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Choosing my very first plasma...help!!!

1285 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by PhilipsPhanatic, Jan 12, 2007

D_LAN

Discussion Starter · Jan 11, 2007

I've been longing for a big screen TV now for about 3 years and now that I finally have the funds for one I'm having some major trouble making a final decision. I narrowed my choice down to plasma because of the nice blacks, great value, and superb color accuracy (and I hear they are great for viewing SD).

Here are the three models I have been comparing:

PANASONIC - TH-42PX60U

LG - 42PC3D

SAMSUNG - HPS4253

Basically I want to watch lots of DVDshave a decent SD broadcast picture, play a bit of PS3/Wii, and be able to plug my pc in via DVI/HDMI once in a while. I don't care much about sound since I'll be purchasing an Onkyo HTS790 HTIB system.

As I've done research, I'm finding that the Panasonic has the best reviews in terms of PQ (consumer reports/cnet) but I don't really see it as I stand in front of it at the stores. I also notice that the faces look like they have clay/makeup effectsso that throws me off a bit. The Samsung looks great at the Circuit City I work at (and that's what all the sales people want me to buy) but the reviews were crappy and it seems like customer reviews are worse than the other plasmas). The LG was the first one I ever looked at...a fantastic picture at this small local store, but then worse looking at my CCand pretty much middle of the line as far as reviews go.

Does anyone have recommendations for me? This has been one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make!

Thanks for helping a newbie out with his first Home Theatre setup.

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Kai Winters

· #2 · Jan 11, 2007

I have the 50pc3d and love it. I think it has an equal, if not better, pq over those mentioned in your post.

PQ at home seemed better than in the store. Most likely because of very few and short wire runs, better lighting and calibrated using the DVE calibration dvd.

SD is SD...even saying that there is crappy SD and better SD. It depends on the channel but even general SD looks very good.

HD is amazing but again there is average HD and great HD.

DVD's look fantastic using my cheap, $80, Philips upconverting dvd player...I find that setting the signal to 720p over 1080i gives a better pic but that may change a bit movie to movie.

I liked the Panny as well and clay face is easy to overcome but I got lucky and found the LG at $600 off one particular weekend and grabbed it as fast as I could.

Good luck,

Kai

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Evev12

· #3 · Jan 12, 2007

I just bought the S4253 and LOVE IT! I had compared the image quality to all of those you had mentioned plus more as well as some 1080p LCDs and to tell you the truth it just looked the best. The only one that looked better was Pioneers Elite. Mind you, I had the sales associate hook up an HD player to all of the TVs I was interested in and I compared from there. They are all great monitors though. Your best bet is to find a good sales rep. at whatever store you're going to and ask them to hook up a blueray/HD-DVD player to the TVs in question, play with the color/black & white settings and then judge from there. Don't ask them any PQ opinions, let your own eyes decide. The Sammy's HD signals are excellent however SD comes in mediocre at best. I also heard that this TV's PQ looks AMAZING after a proper calibration, if someone could verify this for us that would be appreciated. The warranties on all of the 3 are 1 year except for the LG which give you 2 years. If you have any more questions reg. the Sammy shoot away - I'd be gald to help!

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Todd Scott

· #4 · Jan 12, 2007

If you want to plug your PC into the Panasonic you will need the TH-42PX600U model not the TH-42PX60U which are both amazing.

Be aware that there are some loud buzzing issues with some Samsung models. Do a search.

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D_LAN

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 12, 2007

Yeah I heard about that loud buzzing problem with the Samsungs, I'll have to look into that a bit more.

Isn't there a way to hook up your pc via HDMI connection? I've seen some cables that have a DVI (pc video card) connection that goes to HDMI... I thought that would work but maybe I'm wrong

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Evev12

· #6 · Jan 12, 2007

The Samsung also has a PC input FYI along with 2 HMDI ports. As far as the buzzing problem, I've never encountered any of that, I think it was more of a problem with the first few units out of production, the more recent reviews/info. lead me to believe that it has been fixed. I think that was a big part of the lower reviews on CNET. PC World/PC Magazine rated this unit in the top 5 for the 42 inch category. I wouldn't listen to any reviews anyway, your eyes can review 10x better than any endorsed magazine or biased reviewer. Samsung's plasmas from 1-2 years ago were average, however their new processor rocks - IMHO it's hard fought to compete with regardless of price range (untill you get up into the $4,000 mark), ask any unbiased person in the industry they will agree. The Panasonic is a great TV as well, you can't take that away from them, part of the reason I think the Samsung looks more crisp is due to the fact that Panasonic is still using the same processor from 2 years ago - I guess if it's not broken, there's no need to fix it!

