Hello everyone. I recently decided it was time to upgrade from my 34" SD CRT to a "real" TV. I started my search two weeks ago, and after a week, I was so overwhelmed by the number of models out there and the huge array of features and choices (and conflicting and misleading information all over the place) that I was nearly ready to give up. Then, I found this site :)

After a week of browsing this forum, I've been able to narrow my choices down significantly. However, I'm still faced with some nagging questions that I haven't been able to find good answers to. I'm hoping the friendly and more knowledgable members of this forum can help me.

First, my set up and use cases. My viewing area is pretty bright during the day, but most of my viewing will be in the evening, so glare isn't a huge concern. Depending on the application, I will be at most 6' from the screen and at most 10' (averaging 8' viewing distance). My usage (in order of use) will be gaming (via Wii and Xbox360, non-elite), followed by media streamed from a PC, followed by TV and disc media playback.

Most important to me is good blacks and high picture quality. A low response time (for gaming) is also very important. Ideally I can get something that will last me 3-4 years, but how important that is becomes a function of the price. I'm looking to spend $2000-$4000, though I might be convinced to go a bit higher if there is really a benefit to gain.

Question 1: What size, given my viewing distance? Most models I've been looking at are 50", because that seems to be the most common size available currently. I've also looked at a few 58" or 60" models, though I haven't seen a whole lot beyond the 6010/6070, the 5884 and a 58" Panasonic that I forgot the model # of. This leads into the next question...

Question 2: 1080p. Is it worth it given my viewing distance, and what size would I need at the viewing distance to make it worthwhile? Do I need this to be "future-proof?" Most things I've read suggest that one needs to be within ~6' of a 50" to differentiate between a 768p and 1028p signal. What about a 60" Also, I don't think (unless the non-elite 360 is capable of doing 1080p...found conflicting information on this so not sure) I currently own anything capable of producing a 1080p signal. I'm sure I'll be buying some new hardware in the next 3-4 years, however, and ideally my TV will be able to get the most out of it.

On a related note, is there any 1080p TV that accepts a 1080p signal over component? It sounds like the HMCP requirement has crippled most sets in this regard, but it would be a bonus if there was a set that supported this.

I've had a chance to look at the THPZ700 models, the 5*84 models and the 6010 in stores, but unfortunately, none in the same store or on the same feed, so I haven't really been able to make direct comparisons. While I do have a running list of potential models, without answers to the above it is currently too broad to be of much use. Hopefully with some input from the experts here, I can narrow it down (or maybe even get some input on a specific model that would meet my needs!).

Thanks for reading!

Question 1:
For 6-10', I think going for anything over 50" is going to be over kill on your part. Hell, 42" is probably good since you said your average distance is about 8 feet away. I think you need to figure this out on your own based on seeing things instore and deciding what you think is right.

I have a 50" in my living room and we sit between 10 to 15" away depending on which sofa you are on and while I do wish it was a little bigger, for the most part, it kicks ass. Then again, it depends on what YOU want. Would I like bigger? Yes, but I totally tolerate the 50".

Question 2:
The 360 can display 1080p over component but the main problem here is getting a TV that supports 1080p via component input or switching to a newer 360 that has HDMI (Elite today and soon all 360's will have HDMI). From what I have seen, most of the newer TV's support 1080p over component.

As to whether it is worth going for 1080p vs 720p, I am split on that myself. At 6 feet away, you will no doubt notice the difference. At 10 feet away... I am leary as to whether you notice the difference or not.

One thing that people never think about is this:
We are all on a budget and with technology moving so fast these days, it might actually be worth going for a good 720p screen that is significantly less than a good 1080p screen, then in 3 years, go buy a new monitor that 1080p or 1440p. If you don't spend $5k on some new gee whiz monitor today, you surely wont feel bad about an upgrade in a few years from now and you will end up with two nice sized TV's in the process.

I know, its a tough decision.

I am looking at the Sony 46S3000 and the Samsung 4661. The Sony is 720p but IMO has a better picture quality. The Samsung is 1080p and $500 more. Do I really need 1080p? Would I rather save the $500 and dump it into a Sony STRDG910 receiver instead and then just grab a new panel in 3 or 4 years? Shrug. I think I might just go for the Sony and not worry about it :)

Malloc42,

Welcome! First of all, I want to say that you had a very clear thought out question, which separates it from the 60 million other "Which TV" questions.

Question1) I sit between 7 and 11 feet away and my 50-Inch is great. I believe you will be happy with that size. I do not have an Xbox, but I am pretty sure that my Samsung 5084 supports 1080p over component.

Question2) I believe you will notice 1080p at 6 feet, but I wouldn't make it a requirement if you only plan on keeping the set for between 3 and 4 years. One of the reasons I chose the 1080p set over the 720 is that I hope to keep this set for 15 years.

If it wasn't for your PC usage I would say get the 720p Pioneer 5080. It was a tough call for me to go with the 1080p Sammy over the 720P Pioneer, which I think should say a lot for the Pioneers picture quality. It would exceed just about all of your expectations, but for PC usage your resolution would be unacceptable. I will see if I can confirm the 5084 supports 1080p over component.

