Need Some Advice With A Television Purchase

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genesim
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#351731

Post by genesim »

Plasma is my vote.

They say that Plasma dims....in like 20 years. Who cares!

Great picture and at least 720p....which I file under good enough.

Projection ANYTHING is bad news, because that means you have to buy new bulbs.

As for LCD.....bad refresh rates in anything less then a computer. Blacks can never be true because of design. For movies this is a bad bad thing. Also individual pixel burnout is always a risk in which case ..you are screwed.

Oh yeah, did I mention Plasma's are way cheaper!


All I have in this world is my balls, and my word, and I don't break 'em for noone-Tony Montana


Rob

#351739

Post by Rob »

A 60" Sony HD 1080.

Expensive, but the picture is breath taking.



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genesim
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#351896

Post by genesim »

Yep...thats how they get ya.

But you will still have to pay for more bulbs over the next 6 years. So meanwhile you are dropping mad cash..for what...

A crappier picture because it has to be projected!

1080p Plasmas are just around the corner. Or if you must...go with LCD, but anything projection is bad news.

Not to mention the fckers are really heavy!!

Google it and look at the reviews. I think the cons far out weigh the pros(which is only that they are initially cheaper).

http://www.dlptvreview.com/dlptv/plasmatelevision.html

Here is a excellent side by side....EXCEPT the absolute MYTH that Plasmas are the only tv's that dim after 20 years. Here is an alarm....THEY ALL DO! In the meantime I am certain that I will eventually get another tv in the next 20 years when there is super duper resolution. As it stands, dimming is just that. Doesn't mean the picture is unacceptable. Rebuying bulbs is not my cup of tea which is why I ebayed my DLP projector to begin with.

I prefer better picture quality, and more vesitility along with ease of maintenance, and not getting a hernia if I want to do some home decorating.

Think about this...once you have seen HD, you will never go back. Having the superior picture is key. Think HDMI/DVI or VGA.

P.S. Maybe I shouldn't have sent you this link because I know for a FACT that DLP Projection only lasts 3000 to 5000 hours. Cosumer report actually lists this, and I have friends that actually replaced at about 4000 hours. I know my clock was ticking on my projection and I knew it was going to cost me 400 dollars per change out!

Now are you really going to compare that with the "dimming" that happens on a Plasma that is likely to have perfect picture for 27 frickin years!! It would take another 54 years to lose another half life, which again, is alot better then old style tube tv's!

You can get a 50 inch plasma for about 2200....especially if found open box. 8) . Do you really want to have some Joe Schmoe coming to your house after a measly 4000 hours, then you know the clock is ticking for another 400 dollar drop down. How long before you would actually see the price adding up?? The mere idea of a "bulb" being projected as opposed to being the actual first reaction of the resolution leaves a bad taste in my mouth. You are losing quality no doubt. Hell I would rather have a film projector in that capacity!


All I have in this world is my balls, and my word, and I don't break 'em for noone-Tony Montana

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TCB TED
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#351909

Post by TCB TED »

Gen pretty much nailed it.
I've sold high end tv's for almost 20yrs, and plasma is my choice on 50"

The contrast ratios are superb ... 15000:1 versus abouy 6000:1 on the lcd flat screens. Lcd flats do not generate deep black levels, plain and simple.
Any movie with dark scenes looks washed out.
By contrast, the black level on any decent plasma tv is superb.

If you watch sports, the refresh rate on the large lcd's is really noticeable on fast moving pictures ... the result is a graininess or slight blurry trail.

One of my tv's is a 50" Panasonic projected LCD. If you must go projection, keep in mind that the DLP has a chip with almost 1million oscillating mirrors in it, plus a colour pinwheel. The LCD format will have fewer moving parts.

On my LCD, my first bulb blew at 1000 hours. My current bulb has about 2000 hours, and could blow at any time. My cost on my model is $399 CDN for a replacement bulb.
When my extended warranty expires, I'm on my own for the next bulb.
At such time, when I'm faced with the $399 cost of a bulb, I will throw the tv away.
Our service tech's tell us that they rarely see a bulb exceed 3000 hours of life. Its not the running time, but the ignition cylces that shorten the duration. Plus, if your power supply spikes off, you're dead. The projected tv's require a fan to continue running after the tv is turned off, to cool down the bulb.
Samsung has a DLP with LED's instead of a lamp. Problem is, the LED's are only good for about 8000 hours.

Most quality plasma tv's will go 60,000 hours plus. By the time you notice any dimming, it will be time to go with a newer technology anyway.

I would try to stick with proprietary technology on your tv purchase. In other words, don't buy a plasma tv where the panels are outsourced.
The companies that mfg their own panels are Pioneer, Panasonic, Samsung, Lg, and Hitachi. Most of these companies are on their 9th generation plasma panels, and have refined the process to perfection.

720P is definitely adequate. I really cannot discern the visual difference with 1080p. If you get caught up in the 1080p hype, make sure that your source is sending your tv 1080p. Also, many tv's advertise 1080p processing, as opposed to a display field of 1080p. You need both.

Plasma is my vote. It will be around longer than projected DLP/Lcd.



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#351921

Post by genesim »

TCB Ted,

Great minds think alike!!

Even with my 19 inch monitor for my arcade with a 4ms response, I notice one problem....blacks arre GRAY, and I still get a blurring effect.

That said, it is so small, that I only detect it, as opposed to it really bothering me. BUT that is a 19 inch....blow that up to 60 with sometimes as bad as 16ms response, and you got a severe problem.

Sure LCD's are getting better, but you cannot beat the fact that it is still fundamental in regards to their inability to do black levels as they should be. There is no question at all about this fact.

