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Looking for recommendations for 40-46" dumb LED TV

post #1 of 4

12/16/12 at 1:34am

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20 Posts. Joined 7/2011
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Hi folks,

I need a bit of advice here and I hope you don't mind sharing some of your knowledge on the subject.

I'm looking to replace my old 32" 720p LCD TV and I would like to get a 40-46" Full HD LED TV, but I'm totally confused by the current offerings.

I definitely do not want 3D, I have one good eye and will never be able to get any benefit from this. Also due to the room size there is no point in getting a bigger TV.
Smart TV is another feature I don't need, I have a fully featured HTPC and none of these Smart TVs come anywhere close.
TV sound I don't care about, it will be connected to a Yamaha sound projector anyway.

About the only thing I could use is a DVB-S2 tuner built into the box, but I already have a tuner on my media center, the only drawback is that it doesn't have a CI slot, so I can't get the encrypted HD channels.
It's no biggie and I can always get a decent standalone tuner if I need to.

From looking around the shops the choice seems to be between a 500 euro toshiba (which actually looks pretty decent) or a 1000 euro sony/panasonic/whatever full of features I don't need, and slightly better pic quality.

So, does anyone have an old fashioned dumb LED TV to recommend that has a decent picture quality, or do you really have to spend twice the money to get the good PQ ?

I don't mind spending the money, but I prefer to spend it on the things I want, rather than the things I don't

Thanks!

post #2 of 4

12/16/12 at 10:31am

545 Posts. Joined 7/2012
Location: Big Sky Country
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Quote:

Originally Posted by crtach

Hi folks,
I need a bit of advice here and I hope you don't mind sharing some of your knowledge on the subject.
I'm looking to replace my old 32" 720p LCD TV and I would like to get a 40-46" Full HD LED TV, but I'm totally confused by the current offerings.
I definitely do not want 3D, I have one good eye and will never be able to get any benefit from this. Also due to the room size there is no point in getting a bigger TV.
Smart TV is another feature I don't need, I have a fully featured HTPC and none of these Smart TVs come anywhere close.
TV sound I don't care about, it will be connected to a Yamaha sound projector anyway.
About the only thing I could use is a DVB-S2 tuner built into the box, but I already have a tuner on my media center, the only drawback is that it doesn't have a CI slot, so I can't get the encrypted HD channels.
It's no biggie and I can always get a decent standalone tuner if I need to.
From looking around the shops the choice seems to be between a 500 euro toshiba (which actually looks pretty decent) or a 1000 euro sony/panasonic/whatever full of features I don't need, and slightly better pic quality.
So, does anyone have an old fashioned dumb LED TV to recommend that has a decent picture quality, or do you really have to spend twice the money to get the good PQ ?
I don't mind spending the money, but I prefer to spend it on the things I want, rather than the things I don't

Thanks!

I've been a fan of the Samsung EH6000 series. It's a direct backlit LED/LCD. I tend to prefer the backlist over the edge lits. The EH6000 is a no frills, dumb TV. Only thing I don't like much about it is the fact that it only has 2 HDMI inputs, but this can be easily negated if you have any AVR. The 2 HDMI input issue doesn't sound like a problem for you though. My other recommendation is going to be the Toshiba L5200 LED/LCD. It's an edge lit, but I've been impressed by it, especially for the price. You can find both of these models in 46-50" from 700-900$

post #3 of 4

12/17/12 at 8:32pm

19 Posts. Joined 10/2011
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In addition to the EH6000 from Samsung, add the smart EH500x (same panel as the EH6000 series) and Sony's KDL-4XBX4XX (like the Samsung EH6000s, basic backlit-LED; I have the KDL-40BX450, which I am flat-out blown-away by, and it replaced a Philips plasma). The Sony has one fewer HDMI input than the Philips (three for the Philips vs. the Sony's two) - however, since I never used more than one - even with the Philips - it's not exactly a minus. (The one HDMI device that will always be connected will be a Tivo Premiere - I can "settle" for using the side HDMI input for my desktop. when I bring it into my bedroom.) This basic Bravia is also available in 46" (KDL-46BX450).

post #4 of 4

12/20/12 at 5:37am