yearofthenick
Active Member
Which one and why?
Panasonic Plasma or Samsung LCD?
- Thread starter yearofthenick
- Start date
aquaknight
Active Member
Guessing you're looking for a sub-$2k TV?
Vizio TruLED. Model # VF552XVT
Vizio TruLED. Model # VF552XVT
yearofthenick
Active Member
I recently got a part-time job at Best Buy. The employee discount is insane. Unfortunately, Best Buy does not carry Vizio TV's, but they do carry Samsung and Panasonic. I just bought a 58 inch Panasonic plasma today and I'm not sure how I feel about it... primarily because the contrast ratio is 2,000,000:1. Most people hear that and think "woah, that's insane." While I would agree, I am a little less impressed with the way it looks.
Because there's such a huge spectrum for each color, everything seems more washed out. Yes, you get a more accurate picture, but who wants accuracy??? I want brightness, colors that are extremely vivid... who cares if it's 2 million:1 if it looks like they used pastels to paint the canvas of the show?
So I may go back and return it for an LCD. The problem is that LCD's are slightly more expensive and I already tapped out my budget to buy this one. Plus, it's massive in our small family room. We're thinking a 50-55 might be a little more... appropriate?
Anyway, just trying to figure out what the eff to do.
Because there's such a huge spectrum for each color, everything seems more washed out. Yes, you get a more accurate picture, but who wants accuracy??? I want brightness, colors that are extremely vivid... who cares if it's 2 million:1 if it looks like they used pastels to paint the canvas of the show?
So I may go back and return it for an LCD. The problem is that LCD's are slightly more expensive and I already tapped out my budget to buy this one. Plus, it's massive in our small family room. We're thinking a 50-55 might be a little more... appropriate?
Anyway, just trying to figure out what the eff to do.
aquaknight
Active Member
Do you have all the settings adjusted? (obvious question, just have to ask). What inputs sources are you using? Blu-Ray, what cable/sat.? Using HDMI for everything?
Yea, that 58" Panasonic Viera is about as 'average' as HDTVs come unfortunately. If the TV room is smaller, I would definitely recommend dropping down in size. It's one of the most common things people do is buy a TV that too big for their room, and the picture quality is poor. That way with a 50" TV you can move up market a touch.
If you have some free time during a break, go take a look at the LG plasmas. For brightness/color they are up there. My Dad got the top LG, as a semi-Fathers Day gift. 50PK950 I believe. The picture is very crisp, Probably a touch better then my previous-gen Sharp Aquos, but for a grand cheaper...
Yea, that 58" Panasonic Viera is about as 'average' as HDTVs come unfortunately. If the TV room is smaller, I would definitely recommend dropping down in size. It's one of the most common things people do is buy a TV that too big for their room, and the picture quality is poor. That way with a 50" TV you can move up market a touch.
If you have some free time during a break, go take a look at the LG plasmas. For brightness/color they are up there. My Dad got the top LG, as a semi-Fathers Day gift. 50PK950 I believe. The picture is very crisp, Probably a touch better then my previous-gen Sharp Aquos, but for a grand cheaper...
reefraff
Active Member
The Panasonic plasmas are rated very high by Cnet. The V10 series was the highest rated last year when I was shopping and they said it had the best picture they had ever seen on a flat panel.
That being said I have a G series plasma which is the second best Panasonic had last year and a Samsung LCD. The Pani is a 54 and the Samsung is 32 so it's impossible to make an honest comparison but I also have a 32" Panisonic LCD. I would say there isn't a nickle's worth of difference I can see in the Panasonic and Samsung LCD's. Both are VERY nice.
I like the Plasma and it has worked flawlessly BUT, I have read several reports of the previous generation Pani Plasma's failing after just over a year. They also, why being Energy Star rated, at least mine is, do create a lot of heat. Cnet has also mentioned the plasma's not holding the outstanding black level over an extended period of time.
If I were buying a TV today it would be an LED LCD. LG and Samsung get really good ratings. You should probably do a reality check as far as the size. My livingroom is like 15x15 and my 54 is about as big as you'd ever want to go in a room this size, you should check out the buying guides for the size reco for your size room. If it came down to a mid range 58" or a high end 50 I'd get the 50.
