Egad - expensive televisions?

[Andrew]

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Dept-spends-R15m-on-TVs-20100901

[Dennis]

Some fatcats, getting fatter.

[alternativeroute]

R31 021 per TV installation...     

[Andrew]

R31 021 per TV installation...     

Maybe the missing wall mounts that delayed the installation are rare, platinum ones.

[naughty]

are they using 46" 3D capable LED's or what ?

[Andrew]

are they using 46" 3D capable LED's or what ?

Dunno, but we have the latest Samsung 3D flagship here, a monster, and I don't think it is anywhere near as expensive as this...


Lol, I lied - it's R80k...

[dotVIBE]

Flippen ridiculous. I wish I could afford a TV that expensive, but no, i have to pay for some criminal in jail to have one instead?

[Headsh0t]

TV in prison should be on of these behind mess that is so tight that it make a color tv look black and white.

it should also only play "Leave it to Lamas" continually...

[Gerhard]

Flippen ridiculous. I wish I could afford a TV that expensive, but no, i have to pay for some criminal in jail to have one instead?

Don't be fooled into thinking the TV's were that expensive . It is most probably more like:

TV cost = R10k
Sizwe's installation fee = R21k

[Andrew]

Don't be fooled into thinking the TV's were that expensive . It is most probably more like:

TV cost = R10k
Sizwe's installation fee = R21k

Lol, yes: what I was thinking....

[naughty]

Dunno, but we have the latest Samsung 3D flagship here, a monster, and I don't think it is anywhere near as expensive as this...

retail from what i know on the regular 40" Samsung is around R22k and the 46" is around R30k - and then you get the special flagship version in stainless steel casing i think theres a 50" or 52" version close to R50k - thats a 3D as well as being an LED instead of the normal LCD 3D

so yeah the regular 46" 3D units cost around R30k for the samsung units to us "mere mortals"     it may be far less for you "reviewers"  - the Sony stuff is even more ridiculous - apparently the 52" is around R67k including a PS3 and two glasses as well as some movies whilst the 60" is around R90k

i know all this cos ive been looking into possibly buying one BUT with possibly maybe only around 10 movies currently available (that could even be an overestimation) thats compatible right now im truly not bothering with the tech right now despite how fantastic it seems when you look at it even though i can get these sets at less than retail values

all that off topic rambling above notwithstanding R30k is pretty incredible pricing for TV's in a prison in a day and age where you can get a regular common or garden HD ready 40" LCD TV for around R7k (for the reputable brands eg Samsung and sony) just by slapping over notes on a countertop in a shopping mall

Don't be fooled into thinking the TV's were that expensive Wink. It is most probably more like:

TV cost = R10k
Sizwe's installation fee = R21k

its even more likely that the costing was closer to this

TV cost purchased direct from manufacturer in bulk dealer pricing batch = R6k each for HD ready sets (if they were full HD more likely around R7k each at bulk pricing cos retail is around R9k on those)
installation cost by shell company owned by some member of parliament (read minister) = R25k each

[Steerpike]

TV in prison should be on of these

Damn the prisoners having that. THAT is one beautiful item! I'd love to have one of those in my collection - apart from what all the replacement valve would cost! It's a Philips 21KX102A . It was actually a Canadian-made NTSC colour set, modified for experimental reception in the UK in the mid-1960s, the CRT is actually made by RCA.
RCA was making colour tubes as the USA had colour since 1954.
Telefunken would only 'invent' Pal colour in 1967.

[KenMasters]

i know all this cos ive been looking into possibly buying one BUT with possibly maybe only around 10 movies currently available (that could even be an overestimation) thats compatible right now im truly not bothering with the tech right now despite how fantastic it seems when you look at it even though i can get these sets at less than retail values

Just be careful, Sony is probably the best of the LCD bunch when it comes to 3D but they all have noticeable crosstalk, you'd be better off going plasma if 3D's your bag. But it would be even wiser to hold on for a bit because the tech still has a long way to go. Toshiba's even releasing a glasses free set later this year with Sony to follow.

[naughty]

thanks for the info Ken - i am also a plasma fan cos right now i have a Samsung 720p (1080i) capable plasma TV so i was also looking at Samsungs new full HD 3D capable 600hz 50" plasma set - apparently that one should also be coming in at around R28k to R30k retail soon - i have an advert of it from an IT supplier and the cost is close to R25k from them Vat inclusive - and their pricing is generally around what i get it at from my retailer buddies (normally close to dealer cost and a minimal markup added on) 

but correct me if wrong but 3D looks more effective and exciting as the screen gets bigger ....... if so im more interested in waiting till the technology reaches a level to be used without glasses on a projector and i will seriously look into investing into it then - id rather have a 3 metre diagonal to look at for 3D instead of a 127cm and since i already wear prescription glasses it seems like silly odd for me to have glasses on top of my glasses - visitors would find that hilarious while watching TV with me  ....... you know the "we are laughing at you not with you" variety

but if i was inclined to purchase a television for 3D purposes then yes i agree with you that plasma still edges LCD for me personally merely because i am very sensitive to motion blur caused by response times - its the first thing i notice in LCD and it drives me to distraction on the sets that are no good at controlling it - though i have to admit that the 3D sets ive demoed were slightly better in this respect as opposed to conventional LCD sets

[KenMasters]

but correct me if wrong but 3D looks more effective and exciting as the screen gets bigger ....... if so im more interested in waiting till the technology reaches a level to be used without glasses on a projector and i will seriously look into investing into it then - id rather have a 3 metre diagonal to look at for 3D instead of a 127cm and since i already wear prescription glasses it seems like silly odd for me to have glasses on top of my glasses - visitors would find that hilarious while watching TV with me   ....... you know the "we are laughing at you not with you" variety

but if i was inclined to purchase a television for 3D purposes then yes i agree with you that plasma still edges LCD for me personally merely because i am very sensitive to motion blur caused by response times - its the first thing i notice in LCD and it drives me to distraction on the sets that are no good at controlling it - though i have to admit that the 3D sets ive demoed were slightly better in this respect as opposed to conventional LCD sets

I wouldn't count on glasses free projectors appearing any time soon. The reason flat panels can do it is because the actual screen is a very fine lenticular which angles the light in different directions, I can't see how this can be implemented with a projector screen, at least not in the near future. You are right though, the bigger the screen, the more immersive the effect.

The main issue with LCDs and 3D is crosstalk, caused by the sample and hold issue which causes motion blur with 2D. What happens is that the left eye, for example, still picks up the ghost of what the right eye was only supposed to see, causing double images. Another small annoyance with 3D on LCDs is that you have to view it sitting straight up straight, the image darkens the more you look at an angle, eventually going black. So no lying on the couch when watching 3D for the misses.