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1080 LCD vs 720 Plasma

post #1 of 46
3/7/11 at 3:44pm
Thread Starter 
I'm in a bind here. I'd love to spring for a 1080 plamsa, but my width constraints limit me to 40" (physical). From what I can tell, some of the new LG 42"/Samsung 43"plasma's will fit, but are all 720p sets. How much more quality can I get from a 1080 40" LCD (under/around $1k) than said 720p Plasmas?

It's for a bedroom, but I've got chronic back issues, and do spend quite a bit of time (practically the whole NHL season, and any time my wife's novelas are on) watching flat from the floor about five feet from the screen (mounted in a cabinet 36-40" high). Will the angle of viewing trump all else here, or can I count on a LED/LCD to give me as good or better viewing experience?

Thanks!

Scott
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post #2 of 46
3/7/11 at 4:37pm
I would go with the LCD, mid to high level plasmas do not look that great from only 5 feet away, a budget 720p plasma is only going to look worse.

If you decide on plasma anyways, definitely go with Samsung regardless of price.
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post #3 of 46
3/7/11 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 
I'll be upgrading from a 42" Dell EDTV (Plasma) that's wall mounted right now. I know this is considered far from elite or high end, but HD passed via component video @ 480p looks (to my eyes) really good. I'm sure anything I upgrade to will be light-years better than what I've got, no matter how happy I've been with the picture. Trying to get the unit off the wall though, since we've acquired new furniture.
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post #4 of 46
3/8/11 at 2:16pm
From 5 ft out, looking up at a screen with center about 4 feet high, doubt you will have any problems with a 42" 720p set, as opposed to a similar sized 1080p.

OTOH, recall reading that many LCD sets have a particularly difficult time with Vertical viewing angles - so would at least encourage you to visit a local store & try to Duplicate the approximate "from below" angle before plunking $$ down.

It certainly appears that horizontal Off-Angle viewing has improved on some LCDs - especially those using "IPS" (in-plane switching -?) technology - but don't know whether those improvements also apply to vertical angles.
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post #5 of 46
3/8/11 at 2:26pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Dierkdr, and I had planned on a visit. Just trying to make sure I know what to look for when I get there. I've got to make a trip to a local hifi place to have a speaker grill replaced, and will probably test this during the same trip. I posted on the LCD board about the viewing angle, and got basically the same response as you outlined. Horizontal=good-great, vertical=ok-bad. Which all leads me back to plasma.

That's not a totally bad thing, and I guess I'll have to wait to see what my own eyes tell me in the end.
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post #6 of 46
3/8/11 at 2:41pm
You can buy a Panasonic 42" 1080p plasma, for around your price range. The new model is the TC-P42ST30. Even though Panasonic say's ship date is May, It's out now. Check around.

Here's the link to it:

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...00000000005702
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post #7 of 46
3/8/11 at 3:43pm
1080 versus 720 no matter plasma, LCD, LED, I find there is a big difference on how crisp teh images are.
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post #8 of 46
3/8/11 at 6:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgray152 View Post

1080 versus 720 no matter plasma, LCD, LED, I find there is a big difference on how crisp teh images are.

Agree... Night and day!
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post #9 of 46
3/8/11 at 9:42pm
Depends on content. As usual there is no simple answer.

But in this case viewing angle seems to be most important to OP rather than resolution.
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post #10 of 46
3/8/11 at 10:49pm
I would get the 720p Plasma.
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post #11 of 46
3/8/11 at 11:55pm
Thread Starter 
I'm going to check a few out tomorrow. I'll let you know what I come back with.
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post #12 of 46
3/9/11 at 2:04am
My parents' LG 55LX6500 LED (IPS) is supposed to have some of the widest viewing angles for an LCD. However, when mucking around with the laptop in the stand below the TV, and looking up at the screen, the flashlighting is pretty darn obvious.
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post #13 of 46
3/9/11 at 7:05am
Seriously watch out for LCD viewing angles...IPS panels can be great when looking far away on a harsh angle from LEFT TO RIGHT. LCD's SUCK when they are too high or too low though...bad color distortion.
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post #14 of 46
3/9/11 at 7:35am
Nobrainer: 1080p!
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post #15 of 46
3/9/11 at 7:55am
Depends on the size. At 42 inches,..hardly can't spot the difference between 720p and 1080p.
If you are a gamer, LCD has some motion blur for fast movements. Plasma looks better and you get better blacks. My opinion. To each is own.
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post #16 of 46
3/9/11 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxDam77 View Post

Depends on the size. At 42 inches,..hardly can't spot the difference between 720p and 1080p.
If you are a gamer, LCD has some motion blur for fast movements. Plasma looks better and you get better blacks. My opinion. To each is own.