That being said I have a G series plasma which is the second best Panasonic had last year and a Samsung LCD. The Pani is a 54 and the Samsung is 32 so it's impossible to make an honest comparison but I also have a 32" Panisonic LCD. I would say there isn't a nickle's worth of difference I can see in the Panasonic and Samsung LCD's. Both are VERY nice.
I like the Plasma and it has worked flawlessly BUT, I have read several reports of the previous generation Pani Plasma's failing after just over a year. They also, why being Energy Star rated, at least mine is, do create a lot of heat. Cnet has also mentioned the plasma's not holding the outstanding black level over an extended period of time.
If I were buying a TV today it would be an LED LCD. LG and Samsung get really good ratings. You should probably do a reality check as far as the size. My livingroom is like 15x15 and my 54 is about as big as you'd ever want to go in a room this size, you should check out the buying guides for the size reco for your size room. If it came down to a mid range 58" or a high end 50 I'd get the 50.
bionicarm
Active Member
I have a Sony 52" LCD that has an awesome picture. I flipped a coin between it and the Samsung LED LCD, and the Sony picture won out. I think the LED thing is just hype. It only illuminates around the edge, so you don't get that full 'brightness; effect that you'd think you get. The room also has to be a little darker to have a sharper screen. I have no regrets getting my Sony.
So you're not poppin' the extra coin for the 3-D model?
So you're not poppin' the extra coin for the 3-D model?
flower
Well-Known Member
I have a 47’ Plasma in my livingroom and a 36’ LCD in my bedroom...I like the Plasma best. LCD has a good picture as long as you look at it straight on...otherwise the picture distorts and fades out like on a laptop computer screen.
The Plasma is the same no matter what position...I have a cheap $1200.00 47’ Sanyo Plasma from Wal-Mart The picture is sharp, bright and crisp. I have had the TV for 5 years problem free so far. They have those 3D ones now, either way I would always go with the plasma over any brand of LCD. My.02
stdreb27
Active Member
Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3285360
My Dad got the top LG, as a semi-Fathers Day gift. 50PK950 I believe. The picture is very crisp, Probably a touch better then my previous-gen Sharp Aquos, but for a grand cheaper...
For a father's day gift? Do you want to me my son too?
What I don't understand about LED's is how they claim these 240Hz refresh rates. How do they get the LED to deenergize so quickly?
http:///forum/post/3285360
My Dad got the top LG, as a semi-Fathers Day gift. 50PK950 I believe. The picture is very crisp, Probably a touch better then my previous-gen Sharp Aquos, but for a grand cheaper...
For a father's day gift? Do you want to me my son too?
What I don't understand about LED's is how they claim these 240Hz refresh rates. How do they get the LED to deenergize so quickly?
cranberry
Active Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3285377
I have a 47’ Plasma in my livingroom and a 36’ LCD in my bedroom...I like the Plasma best. LCD has a good picture as long as you look at it straight on...otherwise the picture distorts and fades out like on a laptop computer screen.
Mine does not do this. I'm very much at an angle when I watch TV. This must be something that varies between the brands.
http:///forum/post/3285377
I have a 47’ Plasma in my livingroom and a 36’ LCD in my bedroom...I like the Plasma best. LCD has a good picture as long as you look at it straight on...otherwise the picture distorts and fades out like on a laptop computer screen.
Mine does not do this. I'm very much at an angle when I watch TV. This must be something that varies between the brands.
mrdc
Active Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3285388
Mine does not do this. I'm very much at an angle when I watch TV. This must be something that varies between the brands.
I've heard that it can vary by brand.
http:///forum/post/3285388
Mine does not do this. I'm very much at an angle when I watch TV. This must be something that varies between the brands.
I've heard that it can vary by brand.
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3285418
K, you want one like mine... not Flowers...LOL.
+1
....Don't shop for a TV at Wal-Mart!
http:///forum/post/3285418
K, you want one like mine... not Flowers...LOL.
+1
yearofthenick
Active Member
Originally Posted by bionicarm
http:///forum/post/3285369
So you're not poppin' the extra coin for the 3-D model?
Just not a fan of 3D... cheap parlor trick IMO, except NOT cheap... haha
http:///forum/post/3285369
So you're not poppin' the extra coin for the 3-D model?
Just not a fan of 3D... cheap parlor trick IMO, except NOT cheap... haha