new HDTV--Panasonic or pioneer

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what's your budget?

by Pepe7 Sep 30, 2008 4:58AM PDT

There can be a remarkable price difference depending on what your taste is. For video processing it's hard to beat a Pioneer Kuro IMHO. But that doesn't mean a Panny would not be a better value depending on your priorities. Some folks refuse to pay an additional $1K for a picture which is only 20% better, for example. Since you post such a broad question, it's helpful if you could limit to a specific size/price perhaps to serve as a guideline. [You don't even list a preference for LCD or plasma(!) ]

-Pedro

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what Pedro said

by jostenmeat Sep 30, 2008 5:07AM PDT

if you can't go bigger than 52", then we know that is a limiting factor, and then if we knew the budget, you can get a nicer display.

then again, if this is for mostly TV, which is usually craptastic, I dont think you really need Kuro PQ.

If you watch mostly in the daytime, or with lights on, or just a lot of ambient light in general, paying for deeper blacks is probably not worth it.

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excellent points....

by Pepe7 Sep 30, 2008 7:31AM PDT

Especially regarding craptastic TV content- I can sympathize Just think what most of us could do with the $1K saved(!) [can you say 'component upgrade'? 8-) ]

best,
Pedro

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what the heck is craptastic?

by EsmeH Oct 1, 2008 12:33AM PDT

don't know that term..............
as or your questions:
rarely watch daytime
watch at night with ambiant lighting
watch a movie 1 x wk and usually tivoed shows/movies in the evening

not totally out of the possibility of buying a bit bigger--surely don't need a 60"!

how about the panasonic 50 800u? although now I hear Samsung 950 is the great 'new technology'...and you could have a point about the extra $$ for the Pioneer.

thanks

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(NT) how about a relative budget? (n/t)

by Pepe7 Oct 1, 2008 4:40AM PDT

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OK now to figure $$$...

by EsmeH Oct 1, 2008 5:20AM PDT

I am figuring about $2k-ish for TV. Again, what does the C term mean?
thanks

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OT re: c-word; it means two things to me, actually

by Pepe7 Oct 1, 2008 5:30AM PDT

'Craptastic' might be the opposite of fantastic, as one might describe 99% of content on broadcast or cable/sat tv. Since my cable provider is Comcast, I also feel it's a decent play on words regarding their 'comcastic' ad-claim for their CATV content (LOL).

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which '950'?

by Pepe7 Oct 1, 2008 5:41AM PDT

I've seen the 800U at Circuit City on sale for $2199, and it would be a good choice IMO given your nocturnal, less than daylight ambient needs. If the Samsung '950' you're referring to is the 55" LCD (LN55A950), that's nearly $5K, so I assume you might have something else in mind(?) Going to a cheaper 46" version might not be as ideal if you're in a large room/longer viewing distance, and have previously had a 52" in the same space. YMMV. That's why when someone asks for HDTV recommendations, it's really tough without knowing more specifics .

What other components do you plan on using with the new HDTV(?)

cheers,
P

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Re: (NT) how about a relative budget? (n/t)

by daab78 Oct 10, 2008 1:48AM PDT

The 50PZ800U can be had for around 2k, and the Pioneer PDP-5020FD is around 2.4k. Although I personally prefer the Pioneer, the PZ800 in THX mode does have a very good picture for about 400 less.

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Etymology

by jostenmeat Oct 1, 2008 5:35AM PDT

CRAPTASTIC

Blend of crap and fantastic

Adjective

craptastic (comparative more craptastic, superlative most craptastic)

1. (UK, slang) Intended to be perceived as fantastic, but actually perceived as extremely poor quality.

That was the most craptastic movie I've ever seen!

Usage note: This is also used in the United States.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/craptastic

get a Panny, and be done. don't need a 60"? If you say so. I use a 159". Its perfect.

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the panasonic 800 vs 850?

by EsmeH Oct 1, 2008 5:45AM PDT

what is the diff between the THPX 800 and 850?

Any input on the samsung? Is the model that would cost the same (2k-ish) not as clean. Clarity is important to me.
thanks, guys

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PX or PZ?

by Pepe7 Oct 2, 2008 1:18AM PDT

Are you sure you don't mean PZ instead of PX?

I've only seen the PZ850U in person, and it looked pretty stellar to me. But the reviews seem to favor the colors on the PZ800U. YMMV. Keep in mind 'clarity' really is too general of a term IMO, since there still might be subtle differences based on your source material/equipment. It really is imperative to view several displays to get a feel for the picture quality you prefer, especially if you are comparing these two plasmas with a backlit LCD like the Samsung. A lot of it is preference based. There's really no right or wrong when you are working within a budget.

