Opinions Requested - new 50"+ LCD TV

[Meat Plow]

Well I'm going to replace my 11 yr old 51" Panasonic projector.
Not because it doesn't work, actually works very well. It's highest
resolution is 480p. I'll be shopping for a new LCD set equal in size
or slightly larger soon. Of course I want a great fast picture with
super high contrast. And reliability. I might spend around $3000 US.
What are some choices and their advantages?





--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse

 

[William Sommerwerck]

"Meat Plow" <mhywatt@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsan.2010.08.17.21.38.55@hahahahahahahah.nutz.I.am...

Well, I'm going to replace my 11 yr old 51" Panasonic projector.
Not because it doesn't work, actually works very well. It's highest
resolution is 480p. I'll be shopping for a new LCD set equal in size
or slightly larger soon. Of course I want a great fast picture with
super high contrast. And reliability. I might spend around $3000 US.
What are some choices and their advantages?

Panasonic's plasma sets generally get very good reviews, though their claim
of an "infinite black" doesn't match what Pioneer achieved in its last and
final Kuro models.

I've always liked Sony's better LCD sets. Quite a spectacular picture.

If the set has "local dimming", be sure it's shut off before judging the
picture.

Another thing... LCD sets with interpolated frames (a feature plasma sets
don't need) often turn a film image into something that looks like
videotape. Again, be sure this feature is turned off when evaluating the
set.

I doubt there are any 50" Kuros still around (and they went for $4K), but
you might look.

Although they require careful break-in, I'd look at plasma sets first.
They're better than LCD in every respect, except absolute brightness. I've
owned mine for over a year, and am still awed when I turn it on.

If you believe Consumer Reports, flat-screen sets, regardless of make,
model, or technology, are generally reliable.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

Is plasma not an outgoing technology? And if it is what
ramifications would one expect for service?

Not at all. Several companies manufacture plasmas, and no one has said
anything about discontinuing them. Pioneer made expensive models, and
dropped out for several reasons, one of which was the bad economy.

Thanks for the reply. Panasonic is one of the handful
I give serious consideration.

No problemo. Perhaps others will have more-specific suggestions.

I assume you know to make sure the set is adjusted for normal viewing, and
not set at the "eye blasting" factory-default levels.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

At home I watch in low-light conditions.

So a plasma set will be okay.

I might watch 10 hours a week so the new set
will gather dust.

Ah, but what glorious dust. The best Blu-ray disks -- and even cable
shows -- are spectacular.

 

[Meat Plow]

On Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:04:33 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote:

"Meat Plow" <mhywatt@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsan.2010.08.17.21.38.55@hahahahahahahah.nutz.I.am...

Well, I'm going to replace my 11 yr old 51" Panasonic projector. Not
because it doesn't work, actually works very well. It's highest
resolution is 480p. I'll be shopping for a new LCD set equal in size or
slightly larger soon. Of course I want a great fast picture with super
high contrast. And reliability. I might spend around $3000 US. What are
some choices and their advantages?

Panasonic's plasma sets generally get very good reviews, though their
claim of an "infinite black" doesn't match what Pioneer achieved in its
last and final Kuro models.

I've always liked Sony's better LCD sets. Quite a spectacular picture.

If the set has "local dimming", be sure it's shut off before judging the
picture.

Another thing... LCD sets with interpolated frames (a feature plasma
sets don't need) often turn a film image into something that looks like
videotape. Again, be sure this feature is turned off when evaluating the
set.

I doubt there are any 50" Kuros still around (and they went for $4K),
but you might look.

Although they require careful break-in, I'd look at plasma sets first.
They're better than LCD in every respect, except absolute brightness.
I've owned mine for over a year, and am still awed when I turn it on.

If you believe Consumer Reports, flat-screen sets, regardless of make,
model, or technology, are generally reliable.

Is plasma not an outgoing technology? And if it is what ramifications
would one expect for service?

As far as reliability goes, my now 3 yr old Olevia 32" LCD still performs
without flaw even though the maker Syntax Brillian (spelling?) has gone
belly-up.

