ok, i have a dilemma hopefully somebody on here can help me figure out.

I recently bought a ln52a630. While loving this tv in stores, once i got it home i was hardly impressed. It started with the Pittsburgh playoff game (looked like crap) on HD on cable. After going thru the "official" calibration thread here it definitely helped everything else look better (i calibrated after the game). BUT, im still not 100% satisfied with this tv. I REALLY want to love this tv, but right now, it seems SOME HD channels look great, some look ok, and SD looks horrible. I'm even noticing a ghosting/judder type effect. I've tried the different AMP settings (along with everything else) and still no big difference.. my setup is cable and dvd thru hdmi (1.3) each and my 360 on component. on a plus note, my 360 looks amazing...

So, im starting to think maybe a plasma is the way to go. BUT, will a plasma look any better? im being told that most of my problems MIGHT come from the cable broadcast itself, but ive also been told that plasmas make SD channels (as well as HD) look better. is this true? The models im looking at are the Sammy 510 and 550s right now, but not set on anything. Would these look better (in theory) than my current ln52a630? or is my 630 above these sets.. I've concentrated so much on buying my 630 that i never really looked into plasmas but my father in law just got a 550 and it looked outstanding... and im also kind of under the gun to get something by the weekend too.. big surprise! the other reasons i stayed away from plasmas was the burn-in issue for gaming and the power comsumption being higher.. actual concerns still or not so much anymore?

thanks ahead of time for any advice...

Garbage in, garbage out. We are at the mercy of the broadcasted signal.

Personally, I would not trade the 630 for a 500/510.

ok, i have a dilemma hopefully somebody on here can help me figure out.

I recently bought a ln52a630. While loving this tv in stores, once i got it home i was hardly impressed. It started with the Pittsburgh playoff game (looked like crap) on HD on cable. After going thru the "official" calibration thread here it definitely helped everything else look better (i calibrated after the game). BUT, im still not 100% satisfied with this tv. I REALLY want to love this tv, but right now, it seems SOME HD channels look great, some look ok, and SD looks horrible. I'm even noticing a ghosting/judder type effect. I've tried the different AMP settings (along with everything else) and still no big difference.. my setup is cable and dvd thru hdmi (1.3) each and my 360 on component. on a plus note, my 360 looks amazing...

So, im starting to think maybe a plasma is the way to go. BUT, will a plasma look any better? im being told that most of my problems MIGHT come from the cable broadcast itself, but ive also been told that plasmas make SD channels (as well as HD) look better. is this true? The models im looking at are the Sammy 510 and 550s right now, but not set on anything. Would these look better (in theory) than my current ln52a630? or is my 630 above these sets.. I've concentrated so much on buying my 630 that i never really looked into plasmas but my father in law just got a 550 and it looked outstanding... and im also kind of under the gun to get something by the weekend too.. big surprise! the other reasons i stayed away from plasmas was the burn-in issue for gaming and the power comsumption being higher.. actual concerns still or not so much anymore?

thanks ahead of time for any advice...

Can you trade it for a toshiba 52xv545u? The srt feature will improve your 480/720/dvd. Will handle motion better and you wont get soap opera effect you get with the amp. Not sure how improvement you would see with the bad reception though.Price should be comparable.

according to their website, i dont think they stock the toshiba 52xv545u... but i CAN return my set out right within 30 days.. why do you say that set would be better than my 630? just curious what would make it better... would the Sammy 650 plasma be better than my 630? like i said beforei dont know much about plasmas.. just lcds, so i dont really know what to look for. obviously 650 is a higher model than 630 but does that translate from lcd to plasma? thanks

according to their website, i dont think they stock the toshiba 52xv545u... but i CAN return my set out right within 30 days.. why do you say that set would be better than my 630? just curious what would make it better... would the Sammy 650 plasma be better than my 630? like i said beforei dont know much about plasmas.. just lcds, so i dont really know what to look for. obviously 650 is a higher model than 630 but does that translate from lcd to plasma? thanks

You can my look at my posts where I did side by side of samsung 630 with the toshiba 545u. Just click on my user name on the left. I dont keep up with plasma model #'s so I dont know if there is a 650 plasma but there is a 650 lcd. It has received excellent reviews for pq from just about everybody but it does have a reflective screen and the touch of color bezel which you may or may not like. The 650 does have few features the 630 doesnt and from my experience with the 630 I would say with 99% certainty that is is better than the 630. Most people buy the 630 as an alternative to the 650's highly reflective screen.

ok, i have a dilemma hopefully somebody on here can help me figure out.

I recently bought a ln52a630. While loving this tv in stores, once i got it home i was hardly impressed. It started with the Pittsburgh playoff game (looked like crap) on HD on cable. After going thru the "official" calibration thread here it definitely helped everything else look better (i calibrated after the game). BUT, im still not 100% satisfied with this tv. I REALLY want to love this tv, but right now, it seems SOME HD channels look great, some look ok, and SD looks horrible. I'm even noticing a ghosting/judder type effect. I've tried the different AMP settings (along with everything else) and still no big difference.. my setup is cable and dvd thru hdmi (1.3) each and my 360 on component. on a plus note, my 360 looks amazing...

