Time To Buy A 50" Plasma; Is The Lg Dt50py10 Good?

[Guest mercurysteve]

Mondie,

I have spent the best part of 15 years in consumer electrical sales, always specialising in the AV departments. Here are my thoughts acquired over time.

Firstly, look at why you are buying it to gein with, ask yourself

if it's plasma you are really after or the "look" on the wall/stand? or

is it the 50" size screen? or

is it the quality (you said that you want more bang for your buck rather than quality, $7k will not let you won a great 50" plasma under any cirtumstances.

is durability a concern? as all plasma's have a "life span" of 30-40,000 life hours before they gow half scale (basically lose half their brightness and color saturation)

Also, do you watch lot's of sport? Because plasma will be better than any LCD in today's market (LCD drags across the screen, if you can't see it yet, after time, YOU WILL)

Consider a decent set top box also.

Personally, I bought a decent (but cheapish, $1500) 80cm tv for everyday and a DLP projector for the sport/movie/size elements. Both work well, the proj is awesome and only costs $2k, screen $1k.

So look at your buying motive. If you decide on quality (as there are only 3 ACTUAL PLASMA MANUFACTURERS globally), then buy either a Hitachi, Pioneer or Fujitsu.

Hope it helps you with your decision.

[Mario Mendoza]

I'd steer away from LG. Their products are OK, but their after sales service is terrible, almost non-existant.

No matter how decent the screen is price/performance wise, it's no good to you if it breaks....

LG are cheaply made and the RRP reflects this. You generally get what you pay for and with LG you aint paying for after sales service that's for sure.

"Google" the particular model that your after, you'll probly end up at some forum also bagging out LG products.

There might be some people out there who have had no problems with LG, but on the flip side I'm sure there are many others that have.

Do urself a favour and get a Sony or Pioneer. You'll only have to complain when you first see the price. At least they'll want to know you when/if something goes wrong.

[ZAP]

LG is just the rebrand of GOLDSTAR and if you can remember them they made the crappiest consumer electronics.

I would not touch them at all, no matter how good it looked. I have only heard horror stories about the after sales service and warranty

[eMPee]

I have friends who had their plasma in for repairs a couple of months back. It wasn't 2 yrs old. Not sure if they replaced it, or it just blew something inside, can't remember. At the time they bought it, top of the line fujitsu. It looks great, not so flash with the footy, but still a nice tv.

I wouldn't get the LG either. You get what u pay for. I think the pioneer looks the best, and you'll pay for it

You must get a HD reciever or digital foxtel if u buy a big screen. No point spending all that money and having sh*t reception. The big screen really picks it up. I was looking at 80cm+ CRT's the other yr, but found a 2nd hand rear projection cheaper so got that. 140cm widescreen in my room is awsome. a bit too close but feels like your at IMAX.

BUT if $7g is your budget, and u like the LG, go for it. I'd try and afford to buy something like the pioneer. Whatever u buy will be outdated in a few years.

good luck, cheers.

Matt

[3rdTurbo]

LG is just the rebrand of GOLDSTAR and if you can remember them they made the crappiest consumer electronics.

I would not touch them at all, no matter how good it looked.  I have only heard horror stories about the after sales service and warranty

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Too true. They used to be nothing more than competitors of AWA, Kambrook etc

One Sales rep at a Retravsion, I spoke to 5 years ago told me the same story (that they used to be Goldstar) and referred to them as "LUCKY GOLDSTAR"!!!!

They have a huge marketing budget but not much engineering flair. Much like the Korean motor industry, I don't have have much time for korean eletcronics. If it's badge engineered (from a Jap/European model), I would consider it.

I bought a 130cm Panasonic Rear Proj 4:3 (made in China) for $1900 last year. Great bang for the buck! The sound from the built in speakers was better than I expected.

Practically every appliance in my home is Panasonic - never ever had a problem with them. They seem to lack some features compared to the competition, but the ease of use and durability of their products is impressive.

[JB]

LG is just the rebrand of GOLDSTAR and if you can remember them they made the crappiest consumer electronics.

I would not touch them at all, no matter how good it looked.  I have only heard horror stories about the after sales service and warranty

LG plasmas are manufcatured out of the same factory as Phillips and use the same components.

There are only 3 plasma manufacturing plants in the world for all the brands.

Mondie, I may be able to help you get the latest top of the range Panasonic, that just came out. I think it retails for $8k, you would be looking at $5k.

[Zeke]

Correction: Mondie, in my last post I suggested you look at the forums on a website, but I gave the wrong url.....it should've been www.dba.org.au

[xlr8ed]

I got a 146cm rear projection LG and its crap!!!!

jeff

[Turbofalke]

Hi Mondie

..... I bought one at Myer...with their 10% off sale and the further 10% you get if you open one of their credit cards the price is $8099 with 12 months interest-free. (Though I think it's best to pay it off quickly so you can forget what you paid for it before the price drops to about half that within the 12 months)........

Regards

zeke

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very hard to beat this deal. I'm doing it today with a 42"LG. Not the Hitachi I like but about $2k less. I figure prices will continue to drop, but my TV is Fcuked now and can't wait (or at least wont), nor can I afford the big price tag of the top line products.

I recon LCD will become the standard in about 5years when the picture quality can keep up with the image movement. So a very big investment now may be regretted in a few years.

No doubt the best image quality is found in a CRT, but an 80cm job weighs about 70kgs and is too bulky for me.

I'll let you know what I think about the LG after I set it up.

[ktford]

Such a tread carefully area. We've got a Sanyo 86cm I think, have had it for nearly 7 years, love it, would like to replace it just for a bigger screen at some stage, but too many question on what its replacement should be. I'm in your boat Simon, where to start.

Scotty