LCD or Plasma? Plasma or LCD? and why those Black Bars? Discuss it here only Please - Page 42

I have some questions as well, any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm turning our small 'office' room into a gaming/movie night room (not a dedicated HT), mainly because my wife tends to hog our living room since she finally discovered how great Netflix streaming is.

-My budget is $1000 max. Honestly a steal deal at the 600-700 price range would be great, or a really good/reliable/not many issues tv in the 600-1000 range.
-Sizes I want are 40"-50".
-It's a room in the middle of the house, small (8x10), one window. Lighting isn't controlled or anything, other than the light reducing curtains. Viewing distance won't be crazy far or anything. Just going to get a couple small round back chairs or something to put in here.

The TV will see video games, blu rays, and dvds, but probably not cable tv.

Now, in this price range I was really looking for an LCD originally. We have a small cheapo 32" Dynex in our bedroom, and an older 1080P 60hz 47" Philips LCD in our living room, which has been fantastic for the past few years we've owned it.

However, what kind of changed the game on me now is this; I'm a UPS employee, and with our discount through Panasonic I can get the 50" 3D Plasma TC-P50GT25 for $975 with free shipping. From what I've read, this is a really fantastic TV, but I'm not all that familiar with Plasmas. I also have no plans to really use the 3D right now. So;

1. Is it bad to use a 3D TV mainly in 2D? Or does it matter? What I mean is, would it cause it any harm? Look any worse than the G25 (the 2d version of this GT25)? I can get the regular G series one for $950 shipped, but I just figured since I can get the 3D one for an extra $25 why not, unless it's not as good in 2d.

2. If the regular G series (non 3d) ones are better in my case, please explain why.

3. Should I still be thinking LCD anyway? Obviously I know the Panny GT25 is a hell of a deal at that price, but would I be better off with the LCD anyway since I play video games? (Image Retention, burn in etc)

4. I already have an older Sony Soundbar http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...61523#features I want to put in this room with the TV. Will this work with the GT25? I know 3D requires HDMI 1.4, but I'm not sure if the Soundbar accepts that or whatever. Since I dont really plan on using 3d could it still work for 2d? Or will the TV only accept a 1.4 HDMI regardless? I'm sorry if I confuse you, I'm not to knowledgeable on this stuff so I'm confused myself lol.

5. If not the GT25 (or G2x) It seems I can get a pretty nice 240hz LCD in my price range. I can also get a decent sized LED LCD around the same prices, but usually in 120hz. What are your opinions on this, or which would you rather own?

6. Recommend any models you'd like in the price range, I'm open to all thoughts.

#1, Most of what you would be watching is in 2D! Watching 2D on a 3D HDTV won't hurt a thing!!! There's some Negatives to watching 3D, at least to much 3D, especially for young Kids! I would go with the 3D set if it's only a little more myself. Panasonic has been rated with the best 3D out there!

#2, Not sure?!?!
#3, I've had my 50" Panasonic Plasma now for 2 years. I game on it also. Your not going to get BURN-IN on a Plasma these days unless you really, really, really abuse it. You know like leaving the same picture on it for days on end! Image Retention has been a ZERO issue for me. I haven't seen it on my Plasma. It's best to put 100 or so hours on a new Plasma to break it in. You don't have to run a break in disc or anything. Just watch Full screen content all the time. Not movies with Black bars on the top and bottom, or game with a HUD in it that's sitting there in one place. After the 100 hours, go for it, but don't abuse it. Playing the same game for a week. Mix things up a bit. Game some, watch TV or a Movie. Play a different game. I don't really worry about anymore.

#4, Personally I think soundbars are a joke! If you get to use to replace a TV's crappy speakers, OK, fine, but for so called Surround sound, it's not even close. It'll work fine for 2D. If it's for 3D, you would have to plug your 3D Blu-Ray player directly into the HDTV to get 3D, not into the Soundbar and then out to the HDTV, that would be where HDMI 1.4 comes in.

#5, I think LCD's just look fake, watching in 240Hz really makes a Movie look fake. Really all it's trying to do is Improve the Limitations of LCD Technology. Plasma has no need to run at a Hz that fast. Plasma's Basically Display a picture like CRT TV's have done for years. You don't have that LAG on a Plasma that a LCD does which it's trying to correct running at 240Hz.

