choosing my 32inch LCD TV

hi everyone! ok so basicly im having trouble deciding which TV to go for. its for me to take to uni so will be mainly used for gaming and films, maybe actually TV programmes but not sure yet. so the emphasis is on gaming. now i dont want to spend over £300, pref less than £250 a few iv seen are: Sony Bravia KDL32EX301U 32-Inch -£260 LG 32LD320 32-inch LCD HD Ready -£200 are those good TV's to go for? and if not does anyone know any better for similar prices? thanks :) ellspeedy

I've not seen the Sony for that price but Amazon do have the 32BX300 for £230. The LG is fine but if it comes with an IPS panel, it will have a poor black level.

I've not seen the Sony for that price but Amazon do have the 32BX300 for £230. The LG is fine but if it comes with an IPS panel, it will have a poor black level.

Gregoroth

Don't you mean if it DOESN'T come with an IPS panel, it will have poor black levels? :?

I'd go with LG anyway. I prefer their sets over Sony.

[QUOTE="Gregoroth"]

I've not seen the Sony for that price but Amazon do have the 32BX300 for £230. The LG is fine but if it comes with an IPS panel, it will have a poor black level.

ChubbyGuy40

Don't you mean if it DOESN'T come with an IPS panel, it will have poor black levels? :?

I'd go with LG anyway. I prefer their sets over Sony.

I've never heard of a lack of shadow detail and black crush being due to having a PVA based panel (but obviously a budget set won't look as good as a higher end set).

smoother motion with less ghostingWiiRocks66

IPS panels produce smoother motion? A bit less trailing, yes.

more accurate colorsWiiRocks66

True but the main factors of picture quality are the contrast ratio and black level (and black level directly affects colour reproduction).

better viewing angles WiiRocks66

True but should only be considered if people are viewing from the sides.

On those reasons, I wouldn't recommend the LG, especially if the TC is serious about films. HDTVTest reviewed the 32LD450 which is the 1080p version and that had image processing that couldn't be turned off which affected film grain causing a lot of smearing. I imagine the LD320 is the same whereas I wouldn't expect such problems with a Sony.

LG's are also known for their sub-par SD performance. The Sony may not be stellar as it's their entry level set but chances are it's better.

I've never heard of a lack of shadow detail and black crush being due to having a PVA based panel (but obviously a budget set won't look as good as a higher end set).

[QUOTE="WiiRocks66"]

IPS panels produce smoother motion? A bit less trailing, yes.

[QUOTE="WiiRocks66"]more accurate colorsGregoroth

True but the main factors of picture quality are the contrast ratio and black level (and black level directly affects colour reproduction).

better viewing angles WiiRocks66

True but should only be considered if people are viewing from the sides.

On those reasons, I wouldn't recommend the LG, especially if the TC is serious about films. HDTVTest reviewed the 32LD450 which is the 1080p version and that had image processing that couldn't be turned off which affected film grain causing a lot of smearing. I imagine the LD320 is the same whereas I wouldn't expect such problems with a Sony.

LG's are also known for their sub-par SD performance. The Sony may not be stellar as it's their entry level set but chances are it's better.

VA panels have deeper blacks, but at the cost of shadow detail. Though all LCDs have black crush to some degree, IPS panels have the least out of all panel types.

It isn't just a bit less trailing. Every single VA panel I've seen(whether high or low end) has issues with huge smears with red and black and dark colors, whereas none of the IPS panels I've seen have smearing like that. For example, on Firing Range in Black Ops, there is a room with 3 black targets. Playing on a high end Samsung with a VA panel, there are huge black smears from them when moving. On a high end LG with an IPS panel, there was a little blur, but no smears. No LCD can compete with a plasma when it comes to motion, but IPS panels tend to handle motion the best among LCDs.