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I guess I mean PZ

by EsmeH Oct 3, 2008 12:32AM PDT

and 5K for the samsung is out of my range...I did go lookand compare pictures and thought the 2 best were the Samsung 950 and the Pioneer, and found both too expensive. So I think I am back to the Panasonic 50 or 58" 800 which was quite nice.

As for other parts of my new set up, I should probably upgrade the stereo set-up, DVD (to blu-ray?) and do I need a new satellite (Direct TV) piece too. I won't do these at once, too much cash outlay for one trip to the electronics store.....
how do you guys feel about the 'extended warranty' situation? I never buy them, but would it be a good thing for a new TV?
thanks

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Extended Warranty

by Mike Carreon Oct 7, 2008 1:59AM PDT

I bought a Panasonic 58" plasma (TH58PZ700U) after viewing many other brands and models. Beautiful picture. I bought mine here in So. Calif. at Paul?s TV's and got their Ext. Warranty for 4 years for $599.00!! Soon as I got my TV and unpacked everything, I found that Panasonic was offering a two-year warranty that starts after the initial 1-year warranty for a total of 3 years for only $404. I canceled the Paul?s warranty and went with the Panasonic. I have over 700 DVD's and have now starting replacing them with Blu-rays. Unbelievable picture with my Sony Blu-ray player and Panasonic TV. I went for a refurbished BDP-S500 from Sony, only because Sony offered a 3-year warranty for only $39.99.

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PX vs PZ

by mmayer54 Oct 10, 2008 2:32AM PDT

"PX" (PX80)is the "cheapy" or bottom end of the Panasonic line and is 720p and a native contrast of 15,000-1.

"PZ" as in (PZ800 & PZ850) are 1080p and have 30,000-1 native contrast ratios.

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Bigger is better

by GENE8 Oct 3, 2008 4:41PM PDT

You will be making a smart choice by getting the biggest TV screen you can afford if you have the space for it. But you gave no specific information as to what HDTV you're looking for, except the brand names. Do you want an LCD? or a Plasma?

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size does not necessarily mean you get the better PQ

by Pepe7 Oct 4, 2008 12:56AM PDT

Your advice is too general to be useful w/o knowing what setup/room parameters he has. Let's pretend the room is 15x30', but the family only ever sits within 10' of the TV. Why would he want to get anything larger than around 50"? What if his eyes prefer the PQ of a 46 or 50" panny plasma but he uses your advice to buy a larger Sammy that he ends up w/ buyer's remorse(?) <understanding where you're coming from, but playing the devil's advocate>

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question was about size only

by GENE8 Oct 4, 2008 3:02AM PDT

Esmeh said he/she wanted a 52" TV, so I suggested that esmeh get the biggest size screen for his/her space, which would be a 52" anyway, since esmeh said he/she had the space for it. The question esmeh was asking was, is bigger better or smaller better? esmeh did'nt seem to me to be asking about the picture quality. That's why I asked what kind of TV esmeh was looking for, LCD or Plasma. The type of TV will determine what picture quality would be best for that particular screen size. Also, esmeh did'nt mention exactly what the size of the room was, or how far he/she will be sitting, only that he/she had enough space.

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room is very large approx. 20 x 20, and we do

by EsmeH Oct 4, 2008 3:33AM PDT

sit easily 12-15' back from the screen. How is led diff from plasma?
thanks

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get the biggest you can possibly get, afford, fit

by jostenmeat Oct 4, 2008 6:27AM PDT

at 12-15 ft. I sit at 15 ft, and use a 159" screen, after using calculators, and spending a week throwing the pic up on a blank wall. I'm not saying you need a display that big, but definitely do not skimp on size!

try this calc:
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

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You can have a big screen

by GENE8 Oct 4, 2008 4:49PM PDT

With the room size you have and the sitting distance you'll be in, a screen size of 50' to 60' max. should be good. Both LCD and Plasma are flat-panel TVs. LCDs generally only go as big as 52', but plasmas can go from about 40' to 65', so you have a wider selection of screen sizes to choose from with Plasma. LCD TVs weigh less than Plasmas do, but have a less natural-looking picture than Plasmas. They are also less subject to burn-in than Plasmas and use less energy than Plasmas. Plasma TVs are suppose to have more lifelike colors, deeper blacks, and a wider viewing angle(image does'nt fade when you look from the side, as with LCD TVs and monitors). If you are concerned about using up a lot of energy, don't want to worry about image burn-in, and want to watch TV under any lighting, then go for LCD. If you want a richer-looking picture and want to be able to watch TV from off-axis under more controlled lighting, then go for Plasma.

