Headlines
TV experts?
- Thread starter PARADOX
- Start date
That would be a small size
I would look at Panasonic TX line. They are the comercial units NOT the Vista stuff.
I would also look at LG and if you play a lot of video games then Sharp LCD's
BillR
Charter Member
That would be a small size
I would look at Panasonic TX line. They are the comercial units NOT the Vista stuff.
I would also look at LG and if you play a lot of video games then Sharp LCD's
Ditto.
Stay away from the junk (Visio, Sylvania, westinghouse, olievia, etc)
If you have LOTS of light in the room (LOTS of light!) go LCD. Otherwise go plasma. Plasma picture quality is best by a long shot. The uneducated will recommend LCD because some other uneducated twit said that was the way to go.
LCD has come a long way up in picture quality, but do not come close to plasma yet.
MarylandMark
Charter Member
Plasma 37" and up. Plasma's for action- watch a football game and you can see trails of the players feet on a LCD (not too bad these days but still inferior to plasma)
LCD- 32" and under. LCD for still images- computer screens, photo frames, etc. The big seller for these are size- can't get a plasma (LG is only one that makes a 32" plasma-rest start 37-42") but buyer still wants a flat screen (and should- big boxes are out).
I've had good luck with Panasonic plasmas. Had a NEC 42, then 50 Panny and now (2) 50 Pannys. 1st Panny was still good- left it installed in my house when I sold it.
Westinghouse LCD's have been good to me FOR THE PRICE. I have 5 of the 32" and no issues. 19" Sharp is nice for smaller TV since speakers are on the bottom vs sides can fit in more places.
Best Buy, Circuit City, etc often have open box specials- check them out. Most of the time they will be 20%+ off retail and throw in a 3 year in store service warranty for free ($200ish value?).
Under 50-55" try to deal on 1080i vs 1080p- not worth the extra $$ for the p unless your eyes can tell the difference (mine can't). Make sure the signal is from the same source. Big box stores have the same signal going to all the TV's- they like to give the cleanest signal to the hot item TV's. If you can tell the difference between one TV and another have them hook up a DVD or Blu Ray to them both to see if you can still tell the difference.
LCD- 32" and under. LCD for still images- computer screens, photo frames, etc. The big seller for these are size- can't get a plasma (LG is only one that makes a 32" plasma-rest start 37-42") but buyer still wants a flat screen (and should- big boxes are out).
I've had good luck with Panasonic plasmas. Had a NEC 42, then 50 Panny and now (2) 50 Pannys. 1st Panny was still good- left it installed in my house when I sold it.
Westinghouse LCD's have been good to me FOR THE PRICE. I have 5 of the 32" and no issues. 19" Sharp is nice for smaller TV since speakers are on the bottom vs sides can fit in more places.
Best Buy, Circuit City, etc often have open box specials- check them out. Most of the time they will be 20%+ off retail and throw in a 3 year in store service warranty for free ($200ish value?).
Under 50-55" try to deal on 1080i vs 1080p- not worth the extra $$ for the p unless your eyes can tell the difference (mine can't). Make sure the signal is from the same source. Big box stores have the same signal going to all the TV's- they like to give the cleanest signal to the hot item TV's. If you can tell the difference between one TV and another have them hook up a DVD or Blu Ray to them both to see if you can still tell the difference.
getchasum111
Charter Member
hey Paradox...I bought one last week...the glare is about equal on newer plasmas vs lcd so go with plasma....as far as 720 vs 1080p...if you buy under 42 in. it doesn't matter...if you go 50 and sit closer than 8 feet from the tv it does matter...go with 1080p...but if you are sitting over 8 feet away go with a 50 in. 720p...you can't tell the dif....i just bought the panasonic 50in. 720p and love it...i don't see how it could be any better...paid $995 for mine at best buy...saw they have them on sale today for $885...i think thats a deal....hope this helps...
Buoy
Founding Member
Not to sidetrack, but I have a question regarding the LCD/Plasma thing.
I'll probably be shopping before too long.
How do these hold up, and is one better than the other.
Let me explain, If I'm home, the TV is on. I mean 16-18hrs straight. Only time it's off is if I'm heading to bed, or at work.
Not actually watching it all that time, but it kind of "takes up space" and we just leave it on all the time.
Any problem with one vs. the other?
I'll probably be shopping before too long.
How do these hold up, and is one better than the other.
Let me explain, If I'm home, the TV is on. I mean 16-18hrs straight. Only time it's off is if I'm heading to bed, or at work.
Not actually watching it all that time, but it kind of "takes up space" and we just leave it on all the time.
