[John F. Palacio]

The title sums it up. I am in the market for a new display. First, foremost and above all I am interested in the best black levels and therefore I think plasma is the way to go. The only way to evaluate is to see the actual set displaying a low APL image with very low (or totaly dark) ambient light levels.


So far I have gone to three stores and none provide that kind of environment.


I was totaly dissappointed by my last big screen ( a DLP) purchase because it looked OK at the store, but at home, in near darkness it was just awful.


Is there a store that has an environment that highlights rather than mask poor black levels?

 

[stripe]

Having such an environment wouldn't really be good for the business, would it

None of the larger chain stores around here have a proper setting for viewing such displays. However, the smaller pro/specialized A/V shops all have, for the most part, small, enclosed rooms for the customer to go in, sit down on a sofa, turn off the lights, and watch a display that they are interested in buying.

 

[John F. Palacio]



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


Having such an environment wouldn't really be good for the business, would it

Guess not.

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


None of the larger chain stores around here have a proper setting for viewing such displays. However, the smaller pro/specialized A/V shops all have, for the most part, small, enclosed rooms for the customer to go in, sit down on a sofa, turn off the lights, and watch a display that they are interested in buying.

Can you share names?

 

[stripe]

I could give you names, but I live in Montreal, Quebec. I doubt those local shop names would ring a bell for you

 

[John F. Palacio]



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


I could give you names, but I live in Montreal, Quebec. I doubt those local shop names would ring a bell for you

I guess that is probably so. Let me pick your brain, if you don't mind.


You seem to be into this "black levels" thing.

What do you have and what would you buy if you were buying today?

 

[dlconner]



Quote:
Originally Posted by John F. Palacio /forum/post/0


I guess that is probably so. Let me pick your brain, if you don't mind.


You seem to be into this "black levels" thing.

What do you have and what would you buy if you were buying today?

If I were you, I would wait until mid year and look at the 8th generation pioneers coming out. Supposedly those black levels are INSANE. There is an 8th generation pioneer thread that seems to be on the first page of this forum since CES, I would definately check that out as I feel they are going to be it for black levels.


Dustin

 

[Nemmin]

the bestbuys with magnolia stores inside have some decent lighting and decent feeds to the tv's. Much easier to check PQ and BL then the normal part of BB

 

[stripe]



Quote:
Originally Posted by John F. Palacio /forum/post/0


I guess that is probably so. Let me pick your brain, if you don't mind.


You seem to be into this "black levels" thing.

What do you have and what would you buy if you were buying today?

I purchased, only a month ago, a Panasonic TH-42PX600U plasma TV. Panasonic plasmas are known to have the best black levels out there today. This is my 2nd Panasonic plasma, and I am extremely satisfied. If I had to buy another one tomorrow, it would be another Panasonic, but just a little bigger

 

[stripe]



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


If I were you, I would wait until mid year and look at the 8th generation pioneers coming out. Supposedly those black levels are INSANE. There is an 8th generation pioneer thread that seems to be on the first page of this forum since CES, I would definately check that out as I feel they are going to be it for black levels.


Dustin

True, although pricing will most probably also be "insane"

 

[dlconner]



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


True, although pricing will most probably also be "insane"

Agreed. I have a 5071HD currently, and it has great black levels. The panasonic 60u/600u can achieve a bit better w.r.t. blacks for this generation, but I like the overall color better on the Pioneers. Both have great blacks though, if you ask me.

 

[Revolutionary]



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


True, although pricing will most probably also be "insane"

Of course... but you don't have to buy it there just because you looked at it there.

 

[stripe]



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


Agreed. I have a 5071HD currently, and it has great black levels. The panasonic 60u/600u can achieve a bit better w.r.t. blacks for this generation, but I like the overall color better on the Pioneers. Both have great blacks though, if you ask me.

They sure do. The black level on those top-notch plasmas is simply phenomenal. Quite close to XBR CRT reference tv sets, if you ask me.