Whatever you choose you have some great sets that you narrowed it down to. I think you will be happy.

draposo, he is streaming video with his PC. Why would the resolution be unacceptable on a 720p? He can stream it at 1360X768 and it is as good as any HD feed.

Malloc42, you've picked out some good models, so it's pretty much up to you to decide what size to get. Some guys will say get a huge set, some will say 42" is fine. I sit 8-10' from my PDP, and I have the Pio 6070. I use it for HD/SD cable viewing, DVD's, and pc monitor. I have recorded some movies from my DVR to the PC via firewire, and it plays back over the VGA connection from the PC as good as it looked from cable.

I recommend the Pioneer 5010HD or the Pro-110FD Elite. There is no 50" 1080p plasma with better picture quality and features IMO. If you can find the 6010 within your price - even better.

With a 50" tv at 10 feet I doubt you will see the extra resolution, though if you can afford it then go for it (in case you viewing distance changes). On the 60" you will probably see a little difference, but nothing to write home about.

I recommend heading to your local AV shop, getting the remotes for the TV's you are interested in and adjusting them to your liking. Then compare and choose the winner.

Good luck and have fun!

Your view distance seems to control your choice. At 6' and a 50" set, you SHOULD go with the 1080p panel. Seems like you have the budget to get it, and at that distance, it is likely that SDE would be seen. If you are downloading HD stuff or similar, again the 1080 will pay off.
Just remember, that any lower resolution stuff (Standard Def) will look okay to poor on these. The bigger the set, the more you will notice the lower resolution source. For me, my Panny 50" 700U does a good job with SD stuff, if the signal is good. Marginal signals exagerate the limitations of SD. I sit 6.5' to 8.5' from our set. At times I actually think could have gone with a smaller panel when watching some SD (one of the few times bigger isn't always better). Of course that thought goes away as soon as we switch to HD or a DVD.

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I made it out to the local stores today to get a look at some of the displays that you helped me narrow things down to. After staring at TVs for the better part of the day, I've narrowed my choices down to the following:

1) Panasonic 50PZ750U - Saw this at Magnolia today and was impressed. The color was very good; skin tones and such were very warm and natural feeling. The only weakness I noticed was dark scenes were significantly darker than some of the other sets on the wall. Case in point: some scene from a movie that was play, a slow pan over a dark alley with a bunch of chain link fence in the picture. On other sets, the chain link fence was clearly visible despite the darkness, on the Panasonic, it was visible, but definitely harder to see. This seemed to hold for any scene with significant darkness.

2) Samsung 5084. This one was right next to the Panasonic, so I was able to easily compare them. It was much easier to make out dark scenes on this guy (when compared to the Panasonic). On the other hand, color was colder on this set: skin tones were more white than rosy.

I didn't have a chance to play with the settings, but given that this was in Magnolia instead of Best Buy or CC, I'm hoping they were configured relatively well and that the differences I noted above weren't just a side effect of the picture settings on the sets. Your experiences with these sets here would be valuable to me (either yes, I've noticed the same things, or no, my set looks fine, must be the settings).

Two questions about the Samsung: first, a friend warned me that Samsungs from a few years ago were notorious for gaming lag. I noticed that the 5084 claims "gaming mode" as a feature, but it wasn't clear what this actually does. Is this problem resolved by now? I play a lot of guitar hero and other timing dependent games, so this is an important issue for me.

Second, I'd read in a few scattered posts on this forum that the 5084 is incapable of receiving a 1080p signal. Is there any truth to this, or is this perhaps a misinterpretation of some other limitation (can't accept 1080p at 60 fps or something)?

Finally, if anyone has any particularly feedback about the 750U, I'd like to hear that too. I read through several pages in the Panasonic megathread, but most people there seem to have a 700U or something from the 77 series.

Thanks!

Two questions about the Samsung: first, a friend warned me that Samsungs from a few years ago were notorious for gaming lag. I noticed that the 5084 claims "gaming mode" as a feature, but it wasn't clear what this actually does. Is this problem resolved by now? I play a lot of guitar hero and other timing dependent games, so this is an important issue for me.

Second, I'd read in a few scattered posts on this forum that the 5084 is incapable of receiving a 1080p signal. Is there any truth to this, or is this perhaps a misinterpretation of some other limitation (can't accept 1080p at 60 fps or something)?

Finally, if anyone has any particularly feedback about the 750U, I'd like to hear that too. I read through several pages in the Panasonic megathread, but most people there seem to have a 700U or something from the 77 series.

Thanks!
The samsung does not have lag like the old units used to. No worries there.

As for 1080p, perhaps it doesn't accept a 1080/24fps signal, but it's a full 1080p TV, so if someone said its not they are lying. See for yourself:
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=televisions&type=televisions&subtype=plasmatv&model_cd=FPT5084X/XAA

I'm pretty sure that the 5084 does 1080P/24.
Also HDMI 1.3

Check this link --

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=911513&highlight=5084+1080p%2F24


contact slingbox to find out for sure....

dxr

p.s. it's for sure a dang fine TV. I have one.