

"And yes, finding someone unbiased and actually willing to help (in a shop) is a little tricky....."

[WaterHond]

I would say rather use HDMI. Also, I though SA's HD STBs didn't output HD over component?

Oops...

[audiomad]

So let me throw a spanner in this question, I have been eying out that Samsung 40" LED screen love the thinness of it as well as the picture, is it still an immature technology?

[Dolby]

I've got a 46" Samsung LCD (B650) and like Shonver said, it's got a create media system built in but no optical out! I think I'll join him when he meets the person that decided that in a dark alley

I spent quite a while researching and in the actual store before I made my choice. I compared to the equivilant Bravia and the equivilant Samsung LED. It was so close between the 3, it wasn't even funny. My brother actually put my LCD ahead of the LED picture quality wise - while I put it as very similar (at mny, many thousands cheaper).

If you're around Fourways, go to Digital Experience and check them with your own eyes. Ask them to put different HD scenes to check how it performs in various conditions. For example, the 100hz of the Bravia was one area in which it better the 100hz of the Samsung - and they have a specific panning boat scene to show that.