Samsung 3DTV

[multiweb]

Got one sweet deal from JB HI-FI last Thursday; a 55" Plasma 3D TV with a 3D bluray. You can redeem the docket to Samsung and they send you an extra 22" TV (LED this time) + 4x Extra 3D glasses and 4x3D bluray titles. The whole deal is $1.7k and will go until end of November. The TV is absolutely gorgeous.

The 3D, which I was somehow skeptical about is actually too good to be true. And because it's a plasma screen the refresh rate allows you to get fullres side by side for each eye which is 1920px wide. In contrast an LCD or LED will only deliver much lower resolution propably down to PAL standard which 700px wide or so for each eye. Ironicaly 3D LCD/LED TV screens within the same size range are priced at $6k+. :shrug:

Having said that plasma technology requires more care and attention. You need to break in the screen as to avoid permanent burnout. I have another older LG plasma screen I bought back in 2003 and it's still working fine. Just need to be aware of it, that's all. Don't run anything in box modes or games with static overlay for the first 100 hours of use, then you're good to go. 3D will actually blur the picture so that will help not burn the screen as there is nothing sharp on screen. The polarised glasses do the work. They are very light and use one CR2025 lithium cell. They are wireless with a sensor on the frame between the eyes. Comfortable too. Nothing like the cardboard boxes 'a la Dame Edna' they give you in IMAX theatres.

Now this TV has a lot of other features which I'm still to explore. USB connectivity, wireless (WAP2), Internet TV as a result, the list goes on.

Also a very neat feature which will convert 2D->3D tv for normal broadcast and all other 2D DVDs you may have. I don't know how it does it but the picture still looks s||thot. Not true 3D as a purist would say but I can't tell much difference TBH. It looks real good.

Then you have a bunch of other 3D types as well, interlaced, side by side horizontal, vertical, etc... No flickering at all. You have to bring the cell setting to the minimum though as the light is boosted right up when you switch to 3D mode to compensate for the potential loss of illumination. Actually the 3D mode made the screen far too bright for me so I got the cell setting righ down but I guess it's just personal preference. Keep the cell to the maximum default at 20 and the screen will get very very hot to the point you won't keep your hand on the front glass when running in 3D mode. Set it to 5 and everything will run cool for hours. I reckon a few screens out there already will burn left on default settings out of the box :question:

Will have to try to display side by side 3D astropics when I get the network setup.

All in one, I didn't expect much given the price difference with LCD/LED but very pleasantly surprised. The image is really really nice. We're talking about Real3D quality like at the movies. :thumbsup: I have another SONY Bravia which is 1920px LCD and sharp as but the new Samsung is definitely on par with it as a Plasma even in 3D mode so pretty cool.

[tlgerdes]

When my new house is finished, I have "board" approval for a 65". Hope I get a bargain like yours. Will be interested to see how long the 3D novelty holds up.

[CraigS]

Hey Marc !

Sounds terrific !! Great price/deal, too !

I'm a Sony AND a Samsung fan ! Can't go wrong with either of them.

The choice can be tricky, but Samsung make it so much easier with the pricing and the freebies !

Have fun !

Cheers

[multiweb]

You might want to go for someting smaller unless you can sit a good 4m away from the screen. A 46" will give you 2m away. Sweet spot for 3D is between 2m and 4m. 65" will be too big IMHO unless you have a big room and the couch is far enough.
Another thing I have noticed about the Samsung is that the 3D is not dependent on the angle of view. You can move around the room or tilt your head. You'll still see 3D, even at an angle of incidence >45 degrees. 3D goes inside the screen. You don't see anything popping out of the screen plane like the movies though. But then again I have not seen true a 3D bluray playing on it. Only 2D->3D conversion so far and the PS3, but it does looks like there's a hole in the wall where the TV is.



The other brands have some nice freebies too. Panasonic is the only one that will deliver a 3D bluray of Avatar, and I think one other brand even gives away a 3D camera! Samsung is the cheapest though so far.

[acropolite]

I know what you mean Marc, I had a look at a panasonic plasma in the same size, I couldn't believe how good the 3d was. I would like one as well but HRH has vetoed as we already have a 50 inch plasma.

[multiweb]

I bribed mine. One ring + plasma I was still in front. Sneaky. :P

[AdrianF]

Sounds great for 3D. Unfortunately for me I can't wear the glasses I feel sick after a few minutes.

Adrian

[multiweb]

Wow! Is it motion sickness or just the 3D feeling that throws you?

[koputai]

Sounds like a great deal Marc, good score.

This whole 3D thing though has me a bit worried. I can't see 3D due to the vision differences between my eyes, so I just hope there will always be a non-3D alternative.

