Audio/Videophiles - which plasma should I buy?

[kaykay]

Time for a new flat panel.

I have two Panasonic Viera 42" (2009 models) in the house and want to pickup a new 50+ incher for the living room.

Going to hook it up to my B+K Components AVR507 and Tannoy 5.1 system.

Saw this steal for $1,200, shipping + tax included on Amazon.com, 2010 model, I've been a Panasonic plasma fan for a while.

My father has a Hitachi Director's Series plasma at his house that he paid almost $10k for 5+ years ago, I still have yet to see a plasma/lcd that can match the clarity, vibrance, contrast, image, color, etc. of that monitor.

Panasonic P54S2 54-inch - $1,200 shipped. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036VO132)

Let's here some thoughts, opinions and links to other (possible better) products.

Looking to be within the 50" - 55" range and spend no more than $1,500 shipped for this thing. Would rather spend $1,200.

[san~man]

I'd get the P58S2, for a few bucks more than you're willing to spend. Buy the largest screen possible for your room size, IMO.

I've got the older model 58" Vierra and LOVE it.

[Nifty]

Originally Posted by kaykay

Time for a new flat panel.

I have two Panasonic Viera 42" (2009 models) in the house and want to pickup a new 50+ incher for the living room.

Going to hook it up to my B+K Components AVR507 and Tannoy 5.1 system.

Saw this steal for $1,200, shipping + tax included on Amazon.com, 2010 model, I've been a Panasonic plasma fan for a while.

My father has a Hitachi Director's Series plasma at his house that he paid almost $10k for 5+ years ago, I still have yet to see a plasma/lcd that can match the clarity, vibrance, contrast, image, color, etc. of that monitor.

Panasonic P54S2 54-inch - $1,200 shipped. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036VO132)

Let's here some thoughts, opinions and links to other (possible better) products.

Looking to be within the 50" - 55" range and spend no more than $1,500 shipped for this thing. Would rather spend $1,200.

Interesting that you would say that. My parents have a 50" Pioneer Elite series that is 3-4 years old and I think the same thing about it. Too bad they are out of the plasma game now.

[NYCGarbagePrince]

The new panasonic plasma 3d. If I was buying a TV right now that is what I would be buying.

[Lagger1]

fyi, I'd also consider the pioneer elite & fujitsu

[Baoer]

1200 for a brand new flat panel badboy? fork out 2k and get the newer samsung editions on 3d led stuff...pm me if anything

[kaykay]

Not into 3D, just a fad that will disappear soon. I find it utterly idiotic to sit in a theater or at home for that matter, with a pair of uncomfortable 3D glasses. Aside from that, 3D technology is not really that impressive (yet), only a few elements come out at you and the depth and perception they're pitching and advertising is non-existent. Just marketing bullshit.

3D will only prevail once they figure out how to do it without the glasses and once they start shooting features in pure 3D with multiple lenses and have the right software interpolation and post-editing/Di to make it 10x better than what is.

Plasma's are still better for motion and contrast when it comes to displays over LCD's - haven't seen many pure-LED displays out there, they're usually LCD technology with backlit-LED's (again, great marketing). Sony came out with a 12" OLED screen about a year ago, brilliant, but $1,500. Plasma still rules, although the new Samsung's are very nice displays.

The Panasonic TC-P54S2 (referenced above) is hands down the best TV for the value, $1200 is pocket change for the capabilities, quality, and 100 other things this display offers.

I guess it's Panasonic TC-P54S2 time!

Thanks for the replies...

[shuarma]

don't buy a plasma, buy an LED !!

[kaykay]

Shuarma, all consumer and professional "LED" displays these days are backlit-LCD panels. Pure marketing bullshit, they're not LED displays. Still far away from that due to $ factors. Still pure liquid crystal.

LCD technology is still just a tiny bit inferior to Plasma technology - recently it has become very close to matching motion, artifact tracing, color and contrast (the latter of which is still hard to achieve vs. plasma). Plasma still excels in motion, contrast and color.

I do quite a bit of editing / color correction / Di on a major studio lot here in L.A., we regularly use Sony High Grade LUMA displays (24" each they cost $7,000), LCD based LED backlit technology - killer screens but they're not for home and cost an arm and a leg. We also have a $20,000 Sony Critical Evaluation Monitor which is what 99.99% off all broadcast HD (1920x1080) content is measured by. It is an absolutely amazing display.

For $1,200 I don't think there is a better display than the above referenced TC-P54S2

I would, however, love a link or two to some $1,000 - $1,300 LCD LED backlit displays that offer EQUAL performance/picture.

