[Lend27]

I thought I had decided on an LCD tv but after seeing the Panasonic Plasmas with the anti-reflective screen I am not so sure.


I looked at the following Panasonic models in both Best Buy and Sears :

TH-50PX80U

TH-50PZ80U


The X is on sale for $899 and is 720P

The Z is on sale for $1399 and 1080P


I had decided on a LCD because the room I will be putting it in has a 15 foot ceiling and the wall facing the TV has 2 rows of windows facing east, totally saturated with light. I have blinds on the lower row of windows but not on the upper row. Not practical to put blinds that high up.

It's also a large room. We would be sitting at least 15 ft from the screen directly in front. There is also seating off to the side, at about 140 degrees angle.


I actually thought the anti-reflective coating on the Panasonic Plasmas were not as matte as the LCD and not as glossy as the regular plasmas. A good compromise. I loooked at them side by side in the store.


Based upon my description of the viewing room, what are you thoughts or observations?


The LCD I was going to buy is the Sony 52" Bravia W series.

It is usually selling for about $2000 when on sale, so the Panasonics are going for quite a bit less.


Comments?


Len in NC

 

[woodyjoe]

At that distance I would be looking at 55 -65".

 

[motoman]

I've got a 50PZ85U and we are sitting 15' away from it. I bought a 50" set because I had a credit from a warranty at CC and the new 58" sets were not out yet. At times I really wish I had a 58" set. Regular TV watching is ok most of the time with the 50 but when we watch movies/sports I wish I had the 58. If I didn't have my 50 right now I would go with the 58 in a heart beat.


Just my thoughts

Jim

 

[Nicktx27]

Agreed. At that distance a 58, 60 or 65 would be the best option.

 

[sage11x]

If you do end up with a 50" I'd say go with the 50px80u- at your viewing distance the advantages of 1080p will be slim to none. Also, when you factor in the 500 dollar premium for the pz, it doesn't seem worth it to me. With the grand you're saving you can invest in a better sound system or a blu ray player.

 

[Christcorp]

I have a pretty large theater area in my house. Sitting distance is generally 12-14 feet depending on where you sit. I currently have a 51" RPTV and it's a great view. Would a 61-67 be better? Probably. But there is a definite advantage of watching HD channels/Blu-Ray on the 51" compared to SD. Now, whether or not getting a 1080p compared to a 720p is worth it or not; I would say go for the 1080p. Every time you scale, there is loss. If you use a traditional dvd player at say 480p, you have to scale it to 720p if that is your tv. If you are watch SD channels at 480i; then you also have to de-interlace it. With more and more programming being HD; you're going to take that 1080i signal on cable/directv/OTA and scale it back down to 720p. I believe that taking that 1080i and simply de-interlacing it to 1080p and watching it on a 1080p set is the better choice. Blu-Ray will be native. Regular dvd and SD channels will probably be the same as if it was a 720p set. But you can always re-arrange the room to get better viewing. Because of tv/cable/satellite channels getting better, I would only recommend a 1080p set.


Unless of course cost was the ultimate factor and you were moving up from a traditional 27" CRT or similar; than anything will look better. In that case; spend under $1000; get the 720p; and plan for the ultimate upgrade in about 5 years. One of the most important things is to buy what you can afford and don't make it something that you are going to make monthly payments on. Even if there isn't interest. If you can't afford it in cash; you can't afford it. But simply talking about technology; go for the 1080p unless price is too important to you. Remember; it's still just a television. It isn't needed like a car gets you to work, or a PC to do homework or research. It's 100% luxury. Buy what you can afford and enjoy it. No matter what others recommend, buy a reputable brand, and you will be fine. You don't need a Kuros or an 850 LCD. If you can afford it an WANT it; that's cool. But you don't NEED it. later... mike.....

 

[SystemShock2]



Quote:
Originally Posted by woodyjoe /forum/post/15520617


At that distance I would be looking at 55 -65".

Absolutely. 15 ft is pretty durn far, far as viewing distances go.


Panasonic does make 58" and 65" plasmas, if that's what the guy wants. In a brick-and-mortar store, really expensive, but online (Amazon, NewEgg), it's not too hard to knock a grand off the MSRP on a set that size. Hopefully do-able for the OP.

.

 

[maxdog03]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SystemShock2 /forum/post/15525684


Absolutely. 15 ft is pretty durn far, far as viewing distances go.


Panasonic does make 58" and 65" plasmas, if that's what the guy wants. In a brick-and-mortar store, really expensive, but online (Amazon, NewEgg), it's not too hard to knock a grand off the MSRP on a set that size. Hopefully do-able for the OP.

.

I agree the 55" to 65" size would be the ideal size to go with, but the price also jumps considerably from a 50" in that size and it wasn't all that long ago we were watching 27" and 32" sets from about 10'. I know when my dad comes over and sees my 50" from about 9' it blows him away how big it is, but he just recently upgraded to a 32" and is in his 80's. He doesn't understand the concept of all these big TV's, lol.