Cheers,
Jason.

[multiweb]

There is a depth setting that will adjust the offset of the display so you can pretty much go from no 3D or very little to a very deep effect. Defaults to 5 on my set and goes up to 10. So you can make the effect very subtle. They have demo sets with 3D glasses fitted on a pole in front of a big 55" plasma in most JB HI-FI, BING-LEE, etc... to only name a few. Just walk in the shop and have a peek. You'll be amazed.

[Alchemy]

How many DVD films or shows are 3d ?

I did notice the first afl final was done in 3d, but not aware of much else yet.

I haven't seen them in the shops yet ( ok I haven't even looked) but the effect at the cinema is quite something. Would be most interesting to have a good look next time I'm in jbhifi.

[multiweb]

TBH I have only played 2D DVD and Bluray discs on it and viewed them with the 2D->3D converter and it looks like 3D. Avatar 2D bluray was unreal viewed in 3D. Like at the movie. In a couple of weeks I should get 4 title in 3D bluray part of the offer so I'll see what's different. Definitely walk in a JB HI-FI and have a look. I was amazed. Worth noting they have dumped any S-video/components technology so if you want to see Foxtel in high def with an old box you're stuck. You'll have to move to IQ2 wich has an HDMI output. PS3 true 3D with games is already geared for different 3D types with the latest firmware. I have tried side by side so far. It looked great. Other older games can be viewed in 3D through the 2D->3D converter and they look very good too.

[koputai]

So I can watch normal TV, but have to wear the glasses! Great! :)


> I did notice the first afl final was done in 3d, but not aware of much else yet.

Ah, but can you get pron in 3D? In Feel-Around, and Smell-o-Vision?

The sooner we all get a data socket in the back of our heads the better!

Cheers,
Jason.

[multiweb]

You don't have to wear the glasses if you watch normal TV. Only in 3D mode. There's a quick 3D toggle on the remote that will switch the screen in 3D mode and back. You can view all 2D programs even Foxtel in 3D through the converter. Not sure about smell. I was watching the Matrix Revolutions in 3D last night through the converter and I wouldn't like to smell Zion sewers ;)

[AdrianF]

Not sure all I know is I have tied to watch 3D in the theatres but can't I can't even look through 3D books without feeling sick

Adrian

[tlgerdes]

I have a 50 at the moment and the new room will be 6.5m wide by 5m deep, so sitting 4m from the screen will be about right

[multiweb]

That (http://www.squidoo.com/3dsickness)might help.

[multiweb]

Yeah that's plenty of room. I'd cut the rumpus in half and put a control room for the telescope on the other side. :)

[tlgerdes]

Already have that, the room next door is MY playroom. Plus I get a 3.5x5.5 shed in the backyard (no good for an observatory as it is under an mulberry tree).

My 50 will go to a TV room at the other end of the house for the kids.

[Barrykgerdes]

You can't have the 3.5 x 5.5 shed. That's for all my gear:P:thumbsup:
I wondered why Marc was allowed to buy all that new astro gear.
The 3D Tv is obviously a peace offering;);) cause he won't have time to watch it.:thumbsup:

Barry

[multiweb]

What astro gear? ... there's no astro gear alright? :whistle:

[tlgerdes]

I think he gets away with it more as a tax deduction.....

Yes Mr Tax officer:prey2:, I really do need a 55" 3D monitor for the my computer work:question:. Look it has VGA, DVI and HDMI inputs from my computer.:innocent:

[Kal]

The optimal viewing distance for a home theatre varies drastically based on content. For SD 2D content, optimal can be as far as 5x screen width back. For an immersive 2D 1080p experience THX reccomends a viewing distance between 1.5x and 2.2x screen width. The society of Motion Pictures and Telivision Engineers (SMPTE) recommends the screen size should occupy 30 degrees of field of view in the horizontal plane at seated position - or 1.87x screen width.

For 3D content the formulas change again, and the general consencus is 'you can never have too large a screen'. The optimal viewing distance for 1080p 3D content is around 1.4 times screen width.


Sitting 4m back you can go up to a 110" screen size for HD 3D content. Of course this would be too large for SD 2D content, so you need to balance your needs.

[multiweb]

Thanks for the numbers Andrew. I should be in the sweet spot then. Just close enough to put my feet ups and reach the stubbies. :thumbsup:



Hey Trev, Lounge on wheels? :lol: C'mon, kids will have a ball. ;)

[multiweb]

Don't let him Barry. He'll burn the screen in no time with PC display. :P

[Kal]

You know...you might be onto something there!! :D:thumbsup:

I'll often drag an armchair closer to the screen if I'm alone and want a more immersive viewing experience. Wheels on lounge equipment would be quite handy infact!