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tmh

· #7 · Jan 12, 2007

I own a panny EDTV so not direct comparison, however, i looked at them ALL before buying. The newer Samsungs DO have a great picture, maybe better than the Panny HD plazmas. However, th "clay face" threw me off at first also.....it's just at far too high contrast ("Picture") setting in almost all BB display setups. Go somewhere you can fiddle with the settings and you'll see it right away. Panny either ships their sets set to "vivid" which creates clay face, or the stores set them up that way to push you to the more costly sets??? Either way, it makes it tough to compare.

Samaung seems to have more connection options in their lower priced sets as well. They seem to be making a move in this space and I bet they give Panny a run for their money. We'll see.

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creemail

· #8 · Jan 12, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by D_LAN /forum/post/0

I've been longing for a big screen TV now for about 3 years and now that I finally have the funds for one I'm having some major trouble making a final decision. I narrowed my choice down to plasma because of the nice blacks, great value, and superb color accuracy (and I hear they are great for viewing SD).

Here are the three models I have been comparing:

PANASONIC - TH-42PX60U

LG - 42PC3D

SAMSUNG - HPS4253

Basically I want to watch lots of DVDshave a decent SD broadcast picture, play a bit of PS3/Wii, and be able to plug my pc in via DVI/HDMI once in a while. I don't care much about sound since I'll be purchasing an Onkyo HTS790 HTIB system.

As I've done research, I'm finding that the Panasonic has the best reviews in terms of PQ (consumer reports/cnet) but I don't really see it as I stand in front of it at the stores. I also notice that the faces look like they have clay/makeup effectsso that throws me off a bit. The Samsung looks great at the Circuit City I work at (and that's what all the sales people want me to buy) but the reviews were crappy and it seems like customer reviews are worse than the other plasmas). The LG was the first one I ever looked at...a fantastic picture at this small local store, but then worse looking at my CCand pretty much middle of the line as far as reviews go.

Does anyone have recommendations for me? This has been one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make!

Thanks for helping a newbie out with his first Home Theatre setup.

First of all, these are all high quality brands. I happen to choose the 42PX60U because of price. However, if I were you I would wait a few months to check out the new models that may be released. For one thing, HDMI1.3 should make an impact on the picture quality. With my 42PX60U the picture is nice, but has tons of banding issues, which may or may not be noticeable to your eyes. Also their are shades of purple hues on skin tones and backgrounds. Although this is noticeable when you are at least 5' away from the screen. If you sit back at least 8'-12' you will minimize the effect. Although if you have that urge for a 42" purchase then either model should be fine. Although I will say that the black levels are excellent on this unit.

Cree

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D_LAN

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 12, 2007

Yeah I can definitely say that the Samsung is a great display (Great PQ and functionality/connections) . The only thing I'm worried with that one is reliability...after I look into that buzzing issue I'll be much closer to my decision. I'll definitely check review dates though, your probably right that it was mainly a problem of earlier versions.

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PhilipsPhanatic

· #10 · Jan 12, 2007

D_Lan, why don't you go with how the TV's look to you, since the PQ is going to be more determined by the source signal into your home ???

I would also include the Philips 9631 w/Ambilight and even the 3-sided Ambilight 9731 (though the only person here with one has has some annoyances with his).

Every make and model has problems -- if you work at CC you should know that. Just look at the AVS Plasma thread -- tons of "Help, Problem with my....." television, even from backers that say their manufacturer is perfect. The proof is in the pudding and every one of the models has their ups and downs.

Go by how the TV looks to you...what features you want....and the ability to display SD effectively, since you'll probably be watching alot of SD.

My 2 finalists were Philips and Panasonic, and I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

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