Thanks for the reply, Panasonic is one of the handful I give serious
consideration.



--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse

 

[Meat Plow]

On Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:31:40 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote:

Is plasma not an outgoing technology? And if it is what ramifications
would one expect for service?

Not at all. Several companies manufacture plasmas, and no one has said
anything about discontinuing them. Pioneer made expensive models, and
dropped out for several reasons, one of which was the bad economy.


Thanks for the reply. Panasonic is one of the handful I give serious
consideration.

No problemo. Perhaps others will have more-specific suggestions.

I assume you know to make sure the set is adjusted for normal viewing,
and not set at the "eye blasting" factory-default levels.

Yeah anything I viewed on display I would certainly take out of demo mode
or review the picture settings. At home I watch in low-light conditions.
I haven't turned a TV on here for 7 days. And then just to set up the
week's DVR recording. I might watch 10 hours a week so the new set will
gather dust.



--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse

 

[Smitty Two]

In article <pan.2010.08.17.21.38.55@hahahahahahahah.nutz.I.am>,
Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com> wrote:

Well I'm going to replace my 11 yr old 51" Panasonic projector.
Not because it doesn't work, actually works very well. It's highest
resolution is 480p. I'll be shopping for a new LCD set equal in size
or slightly larger soon. Of course I want a great fast picture with
super high contrast. And reliability. I might spend around $3000 US.
What are some choices and their advantages?

So you're not going 3D?

 

[William Sommerwerck]

Ah, but what glorious dust. The best Blu-ray disks -- and
even cable shows -- are spectacular.

Yeah, can't wait. I guess I have to wait, won't have the $$$ for
a month or so. My bedroom 32" HDTV is quite a thrilling watch
albeit only capable of 1080i. But I get tired of being cramped up
in the bedroom watching from a high back leather office chair.
And the 32 isn't large enough to watch from 10 feet away in
my living room.

Sitting 6' from a 60" display is one of life's great sensual pleasures. It
ain't Cinerama, * but it sure beats a "big, enormous 12 inch screen"
("Little Shop of Horrors").

One other thing you might want to consider... When testing sets, try turning
the Sharpness control all the way up, and seeing what happens.

I mention this because I like ultra-razor-sharp images. "Home Theater"
magazine recommends setting the Sharpness on a Pioneer Kuro to -15. Not
centered at zero, but minus 15 -- all the way down.

Mine is set to +15 -- all the way up. What's remarkable is that this setting
produces zero -- yes, zero -- overshoot, undershoot, or ringing. And if the
source suffers from excessive edge enhancement ("Gladiator", for example),
it's not exaggerated.

Along the same lines... Make sure every form of "enhancement" is turned off.
If the set doesn't produce a good image on its own, it's unlikely image
processing will help.

* One of the demo disks you'll want is the digitally spliced-together
edition of "How the West Was Won". It's taken directly from the camera
negatives, and in everything but sheer size, totally blows away what you see
in a Cinerama theater. The set includes both a rectilinear version, and a
"smilevision" version that curves the image to represent how it would look
on a Cinerama screen. Get "2001" and "The Searchers", too.

 

[Meat Plow]

On Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:16:13 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote:

At home I watch in low-light conditions.

So a plasma set will be okay.


I might watch 10 hours a week so the new set will gather dust.

Ah, but what glorious dust. The best Blu-ray disks -- and even cable
shows -- are spectacular.

Yeah can't wait. Well I guess I have to wait, won't have the $$$ for a
month or so. My bedroom 32" HDTV is quite a thrilling watch albeit only
capable of 1080i. But I get tired of being cramped up in the bedroom
watching from a high back leather office chair. And the 32 isn't large
enough to watch from 10 feet away in my living room.



--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse

 

[William Sommerwerck]

Which set did you have?

I have a 60" Pioneer Kuro, the final series. Not cheap -- and it was sold
only by specialist dealers.

