[tastyratz]

I was hoping to get some other opinions here.


I have a th42px50u 720p panasonic plasma from black friday 2005, I have absolutely loved the set and its aged gracefully but its also not the same set as when I purchased it. It almost hurt to look at when I first calibrated it. It is still beautiful and I still love it, but I have been thinking of upgrading lately and that lg 6ave 50pk250 has really been tempting me.


I know LCD has advanced quite a bit over time. Are today's plasma panels evolution or revolution from those of 5 years ago? Take size changes and 720pvs 1080p right off the table.


How would you consider the progression of plasma? color reproduction or contrast changes? Other thoughts? Would a low end plasma of today beat out a high end plasma of years ago? Are they only marginally different?

 

[dlplover]

Much deeper black levels and contrast ratio at the very basic. Color accuracy has generally improved as well. Processing has gone down the drain for the most part with dropping prices of plasmas. That's also true for the other display types though. Not a huge deal if you get something external like the DVDO Edge to handle that though (if your receiver doesn't already).


Unless you're talking about a 2007 or 2008 Pioneer, 2010 plasmas will generally be a big step up from older plasmas.

 

[redwolf4k]

Some things have improved, some things have gotten worse, WHEN your talking about PANASONIC plasmas.


The 50u you have, is a great looking set. They look natural, warm, and realistic, just with a few quick setting changes out of the box.


The more recent Panasonics have improved in black level, light output and contrast, but the color reproduction, IMO, has suffered greatly.


Color gamut charts and color temperature tracking readings show only small differences in the formula used to reproduce the image from the 50u/60u days, to todays Panasonic plasma. BUT... anyone who has owned quite a few generations of Panasonic plasmas (as I have), will most likely agree that color has become noticably wonky with the newer sets.


I prefer the image of my 2006 60u model, to my 2009 S1 model because of color reproduction ALONE. Regardless of black levels, contrast ratios and light output, when colors look off, things look fake.


When your talking about budget to mid-range plasmas, it seems as though Panasonic has made only small steps in the past few years, and Samsung on the other hand has been making huge strides from generation to generation.



Of course, this has nothing to do with other brands and technologies! Do your homework!

 

[rstone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwolf4k Some things have improved, some things have gotten worse, WHEN your talking about PANASONIC plasmas. The 50u you have, is a great looking set. They look natural, warm, and realistic, just with a few quick setting changes out of the box. The more recent Panasonics have improved in black level, light output and contrast, but the color reproduction, IMO, has suffered greatly. Color gamut charts and color temperature tracking readings show only small differences in the formula used to reproduce the image from the 50u/60u days, to todays Panasonic plasma. BUT... anyone who has owned quite a few generations of Panasonic plasmas (as I have), will most likely agree that color has become noticably wonky with the newer sets. I prefer the image of my 2006 60u model, to my 2009 S1 model because of color reproduction ALONE. Regardless of black levels, contrast ratios and light output, when colors look off, things look fake. When your talking about budget to mid-range plasmas, it seems as though Panasonic has made only small steps in the past few years, and Samsung on the other hand has been making huge strides from generation to generation. Of course, this has nothing to do with other brands and technologies! Do your homework!

Could not agree more with redwolf. I bought a new Panasonic 50" g25 last week & did not like the color reproduction even after professional calibration when compared to my old Panasonic 60u,which I reclaimed from my father's house. I cannot understand why there are not more complaints in the forum about picture quality with the Pannys compared to the older models ie 60u, which has a more realistic picture IMO.

 

[tastyratz]

I have really wanted to go with a bigger set lately but now I am not sure. I am worried that I will actually be downgrading...

I was dead set against panny plasma with the rising blacks till I read a little more on the realistic expectations to set on black level.

Now I am thinking about a 54 or 60 I found on craigslist locally both a year old.


You are JUST speaking of color reproduction in respect to newer vs older panasonic plasma displays right? What about compared to plasmas that are out now period?

 

[redwolf4k]



Quote:
Originally Posted by tastyratz /forum/post/19529355


I have really wanted to go with a bigger set lately but now I am not sure. I am worried that I will actually be downgrading...

I was dead set against panny plasma with the rising blacks till I read a little more on the realistic expectations to set on black level.

Now I am thinking about a 54 or 60 I found on craigslist locally both a year old.


You are JUST speaking of color reproduction in respect to newer vs older panasonic plasma displays right? What about compared to plasmas that are out now period?

The newest Panasonic, LG, and Samsung plasmas will absolutely blow your old set away as far as black levels, light output, contrast and the depth of field created by the better dynamic range. It's just the newer panasonics colors dont seem as good as the older set that you have.

 

[neoshredder27]



Quote:
Originally Posted by redwolf4k /forum/post/19536184


The newest Panasonic, LG, and Samsung plasmas will absolutely blow your old set away as far as black levels, light output, contrast and the depth of field created by the better dynamic range. It's just the newer panasonics colors dont seem as good as the older set that you have.

The colors look great to me. Unless you really studied it, I doubt you would complain about the colors.

 

[tastyratz]

I'm pulling the trigger then. I'm going to go pick up a panasonic tc-p54s14 tonight for 750 on craigslist. Now I just have to sell my old one.

 

[dunkman23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tastyratz I I know LCD has advanced quite a bit over time. Are today's plasma panels evolution or revolution from those of 5 years ago? Take size changes and 720pvs 1080p right off the table. How would you consider the progression of plasma? color reproduction or contrast changes? Other thoughts? Would a low end plasma of today beat out a high end plasma of years ago? Are they only marginally different?

Plasma's evolution has been supurb. Their quality level has been increasing since 2005. But if you look at the big picture, even though LCD and LED LCD has advanced in the past 6 years, Plasma's picture quality still outbeats LED LCDs year after year. Check the HDTV Shootouts and CNets reviews.


Plasma is still on top of their game.


2 year old sets, such as the Pioneer Kuros still have better quality than the current sets out.