Yeah, same here, I'm also waiting for some new stuff to come along, there is a 50" LG i'm interested in and like you mentioned, the thing about LG is the price that interests me.. though i dont do thorough testing like you do, all i check for is how 'astro' looks on it and somehow that 50" that I'm interested in looks good with astro.. haha.. but i forgot what the model is, should go back to the shop to jot it down..

Anyway, its a great topic you have here, thanks for sharing..

I am also in the market for Hitachi Ultravision 42HDS69 42" Plasma TV. I have been reading expert reviews and that has been useful to me. It may be help you too. I had been using PCWorld.com, cnet.com to find reviews. Yesterday I also used PriceGrabber's expert review tab (http://www.pricegrabber.com/info_expertreviews.php/masterid=21254268) and found a site (www.smartratings.com) that aggregates expert reviews. It only covers a few categories but it is pretty neat. Just my $.02.

It is difficult to use overseas reviews b'cos the model numbers used differ from those in M'sia even though they are the same model. Is there any way we can find the equivalent model numbers for local sets sold locally of those review in these overseas websites?

Usually manufacturer name the models differently because specs such as power supply is different. QC for some market is stringent while some is barely at minimal. Different quality of parts are used for different market so that the price is competitive.

Dudes,

Notice that there's a bit of price war goin on between Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.

Saw the Samsung LA46N71B (current Mosel series) for sale at Harvey Norman. Priced at RM9,999. Can't believe my eyes! From a price and quality perspective, no other model from any manufacturer can compete. Take that Sony! Good for us consumers.

The only thing I can think of is to check the released date of the product of interest. If there is that match with one of those listed in overseas websites, it's very likely they're the same. They may be of different model numbers, but they are released on the same day. Just my $0.02 cents.

The price war is a good thing. Sony just reduced the price of their Bravia series, some models cheaper by RM1500. That's a good start and if Samsung keeps on slashing their prices, one day, we can expect to get a big LCD at a good price.

new model coming...for SAMSUNG is like fews days later in KLCC....and some model has discon...co slashing prices happened...no worry...sony do the same thing...as same panel been used!

Hi guys sorry to bump in here, i've just did a price check on the Samsung LA46N71B and i've an offer for RM8699.

Will this be a good buy since this is the 1st time i'll be switching to LCD TV. I use this for ASTRO and also a lot of DVD viewing. I've heard that the bigger the screen, u'll experience quality loss & stretching. Can any1 clarify on this?

Im kinda stuck between this and a smaller SHARP 42" BX5 for RM6999.

LCD face quality issue with ASTRO lah bro.....

Yes, for LCD bigger than or equals to 42", I would suggest FullHD.

hey Semi3eb,

Wah, that's cheap..can tell us where we can get that price/ pm me-ya? Cos i'm lookin at that model as well. Prefer the Samsung cos I like the blacks on this one. Juz get the one that fits your budget. Check out their warranty specs, see which offer more support.

Stretching occurs cos Astro broadcast is still 4:3 (square shape) while LCD is widescreen 16:9. Juz set the mode on LCD to squeeze the Astro pic . Most have this mode. It will have black bars on the sides instead top and bottom, that way, the Astro pic will remain as a square. LCD more suited to DVD viewing cos it's coded at 480p and widescreen, but still slight quality loss cos LA46N71B is at native 720p resolution. Can sit further away. Problem solved!

Big problemo la like this , Astro & DVD also have problem on 46". Will these issues happen on a 42" LCD ? I think i'll brin few DVD and test on the spot.

I have just sent u a PM, John.

Hehe..same effect. Think all current LCD TVs here is 720p panel. When display a 480p source on a 720p native resolution TV, sure have some downconverting goin on somewhere.

No need to research so much lah.

If you watch lots of ASTRO, just buy big RPTV or 3LCD kind of tvs enough.

But if you really love your dvd movie watching, invest in a LCD/plasma/projector.

Forget about what brand is good, just go to shop and compare with own eyes.

Every other single HD display panels out there will have PQ issue when comes to Astro signal. Thanks to poor Astro PQ.

Reason is Astro is still using analog signal, hence PQ on any LCD for that matter will not be as good as DVD movies. Worst, you'll try to compare against DVD demos at SenQ, HSL and HN, of couse all LCDs look good coz they trying to sell these to us....

If desperate about Astro, get a scaler .... scale the astro vcd quality to higher resolution. hehehe

Saw the 50" LG Plasma, not the Time Machine model, older model..at the PC Fair, selling at RM8499 one more choice to consider..

A scaler doesn't do miracles, the picture might be sharper but it won't turn it to true HD quality.