[Sayth]

Hello to the world of AVSforum!


I got a nice little $500 gift card for Bestbuy (Canada) for my birthday. I went to see what I wanted... thinking maybe a TV, nothing fancy, just something to replace my cheap 37" 720p LG LCD I got free with my mattress set.


I went in, and made a shotgun purchase on an LG 47" 1080p LCD HDTV** (47LF21)


Now I'm looking at their website and thinking; man should I have gone 720p plasma for the better contrast and faster refresh rate?


So the other options are:
Panasonic Viera 50" Plasma HDTV** (TCP50C1)

or
Samsung 50" Plasma HDTV** (50B400)

or
Samsung 50" Plasma HDTV** (PN50B450)

or
LG 50" Plasma HDTV** (50PQ30)



I mean 47" to 50" isn't a big difference, but the contrast ratio and refresh rate is. Will I notice a HUGE difference on my Blu-Ray movies? I don't have HD programming but even if I did, I don`t think you can get much higher than 720p right now anyway. Also, in 1-2 years I plan on buying a proper 1080p Projector when we move into the new house so I`m not looking for HIGH end.


Also from what I've researched in the past, Panasonic seemed to be leaders in Plasma technology and I love their other products.


Last note: I wont be going above $899.99.


What do you think boys and girls?

 

[dlplover]

I'm somewhat hesitant to recommend a Panasonic right now due to the black level rise. If it's just something temporary, you might even think about going for a DLP which also would probably be easier to transport into your new house. 60" c9 Mitsubishi's are $1000. You could also try your luck on a Panasonic P50s1 plasma if you wanted. The Mitsubishi is also 3-D ready if you're into that gimmick.

 

[Sayth]

I`d like to try a 60" DLP, but 3 problems:


1. Due to Gift card I'm likely going to have to get it at Best Buy (unless I can find a buyer)

2. I'm capped at $899.99 + tax

3. It will have to go on the wall and DLP just isn't quite small enough for my liking.


Thanks though!

 

[dlplover]

I mentioned DLP specifically because it's big and you'd mentioned a dedicated projector system as a final setup. If you want small, how small are you talking? 42" 50"?

 

[Sayth]

Sorry I see what you're saying. I miss read.


Nah the plan at the new house is to have the LCD or Plasma on the wall with a projector screen (70-100") that pulls down in front of the flat panel. I do want a projector setup with a ridiculous size screen but for the next 2-3 years I'll likely be using a flat panel.


Really at the price point I'm looking at BB, I'm looking at 47-50. What I mean is I know if I got an 899 32" sharp or something similar I can get a wicked quality TV with 1080p with awesome build quality and great picture, but honestly I'm looking for big (42-50) and cheap. so out of the above models, which is best?


The main question comes down to...

Is the 600hz refresh and 2,000,000:1 contrast worth the downgrade from 1080p to 720p.


Currently the LG I bought is 1080p, 60hz and 15,000:1 contrast (dynamic)


and if so, which should I get? the Samsung LG or Panasonic?

 

[HardBat]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sayth /forum/post/18191772


Sorry I see what you're saying. I miss read.


Nah the plan at the new house is to have the LCD or Plasma on the wall with a projector screen (70-100") that pulls down in front of the flat panel. I do want a projector setup with a ridiculous size screen but for the next 2-3 years I'll likely be using a flat panel.


Really at the price point I'm looking at BB, I'm looking at 47-50. What I mean is I know if I got an 899 32" sharp or something similar I can get a wicked quality TV with 1080p with awesome build quality and great picture, but honestly I'm looking for big (42-50) and cheap. so out of the above models, which is best?


The main question comes down to...

Is the 600hz refresh and 2,000,000:1 contrast worth the downgrade from 1080p to 720p.


Currently the LG I bought is 1080p, 60hz and 15,000:1 contrast (dynamic)


and if so, which should I get? the Samsung LG or Panasonic?

Plasma's do not have 600hz refresh rates. That is just a bunch of marketing BS that plasma manufacturers came up with in order to compete with 120hz LCD makers. It's actually 600hz "sub-field drives", whatever the hell that means. Plasma's still refresh at 60hz like they always have, and will always continue to do so. They don't need 120hz, or 240hz like LCD's do to combat the motion blur.


Imagine it like this. Plasma's are like Ferrari's. They are perfect how they are. LCD's on the other hand are like Ford Mustangs.... They keep adding new things (120hz, then 240hz, etc) to try to catch up to the big boys, but they still fall short.


Which would you rather have? A Ferrari, or a Ford Mustang with some shiny wheels and a loud exhaust?

 

[Vermont]

Good analogy

 

[LaoChe]



Quote:
Originally Posted by HardBat /forum/post/18192739


Plasma's do not have 600hz refresh rates. That is just a bunch of marketing BS that plasma manufacturers came up with in order to compete with 120hz LCD makers. It's actually 600hz "sub-field drives", whatever the hell that means. Plasma's still refresh at 60hz like they always have, and will always continue to do so. They don't need 120hz, or 240hz like LCD's do to combat the motion blur.


Imagine it like this. Plasma's are like Ferrari's. They are perfect how they are. LCD's on the other hand are like Ford Mustangs.... They keep adding new things (120hz, then 240hz, etc) to try to catch up to the big boys, but they still fall short.


Which would you rather have? A Ferrari, or a Ford Mustang with some shiny wheels and a loud exhaust?

Pioneers refresh at 72Hz and I believe Panasonic V series refresh at 96Hz.

 

[Sayth]

So you're saying the plasmas are better than my LCD regardless of the drop from 1080p to 720p?

 

[dlplover]

Try the p46s1. That's well within your price-range and 1080p as well. LaoChe, the 2010 V series plasmas actually hit 120hz for 3-D, but I assume there's 2-D benefit as well.

 

[s2mikey]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sayth /forum/post/18195430


So you're saying the plasmas are better than my LCD regardless of the drop from 1080p to 720p?

In some cases this is true. There are a lot of factors that make up a good image. Resolution is only one of them. Real contrast, black-level detail, color accuracy, motion performance and video processing all contribute. My 768p KURO consistently won(and still does win) shootouts against many 1080p LCDs because it did better on all the other things than the LCDs did.


1080p is great, provided it comes with the other important picture quality characteristics taken care of.


Plasmas tend to get it more "right" overall than LCDs. Doesnt mean that an LCD wont work or that you shouldnt look at them. But, for most normal use, a good plasma will be the best option at this point in time.

 

[HardBat]



Quote:
Originally Posted by LaoChe /forum/post/18193946


Pioneers refresh at 72Hz and I believe Panasonic V series refresh at 96Hz.

No, I'm pretty sure most of them refresh at 60hz.


EDIT: Oops, nevermind. I thought you said "plasmas refresh at 72hz" I didn't see till later you said "Pioneers"


Ignore me please