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Topic: Television help

obsidian
I'm the dude!

Joined: 04 Feb 2002
Posts: 12498

Posted: 12-17-2011 06:27 PM

I'm thinking about buying a TV but aren't really familiar with what I should look for. I have a fairly bright living room, one wall is a giant floor to ceiling window, so mirror finishes on TVs are annoying. I think I might be able to squeeze in a 50" though more realistically a 46". It'll be for a few movies, internet portal (not the crappy built-in interface, I'll probably have an actual computer plugged in), maybe some gaming though I don't currently own a console, Netflix, Apple TV, etc. I don't care about 3D and will be disabling the frame smoothing processing.

I've read that the Panasonic TCP46ST30 is supposed to be a fantastic choice for plasma, any downsides to this? Just wondering what my LCD/LED alternatives are. Any other features I should look for, things to stay away from, recommendations?

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Grandpa Stu
bling bling

Joined: 01 Nov 2000
Posts: 11946

Posted: 12-17-2011 08:16 PM

dunno if they've gotten any better over the last year or so since i last looked, but stay away from edge-lit LED displays. If you're gonna go LED backlit you want RGB LED.

some light reading: http://reviews.cnet.com/monitor-buying-guide/

then again if you aren't super anal about having THE BEST PICTURE EVER OMGAZ then just find something on sale that has generally good reviews.

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Ferrao10
The Afflicted

Joined: 03 May 2010
Posts: 788

Posted: 12-17-2011 10:35 PM

Rule of thump says don't go for Plasma if you have a bright room.
I went for a Pana TX-P46GW20. I'm very happy with it, even in daylight .
Plasma is great for watching DVD/BR imo. It's got that certain smoothness on silhouettes. It's not extra sharp like LCD/LED.

I guess you'll have to try it on your spot.

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menkent
menkent

Joined: 22 Jul 2000
Posts: 4758

Posted: 12-17-2011 11:31 PM

plasma will likely have more glare. i just got a new LG LCD and it's quite nice... quite a bit better than my parents' top-end samsung.
oh, and plasma will use more power and puts off a good deal of heat and can have reduced lifespan at high altitude (from what i've heard).

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LawL
no homo

Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 13721

Posted: 12-17-2011 11:48 PM

Obsidian's main objective is to find darker blacks.

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GONNAFISTYA
Glayven?

Joined: 23 Jan 2005
Posts: 13025

Posted: 12-18-2011 12:07 AM

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seremtan
Etile

Joined: 19 Nov 2003
Posts: 34900

Posted: 12-18-2011 03:04 AM

olo

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DRuM
I nose it!

Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 17184

Posted: 12-18-2011 04:03 AM

obsidian wrote:
I think I might be able to squeeze in a 50" though more realistically a 46"

Is that what all the girls normally say to you?

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duffman91
oh yeah!

Joined: 25 Jan 2001
Posts: 3207

Posted: 12-18-2011 09:01 AM

Plasma burn-in is still a problem. I'd avoid them and stick to LCD/LED.

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brisk
puzl

Joined: 06 May 2000
Posts: 30344

Posted: 12-18-2011 09:47 AM

duffman91 wrote:
Plasma burn-in is still a problem. I'd avoid them and stick to LCD/LED.

It's not burn-in, but temporary image retention. It only happens when you have static HUDs or non-transparent watermarks on the screen for extended periods and many sets (including my 51" Samsung model) have built-in tools to prevent it or remove it. Avoiding a plasma TV for this reason is stupid really and the technology has improved a lot over the years.

The main issue with plasma is sometimes there is an audible buzz that can be heard when bright/white pixels fill the screen. It's not really noticeable unless you actively listen for it, but it's a concern nonetheless. As for picture quality, plasma is still leaps above LCD, especially for contrast ratios. Watching movies on my plasma, especially in 3D is just spectacular.

This is my TV, which I bought about a month ago for £630. It's the baws. This website is also decent as a buying guide.

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plained
plained

Joined: 12 Jun 2002
Posts: 18772

Posted: 12-18-2011 01:04 PM

i would get a 50 or 60 something size for sure

def a led lcd probly sony or lg

it has to have a matte screen tho i also have a very windowie room

also go to costco and get a wdtv live for gosh sakes!

apple tv

panasonic

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Unisaw
The Afflicted

Joined: 16 Aug 2005
Posts: 690

Posted: 12-18-2011 05:46 PM

LawL wrote:
Obsidian's main objective is to find darker blacks.

You need new material.

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Underpants?
Elite

Joined: 21 Oct 2001
Posts: 6519

Posted: 12-18-2011 07:55 PM

why does Obsid's blackness come up so often? dude, he rides a white man's road bike, so get off his fucking jock

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cityy
surfaceparm nomarks

Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 1018

Posted: 12-18-2011 11:58 PM

We own a sony bravia. I feel like they are pretty good.

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Tsakali
opa!

Joined: 02 Mar 2000
Posts: 14658

Posted: 12-19-2011 12:09 AM

i'd wait for the quantumHD TV's. they have higher resolution than real life.

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LawL
no homo

Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 13721

Posted: 12-19-2011 12:20 AM

Unisaw wrote:
LawL wrote:
Obsidian's main objective is to find darker blacks.