Any problem with one vs. the other?
MarylandMark
Charter Member
LCD's last longer than plasmas but both are advertised lasting over 60K hours these days (about 10 years at 18 hours a day)
PARADOX
Founding Member
I heard something about the Plasmas needs to be recharged or something?
If the set lasts 4-5 years it's plenty. After they become obsolete anyway.
Looking for the better quality picture and int. components and reliability.
THe less "stretch" the better. I like the wide screen and flat screen,, but eseing a target add with the bulls eye a flat "O" is nuts.
Everyone looks fat in these things.
If the set lasts 4-5 years it's plenty. After they become obsolete anyway.
Looking for the better quality picture and int. components and reliability.
THe less "stretch" the better. I like the wide screen and flat screen,, but eseing a target add with the bulls eye a flat "O" is nuts.
Everyone looks fat in these things.
getchasum111
Charter Member
not exactly true with the newer models....the panasonic plasma i just bought is good for 100,000 hours...no recharging...after 2 years of lcd use it is going to lose 30% of the brightness where a plasma loses only 4%....the plasmas have become much more reliable in the last year...
MarylandMark
Charter Member
I was going on the low end on hours- only a year ago most were saying around 30K hours and now most all of them say at least 60K hours. Either way- longer time than most will have a TV for.
I'm not doubting someone said that about loss of brighness but I spend quite a lot of time in front of LCD's and haven't ever seen even close to that much loss. I have 13 offices with at least 6 LCD's side-by-side in each office that are on 24 hours a day with 2 per office replaced every year. So I see two brand new units next to two two year old and two three year old units that have been on 24 hours a day that whole time and there is little difference. You can only tell the older ones by the total size (same screen size/bigger box around it) and the dust on them.
Recharging was a myth- total BS.
Like all them 2's- LOL!
I'm not doubting someone said that about loss of brighness but I spend quite a lot of time in front of LCD's and haven't ever seen even close to that much loss. I have 13 offices with at least 6 LCD's side-by-side in each office that are on 24 hours a day with 2 per office replaced every year. So I see two brand new units next to two two year old and two three year old units that have been on 24 hours a day that whole time and there is little difference. You can only tell the older ones by the total size (same screen size/bigger box around it) and the dust on them.
Recharging was a myth- total BS.
Like all them 2's- LOL!
getchasum111
Charter Member
yea i may have been closed on the 30% loss....car guys are easy sales...we spend all day negotiating on car deals i just want to get in and get out when i buy something....but i did buy a 60 sony lcd 4 years ago for $5,500 and it was a terrible tv....but they have come along way...anyways i bought the 50 in pansonic plasma last week and love it...
MarylandMark
Charter Member
See what I like:
Great choice- will be the brand for my next and next and next TV as well if they keep running the way they do. I have had high end A/V techs come over for dinner or whatever and wonder how/why my picture is so good.
Watch some porn - felt like I was there in more ways than 1.. :rofl:
BillR
Charter Member
No recharging - just a myth.
The stretch feature of a Panasonic "Viera"(sp?) looks funny. The Panansonic TX (commercial line) looks much better. The LG's and Pioneers look good on "stretch mode" too. Samsungs look odd depending on the model.
From the experts in the business (Audio & myself) recommend (no order):
Panasonic commercial
Pioneer & Pioneer Elite
LG
I have been in the business for 34+ years. I have sold TV's since they were tubes. The above is what I would buy. Unless it is 60+" I would pay no attention to 1080p. It really doesn't matter. I also would NOT buy the entry level model from any MFG. They ALL cut corners on those to hit price points. Then you've bought something engineered to be cheap instead of look good.
Jon, you agree?
ImaPoser
New member
Dang. You just saved me some coin. I'm going to do a full TV update at both houses after the new year, so I will be buying three 42" and two 26" tvs. I had it in my head I needed the 1080 in the 42, and 720 would be fine for the bedroom tvs. I guess I will go 720 everywhere.
Do they sell the panasonic commercial grade models at retail stores?
MarylandMark
Charter Member
My 1st plasma was a NEC42- out of business tech company auctioned them off for like $5K back in 2000ish.
It didn't have a tuner in it- don't need one in most cases because your set top box is the tuner used anyway. I got such a deal on the ones I have I haven't checked them lately- may be another option to save some coin by buying a pure commercial unit.
It didn't have a tuner in it- don't need one in most cases because your set top box is the tuner used anyway. I got such a deal on the ones I have I haven't checked them lately- may be another option to save some coin by buying a pure commercial unit.
BillR
Charter Member
You'll find them at your better local specialty stores. The big box grocery stores= no way.
