New TV & Plasmas

[petr]

There was a good thread a while back on buying a new tv, and I wonder what is new and what units a guy should consider.

My tv totally crapped out and I need one quickly.

Any ideas. I am clueless on plasma or ?

I bet B&B knows.

I know I don't want anything too large like my last one, over 60". was a ***.

 

[Greyfox]

I am going to put in a strong recommendation for a DLP HDTV. The picture quality is outstanding and the lifetime of the TV is very long compared to either plasma or LED. If the bulb goes out you can very easily replace it (3 minute job) and the picture is good as new. Do your research and decide what you want and why.

 

[knlgskr]

Check Consumer Reports.

 

[MrFusion]

Check Consumer Reports.

+1

I have a DLP and really like it but if I were to go out and get a new TV today (and money wasn't an issue), I'd take a look at the side lit LED LCD TVs. If picture quality is most important to you, I believe plasmas still have the edge due to black levels.

 

[Veritas1000]

If you want to get really intense in your research, check out avsforum.com TONS of great info there.

FWIW, I just got a Samsung LED DLP (meaning no $300 bulb to replace in 3 years) that my dad has had for two years and it rocks. But it has been discontinued (which means low availability as well as price). However, its a 61", so if you really want something smaller (why, oh why?)....

Plasma is (I feel) seeing a move to playing the high-end/niche market as more manufacturers are pulling out of the market. From what I ahve seen in the stores of the new LED driven LCD panels they all look really weird to me, like everything was green-screen (over-processed edges and contrast with super soft backgrounds). Really distracting, but that may be the crazy demo settings for the store floor.

Anyways, AVS forum is my go-to place for anything home theater related.

 

[Amyn]

I personally like like Plasmas for the deeper blacks and superior picture quality.

If you can still one find the Pioneer Kuro 5020 is one of the best Plasmas out there. Pioneer Elites are more expensive with a few more features and tweaks.

BTW Pioneer stopped making Plasmas as they could not compete on price, but their products are best in class hands down.

 

[Groundhog]

Whichever you decide, drive the long way home with it, take it in the house in the dead of night, and don't leave the box at the street for the trash man. Flat-screens are the preferred burglar's choice these days.

 

[Spacegeezer]

As a long term enthusiast AND professional in home theater, I strongly recommend plasma UNLESS your tv will be in an EXTREMELY bright room. The Panasonics are the best bet unless you can afford a Pioneer (this is the final year of production, somewhat limited supply for Pioneers). In five years I strongly suspect Plasma and LCD will be losing the battle against OLED, so if having the latest and greatest is important to you don't cash in completely for now. On the other hand, Plasmas are quite brilliant, and you can't really go far wrong with one.

 

[tam.audio]

I have a Samsung DLP, although I am happy with it, my next tv will be a plasma (if they're still around). The thing I don't like about projection is lack of viewing angle and the blacks just can't get close to what I've seen in plasmas.

Plasmas were more $$$ when I decided on my tv, but now, I would definitely go plasma.

 

[RHVette]

But will plasma be okay for video games? I'm looking into getting a new one myself, but I don't want to throw money away because of a little COD4.

 

[strat1117]

We have a 46" Sony Bravia which is a couple of years old now. We absolutely adore it!!

 

[Spacegeezer]

But will plasma be okay for video games? I'm looking into getting a new one myself, but I don't want to throw money away because of a little COD4.

My brother is using a Panasonic plasma as his computer monitor. He spent about 20 hours of the first few weeks running the break-in images from AVS Forum, in between regular use. There is no apparent image-retention, let alone burn-in. I can only recommend Panasonic as I do not have current experience with other brands in this kind of use, but I can at least heartily recommend Panasonic.

 

[thunderball]

I also have a Panasonic Viera and love the damn thing.

 

[petr]

Good tips, thanks everyone.

I'm leaning toward the samsung led latest and greatest, but because of $ may do the panasonic plasma.

 

[Joshua Da Silva]

But will plasma be okay for video games? I'm looking into getting a new one myself, but I don't want to throw money away because of a little COD4.

My brother is using a Panasonic plasma as his computer monitor. He spent about 20 hours of the first few weeks running the break-in images from AVS Forum, in between regular use. There is no apparent image-retention, let alone burn-in. I can only recommend Panasonic as I do not have current experience with other brands in this kind of use, but I can at least heartily recommend Panasonic.

Burn in can still be an issue, but not as much as it was back when Plasmas first came in. You just have to be extra careful for the first 100 or 200 hours or so of use because the phosphorus gas burns extra bright during that time, and it makes it easier to burn in during this "break in" period.