You need new material.

Show me where I've said anything to that effect before.

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Ryoki
Karot!

Joined: 31 Jul 2001
Posts: 19348

Posted: 12-19-2011 12:55 AM

That is a sexy TV Brisk, do want... and not badly priced at all.
Hmmmmm.

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Ferrao10
The Afflicted

Joined: 03 May 2010
Posts: 788

Posted: 12-19-2011 01:16 PM

plained wrote:
panasonic

Why would you say so?
Their cameras sure suck but imo they have the best plasma panels available.
I don't know personally about Samsung panels. Heard they weren't bad. I went for the Pana back then because of the built-in multi-tuner, which is kind of important in Germany, don't know about other countries/your preferences.

Plasma does drain more Watts, but in a legitimate range nowadays. Your bill won't rise by an enormous impact. It's not a green technology though, that is true.

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seremtan
Etile

Joined: 19 Nov 2003
Posts: 34900

Posted: 12-19-2011 02:36 PM

Tsakali wrote:
i'd wait for the quantumHD TV's. they have higher resolution than real life.

IMPOSSIBRU

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Scarface
Say ello to my l'il frien'

Joined: 04 Nov 2000
Posts: 7361

Posted: 12-19-2011 03:46 PM

Actually Im looking at a new tv as well. What are your guys thoughts on the Sharp 70" LED LC70LE734U?

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plained
plained

Joined: 12 Jun 2002
Posts: 18772

Posted: 12-29-2011 09:19 AM

oh man this is alot harder than it looks

I grabbed a sony 55" ex62

terrible tv, its like every source into it gets re compressed or something!

and i find the edge lit led terribly dim and weak picture, the whites are dull dull dull

I'm thinking to get a regular cfl lit lcd but witch one!

the edge lit led use just over 100W of power ! thats not enough brightness for a 55" picture imo

the cfl ones use about 350w so at least there is some balls there

help

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menkent
menkent

Joined: 22 Jul 2000
Posts: 4758

Posted: 12-29-2011 01:39 PM

watts and brightness aren't the same thing... especially when comparing two different light sources.

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DTS
Elite

Joined: 12 Jul 2000
Posts: 11553

Posted: 12-29-2011 02:51 PM

Save your money for OLED.

If you have money to burn, though, import a Philips Cinema 21:9 aspect ratio TV, for film greatness (Cinemascope). 58" LED-backlit one goes for about £4000.

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duffman91
oh yeah!

Joined: 25 Jan 2001
Posts: 3207

Posted: 12-29-2011 03:40 PM

brisk wrote:
duffman91 wrote:
Plasma burn-in is still a problem. I'd avoid them and stick to LCD/LED.

Avoiding a plasma TV for this reason is stupid really and the technology has improved a lot over the years.

"Temporary Image Retention" is the same problem - lack of display clarity as a result of viewing habits.

I disagree with your statements based on observed RMA rates for Plasma versus LCD units at my place of employment. I won't comment on the brands themselves or where I work, so I suppose this is as far as I'll take it.

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Tsakali
opa!

Joined: 02 Mar 2000
Posts: 14658

Posted: 12-29-2011 07:24 PM

well what good are you then... share the know, brother!

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Whiskey 7
Just another Earthling

Joined: 20 Jul 2001
Posts: 12935

Posted: 12-29-2011 07:57 PM

My 2 cents.

I had (and still have) a Panasonic 42" plasma.
Always been happy with it, never a problem at any time, and I would go back to it in a flash.
It is 8 - 9 yo and lacked HDMI inputs and HD turner. Back then they were monitors only.

I bought a new 46" SONY 3D ("SMART (?)with glasses etc) for the technology leap (and another property we own).
Tenants moved in and had their own stuff about 6 months ago. I tried to (re)sell the SONY but no one pays your price as they want a bargain and the price of tech is still falling.
I finally gave in and put the SONY in the Panasonic pride of place a couple of weeks ago and connected up the new (SONY) blu ray 3D player up.

I watched the Panasonic for years.
I will tell you despite being pretty power hungry (so I've heard) and it appears to run a little hot (warm on top after 3 - 4 hours) and yes I know I've only been watching the 3D LED SONY a few weeks but I do prefer the plasma over the LED so far.
I have noticed the LED goes a little white on viewing from acute angles (say more that 45degrees, like walking past the screen) and the contrast just doesn't appear the same for my taste

If I was to buy another TV it would be the new Samsung plasma (the really thin and border-less screen) in about a 50" - 60".
I understand plasmas are not as green but they are better than the older ones for power consumption for the picture quality I expect.

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Tsakali
opa!

Joined: 02 Mar 2000
Posts: 14658

Posted: 12-29-2011 08:46 PM

more like 2 pesos , am I right boys... who's with me!

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shaft
Aneurysm

Joined: 10 Dec 1999
Posts: 12260

Posted: 12-30-2011 02:13 AM

not me

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brisk
puzl

Joined: 06 May 2000
Posts: 30344

Posted: 12-30-2011 04:31 AM

duffman91 wrote:
"Temporary Image Retention" is the same problem - lack of display clarity as a result of viewing habits.