Here in Australia we have some programs simulcast both in HD and SD. I can see the difference from 20 feet. Maybe the LCD upscaling is not so great, but I can certainly see the difference and I am slightly short-sighted.
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post #17 of 46
3/9/11 at 1:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigmac31391 View Post

Nobrainer: 1080p!

Nobrainer: 1080p plasma !!!

The best of the best of both worlds
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post #18 of 46
3/9/11 at 4:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Benign View Post

Here in Australia we have some programs simulcast both in HD and SD. I can see the difference from 20 feet. Maybe the LCD upscaling is not so great, but I can certainly see the difference and I am slightly short-sighted.

Diff between HD and SD is obvious, may not be for between 720p and 1080p depending on circumstances, and may be even less between 720p and 1080i broadcast
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post #19 of 46
3/9/11 at 9:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketcash View Post

Nobrainer: 1080p plasma !!!

The best of the best of both worlds

I don't think so ! Plasma tech is maxed out and has no room for improvement but not so with LED/LCD!
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post #20 of 46
3/9/11 at 9:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigmac31391 View Post

I don't think so ! Plasma tech is maxed out and has no room for improvement but not so with LED/LCD!

lol Like you would know. And if the Pioneer Kuro is maxing out, I would love a Panasonic Plasma to get to that point.
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post #21 of 46
3/10/11 at 4:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Benign View Post

Here in Australia we have some programs simulcast both in HD and SD. I can see the difference from 20 feet. Maybe the LCD upscaling is not so great, but I can certainly see the difference and I am slightly short-sighted.

Lol,..SD and HD in any size you can see the difference. Thank you mister Obvious!

We are talking about 720p vs 1080p in a 42 inch.
720p is not SD for your information.
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post #22 of 46
3/10/11 at 4:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigmac31391 View Post

I don't think so ! Plasma tech is maxed out and has no room for improvement but not so with LED/LCD!

Some of the trolls on really need to take a forced break. It's gotten to the point to where you can guess who posted the reply without even looking at the name.
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post #23 of 46
3/10/11 at 7:41am
Thread Starter 
Testing had to wait another day. Am going to try to get it done today though. Have to keep telling myself to keep an open mind, or I'll get there and see what I "want to see."
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post #24 of 46
3/11/11 at 3:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by specuvestor View Post

Diff between HD and SD is obvious, may not be for between 720p and 1080p depending on circumstances, and may be even less between 720p and 1080i broadcast

You're right, of course. But I don't think one can have too much resolution.
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post #25 of 46
3/11/11 at 4:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Benign View Post

But I don't think one can have too much resolution.

True for source resolution, but may not be for output display. Just imagine playing 240 VCD on a 1080 display.
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post #26 of 46
3/13/11 at 8:13am
Possible glitch with the new Panasonics: at least the new 3D models (ST, GT, VT) have added a "louver" filter to the screen, designed to fight reflections.
Unfortunately, it appears that this louver also reduces the vertical viewing angles, presumably from below as well as from above. Would be a good idea to check one out before buying, or at least wait for some further reviews.
Of course, any "left over" 2010 models SHOULD be available at bargain prices....
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post #27 of 46
3/22/11 at 11:35am
It is subjective and depends on the TV. My personal bias leans toward plasma but as mentioned above, to each their own. If you put a 720p Elite (even though they are disc.) next to the latest and greatest 1080p LCD, I still prefer the plasma. Conversely, a Vizio plasma will not stack up. Go to a local brick and mortar retailer as places like Best Buy have 1080P hard drives for source material; not an accurate depiction of what it will look like in your home.
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post #28 of 46
4/27/11 at 9:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by neoshredder27 View Post

I would get the 720p Plasma.

How do you say nicely that this guy has no idea what he's talking about?
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post #29 of 46
4/27/11 at 11:33am
I think it is you who has no idea. You have no idea how bad you look when you bring up a month old thread and offer nothing of value.
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post #30 of 46
4/27/11 at 2:11pm
Hope this helps you get through all the BS.


http://reviews.cnet.com/tv-buying-gu...in;contentBody


http://reviews.cnet.com/hdtv-resolut...oreResources.1



Ian
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