I would look first /carefully/ at the Panasonic plasmas and Sony LCDs. Avoid
off-brands -- including Philips. I have a 32" Vizio in my den, and when
Comcast was transmitting QAM HD, it had a gorgeous picture -- with an
extremely wide viewing angle.

I'm trying to avoid as much shopping as possible.
Demos can be deceiving and I wouldn't mind paying a little extra and buy
from the local appliance and electronics store than say Best Buy or
WalMart.

You might as well go to Costco.

And a 60" isn't out of the realm of possibilities. 50" was just a
starting point. I was curious about these new Sharp 4 color sets too.

Without going into colorimetry (which I don't fully understand, anyway),
color TV is based on three well-defined primaries. Adding another might
increase the range of colors that can be displayed, but they won't be within
the range of colors that are recorded by the camera. Just because Captain
Sulu is impressed, doesn't mean you should be.

Just don't know if the technology is too virgin to be reliable.

Heck, plasmas have been around almost 15 years, and LCDs of all sorts a lot
longer. The CU repair ratings are based on what their readers say, so I'm
inclined to believe them.

As you'll have the cash, that's all the /more/ reason for taking your time
and looking carefully. Make up your mind, and don't let anyone talk you into
anything.

 

[GregS]

In article <pan.2010.08.18.15.30.49@hahahahahahahah.nutz.I.am>, Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com> wrote:

On Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:08:07 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote:

Ah, but what glorious dust. The best Blu-ray disks -- and even cable
shows -- are spectacular.

Yeah, can't wait. I guess I have to wait, won't have the $$$ for a
month or so. My bedroom 32" HDTV is quite a thrilling watch albeit only
capable of 1080i. But I get tired of being cramped up in the bedroom
watching from a high back leather office chair. And the 32 isn't large
enough to watch from 10 feet away in my living room.

Sitting 6' from a 60" display is one of life's great sensual pleasures.
It ain't Cinerama, * but it sure beats a "big, enormous 12 inch screen"
("Little Shop of Horrors").

One other thing you might want to consider... When testing sets, try
turning the Sharpness control all the way up, and seeing what happens.

A digital real time change in sharpness ??
I thought that was strictly analog.

I mention this because I like ultra-razor-sharp images. "Home Theater"
magazine recommends setting the Sharpness on a Pioneer Kuro to -15. Not
centered at zero, but minus 15 -- all the way down.

Mine is set to +15 -- all the way up. What's remarkable is that this
setting produces zero -- yes, zero -- overshoot, undershoot, or ringing.
And if the source suffers from excessive edge enhancement ("Gladiator",
for example), it's not exaggerated.

Along the same lines... Make sure every form of "enhancement" is turned
off. If the set doesn't produce a good image on its own, it's unlikely
image processing will help.

* One of the demo disks you'll want is the digitally spliced-together
edition of "How the West Was Won". It's taken directly from the camera
negatives, and in everything but sheer size, totally blows away what you
see in a Cinerama theater. The set includes both a rectilinear version,
and a "smilevision" version that curves the image to represent how it
would look on a Cinerama screen. Get "2001" and "The Searchers", too.

Which set did you have? I'm trying to avoid as much shopping as possible.
Demos can be deceiving and I wouldn't mind paying a little extra and buy
from the local appliance and electronics store than say Best Buy or
WalMart. And a 60" isn't out of the realm of possibilities. 50" was just
a starting point. I was curious about these new Sharp 4 color sets too.
Just don't know if the technology is too virgin to be reliable. I'll have
the cash so a reasonable price is not as important as these other factors.
Would be cool to have some bells and whistles like a tcp/ip connection
for streaming video. Already have a decent Sony / Infinity 5:1 audio in
place.

 

[Deke]

"Meat Plow" <mhywatt@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsan.2010.08.17.21.38.55@hahahahahahahah.nutz.I.am...

Well I'm going to replace my 11 yr old 51" Panasonic projector.
Not because it doesn't work, actually works very well. It's highest
resolution is 480p. I'll be shopping for a new LCD set equal in size
or slightly larger soon. Of course I want a great fast picture with
super high contrast. And reliability. I might spend around $3000 US.
What are some choices and their advantages?