I disagree with your statements based on observed RMA rates for Plasma versus LCD units at my place of employment. I won't comment on the brands themselves or where I work, so I suppose this is as far as I'll take it.

"Burn-in" is permanant, whereas image retention is temporary and goes away after watching normal TV for a few hours. I get TIR quite a bit playing console games, as the non-transparent HUDs usually leave their mark if you play for extended periods. I guess it's natural for people to confuse the two and I suppose it is a problem, but certainly not one to RMA over. I never notice it on a full-screen image, unless it is a single bright solid colour. Plasma TV quality on high-end units is still better than the LCD equivalent though, particularly in black levels and viewing angles. Just read any reviewing site and they'll confirm this. It's just a case of living with the quirks of phosphors I suppose.

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plained
plained

Joined: 12 Jun 2002
Posts: 18772

Posted: 12-30-2011 10:27 AM

Grandpa Stu wrote:
dunno if they've gotten any better over the last year or so since i last looked, but stay away from edge-lit LED displays. If you're gonna go LED backlit you want RGB LED.

some light reading: http://reviews.cnet.com/monitor-buying-guide/

then again if you aren't super anal about having THE BEST PICTURE EVER OMGAZ then just find something on sale that has generally good reviews.

lol i didnt even see this post

i blame the green!

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Tsakali
opa!

Joined: 02 Mar 2000
Posts: 14658

Posted: 12-30-2011 04:27 PM

the color or the plant?

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plained
plained

Joined: 12 Jun 2002
Posts: 18772

Posted: 01-06-2012 10:42 AM

so now ive had this LG 55LK520 for a few days

its good the pic quality is really nice

it looks very natural.

that other sony i returned,

i hated the tru blacks bs , all hype

its like the portion of the screen thats supposed to display black is powered off!

so called true blacks are horrible and overated

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plasma will likely have more glare. i just got a new LG LCD and it's quite nice... quite a bit better than my parents' top-end samsung.oh, and plasma will use more power and puts off a good deal of heat and can have reduced lifespan at high altitude (from what i've heard).

Obsidian's main objective is to find darker blacks.

olo

obsidian wrote: I think I might be able to squeeze in a 50" though more realistically a 46"Is that what all the girls normally say to you?

Plasma burn-in is still a problem. I'd avoid them and stick to LCD/LED.

i would get a 50 or 60 something size for suredef a led lcd probly sony or lgit has to have a matte screen tho i also have a very windowie roomalso go to costco and get a wdtv live for gosh sakes!apple tv panasonic

LawL wrote:Obsidian's main objective is to find darker blacks.You need new material.

why does Obsid's blackness come up so often? dude, he rides a white man's road bike, so get off his fucking jock

We own a sony bravia. I feel like they are pretty good.

i'd wait for the quantumHD TV's. they have higher resolution than real life.

Unisaw wrote:LawL wrote:Obsidian's main objective is to find darker blacks.You need new material.Show me where I've said anything to that effect before.

That is a sexy TV Brisk, do want... and not badly priced at all. Hmmmmm.

Tsakali wrote:i'd wait for the quantumHD TV's. they have higher resolution than real life.IMPOSSIBRU

Actually Im looking at a new tv as well. What are your guys thoughts on the Sharp 70" LED LC70LE734U?

watts and brightness aren't the same thing... especially when comparing two different light sources.

Save your money for OLED.If you have money to burn, though, import a Philips Cinema 21:9 aspect ratio TV, for film greatness (Cinemascope). 58" LED-backlit one goes for about £4000.

well what good are you then... share the know, brother!

more like 2 pesos , am I right boys... who's with me!

not me

the color or the plant?

so now ive had this LG 55LK520 for a few daysits good the pic quality is really niceit looks very natural.that other sony i returned,i hated the tru blacks bs , all hype its like the portion of the screen thats supposed to display black is powered off!so called true blacks are horrible and overated

plasma will likely have more glare. i just got a new LG LCD and it's quite nice... quite a bit better than my parents' top-end samsung.
oh, and plasma will use more power and puts off a good deal of heat and can have reduced lifespan at high altitude (from what i've heard).

obsidian wrote:
I think I might be able to squeeze in a 50" though more realistically a 46"

Is that what all the girls normally say to you?

i would get a 50 or 60 something size for sure

def a led lcd probly sony or lg

it has to have a matte screen tho i also have a very windowie room

also go to costco and get a wdtv live for gosh sakes!

apple tv

panasonic

LawL wrote:
Obsidian's main objective is to find darker blacks.

You need new material.

Unisaw wrote:
LawL wrote:
Obsidian's main objective is to find darker blacks.

You need new material.

Show me where I've said anything to that effect before.

That is a sexy TV Brisk, do want... and not badly priced at all.
Hmmmmm.

Tsakali wrote:
i'd wait for the quantumHD TV's. they have higher resolution than real life.

IMPOSSIBRU

Save your money for OLED.

If you have money to burn, though, import a Philips Cinema 21:9 aspect ratio TV, for film greatness (Cinemascope). 58" LED-backlit one goes for about £4000.