Man I hated how my DLP projector had to cool down by way of fan... I someitmes turn my tv off, and want to turn it back on again. With a projector this is a long wait.

XXXXXXXX

jak,

Get a limited warranty, because anything can happen. Better to be safe then sorry. I purchased one for 200 or so and it had like a 3 year coverage. Good enough for me.

Only a fool goes completely blind buy.


All I have in this world is my balls, and my word, and I don't break 'em for noone-Tony Montana


Delboy

#351939

Post by Delboy »

Thanks for jak for starting the thread and Genesim (et tal) for continuing it. I'm in the same boat as jak and I'm about to embark on my 1st 'big screen' TV, Me thinks I'll opt for a 50" plasma!!!!!



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TCB TED
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#351942

Post by TCB TED »

Here's a link to consumer reviews on Panasonic's 50" plasma.

http://www.epinions.com/Panasonic_TH_50PX60U_Television/display_~reviews

Play around with Epinions search engine. Type in the tv you're looking at, and
read the consumer reviews.


On a side note, I'd love to view Delboy's avatar on a 50" high def tv :D



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TCB TED
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#352039

Post by TCB TED »

Congrats ... that tv would be $2500CDN up here, which works out to
$2170 USD. You did very well.

Post back with a review on the set ... I'd like to hear from you.



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#352107

Post by genesim »

jak kick ass deal...mine is only 42 so I am extremely jealous.

On a side note, I'd love to view Delboy's avatar on a 50" high def tv
WORD to that!


All I have in this world is my balls, and my word, and I don't break 'em for noone-Tony Montana


Rob

#352415

Post by Rob »

jak wrote:After work today I went to Circut City and they had the Panasonic 50" on sale for $1599.Sounded good to me so I picked it up.I also got a nice Panasonic home theatre system.Thanks again for the tips!
Shortly before this thread popped up, I had just made the final decision to go HD.

I made the trip to Circuit City last night and they had the same deal there. I had every intention of getting the Sony 60" HD 1080. However, once I saw the price tag and the picture on the 50" Panasonic Plasma, I changed my mind. I also invested in the home theater system. It's going to be a couple of weeks before I can get everything set up, but am very much looking forward to it.

This thread helped to make my final decision as well.



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#352480

Post by TCB TED »

I watched some of the Masters in HD at work today.

Two sets ... a 50"Pana plasma beside a 61" JVC 1080p projected LCD.
Both sets ran HDMI cables from the same source.

The comparison wasn't even close. The JVC looked comparable during still moments. As soon as movement started, the artifacting/lcd refresh rate was very distracting on the lcd. Lots of graininess directly associated to speed.

For sports, you can't beat the Panasonic plasma.

The JVC produced HD-DVD we show is hilarious. Lots of beautiful, slow panning shots, and the sport clips are all in slow motion to prevent artifacting.

The only way to buy an HD tv is to watch your favourite shows on the set you're interested in buying, and judge it accordingly.
The manufacturer produced dvd's are heavily bent towards unnaturally bright colours and very slow movements.
When my 50" LCD blows it's next bulb, I'll be replacing it with a Pana or Hitachi plasma.




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#352546

Post by Mike10ant »

I bought an LG 42" Plasma a couple of months ago and it's just awesome. I also watched the Masters in HD and when I flipped back to the regular cable and compared the difference all I can say is WOW. I researched before purchasing and the one of the factors in my buying a plasma over an LCD was the issue of blacks. With LCD the blacks or darker colors are more gray, if that makes sense. I viewed a few and it's true. It's been fun watching some of my Elvis DVDs...it's like I'm watching them for the first time again. My previous tv was a 64" Philips projection tv and I'll NEVER buy another projection tv. Another nice feature of my new plasma is that I can watch it from any angle and it's clear as can be, i.e. close, far away, to the left,etc.

Mike in WV



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#352578

Post by genesim »

I have a Samsung 42 inch, and I feel the same way.

The problems with LCD so far.

Millisecond response. LCD's have a slower redraw rate at about 12-16 ms as of now. I have a 4ms that looks pretty good, but even that gives me a difference.

Pixel burnout drives me crazy. Most of the time it doesn't happen...but when it does you are screwed because company don't cover a certain number of pixels before they will replace. Who needs a damn dot on their screen! I would rather the whole thing be dimmer!

Lastly the black levels. I think this will improve with time, but then again, is it enough to bypass Plasma? Great technology which is superior in every regards.

Oh yeah....HAPPY EASTER and enjoy your TV presents Rob and Jak!!!!!!


All I have in this world is my balls, and my word, and I don't break 'em for noone-Tony Montana


Juan Luis

#352609

Post by Juan Luis »

720P is more than adequate. It sits between 1080i and 1080p! And 1080i is awsome looking!! Make sure you check for dead pixels in plasma. They come DOA from factory sometimes and you cannot return it if discovered at home later.



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sam
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#354948

Post by sam »

jak wrote:I wanted the icing on the cake to be a new HD DVD player to go with my new set.I didnt see Casino Royale in the theatre so I thought I would make that my first movie experience on the new plasma.I then discovered it's a Sony film and they are behind blue ray.Thus no Casino Royale in HD. Jak
Just get a PS3 and then you can watch casino royale.
that's what I did. And it is fantastic. :D


8)



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#354962

Post by sam »

I'm not much into the games either, But we still have a couple of games and its not bad when the kids come over.
But I have a few Blu ray movies now and love the movies I have seen.
And got Casino Royale as a freebie from Sony. It's one of the best for showing off High Definition.

8)


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