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Resolved Question

Buying Advice for Large (60"-plus) Flat Screen TV

Nov 25, 2011 3:45AM PST

I want to buy a 60" or 65" TV, with 3D capabilities, and Internet for streaming content. Although since there is no HDMI output on any of these TVs, Internet movie streaming isn't as important of a feature since I cannot run the HDMI video through my Yamaha RX-3010 AV receiver for upsampling of lower resultion videos. I use an Apple TV to do this (or our Samsung Samsung BD-D6500 Blu-ray 3D DVD player with Internet and apps). If there are any TVs you know of with HDMI output, let me know.

That said, the number one most important feature is I am looking for is image quality. Image is paramount. We do not have cable TV, satellite, or a DVR. We use our television ONLY for viewing DVDs (Blu-ray, standard, and 3D) or streaming HD movies. So we are looking for something that will provide the absolute best "cinema experience" on the market. I've done some extensive research and read a lot of reviews, and have narrowed down my choices to these three units:

1. Samsung 60" LED 8000 Series Plasma Smart TV with 3D - Model UN60D8000YF

2. VIERA 60" GT30 Series Plasma TV with 3D - Model number: TC-P60GT30

3. LG 60" 3D capable 1080P Plasma TV - Model: 60PZ950

4. Sony XBR HX929 Internet TV - Model: XBR-65HX929

Based on my stated desire of utmost picture quality, do you have any opinions about these three models? And are there any others I should be considering?

Discussion is locked

iseemvb has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Re: Output from the HDTV back to a receiver
Nov 25, 2011 12:30PM PST

If all you do is watch movies, the GT30 is the one to beat on that list if you are focused on maximizing PQ. Black levels and great picture quality is what's it's all about. It's an amazing machine.

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Thanks for the advice ...
Nov 26, 2011 12:29AM PST

The GT30 seems to be the consensus I'm hearing elsewhere, too. And yes, the Yamaha does upsample. Here is how it's hooked up:Samsung DVD - HDMI Out --> Yamaha HDMI inApple TV - HDMI Out --> Yamaha HDMI inYamaha - HDMI Out --> HDTV HDMI inI've also discovered, after using the Samsung Apps on my DVD player, that the Samsumg browser is atrocious and therefore would probably just stick to mostly streaming content from my Apple TV, which is a lot easier to use.

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Output from the HDTV back to a receiver
Nov 26, 2011 1:16AM PST

Sorry, I posted that before finishing my post. After taking a few measurements, it appears that the 60" size with plasma is ideal for us (viewing angle is important). The Panasonic GT series comes in a 60". However, the Panasonic VT series does not. The only difference I can determine between these two sets is that the VT series has something called "24P Cinematic Playback" at 96 Hz, whereas the GT series does not. What am I losing without this feature?

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Output from the HDTV back to a receiver
Nov 26, 2011 9:56PM PST

Movies are filmed at 24 frames a minute. 1080/24P can give you the most film like viewing, especially at 96Hz and only for blu rays (not DVD's although DVD's have 24p due to the complex upconverting that would be needed). Look in your blu ray user manual to see if it does have 1080/24P capability -- some don't. If it doesn't the TV won't do it on its own when playing a blu ray.
A lot of people are satisfied with a 48Hz setting on the blu ray player and TV. I have an older Panasonic V series TV and play blu rays at 96Hz and feel it is great.