New LCD TVs compete where it hertz

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Friday, 12 June 2009 15:44

Opinion and Analysis

Every year new TVs are appearing promising better picture quality than the previous model, and hopefully those of all competitors.

If you own the previous model, the latest from that company should be a big improvement, but really it comes down to how much of a video aficionado you really are, and how much money you want to spend on a TV!

Aldi Supermarkets was selling a 42-inch 1080P LCD TV, 100Hz, HD tuner, several HDMI ports, VGA, etc for AUD $999. Back in July 2008 a similar earlier model sold for $1399. While these models surely aren’t up to the heights of today’s $3000 to $5000+ models, they make a 42-inch or larger flat screen affordable to anyone, and still deliver a great big image fine for most consumers.

If you’re a true film buff demanding only the best at-home cinematic experience, then you probably already own a Pioneer Kuro plasma TV, but it is great to see competition delivering real improvements to picture quality.

No doubt next year’s models will offer even better picture quality, but if you’re in the market for a TV now or this year, there’s strong competition between all players.

If you’re spending $5000, which is a lot of money in the global recession, then make sure you get to see some motion footage (from a sports game, or movie) that you’ve selected yourself, and watch it on the different TVs you’re considering – and let your eyes be the judge, influenced as much or as little by all the online reviews now available for whichever models you consider.

Remember that in store demo TVs are usually set to the brightest settings to compete against store lights and the other TVs – you really need to be able to compare the models in a home cinema room, and if you’re spending $5000+ on a new TV, rather than $999, I think you’d want to do so.

Just remember – 3D TVs could well be widely on sale at retail within the next couple of years and you’ll be encouraged to buy the latest 50+ inch 3DTV model – progress in the world of TV never stops!