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that was great info!! what about LED?

by EsmeH Oct 5, 2008 1:59AM PDT

is that yet another option, or am i mixing up my abbreviations?
thanks

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LED-a new technology

by GENE8 Oct 5, 2008 3:15AM PDT

LED is a new technology that just recently came out a few years ago. It is different from LCD and Plasma, because it is not a TV display in itself, but a method of backlighting that is used to take the place of the lamps used in DLP and LCD TVs. As of now, there are no TVs on the market that have LED displays, although Sony is supposed to be introducing one called OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode).Flat-panel TVs will need to have their lamps replaced after certain hours of use (usully 10,000 hours if the tv is on 24/7 without being turned off). TVs that use LED lighting do not use lamps, so there is no need for lamp replacement. That means the hours of operation without picture interruption is not an issue with an LED-powered TV.

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COST of LED backlighting

by mmayer54 Oct 5, 2008 3:34AM PDT

The new LED backlit LCD flat panels are extremely expensive. The new Sansung LN55A950 ($4,299) and the LN46A950 ($3,299) MSRP.

However, the LED backlit DLP rear projrction sets are a "real bargain". With a long life and great contrast ratio, a 61" to 67" 1080p from Samsung can be found for "under $2,000"!

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GENE, I appreciate your good intentions

by jostenmeat Oct 5, 2008 4:16AM PDT

but its not about room size- its about viewing distance- which she has described.

At 15' from a 60" display, assuming perfect 20/20 vision, she will not benefit, whatsoever, in the slightest, 1080p. She will enjoy 720p.

At 15' from a 50" display, 480p is good enough. She will not, cannot, discern any difference of even 720p.

At 12' from 60" display, she will get FULL benefit of 720p. 1080p is still completely useless.

At 12' from a 50" display, she will get decent benefit of 720p. 1080p is useless.

Plasmas are the best pic for flat panels. Not only are they the best pic, they are also the best value. LCDs use comparable amounts of energy: plasmas are rated for maximum output, but who watches a blazing bright white screen all day long? True usages are much more comparable than not.

Now, if we start talking about RPTVs, and bigger size, and bigger budgets, Id bee-line right towards Sony XBR-2 SXRD 70". I wouldnt be surprised if all of them have been snatched up since they are discontinued recently. $5k msrp however.

jostenmeat

ps re 15', 12', 50", 60", or any combo therof, you can plug into the calc I linked for viewing angle.

*sigh*

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(NT) and hence my recommendation to get the biggest you can fit

by jostenmeat Oct 5, 2008 4:17AM PDT

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i thought i wanted plasma...

by EsmeH Oct 7, 2008 6:21AM PDT

my research tld me that for my viewing, probably plasma would suit me....am wrong? ad I think you are probably right about bigger is better...but don't the prices go up significantly after 50"??

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big tv

by leroy slater Oct 3, 2008 10:14PM PDT

I can only say want I would look for: natually it has to be hdtv, it should be as big as possible, must accept blue-ray inputs. short refresh rate, go to the store and stand real close to look at the pixals, future back will make even a cheap tv look good. must accept satelite receiver, for any local or network stations will only be a waste of your money, the tv most certainly needs out-put to your computer, so that you can make a copy of all you watch, no sense of watching something only once! Needs to have input from your computer to play back downloads or saved movies. I really like VHS because you can pause back-up and continue if some idiot talks when I'm watching a movie. And if you have idiots that talk when the tv is on, then you need headset output jacks on the tv. And I guess that a good extra would be the capability to output to a remote tv, so you can retire to the bedroom to finish your show. and 5.1 audio out-put is a given. things i think are important just aren't yet on the market, just normal cheap stuff to please the average family putting up with each other. I'm sorry about the negative side of tv, I'm 64 and started with black & white I love Lucy, I have tastes now.

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Ok, some good new points...

by EsmeH Oct 4, 2008 12:24AM PDT

all my friends and neighbors with their input will be gad to hear 'bigger is better'. Will check out the 'stand close/pixel' thing, to. I think plasma is the better alternative for me ($$ being a factor) shouldn't this be OK?
thanks

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Want BIG for less? Go Samsung DLP 61 & 67" (LED engine)

by mmayer54 Oct 4, 2008 1:14AM PDT

Samsung's HL61A750 for around $1600 or the HL67A750 for around $1,999 give you the most "bang for your buck"!
They are 1080p, have 10,000 to 1 contrast ratio, 60,000 hour LED backlight engine,look fantastic, and, what most people don't realize, WEIGH ONLY 70 & 80LBS !

I have one an love it!

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