#6, I haven't been keeping up on Plasma Models and Prices these days. Back over 2 years ago before I got my Plasma I did. I was going to go with a LCD myself as I was worried about Burn-In and whatnot as I gamed. As I got more Informed, checked out all the Info I could get my hands on, I went with the Panasonic Plasma. I sit about 7 feet in front of my screen, which is good for Size to Distance. Man it looked HUGE when I got it home, larger then it looked in the store. Even now it looks kind of big, but I'm glad I went with a 50" Even now I think what would it be like with a 60" screen! Seems so silly, but would be cool. I don't think there could even be TO BIG for a HDTV! I think the only thing that stops someone for going larger is COST, and/or Wife!

Hi, I need your help in picking a TV. I'm looking into purchasing a new TV (between 50"-65") soon. Don't care if the technology is LCD or plasma, the unit will be used 60% Blu-Ray/HD-DVD movies, 39% for HD/SD satellite programs, 1% PS3 gaming. Here are the TV options available for me to pick from:

Sony KDL-60LX900/KDL-52LX900 LCD
Sony KDL-60NX810/KDL-55NX810 LCD
LG 55LX9500 LCD
Samsung PS63C7000 Plasma
Samsung UA55C9000SR LCD
Samsung UA55C8000XP LCD
Panasonic TH-P65VT20 Plasma
Panasonic TH-P42GT20 Plasma

Assuming the price of all of these units is the same, I'm looking for which of these TV has the best PQ for movie watching, 3D movies isn't a priority but from the units I listed all of them have this capability. So which of these units do you recommend based on the usage.

Thanks,

Yes, but which one from the list I mentioned?

IF money is no concern, Panasonic TH-P65VT20 Plasma.

^lol, I sense a tinge of bitterness.

I was told to stay away from plasma for 3 reasons. Crappy pic in room with daylight. 2 repair shops I talked to say today's plasmas are better then the first ones, but still behind LED in quality and amount of repairs needed. Colors are on the dark side, not bright.

Depends where you go the sales people are pushing one over another. Future shop/BB push LEd. Another big seller here hates LED and push plasma.

I have a room where there is a large window with no direct sunlight. But I do have blinds that totaly block out most day light. I took back a LG 55" because even at 12 ft away it bothers my eyes. So I look for a 50" LED, but most are either 46 or 55.

Will mostly be used for reg programs some HD, some gaming, some DVD.

So long story short, I was thinking of trying a 50" plasma as a clerk told me the picture is less bright and less blurring, a more natural picture. So maybe it won't bother my eyes.

What you guys/gals think? Which model is good for $1299 price max?
Thks
Wayne

Plasma
Just bought Samsung 3d plasma

Black bars dont bother me as the tv has auto ratio change.

mine cost $1700 AU and its 50 inch and 3d picture is beautiful are you talking about reflections or the colour of the tv as plasmas do have high reflectability but you get used to it dont know about prices in the states but comparitively plasmas are about $700 cheaper compared to their same size LED conterparts

A good plasma from this year's crop would be the G25 series from Panasonic. Excellent color with the THX option engaged. In the US, about 1000-1100 depending on the retailer for 50". Add about 300 to that amount for 55".

Also, both Pany and Samsung have the TV's from one tier lower for around 1200-1300 for the 58" models. Pana "S" / Samy "550". Excellent deal on either.

I was just reading that on Pany plasma 2009 mdls the black levels turned grey in just under a yr or 1,500 hrs.

2010 have fixed this problem?

Thks

When I tell a die hard plasma guy about black/grey problems, they say maybe yes, but lower plasma black levels are still better then any LED blacks.

I just want to add some more info to this post. I now talked to 3 repair shops of which 2 do warranty work for Panny, LG, Samsung. Led technology is rated over LCD with all 3, no matter the LED type. Plasma is given the ok from the 2 warranty shops. The 3rd shop that does out of warranty work said plasma is crap. So I would guess he is working on 3,4 years and older models?

I've had 3 panasonic plasmas ( and 3 panasonic CRTS) all worked fine for many years. I doubt I've regretted buying anything from Panasonic over the years.

So...still trying to figure out which way to go

If you were going to choose between the following:

LCDs
Sony 55" EX500
Samsung 55" C630/650

Plasma
Panasonic 50" G25
Panasonic 50" GT25

Which would you go with?

Both of the panasonics are in the 1000$ range now. IS there really a big difference between those two other than the possibility of 3D on the GT?

My budget would be less than 1500 so I think all of these are a possibility.

Oh my Gosh sir!!, you are exactly in the same boat as I. Do I buy the SAM 6300 or plasma G25. You have done your home work as I have and picked 2 very good rated tv's and technologies to choose from.

I had a LG 55" LCD that I took back because it was bothering my eyes and also the pic color was not what i thought it should be. So forget LCD. It's either LED or plasma now.

