Plasma?

[oz]

I've been watching LCD TV prices for last 6 months, waiting for the right deal. But recently I went to a friend's house and was really impressed with the picture quality of his plasma TV.  I had dismissed plasma because I thought it was old technology that uses a lot of electricity and is subject to burn-in – but the picture on his plasma was sharp and bright – much better than my bedroom LCD TV and most others I have seen.  So now I'm seriously considering plasma, especially since I can get a bigger TV for less money. And I've read that newer plasmas have all but eliminated the burn-in issues.

Any thoughts on plasma TV's?  I'm also thinking about a 720p system, because the price is nice.

This is the one I'm currently looking at and it has a coupon for $50 off:
Samsung PN50B450 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

[greenskingIV]

I've had an Hatachi 42" plasma for 3 years and I love it. Never had any burn in issues of any kind. My tv is also 720. The picture has always been sharp and black colors are dark not off white. I do get some motion blurr during quick action scenes but maybe newer plasmas are better.

[Ralph Kramden]

Plasmas are best in a somewhat dark room. And they are less forgiving of light shining on screen. Your friend's plasma might have the contrast and/or brightness cranked up for extra brightness. Do you know if he set it up properly with a calibration disc? Plasmas are on the way out also. Pioneer and Vizio are not making them anymore. I'm not sure about Panasonic.

[Talos4]

I have a Samsung Plasma 720p in the Rec Room that's now about 3 years old.

It's nice, would I have it as my primary display? No.

I bought it because the price was extremely right, and it was going to be the display in the Rec Room and used mostly for sports and casual viewing.

It's not in "torch" mode but I also have not calibrated it with disc.

Blacks on some material are washed out and contain artifacts. The colors with the exception of black are vibrant and true.

There's just "something" about it overall that makes me believe Plasma was not the best type of display.

I guess I'm spoiled by my Mits RPTV.

[Bebop]

Plasmas are best in a somewhat dark room. And they are less forgiving of light shining on screen. Your friend's plasma might have the contrast and/or brightness cranked up for extra brightness. Do you know if he set it up properly with a calibration disc? Plasmas are on the way out also. Pioneer and Vizio are not making them anymore. I'm not sure about Panasonic.

Current plasmas are much brighter than those of few years ago. One doesn't need to crank it up.

Panasonic is still a major player. Plasma is their bread and butter right now.

I still haven't found a LCD TV that can match the picture quality of a plasma or a better price for the same screen size.

[Bebop]

I've been watching LCD TV prices for last 6 months, waiting for the right deal. But recently I went to a friend's house and was really impressed with the picture quality of his plasma TV.  I had dismissed plasma because I thought it was old technology that uses a lot of electricity and is subject to burn-in – but the picture on his plasma was sharp and bright – much better than my bedroom LCD TV and most others I have seen.  So now I'm seriously considering plasma, especially since I can get a bigger TV for less money. And I've read that newer plasmas have all but eliminated the burn-in issues.

Any thoughts on plasma TV's?  I'm also thinking about a 720p system, because the price is nice.

This is the one I'm currently looking at and it has a coupon for $50 off:
Samsung PN50B450 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

Pay a little more and get a 1080p.

[markd]

I've always been a plasma fan and a Panasonic fanBOY

Just last month I replaced my old Panny 720 PDP with one of their new G10 panels and it's flipping awesome!  It blows any LCD I've ever seen out of the water.  The new glass and anti-glare technology has really improved over the years and the sets draw a lot less power than they used to.  My set is even in a room with beveled piano windows that have no window treatments (opposite wall even!) and light/glare isn't a big a problem.  Check out just about any Panny PDP thread on AVS and you'll find lots of LCD converts.  Burn-in hasn't been an issuel for a long time either (image retention is another issue; which is temporary but still not much of an issue with newer panels).

You might want to look into 1080p panels.  Depending on connections you're interested in, you could get a new Panny for close to that price.

[Matt Heebner]

I too have been looking at the Panny's G10 panel, and they do look very good. The wife seems to like it as well so I think it will replace the calibrated Mits RPTV I have (still sad to see it go but also tired of only being able to have our living room one way with one design too)

May i ask where you got your Panny ?

[markd]

May i ask where you got your Panny ?

42" from Amazon for $1k with free shipping.  The delivery company, Pilot, was top notch in my experience too.

[Bebop]

Last year, I got mine from Amazon too.

If you can wait, the Panasonic will drop another $250-300 by turkey day.

[OlsonNet]

Love my KURO 60". Got it when prices started to drop before the announcement that they were being discontinued, which of course let to prices shooting back up.

[Matt Heebner]

I have never been one to wait months just for a savings....you could always 'wait' till prices are lower, but I would rather get 4 to 5 months of use out of one now.

Looking at purchasing in the next couple of weeks...just need to find the best current deal.

[SRW1000]

If you're looking for the biggest screen for the best price, at least take a look at the rear-projection DLP sets.  For an extra $100 you can get a 60" 1080p Mitsubishi set at American.

Price-wise, nothing else can even come close, and some of us have been very, very happy with the quality.

Of course, these can't hang on a wall since it's almost 15" deep, but that might be a small sacrifice for a great viewing experience.

Scott

[Matt Heebner]

Sounds like a good deal but I definitely need a 'wall-hanger'.  I kinda have settled on  the Panny G10, unless I can find an incredible deal on a 60" plasma or top rated LCD....

[oz]

Thanks for all the advice.

I ended up getting the Samsung PN50B450 after all.  Yes it's only 720p (reviews I read said not many people can see the difference on it) but it's really thin, 50", and has a beautiful picture, all for under $900.  

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