So, im starting to think maybe a plasma is the way to go. BUT, will a plasma look any better? im being told that most of my problems MIGHT come from the cable broadcast itself, but ive also been told that plasmas make SD channels (as well as HD) look better. is this true? The models im looking at are the Sammy 510 and 550s right now, but not set on anything. Would these look better (in theory) than my current ln52a630? or is my 630 above these sets.. I've concentrated so much on buying my 630 that i never really looked into plasmas but my father in law just got a 550 and it looked outstanding... and im also kind of under the gun to get something by the weekend too.. big surprise! the other reasons i stayed away from plasmas was the burn-in issue for gaming and the power comsumption being higher.. actual concerns still or not so much anymore?

thanks ahead of time for any advice...
You have (almost) everything you need to answer this question on your own: Both displays under in-home lighting, and your own two eyes.

The ideal scenario would be to compare both of them side by side, but that would involve moving one of them (preferably his into your home, because that's the lighting you'll be watching under), and adjusting each to your perceived 'best' picture, per recommendations and your own preferences. Check for black levels, contrast, color accuracy, scaling, motion, bright reflections vs washout, daytime, night time, buzzing, and/or anything else you might be concerned about. Then decide which does the best job at meeting your needs and preferences.

Advice is fine, but the most important opinion is yours.

You have (almost) everything you need to answer this question on your own: Both displays under in-home lighting, and your own two eyes.

The ideal scenario would be to compare both of them side by side, but that would involve moving one of them (preferably his into your home, because that's the lighting you'll be watching under), and adjusting each to your perceived 'best' picture, per recommendations and your own preferences. Check for black levels, contrast, color accuracy, scaling, motion, bright reflections vs washout, daytime, night time, buzzing, and/or anything else you might be concerned about. Then decide which does the best job at meeting your needs and preferences.

Advice is fine, but the most important opinion is yours.

unfortunately, he lives in sacramento and im down in san diego.. so no way to get his here.. i was thinking of just buying a plasma myself and setting it up next to it.. or at least close to it.. and compare.. you are right tho.. i guess i'll never know until i try it myself. thanks.

do plasmas suffer form the "judder" effect too? or no since they are gas and faster to react? thanks

You can my look at my posts where I did side by side of samsung 630 with the toshiba 545u. Just click on my user name on the left. I dont keep up with plasma model #'s so I dont know if there is a 650 plasma but there is a 650 lcd. It has received excellent reviews for pq from just about everybody but it does have a reflective screen and the touch of color bezel which you may or may not like. The 650 does have few features the 630 doesnt and from my experience with the 630 I would say with 99% certainty that is is better than the 630. Most people buy the 630 as an alternative to the 650's highly reflective screen.

i just read your comparative thread.. then did a little research on srt.. basically its just artificial edge sharpening/enhancement? im gonna have to try to find one in store somewhere to check it out..

just had another side thought... when the digital tv conversion goes thru, are standard def channels going to look any better, or will all quality stay the same? thanks

i just read your comparative thread.. then did a little research on srt.. basically its just artificial edge sharpening/enhancement? im gonna have to try to find one in store somewhere to check it out..

just had another side thought... when the digital tv conversion goes thru, are standard def channels going to look any better, or will all quality stay the same? thanks

Yeah thats what the cnet reviewer said. Did you also read my review of his review? He obviously didnt know how to use the feature and some of his review about other things made no sense whatever. Cnet has never been very kind to toshiba. I guess they dont spend enough on advertising with them, If the srt is used properly it will definitely improve the picture. The more I see the effect of it the more I like it. Every dvd Ive watched with it on looks amazing. It certainly isnt blu ray but it is very close.

well, i think im gonna hold off until AFTER the super bowl.. see how it looks then.. if still im unhappy, then i'll exchange it.. but i just remember i didnt want a plasma from the get go due to their glossy screens.. my living room sucks from daylight... thanks for the help.. i'll be back after the superbowl.. .

do plasmas suffer form the "judder" effect too? or no since they are gas and faster to react? thanks

Yes because progressive scan video judders. It don't matter if you have LCD, plasma or OLED it will still judder.

GiGo.

Yes because progressive scan video judders. It don't matter if you have LCD, plasma or OLED it will still judder.

GiGo.

thanks.. i've been finding that out lately.. but good to know im on the right trrack of info..

well, i think im gonna hold off until AFTER the super bowl.. see how it looks then.. if still im unhappy, then i'll exchange it.. but i just remember i didnt want a plasma from the get go due to their glossy screens.. my living room sucks from daylight... thanks for the help.. i'll be back after the superbowl.. .

ok, well... superbowl looked pretty.. ALOT better than the pittsburgh playoff game i tested this out on originally.. there was still a little pixelation and blockiness during the game, but im assuming it was the cable broadcast and not the tv.. i should be hooking up a friends ps3 for the bluray player to test out a 1080p signal.. we'll see how that goes..

quick question on 650 or 750 plasmas... the samsung website says "ultra FilterBright™ anti glare filter"? originally i didnt want a plasma due to the reflective glass screen? do these still have a pretty bad reflection to them? havent had a chance to check in store yet..

thanks

well, i just finished watching Heroes in HD tonight.. i thought it looked terrible.. alot of judder or motion blur.. i still get confused on what it actually is.. but even with AMP on high, it was still pretty prevelant. and those horizontal banding lines were back too at certain parts..i dont know if it IS the cable broadcast or not.. but i think the only way im going to be satisfied, is if i get a plasma right next to my lcd and compare.. so i guess im gonna take another trip to frys and take a look at some plasmas.. any suggestions? something under $1800 if possible.. do they make antireflective plasmas? thanks