[tlgerdes]

That was for you with the tax deduction, it is all about justification not usage.

My "board" has already allocated $5k to the purchase of a new TV. It will come down to biggest bang for $$$, but this is 6-9 months away yet. Maybe 70" might be available by then :whistle::eyepop:

[multiweb]

I hear TOSHIBA is releasing another one next year probably that doesn't need any glasses. New technology. :thumbsup:

[tlgerdes]

Doesnt "new technology" mean new $$$$ and new problems :question:.
I like cutting edge toys, but only like bleeding edge when it is software that I can upgrade/downgrade myself.

[multiweb]

All the Samsung gear uses the same wireless USB dongles to update firmwares and other things. It's like a PS3 system. Easy peasy.

[tlgerdes]

Yeah, that's Samsung. Toshiba........ ask anyone about their PVR they released a couple of years ago. Love Tosh laptops, but consumer electronics is not what they are famous for (you dont see too many Tosh microwaves anymore).

[Omaroo]

Watching TV with glasses on is probably not for me, so I'll wait for the glasses-less models to start coming out - which I think will soon completely supersede the current crop.

The new variety need to be watched at close range for the moment, but that's just development time...

http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/toshiba-launching-3d-tv-with-no-glasses-required

[Satchmo]

All the `glass-less' technologies will require you to sit at a certain distance from the set, at least for the moment-I'm happy to wear glasses and dictate my own viewing terms ( basically as close to the set as I can sit ) for a theatre like experience.

[multiweb]

Here's a shot of the glasses. The lenses are frameless so your FOV is not narrowed down. The sensor is the little rectangle in between the eyes. They're no different than wearing light sun glasses. You hardly notice them. Nothing like the Real3D theatre glasses which are much bigger.

[tlgerdes]

Whats wrong with sitting in your loungeroom looking like Elton John?:lol:

[multiweb]

Hehe.. yeah gotta get a matching glitter hat :P

[Bassnut]

Thats a good deal Marc, and I think the plasma was the right choice. The 3D LCDs ive seen were shocking due to lag. Apparently its a bit of a myth that plasmas draw more power than LCDs too (well maybe not the LED backlight ones now). Even with a black screen (or dark pic) LCD backlights still run flat out, so at a fixed power , but plasmas draw power directly proportional to image brightness (but more with a white screen), so the average diff is minimal for average viewing.

[tlgerdes]

What, like Freds one?:P

[Bassnut]

Yeah right, another Sidonio. Stay on topic, punk :mad2: ;)

[multiweb]

I think too that plasma was the right choice after a bit of reading because of the refresh rate as you've pointed out. If you run plasma in dim light setting you still get a real nice view without blowing the power bill. They do heat up quickly if you ramp the brightness/cell right up. They're a different beast from LCD/LED screens which are your typical PC monitor sharp as and in your face.

[tlgerdes]

What is funny about that though is, if you turn it up in winter, you can cut your heating costs. I noticed my house was always warmer during the winter months after I bought my plasma.

[tlgerdes]

I think you're right, I chose the wrong person to parody.

[Kevnool]

New 3D tele on the way out and now you dont need them specs to watch it.

That sounds better

Cheers Kev.

[multiweb]

Received a Samsung Wireless dongle yesterday. Plugged it in the USB port and set-up the network. It connected to the Samsung server and did its thing. Upgraded both Plasma and Bluray software. Easy peasy. Connects direct to any wireless Router/ADSL with default DHCP settings in auto mode (WAP/2 - PSK) or other. I use a Telstra 2-wire box. Was very straight forward. :thumbsup:

[Bassnut]

Thats very very cool, suprising how things have progressed.......

The Samsung idea of automation can get daft though. If you stick a CD into the blueray for a bit of background music on the stereo, it turns the TV on and the TV selects the player. Irritating having the TV on all day whilst playing music :shrug:. And from memory, if you switch off the TV, the blueray turns off too :P.

[multiweb]

Yeah it's called Anynet+. If you hardwire or wireless any recognised devices the TV screen will act as a 'server' and takes control. You can disable this behavior in the device list in the menu I think if you take the device off the list. Haven't read all the doco. I find it convenient when I stick a bluray in the player it switches the screen on to the right device automatically and the control drives the player. You still can switch the screen display off though but not the power. Samsung sell all those speakers and sound towers that are supposed to be plug'n play with Anynet+ but I've always had my reservation with sound over wireless. What do you reckon? Hardlines are the way for sound?