[comiconline]

So, i have a bit of a quandry i am hoping to get some feedback on. I currently own a Sony direct-view CRT. My friend just bought a new TV, and is offering me his old Philips 42-inch plasma...as a gift.


mine: Sony KV-34HS510 direct-view CRT, 1080i (2004)

his: Philips 42PF9966/37 plasma, with ambi-light, 1080i (2004)


Here's the thing. I love my Sony. The picture is fantastic on all accounts. No motion blur of any kind, bright, beautiful, accurate colors, no burn in. BUT...it does have a small scratch on the screen, less than 1/4 inch, but a bit deep. I never notice it unless there's a scene with a uniform color over a large area that contains the scratch. Still, it's there. In addition, it just started to have a problem where the TV won't always turn on. Eventually, it will turn on, often times only after i leave it alone for several hours. If the unit STAYS turned on, then there's no problem. But if i turn it off, i don't know how long it will take before it turns on again. So, for the last 2 weeks, i've left it on 24/7. I know, bad for electric bill, but i live in an apartment, and my utilities are included, so i don't care about that.


The Philips on the other hand seems like a great deal, since it's larger, scratch-free, and i imagine i will be able to turn it on anytime i want to.


But.....i love the picture on my Sony so much, i am afraid to accept their offer, thinking i might be disappointed. My Sony is over 200 lbs, so if i move it out of my apartment, it's GONE, and not coming back. This plasma is going on 6 years old, and i don't want to end up having a year of life left in it, or constantly seeing this picture thinking how inferior it is to Sony CRT technology.


Am i being crazy? Should i just shut up and take the new TV? It seems like a no-brainer, especially due to the problems with my Sony. But i really do like CRT pictures better than anything. I would really appreciate anyone's feedback, especially if you could give me some insight into your reasoning, as well as any knowledge you have of that Philips plasma that might influence me.


Oh, and it would be used mostly to watch blu-rays and DVD's, as well as some TV streaming from my Mac Mini (Hulu, YouTube, etc). I don't have cable, and have no desire for real television programming anyway.


Thanks so much for any input.


paul

 

[rugdocta]

I have a suspicion your 2004 plasma isn't gonna cut the mustard. I know how you feel I have a 32 inch HD Sony CRT. It has an awesome picture. And although the contrast isn't perfect its very good. One of the things that has stopped me from getting a plasma is, apart from the larger size, I KNOW its gonna be a let down compared to my CRT. Now maybe, just maybe, the new Panasonic's might approach the picture quality of my CRT. Cant wait to see some reviews.

 

[opus123]

If the CRT isn't functioning properly, it would seem it's only a matter of time before it doesn't turn on at all. I say go with the plasma for now, and look to pick up something new in the next year or so.


I totally understand the PQ issues, as I've yet to find a current LCD or plasma that can match my 34XBR800... but at the end of the day it's a 220 lb. beast that takes up too much room, and only offers 34 inches of viewing.


My TV has no problems whatsoever, but I'm committed to disposing of it this year. I have plans for some minor apartment remodeling, so I'll take advantage of the hired help to remove it then. I only hope there's enough new product reviews available to make a quality selection when the time comes. You won't have that problem with an interim set.


The Philips plasma will free up apartment space and hold you over until you're ready for an upgrade. If you pass it up, you'll risk being stuck with a non-functional, heavy TV (that's impossible to move alone), and buying a replacement before you're ready.

 

[MikeBiker]

Plasma technology has improved immensely since 2004. The picture quality of the Phillips set will not be as good as the that of the CRT.

 

[opus123]



Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeBiker /forum/post/18252399


Plasma technology has improved immensely since 2004. The picture quality of the Phillips set will not be as good as the that of the CRT.

agreed on both points, but THIS CRT has a small crack and needs to be on 24/7. I say move on while you have a free transition set.

 

[pdstryker]

If its free take it and keep your CRT until you make up your mind. If you decide you like your CRT better, stash the plasma away in case your CRT dies.

 

[lazerfan]



Quote:
Originally Posted by pdstryker /forum/post/18253727


if its free take it and keep your crt until you make up your mind. If you decide you like your crt better, stash the plasma away in case your crt dies.

+1

 

[comiconline]

thanks everyone for your input. I'm glad there are some people out there who know how it can be a tough decision.


One thing...the Sony doesn't have a crack, just a scratch. It's not like it goes all the way through the screen (probably less than 1mm deep), but just deep enough to distort that tiny bit of image that's under it. I asked two friends who are at my place regularly if they often notice the scratch. One said he notices the scratch every time we watch a movie. The other friend said, "There's a scratch? Where?" Sigh...


UPDATE: So, my friend was telling me that no one wants it, and he's just going to dump it. So i took it. I hooked it up, tweaked the settings as best i could, and compared to my Sony. I have 2 blu-ray players (an Oppo and a PS3), but i don't have 2 copies of any movies on blu-ray, so i kinda had to go back and forth between the two.


I will say, the Philips does look better than i remember seeing it at my friend's place...probably because he had the contrast and color saturation up too high. After i turned both down, there was a significant improvement. I was really hoping the Philips would edge out the Sony, but it didn't. The Sony simply looked smoother, more detailed, and especially CLEANER. Still, it wasn't a HUGE difference. The Philips is still pretty good. More tweaking might improve it.


I have a feeling i would get used to the plasma once i have it set up for a while. Besides, as noted by someone else, picture quality on plasmas/LCD's will improve every year, and prices will go down. So, using this as an interim set might work out. I gotta admit, it's pretty cool how big a 42-inch display looks in a 20x14 apartment!


For the moment, my Sony is still hooked up, and the plasma is resting gently on the floor, waiting for me as i make a decision. I just have to decide how long i want to wait. I don't have a big apartment though, and have too much stuff as it is, so the decision needs to be soon.


Oh, and as another thought. Samsung's 2010 line of TV's recently came out, and they have a 42-inch plasma that's just over $500. It's only 720p, but hey...it's a Samsung. And it's 42-inches. Samsung is THE name in flat panels now, right? In a year or three, i should have a pretty darn good selection of great TV's around the 42-inch size, for well under $1000 (preferably closer to the $500 range).


Any other thoughts?


paul