--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse

Have you considered a DLP? Huge screens are available (80"), and the blacks
are incredible.
I bought a Mitsubishi 65", have had it for 2 years, no problems. They use
less electricity than a
LCD or plasma, and I'm still running on the original bulb (replacement cost,
around $100).
They also have a line of LCD sets, but they are pricey. There's also the
LaserVue line, a DLP
with a LED instead of a bulb. Check it out.

 

[Meat Plow]

On Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:08:07 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote:

Ah, but what glorious dust. The best Blu-ray disks -- and even cable
shows -- are spectacular.

Yeah, can't wait. I guess I have to wait, won't have the $$$ for a
month or so. My bedroom 32" HDTV is quite a thrilling watch albeit only
capable of 1080i. But I get tired of being cramped up in the bedroom
watching from a high back leather office chair. And the 32 isn't large
enough to watch from 10 feet away in my living room.

Sitting 6' from a 60" display is one of life's great sensual pleasures.
It ain't Cinerama, * but it sure beats a "big, enormous 12 inch screen"
("Little Shop of Horrors").

One other thing you might want to consider... When testing sets, try
turning the Sharpness control all the way up, and seeing what happens.

I mention this because I like ultra-razor-sharp images. "Home Theater"
magazine recommends setting the Sharpness on a Pioneer Kuro to -15. Not
centered at zero, but minus 15 -- all the way down.

Mine is set to +15 -- all the way up. What's remarkable is that this
setting produces zero -- yes, zero -- overshoot, undershoot, or ringing.
And if the source suffers from excessive edge enhancement ("Gladiator",
for example), it's not exaggerated.

Along the same lines... Make sure every form of "enhancement" is turned
off. If the set doesn't produce a good image on its own, it's unlikely
image processing will help.

* One of the demo disks you'll want is the digitally spliced-together
edition of "How the West Was Won". It's taken directly from the camera
negatives, and in everything but sheer size, totally blows away what you
see in a Cinerama theater. The set includes both a rectilinear version,
and a "smilevision" version that curves the image to represent how it
would look on a Cinerama screen. Get "2001" and "The Searchers", too.

Which set did you have? I'm trying to avoid as much shopping as possible.
Demos can be deceiving and I wouldn't mind paying a little extra and buy
from the local appliance and electronics store than say Best Buy or
WalMart. And a 60" isn't out of the realm of possibilities. 50" was just
a starting point. I was curious about these new Sharp 4 color sets too.
Just don't know if the technology is too virgin to be reliable. I'll have
the cash so a reasonable price is not as important as these other factors.
Would be cool to have some bells and whistles like a tcp/ip connection
for streaming video. Already have a decent Sony / Infinity 5:1 audio in
place.




--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse

 

[Meat Plow]

On Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:47:48 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote:

Which set did you have?

I have a 60" Pioneer Kuro, the final series. Not cheap -- and it was
sold only by specialist dealers.

I would look first /carefully/ at the Panasonic plasmas and Sony LCDs.
Avoid off-brands -- including Philips. I have a 32" Vizio in my den, and
when Comcast was transmitting QAM HD, it had a gorgeous picture -- with
an extremely wide viewing angle.

My cheapo Olevia 32 is very impressive picture-wise. I like everything
about it except the viewing angle is slightly more narrow than I prefer.
It has one fault, a hum from the inverter in every audio source except
headphones out. That's ok though it's hooked to an Altec PC 3-way speaker
system with a good sub via the headphone jack, problem solved. The
internal speakers were tinny and had a sympathetic vibration with the
chassis at certain frequencies.

I'm going to stay with a major brand. Might check into Vizio, they've
been around long enough also.

I'm trying to avoid as much shopping as possible. Demos can be
deceiving and I wouldn't mind paying a little extra and buy from the
local appliance and electronics store than say Best Buy or WalMart.

