[sunillala]

Hello folks,


I am new here and am trying to buy my first LARGE flat screen display. I have a room that has a decent amount of light. At this point, I have narrowed it down to:


1. Samsung PN63A650/PN63A760

2. Sharp LC-65SE94U

3. Panasonic TH-65PZ850U


Leaving aside the price, I am confused about the following and would appreciate any inputs from more knowledgeable folks:


1. The CNet review of the Samsung 650.760 talks about not very good black levels. That's giving me pause. Any thoughts on that? I thought the blacks on Samsungs were generally very good?

2. The contrast ratio (native NOT dynamic) on the Samsungs - how's that?

3. I like the Sharp Aquos but the contrast ratio on that is 3000:1. Is that too low? Does that affect blacks at all or are black levels good? I have heard that even though LCDs are brighter, they are not very good with dark movie scenes since the black levels and the contrast ratio is not as good as plasmas?

4. The Panasonic - how does that compare to the Samsung and the Sharp? In terms of contrast ratio and black levels as well as picture quality?


I am very confused...especially with the two Samsungs!


Would appreciate any advice!


Thanks!

Sunil

 

[Cleveland Plasma]

I personally would take door # 3. Panasonic TH-65PZ850U.


Other questions/Answers:


1.) Samsungs are nice units over all. Both of these displays are excellent sets. I think that Samsung in general are a "Tad" grainy compared to other displays.

2.) Contrast ratio means nothing, it is nothing but a number. All manufacturers measure this differently there for there is no set standard of measurement.

3.) Sharps are nice sets too but do not stand a chance against a plasma display. Plasma refresh at 480MHZ where the LCD's refresh at 120MHZ, that is twice as fast. Ever seen a LCD with SD content on it, awful, unwatchable in my eyes.

4.) Panasonic are just a "touch" better than the Samsung overall in my eyes, not by much but still overall a little better.

Article on the 650 vs 760 from a AVS member:


The connections are identical for both models. The 760 does have PC (D-sub) on the back, AV1 on the back and AV2 on the side, and S-Video on the side. (On both sets, AV1 and Component1 use the same jacks, so you can use AV1 or Component1, not both.)


Both the 760 and 650 have SRS TruSurround XT (for virtual surround system when using 2 speakers, including but perhaps not limited to the TV's internal speakers).


I'm not sure if there's any real difference between DNIe and DNIe Pro. Both manuals refer to DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine, which is only available in "Dynamic" mode), and neither manual mentions DNIe Pro. I haven't tested DNIe yet on my new 760.


The speaker wattages are different as you stated.


The 650 has Wiselink, which displays photos and plays music files on a USB device (thumb drive or flash card reader). The 760 has Wiselink Pro, which handles photos and music files, and also movie files (avi, mp4, mpg, vro, vob, although some posters have had trouble getting some formats to work). The 650 can't play these movie formats.


The 760 has DLNA, which the 650 doesn't have. DLNA allows the TV to display photos, music, and videos on your PC through a network connection. This removes the need to put them on a USB device.


The 760 has a pre-loaded content library for the categories Gallery (artwork), Cooking, Children, and Fitness. (Hmm, perhaps to increase the WAF???? FWIW, the Gallery images are striking and make a nice slide show with background music included.)


The 760 adds a self-diagnostic picture test and sound test that can be used when a problem is suspected. (I don't know how this works, but it's not worth paying extra $$)


Cosmetically, both models have red Touch Of Color around the screen, but the 760 adds the TOC to the base which is now made of glass rather than glossy black plastic. The glass base is a more elegant look than the plastic. I own the 760 (58") and the red TOC is barely noticeable. Also, the 760 adds a red light below the screen (at the top of the base) which can be set to always on, always off, on while watching TV, or on while in standby mode (when TV is off).

 

[jymothy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by sunillala /forum/post/15458690


Hello folks,


I am new here and am trying to buy my first LARGE flat screen display. I have a room that has a decent amount of light.

Sunil

im a plasma fan .....but if u say that ur room has a decent amount of light than an lcd might be a better choice


its a generalization but....lcd looks better with a lighted room

...............................plasma looks better in a darkened room

 

[sunillala]

Thanks guys!


Any thoughts on the anti-glare filter that Samsung talks about? Does it reduce the reflections considerably? I understand that it cannot come down to LCD levels, but still - is there a considerable reduction? How does the reflection on the Samsung 63 inch 650 and 760 compare to that of other PLASMAS, say?


Thanks a bunch!

 

[Cleveland Plasma]

All plasma's have a glass screen, they reflect no matter what. It is what it is.

 

[discopaul]

I say go look at 'em. I would take the Sammy 760 myself.

 

[JBDragon]

My first choice would be the Panasonic. Sharp wouldn't even be in the picture, and Samsung, while they make good LCD's, I'm just not a fan of their Plasma's. The Panasonic is going to have the best blacks out of those you listed also.

 

[papin412]

Don't even bother with the sharp. I'd take a kuro 151 over all of them price aside but after checking amazon the kuro 6020 has the best bang for the buck followed by the samsung 63" 650. In my opinion the panasonic is closer the kuro in price but closer to samsung in performance.