You do have a point with the last two. IPS panels typically have lower contrast ratios, but far more accurate colors. Why do you think all professional monitors, made for people who need very accurate colors, are either IPS LCDs or plasmas? It depends on what TC wants though. Better contrast ratio or more accurate colors. And same with the viewing angles. I, personally, watch my TV from many different locations in the room, so viewing angles are important to me. But if TC knows it will only be viewed right in front of the TV, then it doesn't matter.

After being dissapointed with the contrast of my IPS monitor I began search for a VA panel monitor. But then I looked at some LCD TV's with VA panel and my god my IPS seemed so much better. I cannot tolerate that black crush thing, who cares about contrast when the percieved detail is going to be much lower. Maybe it's an individual thing but I would much rather have grey blacks than the black crush joke.

My mum has a LG IPS HDTV and my bro has a sony VA HDTV and the LG offers superior image quality even when watching SD channels. I have also connected my PC to the sony TV and the ghosting was horrible.

IPS is far from perfect but it sure is the best among LCD's.

But then I looked at some LCD TV's with VA panel and my god my IPS seemed so much better. I cannot tolerate that black crush thing, who cares about contrast when the percieved detail is going to be much lower.Gambler_3

Were the TV's calibrated properly? If viewed in a store, I doubt they were (and probably in torch mode). Off the top of my head, I can't recall many IPS based TV's being highly recommended or winning over PVA based ones from reviews I've read. The trailing is more of a concern for fast motion such as 60fps games. For 24p Blu Ray, 30p sources and 30fps games this shouldn't really be an issue.

TC, the maximum distance you need to sit to see 1080p on a 32" screen is around 4ft. Really, you should be closer than that. There's virtually no 1080p native games unless you connect your PC to it. Imo, you'll be disappointed with the LG (if you view in dark conditions).

[QUOTE="Gambler_3"]But then I looked at some LCD TV's with VA panel and my god my IPS seemed so much better. I cannot tolerate that black crush thing, who cares about contrast when the percieved detail is going to be much lower.Gregoroth

Were the TV's calibrated properly? If viewed in a store, I doubt they were (and probably in torch mode). Off the top of my head, I can't recall many IPS based TV's being highly recommended or winning over PVA based ones from reviews I've read. The trailing is more of a concern for fast motion such as 60fps games. For 24p Blu Ray, 30p sources and 30fps games this shouldn't really be an issue.

TC, the maximum distance you need to sit to see 1080p on a 32" screen is around 4ft. Really, you should be closer than that. There's virtually no 1080p native games unless you connect your PC to it. Imo, you'll be disappointed with the LG (if you view in dark conditions).

I have also seen youtube videos on the matter and the issue seems pretty much universal with PVA panels. Maybe I havent seen the high end versions I dont know but one thing is for sure they are never going to be fast enough for PC gaming.

And viewing angles are extremely important for a TV so I dont know why IPS wouldnt be recommended as a TV over PVA.

[QUOTE="Gregoroth"]

I've not seen the Sony for that price but Amazon do have the 32BX300 for £230. The LG is fine but if it comes with an IPS panel, it will have a poor black level.

ChubbyGuy40

Don't you mean if it DOESN'T come with an IPS panel, it will have poor black levels? :?

I'd go with LG anyway. I prefer their sets over Sony.

[QUOTE="ChubbyGuy40"]

[QUOTE="Gregoroth"]

I've not seen the Sony for that price but Amazon do have the 32BX300 for £230. The LG is fine but if it comes with an IPS panel, it will have a poor black level.

Mozelleple112

Don't you mean if it DOESN'T come with an IPS panel, it will have poor black levels? :?

I'd go with LG anyway. I prefer their sets over Sony.

I only mentioned that because I thought LG didn't produce VA panels (because I've never seen them on their TVs, which I never keep up with anymore.)

[QUOTE="Mozelleple112"][QUOTE="ChubbyGuy40"]

Don't you mean if it DOESN'T come with an IPS panel, it will have poor black levels? :?

I'd go with LG anyway. I prefer their sets over Sony.

