Also contrast ratios can only be used to judge HD sets within the same company lineup. If you have two Samsung sets next to each other, one 30000:1 the other 25000:1 then the 30k will likely be better. But if you compare a Sony's contrast ratio to a Samsung it really won't matter, different companies use different stats for that. Its not like a set in stone number like Gigs of RAM or miles per gallon that is standard across the board.
here's a very detailed article about plasma vs lcd http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/features/779/plasma-vs-lcd-round-ii.html here's a good review site http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/plasma-vs-lcd.html
Actually the Samsung has 35,000:1 contrast ratio. I actually went to Costco last Saturday and saw it in person. I love the design compared to the Panasonic and the picture actually looked better than any plasma they had on display. It also has a glossy screen and looks absolutely fantastic. $1500 is pretty hard to beat for that set. (Keep in mind the a580 is going for $1999 right now, while the a650 is going for $2080) I've always preferred the colors and the brightness of the LCD myself, but still don't know if the plasma was the better choice for me. What I'll do is get the Samsung and keep it for 2.5 months. If Costco comes out with something else or I notice any blurring/ghosting affects, I'll return it for the plasma. And I'll take your advice and spend that other 300 on a nice stand. Thanks July 28th can't come soon enough.
The weird thing is, last year's elite models are just as expensive as this years! Ridiculous. I think I'm now leaning for the Elite PRO-111.. The non-Elite is about 1K cheaper, but can't be professionally calibrated. Has anyone had their set professionally calibrated and can say one way or the other how much effect it has?
i wouldn't say that seeing at TV at the store is the best setting, but that's still a great deal. I'm sure you'll be pretty happy with it! blurring/ghosting is usually seen on the cheapo brands (the plasma review website also reviews lcds) Another person who's helping the economy!
The KURO model is much better than the non KURO model. Elite or not. Of course the ELITE KURO is considered the best display money could buy.
I just read your articles and it seems like plasmas are still winning in each category. I'm going to have to go back to look at the plasma in person. Costco also has that same Panasonic plasma in a 42" version selling for $1200. Now we can reverse it again and say get that over the LCD and buy a stand with the $300 savings. I'm going for quality over size right now. This is really confusing. Thoughts?
i'm looking at costo's site. screw the 1080p, you can hardly tell the difference unless you are using a bluray player anyways, get this http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11292550&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79&N=4018653&Mo=7&No=4&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=74652&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav= the 50inch plasma
50 inch plasma I sit 10 ft away too. 50inch is the best size. this is the much better deal. 42in 1080p or 50in 720p that's not a contest if they are the same price.
I didn't even look at the 720p TV's. That is a great deal! Honestly though, I always like to get the best available. I really don't mind spending the extra $600 on 1080p. It's more future proof, no? I am planning on getting a Blu-Ray player too.
i have a 720p sony 50inch wega, they don't make them anymore. i've got compliments on how my tv looks better than anyone elses. the trick is setting up the TV settings correctly and having the best connections. resolution is the last thing you should think of when you buy a new TV. quality, contrast, color, video processing, viewing angles, motion smoothness are 10x more important. oh yeah, SIZE matters! it is future proof dude. 1080p is only for video games/bluray and its not worth $600. HDTV is 1080i/720p. so you're fine. 50 > 42, EVERY TIME. I don't think you'll go wrong with either, but you'll be more mad that you didn't get the 50inch as oppose to thinking that you're missing out on the 1080p .
I think I'm sold! Thanks for your help. I knew I'd get more out of here than AVS forum. I'll pick it up this weekend and let you know how it goes. Don't forget, if I don't like it I can return it within 3 months no questions asked!
i think this is the review of that tv. you should copy their settings when you get it and tweak it alittle to suit your viewing situation. http://plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-th50px75u-review.html VALUE RATING: 96 Price Considerations: $1799 is a very good price for this quality of picture. This 1366 X 768 plasma will perform just as well as its 1080p counterparts, which cost $1000 more. Of course it won’t accept 1080p signals but I dare you to do a site test between a 1080p signal and a 1080i signal pumped into a 1080p plasma TV and swear you can tell the difference. My trained eye can not. Quality Comparison: Plasma still outperforms LCD by quite a bit in picture quality. The TH-50PX75U plasma TV will give the owner a stellar picture, surpassed by very few 50” plasmas on the market and I would venture to say no LCD televisions. The only drawback is the lack of all those extra features. This is a great looking display with bare bones features.
are you looking to hooking up a PC? I don't think that particular plasma has a DVI/VGA input. I think Samsung Plasmas do. However LCDs are recommended if you a planning on using it as a giant monitor.
BestBuy has a very good deal on Sony KDL46XBR4 for $1999. This is the least I have seen on this TV online or in store http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...=xbr4&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1184369372441
Thats a low contrast ratio for a Samsung model. But I think maybe all their DLPs are lower, its their nature. Just go look at it in action. Thats the best advice.
