Buying a 3D TV, looking for recommendations/advice

[Johnny]

I'm in the market for a new TV and have decided that I'm going to go with a 3D-ready model as most new HDTV's have this option or it only costs a little more. I had my sights set on a 32" Samsung but have been advised that motion blur is a problem with them, although my current HDTV is a Sammy and I haven't noticed any problems.

Sony have a few models that cost a bit more but I would pay it if the quality is there. Another thing is the size. Not sure whether to go with 37" or jump up to 40" or down to 32". For anyone that has a 3D TV, is there much of a different in the effect on a 32" versus a 37"?

Any advice would be really welcome, this is the Sammy and Sony I have my eyes on at the minute:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-UE37D6100-Widescreen-Internet-Freeview/dp/B004TB4WSW/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312814314&sr =1-5

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-KDL37EX723BU-Widescreen-Internet-Freeview/dp/B004S9DWOU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312814579&sr=1-1

[Charlie]

I've been contemplating the Samsung D6100 myself recently (although the slightly more expensive D6530 is, by most accounts, a much better set, not to mention a a What Hi-fi magazine 5 star winner) but apparently LG have designed a way of delivering 3D without the need for glasses which is something to bear in mind.

[koopatroopa90]

Do you want active or passive? My old active made me feel quite tired after watching 3D for just half an hour, but my passive I can watch for hours without feeling tired at all...
Regarding screen size apparently the larger the better for 3D effect, but in my experience it is really dependent on how far you are going to sit from the TV (went to Currys to have a look at the TV I now own and the difference in the 3D effect if you stepped backwards and forwards was obvious) - I have no experience with screens smaller than 40" but you should probably go down to a TV shop and ask for a demo if you can.

My active TV was a Samsung and definately had funny motion issues, even with all the image processing options turned off. The backlight uniformity was very poor too. I now own a Toshiba and haven't noticed any motion issues and the backlight uniformity is pretty much perfect.

[Lyris]

None of the 3D TVs are perfect yet. If you must have one right now, I was very happy with this Samsung Plasma:

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/samsung-ps51d8000-201107011257.htm

Alternatively, the Panasonic ones do well with 3D too, although they are very slightly softer than the Samsung Plasmas in 3D since they don't deliver all 1080 lines (something you won't hear mentioned often).

[Johnny]

Do you want active or passive?

To be honest, I'm not too sure. Haven't really looked into the pros and cons of each.

So is plasma the way to go over LCD and LED?

[beecee]

Plasma is better, less crosstalk. You get full 1080p for active, passive is only 720p.

[koopatroopa90]

passive is only 720p.

Not even sure it is that in 3D mode. Obviously 1080p in 2D though and tbh, I can't tell any difference in the quality of my passive in 3D compared to my old active in 3D.

[Lyris]

To be honest, I'm not too sure. Haven't really looked into the pros and cons of each.

Passive:
Glasses are dirt cheap
No flicker
about 540 lines of resolution, jaggies visible, and every second line is black - a bit like interlaced CRT (although not everyone is sensitive to the lessened resolution)

Active:
glasses expensive
some flicker in bright objects (or bright rooms)
900-1080 lines of resolution (except for the occasional duff set - I'm reviewing a Samsung active LCD that is only 540 lines in 3d!

So is plasma the way to go over LCD and LED?

It's not perfect, but I would say so.

[arcnas]

Well ive just bought the top end 55 inch panasonic model from there range that came out it June or July this year, i paid a premium but looked at the 3d on the cheapers models i.e. LG and Samsung which were ?1000 cheaper but the 3d on the panasonic is amazing to be honest when compared to what else is on offer on the market at present including the sony sets, so it depends on your budget , but if you can get the current top end panasonic then after my three weeks with it i can recommend it , one really annoying this is the price of the glasses , it came with 2 , but why not 4 sets at least for the premium price and at ?120 a pair they shoukld include enough for a family of 4 at least or offer some discounts.

[QualityChimp]

So when are we coming over for movie night, arcnas?!

...hey, wait. You didn't loot it did you?! :O

[monel]

I hear attach rates for 3D technology and also normal HDTV sets have gone through the roof recently, the industry's marketing must be working really well.

[arcnas]

Quality chimp I'm afraid I'm a good citizen and paid some of my hard earned cash on it. As. For movie night not much chance as I only have 2 pairs of goggles at present and only 1 3d blu ray.although avatar 3d is on its way which should be amazing overall I'm more impressed with. 3d than I thought I ever would be. But I prefer films in. 3d. I can live without it for games I think

[teddymeow]

I wants me a 3D TV and, being the Sony bitch I am, was quite tempted by this:

KDL-46HX803

In my local Sony Centre it's ?899 with 2 x sets of active glasses & the 3D transmitter.

Is this decent? Most reviews I've read have said it's a good set with a few caveats.

[JSR]

Last years model. This years (HX820) has less clouding and less crosstalk. The crosstalk of first gen 3D screens can really ruin the experience IMO.