Spotted a 37-inch Samsung LCD TV (Series 4) ad (Courts) in The Star yesterday. I think it is an ideal size (between 32 and 40 inches) for most bedrooms. It puzzles me why 37-inch LCD TVs are hard to come by in Malaysia with an exception for Panasonic and perhaps another brand or two. Most LCDs sold here are 32 inches and thereafter 40 inches and above.

You have raised a valid point about the distance. It's about 8ft between my usual position on the bed and the TV. A 32-inch unit, obviously, will be small while a 40-inch unit will be just too large for an average bedroom in newer homes in Malaysia. Not many have the luxury to live in a 24-80 ft link home with bigger bedrooms.

Perhaps, a 32-inch TV will be adequate if I were to live in a "pigeon hole" room in a condo at HK or Spore!

This post has been edited by msiathot: Oct 18 2008, 11:48 AM

I am inclined to believe competition and economies of scale will be a stronger factor than currency that determine the falling prices of plasma or LCD TVs. And in Malaysia, consumers can enjoy better bargains for mainstream models, especially 32 to 42-inch flat screen TVs.

When the market becomes more mature perhaps in a year or two, I believe consumers will get better "free" gifts like shopping or petrol vouchers, thanks to market forces and not DVD players or digital cameras. Afterall, which home (in Malaysia) has no DVD player.

What comes next after affordable flat panel TVs obviously will be blu-ray players. Meanwhile, we watch from the sidelines with "frustration" our US counterparts paying sub-US$300 players while we still have to pay a bomb to enjoy HD content.

This post has been edited by msiathot: Oct 29 2008, 09:46 AM

I did take advantage of last week's J Card Day at 1 Utama. Bought a PV80 and besides the 5% discount, there was the RM450 Jusco vouchers (RM10 voucher for every RM100) plus a bonus RM100 Jusco voucher. Collectively, RM550 worth of vouchers besides the other free gifts - camera, Nike t-shirt, s-video and HDMI cables - and the zero interest installment plan. Certainly the best buy (for a PV80) in Malaysia.

I reckon the nett price will be about RM3,450 after factoring the extra 3% bonus from the accummulated J card points at the end of this year. Obviously, the camera value is very subjective although it has a RRP of RM499. I will be happy to sell to anyone for RM350.

About RM3,500 for the PV80 is about the best price currently. No way HN or BD or even independent electrical shops can match.

J Card Day, in a nutsell, is one sale to look forward to every year especially for big ticket items.

Well, I am glad that I made a wise decision with the 42-inch PV80. Excellent experience - 8.5 ft viewing distance in my bedroom. I guess it is my most exciting "investment" after switching to the Macbook.

The perceived value of vouchers is subjective and I agree with you. For me, the Jusco vouchers like petrol vouchers are as good as cash as I do my regular shopping, including essential items at the supermarket. With or without the vouchers, I still shop at Jusco.

Obviously voucher of a similar value or even higher, say for a premium furniture set or luxury goods means nothing to me. And the same goes with the all-familiar DVD player and camera that comes as "free" with a LCD/plasma TV purchase.

In my perspective and others familar with the J Card membership, J Card Day is a day we all look forward to year after year for big ticket items.

And a 42-inch plasma is the ideal size for a bedroom with a 8-foot viewing distance.

I reckon you need to consider 40 inches and above to enjoy the REAL benefits of going FULL HD. Otherwise, you would be disappointed with your Full HD investment.

It seems the bulk of the regular LYN forumers are pro-Panasonic, including the LCD TVs. It is understandable if it is for the plasma TVs or why many would recommend the plasma from the Malaysian perspective.

Well, you can't go wrong with the premium series from Samsung just like the W and X series of Sony. About the difference between Series 6 and 7, I guess the difference is like the comparison between Altis 1.8G and 1.8E with Series 7 having a higher DC ratio and a couple of "beyond TV" features, including real-time information, weather and stock prices.

This post has been edited by msiathot: Nov 30 2008, 12:43 PM

It's hardly a surprise our counterparts in developed nations, including our neighbours Singapore are getting better value for such products.

Sadly in Malaysia, local principals are only interested to push mainstream products at competitive prices. It's a price war for the 32-inch LCD TV (now going sub-RM1,600 even for tier 1 brands) and even cheaper than Singapore but we still need to pay a REAL premium for Full HD TVs. Price reductions are done proportionately with the entry and mainstream models but not with higher speced models.

It appears to me the people in the industry, be it consumer electronics, mobile phones or IT, think the rakyat is still "katak di bawah tempurung".

Spotted a rare "gem" at Low Yat (IT floor) - a 42-inch HD ready Samsung plasma monitor. Great value and going for only RM2,888.

Anyone tried a TV tuner on a monitor and how is it compared with a TV?