You might as well go to Costco.


And a 60" isn't out of the realm of possibilities. 50" was just a
starting point. I was curious about these new Sharp 4 color sets too.

Without going into colorimetry (which I don't fully understand, anyway),
color TV is based on three well-defined primaries. Adding another might
increase the range of colors that can be displayed, but they won't be
within the range of colors that are recorded by the camera. Just because
Captain Sulu is impressed, doesn't mean you should be.

Yeah I don't understand the tech either. But the 4th color they've added
is yellow. How that pans out remains to be seen.

Just don't know if the technology is too virgin to be reliable.

Heck, plasmas have been around almost 15 years, and LCDs of all sorts a
lot longer. The CU repair ratings are based on what their readers say,
so I'm inclined to believe them.

I meant the Sharp 4 color technology. I know the others have been around
long enough to be tried and tested. Also have an interest in the pure LCD
sets, no CCFL backlight. There has been plenty of talk here about them
but don't remember what the general consensus was.

As you'll have the cash, that's all the /more/ reason for taking your
time and looking carefully. Make up your mind, and don't let anyone talk
you into anything.

I spent maybe a month looking at 32's before settling on the Olevia. It
had the same picture performance as most of the major brands but cost
half as much in most cases. I wasn't into spending a lot of cash for a
bedroom set back in 2007.So far, other than the sound issue, I made the
right choice. I especially like an adjustable backlighting for a bedroom
set. Makes it easy on the eyes in a dark room and helps the contrast
ration when the brightness is turned down.



--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse

 

[Meat Plow]

On Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:29:27 -0500, Deke wrote:

"Meat Plow" <mhywatt@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsan.2010.08.17.21.38.55@hahahahahahahah.nutz.I.am...
Well I'm going to replace my 11 yr old 51" Panasonic projector. Not
because it doesn't work, actually works very well. It's highest
resolution is 480p. I'll be shopping for a new LCD set equal in size or
slightly larger soon. Of course I want a great fast picture with super
high contrast. And reliability. I might spend around $3000 US. What are
some choices and their advantages?





--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse


Have you considered a DLP? Huge screens are available (80"), and the
blacks are incredible.
I bought a Mitsubishi 65", have had it for 2 years, no problems. They
use less electricity than a
LCD or plasma, and I'm still running on the original bulb (replacement
cost, around $100).
They also have a line of LCD sets, but they are pricey. There's also
the LaserVue line, a DLP
with a LED instead of a bulb. Check it out.

I haven't ruled out DLP. For as much TV that is watched here a bulb would
last a decade. I'm wanting to move my TV watching from the bedroom back
to the living room hence the need for a new set. The 51" Panasonic
currently there works but not for HD. I have a small 15" set for my
bedroom and would give the 32 to my son for his bedroom.



--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse

 

On Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:39:13 +0000 (UTC), Meat Plow
<mhywatt@yahoo.com> wrote:

Well I'm going to replace my 11 yr old 51" Panasonic projector.
Not because it doesn't work, actually works very well. It's highest
resolution is 480p. I'll be shopping for a new LCD set equal in size
or slightly larger soon. Of course I want a great fast picture with
super high contrast. And reliability. I might spend around $3000 US.
What are some choices and their advantages?
I'd like to point out that the aspect ratio of the screens should be

taken into consideration. Your 50" 3:4 Panasonic has a picture height
of roughly 30". To maintain the same picture height you would need a
60" wide screen TV. That is easily possible with DLP and plasma, and
even with LCD TVs.

My chief knock against DLP is a somewhat restricted viewing angle.
And let's be honest, the sets are much thicker than a comparable sized
LCD or plasma. However, a 65" DLP will easily fit within your price
limit.

As far as Plasma vrs LCD, the usual advice applies, avoid house
brands. Both are viable technologies. Plasma will cost you less.
Potentially, LCD will last longer. These are one of the products
where an extended warranty is a good idea.

Ultimately, you and your eyes (and ears) are going to have to make the
decision. In plasma I would go with Samsung or Panasonic, take a
lookat LG is you want to but I'd avoid buying an LG plasma.