ChubbyGuy40

I only mentioned that because I thought LG didn't produce VA panels (because I've never seen them on their TVs, which I never keep up with anymore.)

[QUOTE="Mozelleple112"][QUOTE="ChubbyGuy40"]

Don't you mean if it DOESN'T come with an IPS panel, it will have poor black levels? :?

I'd go with LG anyway. I prefer their sets over Sony.

ChubbyGuy40

I only mentioned that because I thought LG didn't produce VA panels (because I've never seen them on their TVs, which I never keep up with anymore.)

I don't know why you like LG LCDs that much... :? if I where to go LCD route it would be Sony or Samsung no doubt.Mozelleple112

Because my LG has a good picture for $600. The best? No, but it looked even better than the Samsung plasma after finding ISF settings. I hate Samsung because I've had one fail, and another burn in the screen badly. Sony is too damn expensive for their screens so thats why I avoid them.

Sony LCD's are overrated especially the cheaper ones. Sorry but the black crushing really is an issue with cheap VA panel HDTV's. I am sure the high end VA panels would be different but thats not what the TC was asking.

[QUOTE="Mozelleple112"] I don't know why you like LG LCDs that much... :? if I where to go LCD route it would be Sony or Samsung no doubt.ChubbyGuy40

Because my LG has a good picture for $600. The best? No, but it looked even better than the Samsung plasma after finding ISF settings. I hate Samsung because I've had one fail, and another burn in the screen badly. Sony is too damn expensive for their screens so thats why I avoid them.

Which 32" LG LCD do you have?

[QUOTE="ChubbyGuy40"]

[QUOTE="Mozelleple112"] I don't know why you like LG LCDs that much... :? if I where to go LCD route it would be Sony or Samsung no doubt.Mozelleple112

Because my LG has a good picture for $600. The best? No, but it looked even better than the Samsung plasma after finding ISF settings. I hate Samsung because I've had one fail, and another burn in the screen badly. Sony is too damn expensive for their screens so thats why I avoid them.

Which 32" LG LCD do you have?

[QUOTE="Mozelleple112"]

[QUOTE="ChubbyGuy40"]

Because my LG has a good picture for $600. The best? No, but it looked even better than the Samsung plasma after finding ISF settings. I hate Samsung because I've had one fail, and another burn in the screen badly. Sony is too damn expensive for their screens so thats why I avoid them.

Gambler_3

Which 32" LG LCD do you have?

[QUOTE="Gambler_3"]

[QUOTE="Mozelleple112"] While I've always repsected LG for being bang for buck, recent tests made me lose faith in them. The top of the line 2011 LG plasma has a black level of 0.09cd/m² ??? That's worse than for example; the Sony EX500, Samsung UED6000, BenQ BL2400PT, Samsung D495 plasma and so many others.. They're LCDs!... Panasonics VT30 is 0.013cd/m² and the samsungs PND8000 isn't far off... As an overall picture quality the top LGs perform worse than Panasonic and Samsungs second best offerings (D7000, GT30) that's why they're so much cheaper than D8000/VT30...

Which 32" LG LCD do you have?

Mozelleple112

But what I am saying is that not all those samsung and sony TV's with deep blacks have good picture quality, it's quite pathetic actually. If VA was as fast as IPS then we could argue if black crushing is better than a much worse black level but as it stands atleast with cheaper displays, IPS is the best for gaming on LCD's.

Which 32" LG LCD do you have?

Mozelleple112

I have a 42LD520 (I believe that's the correct model)

It's not like LG has always had a high black level measurement. If I remember right, Cnet rated one of their LCDs a few years ago at 0.01.

For $600 it could not be beat.

[QUOTE="Mozelleple112"]

Which 32" LG LCD do you have?

ChubbyGuy40

I have a 42LD520 (I believe that's the correct model)

It's not like LG has always had a high black level measurement. If I remember right, Cnet rated one of their LCDs a few years ago at 0.01.

For $600 it could not be beat.