[BTM]

I've had great results from Samsung, have had numerous throughout the years and never had a mechanical issue and the picture is on par with at least Sony IMO. Sharp produces an awesome picture as well but more money IIRC

[shuarma]

Originally Posted by kaykay

Shuarma, all consumer and professional "LED" displays these days are backlit-LCD panels. Pure marketing bullshit, they're not LED displays. Still far away from that due to $ factors. Still pure liquid crystal.

i beg to differ. i'm quite happy with my samsung LED and see a significant difference between that and my other samsung LCD.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by shuarma

i beg to differ. i'm quite happy with my samsung LED and see a significant difference between that and my other samsung LCD.

Um, you beg to differ with fact?

Of course "LED" backlit displays look better than a traditionally-lit LCD display. One more piece of technology added to the liquid crystal, newer model, it'll look better.

But for the record, there are no LED tv's, they're just using LED's to light (illuminate) the LCD.

Post a link to your model, let me check it out.

[shuarma]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889102392 this is my LED

[CollinsE90]

Originally Posted by kaykay

Um, you beg to differ with fact?

Of course "LED" backlit displays look better than a traditionally-lit LCD display. One more piece of technology added to the liquid crystal, newer model, it'll look better.

But for the record, there are no LED tv's, they're just using LED's to light (illuminate) the LCD.

Post a link to your model, let me check it out.

my dad bought a samsung LED, god damn is that thing bad ass...movies make me feel like im in the thing...i watched casino royale and i was trying to high five daniel

[kaykay]

The Samsung LED-lit TV's are very nice, for sure.

But a 46" incher for $2,200 + $200 shipping + $200 tax = $2,600

Can't even touch the Panasonic Viera 54" for $1,200 shipping, tax incl. which is part of the new 2010 model family, and an absolutely *fantastic* display.

Guys, in about 1-2 years we'll see "reasonably priced" OLED displays in the 36" - 42" sizes (they'll probably start at $3k+) - now those will truly be something.

I remember when the first 65" plasmas came out, $20k price tag. Now $4k on Amazon.com, shipped and delivered.

Even today, after all the advances and progression of LCD technology, Plasma just destroys every single LCD display in the 48" and LARGER categories.

[ideliver]

haha....my panny 50" was 5K...those were the days

Just about anything you could buy would from panny would be more than satisifying...for me...I still love my OTA college football (720p)

Go Buckeyes!

[ScotyH]

Originally Posted by kaykay

The Samsung LED-lit TV's are very nice, for sure.

But a 46" incher for $2,200 + $200 shipping + $200 tax = $2,600

Can't even touch the Panasonic Viera 54" for $1,200 shipping, tax incl. which is part of the new 2010 model family, and an absolutely *fantastic* display.

Guys, in about 1-2 years we'll see "reasonably priced" OLED displays in the 36" - 42" sizes (they'll probably start at $3k+) - now those will truly be something.

I remember when the first 65" plasmas came out, $20k price tag. Now $4k on Amazon.com, shipped and delivered.

Even today, after all the advances and progression of LCD technology, Plasma just destroys every single LCD display in the 48" and LARGER categories.

OLED is dead...

[BMW F22]

I got a Samsung plasma about 4 or 5 years ago and it was good up until about a year ago. Now it would start making this loud fan noise every now and then and then goes away. Maybe it's time for a new tv, who knows.

I was looking for a tv for my room and bought another Samsung from Amazon. The display was good but the tv kept making this popping noise (like when the plastic on the back warms up and cools down it would "pop", "cracks", etc.). It's not very loud but enough that you can hear it. It's even woke me up a few times because it goes on for a while after you turn it off. The Samsung tech came out and looked at it and said it was normal. After that I just returned it and got myself a 42" Panasonic S1 for about $650.

IMO both Samsung and Panasonic are very good with Panasonic having the upper hand in plasma (samsung in lcd). Or so I've heard. I think Panasonic has taken over Pioneer's plasma segment and is using some of Pioneer's technology in their television sets. So if you've seen how good Pioneer plasmas were, you should expect a very good performance from Panasonic plasmas. Keep in mind that plasmas do consume more energy.

PS- I was gonna go with LCD but didn't wanna deal with this whole 60hz, 120hz and 240hz thing. Besides, for sports, I'd take plasma over lcd any day. I gotta say it though: I'm gonna give the Samsung in the living room another 6-12 months and then I'm going to look into a 50+ (maybe 60 inch) 3D tv.