In LCD I'd suggest Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic. Sharp's Quattron
process may be more of a marketing gimic that a real advantage.
Again, you are the judge.

3D is available in all three technologies. I'm of the opinion that it
is more of a gimic than a real step forward. Certainly nothing I have
seen persuades me to believe the reason so many movies are shot in 3-D
is the producer is trying to disguise the fact they have a mediocre
script, poor actors, and a director who is well past his prime.

PlainBill

 

[William Sommerwerck]

Ultimately, you and your eyes (and ears) are going to have
to make the decision. In plasma I would go with Samsung
or Panasonic, take a lookat LG is you want to but I'd avoid
buying an LG plasma.

I just remembered... Panasonic has a system that automatically raises the
cells' bias over time to compensate for a drop in inefficiency. It's
believed that this will slowly degraded the display's black level.

3D is available in all three technologies. I'm of the opinion that
it is more of a gimic than a real step forward. Certainly nothing
I have seen persuades me to believe the reason so many movies
are shot in 3-D is the producer is trying to disguise the fact they
have a mediocre script, poor actors, and a director who is well-
past his prime.

Oh, let's see... The Pixar 3D films are really awful, as was "Avatar".

And who can forget "Dial M for Murder", one of the past-his-prime
Hitchcock's very worst films? Ditto for "Hondo", "Kiss Me, Kate", and "It
Came from Outer Space". All of it 3D dreck.

 

[Meat Plow]

On Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:20:28 -0700, PlainBill47 wrote:

On Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:39:13 +0000 (UTC), Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com
wrote:

Well I'm going to replace my 11 yr old 51" Panasonic projector. Not
because it doesn't work, actually works very well. It's highest
resolution is 480p. I'll be shopping for a new LCD set equal in size or
slightly larger soon. Of course I want a great fast picture with super
high contrast. And reliability. I might spend around $3000 US. What are
some choices and their advantages?
I'd like to point out that the aspect ratio of the screens should be
taken into consideration. Your 50" 3:4 Panasonic has a picture height
of roughly 30". To maintain the same picture height you would need a
60" wide screen TV. That is easily possible with DLP and plasma, and
even with LCD TVs.

My chief knock against DLP is a somewhat restricted viewing angle. And
let's be honest, the sets are much thicker than a comparable sized LCD
or plasma. However, a 65" DLP will easily fit within your price limit.

As far as Plasma vrs LCD, the usual advice applies, avoid house brands.
Both are viable technologies. Plasma will cost you less. Potentially,
LCD will last longer. These are one of the products where an extended
warranty is a good idea.

Ultimately, you and your eyes (and ears) are going to have to make the
decision. In plasma I would go with Samsung or Panasonic, take a lookat
LG is you want to but I'd avoid buying an LG plasma.

In LCD I'd suggest Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic. Sharp's Quattron
process may be more of a marketing gimic that a real advantage. Again,
you are the judge.

3D is available in all three technologies. I'm of the opinion that it
is more of a gimic than a real step forward. Certainly nothing I have
seen persuades me to believe the reason so many movies are shot in 3-D
is the producer is trying to disguise the fact they have a mediocre
script, poor actors, and a director who is well past his prime.

PlainBill

I'm looking at the Panasonic Viera 55" and Samsung similar model. I
realize the size of the old Panasonic 51" square projector's size in
comparison to say a 55" HDTV screen height. I like the prices and specs
of the plasma sets. Use wise, plasma should last 20 years in this
household.



--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse

 

[Arfa Daily]

"Meat Plow" <mhywatt@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsan.2010.08.18.21.18.20@hahahahahahahah.nutz.I.am...

On Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:20:28 -0700, PlainBill47 wrote:

On Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:39:13 +0000 (UTC), Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com
wrote:

Well I'm going to replace my 11 yr old 51" Panasonic projector. Not
because it doesn't work, actually works very well. It's highest
resolution is 480p. I'll be shopping for a new LCD set equal in size or
slightly larger soon. Of course I want a great fast picture with super
high contrast. And reliability. I might spend around $3000 US. What are
some choices and their advantages?
I'd like to point out that the aspect ratio of the screens should be
taken into consideration. Your 50" 3:4 Panasonic has a picture height
of roughly 30". To maintain the same picture height you would need a
60" wide screen TV. That is easily possible with DLP and plasma, and
even with LCD TVs.

My chief knock against DLP is a somewhat restricted viewing angle. And
let's be honest, the sets are much thicker than a comparable sized LCD
or plasma. However, a 65" DLP will easily fit within your price limit.

As far as Plasma vrs LCD, the usual advice applies, avoid house brands.
Both are viable technologies. Plasma will cost you less. Potentially,
LCD will last longer. These are one of the products where an extended
warranty is a good idea.

Ultimately, you and your eyes (and ears) are going to have to make the
decision. In plasma I would go with Samsung or Panasonic, take a lookat
LG is you want to but I'd avoid buying an LG plasma.

In LCD I'd suggest Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic. Sharp's Quattron
process may be more of a marketing gimic that a real advantage. Again,
you are the judge.

3D is available in all three technologies. I'm of the opinion that it
is more of a gimic than a real step forward. Certainly nothing I have
seen persuades me to believe the reason so many movies are shot in 3-D
is the producer is trying to disguise the fact they have a mediocre
script, poor actors, and a director who is well past his prime.

PlainBill

I'm looking at the Panasonic Viera 55" and Samsung similar model. I
realize the size of the old Panasonic 51" square projector's size in
comparison to say a 55" HDTV screen height. I like the prices and specs
of the plasma sets. Use wise, plasma should last 20 years in this
household.

Last Christmas, after agonising long and hard over replacing my ageing, but
still superbly performing, 32" CRT Tosh, I was totally knocked out by a 50"
Panasonic plasma, and that was what I ultimately bought. From time to time,
Pan offer 5 year full warranties on these sets. The store I bought mine from
was offering a 5 year warranty on their own account, and it includes the
panel. Having now watched the set for around 8 months, I can honestly say
that there is not a single thing about it that I don't like - apart from
possibly the sound which, in common with all slim sets, be they LCD or
plasma, is not particularly 'full'. Perfectly adequate for normal viewing,
but not great. To overcome this, I have my sat receiver optically linked to
a Sony HC amp with full format decoding, and that's what I use for watching
films. The picture on this plasma set is stunning - and, having spent many
years in TV and electronic service, I don't use that term lightly. I loved
my old Tosh, but on balance, I think I love this one even more.

About the only other piece of advice that I could give is that if you are
going to be looking at HD, make sure that you get a set that is 'full HD'
and not just 'HD ready' . On my full HD set, HD transmissions are really
noticeably sharper and more detailed, due to the fact that the panel's
native resolution matches that of the source. However, my son-in-law's
parents recently upgraded their sat TV package to a new HD receiver, and an
HD subscription, but they are quite disappointed with it, displayed on their
'HD ready' LCD Sammy, I think it is. I guess this is because the native
resolution of the panel is lower than the actual resolution of the HD
source, so although the set is capable of *accepting* the full res HD signal
that the sat receiver is outputting, it then has to downscale it in order
for the LCD panel to be able to display it, thus negating any real advantage
from having an HD signal in the first place ...

Just personally, I think that the colour rendition on plasmas knocks spots
off of LCDs. I was always happy with the level of maturity that CRT
technology had reached, in terms of natural colour rendition, and I was
reading just the other day, that the phosphors used in plasma panels, are
identical to those used in CRTs, so I guess that would explain why I like
the picture on my plas so much.

Arfa

 

[William Sommerwerck]

Last Christmas, after agonising long and hard over replacing
my aging, but still superbly performing, 32" CRT Toshiba,
I was totally knocked out by a 50" Panasonic plasma.

Them big-box stores can be awful careless about how they stack stuff up on
them shelves.