A little follow up...

I guess one thing I'm really concerned about with the Samsung LCD is the input lag. On the same token, pretty much all FPs appear to have some "issue" or one kind or another. Given that would people *still* lean toward the Sammy C630/650 vs the Sony EX500?

Another thing that comes into play is that the 50" G series and GT series Panny plasmas are pretty much the same price these days online. IS it even worth getting the G versus the GT given this?

Me personally I like LCDS since I have heard that plasmas have more problems but supposedly they have fixed some of the issues more so now than awhile back with plasmas.

I think Plasma's offer a softer and smoother picture. You might see some grain if you are 4 feet from the tv but it is not a problem 7 feet away. The thing I didn't like about LCD's is the picture is bright and too sharp. I mean it looks impressive in a bright store but it is rough on the eyes after consistent watching. If you got problems with eye strain, I would stay away from LCD's as I couldn't find a comfortable setting with those tv's. But I think what Plasma's lack in brightness, they make up in richer colors. It just seems to have deeper textures. It just depends on what you are looking for in a picture. For me, it was obvious once I found out the differences.

Just don't have the contrast and backlighting cranked on the LCD and It won't be so hard on the eyes. In a home environment, it doesn't need to be as bright as it is in the stores anyway.

You lose the crispness and it becomes inferior picture wise after you do that due to weaker black levels. Just impossible to duplicate a Plasma in a dark room.

I disagree that it losses the crispness. I agree that the black levels are weak though, but I think current LCD offerings have plenty good black levels, just not plasma black levels (Unless we're talking top-of-the-line LED)

It simply requires extensively tweaking your tv. Sure, you can't make an LCD look like a plasma because, well...it's not a plasma. But you can make an LCD look good with a bit of patience and a calibration disc.

I just bought the SAMSUNG UN55C6300. I think it's beautiful, sharp colors. And it can be tweaked better as well. I have to hook up the xbox and watch hockey to see how the motion blur is. This model is supposed to eliminate most blur.

What’s the deal with deep pure plasma black levels anyway? I don't want to watch dark solid blobs of plasma black. I want to be able to see details like LED provides.

Some people like the brighter colors that LED brings. And yes you can control the bright whites also.

Now I had the same thing with the LCD LG520 55". I was sitting 12 ft away and either the light or motion blur was bugging my eyes and gave me a headache. I could not find a happy place with it no matter how I adjusted it. If I dropped the brightness then it was dull. SO I took it back. Now this LED IS 5 Times better PQ wise. I can tweak the brightness without losing colors. Now I have it 15 ft away and it doesn't bother me.

But now that I'm 15 ft away it looks a little too far. So I was wondering again about plasma. With the darker picture and 600hz can I sit closer with any eye problems? This is also in a room with lots of daylight. Can you make plasma PQ look good in daylight? I hear no. Plasma is the best for dim or dark room.

I'm pretty sure your Samsung LED has good black levels. But you pay extra for it as well. You probably wouldn't be so impressed with the detail without the good black levels. Since it is a room with a lot of daylight, I think you made the right choice. If I didn't get a Plasma, the Samsung LED would be my choice.

My brother just bought a 55" C6300 Samsung as well.

Its a great TV except for the off angle viewing.

The new LEDs really are good TVs, the only distracting thing is the off angle viewing, unless your seated in front, its going to "gray out".

At this point my man, I wish you would be banned from coming here again. I think I have seen 5 posts alone from you calling this place plasma country and bashing plasma. We know you are on an agenda that just does not end. Please stop already.

Oh come on. Just because he prefers LCD's and has a distaste for the lack of respect Plasma owners have for them doesn't mean he should be banned. I have yet to get offended by any of his comments. I do prefer Plasma but I see what people like about LCD's as well.

Ya I think his plasma comments are humorous!

I have noticed this is Plasma Country! I have a Plasma but LCD (LED) is the way I am going from now on! Too many issues with plasma! Plus , plasma is a done deal in another year or so! (from a very , very reliable source, by the way)

I just read about 200 posts starting from April 24/10. About the time the Panny 2010 G20/25 was mentioned on this forum for the first time.

I can't find anyone who mentioned getting extended warranty for plasma TV's.

IF I go to plasma should I? IS it true plasmas cost more to fix? When I was researching LED-LCD I was fairly confident from many user opinions on forums that it was a waste of money for LED.

What have you guys done, seen, heard etc about plasma?

I know for both LED and plasma that the 2010 models are improved over past years. Many flaws have been corrected.

Thanks
Wayne