• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Best PLASMA TV under $2000?

C

Chiropteran

Diamond Member
After moving to my new apartment, I came to realize that even though I never really watch TV I would really like to have something better than my 24" computer monitor for watching movies.

Since my interest is watching movies, typically in the evening when the room is dark, I think plasma is superior to LCD for my needs.

However, looking at plasma TV offerings at best buy and newegg and such I am completely lost. While I know I want native 1920X1080 resolution (1080p), beyond that I'm not sure what features I should be looking for. I am primarily concerned with picture quality and reliability, I don't want a TV that is going to show bad pixels or bad scan lines after a year.

Basically, I only expect to watch movies and occasionally TV. I don't even own a game system, I'm more of a PC gamer.

But, I really don't know what else I should be looking for. At newegg for example, the cheapest 1080p plasma is this. It all looks good to me, the reviews sound good, is there any reason why I should instead be looking at more expensive TVs?

Screen size isn't that important to me. I'd rather have a sharper small screen rather than the biggest screen I can afford at a loss of clarity. I'd also prefer something that I can move myself without giving myself a hernia. Anything 42"+ would be a huge increase from what I have now so it'll be good enough.

Anyone have any suggestions?
 
If you're going with a 1080p model I sure would get at least a 50" screen. Otherwise you're going to have to sit pretty close to make that extra resolution worth anything to you. Especially considering you don't have a gaming system or computer connected.
 
Is 10 extra inches really worth $600 more? I'm used to watching movies on my 24" LCD computer monitor, so going from that to a 42" will be a huge increase already.
 
Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Is 10 extra inches really worth $600 more? I'm used to watching movies on my 24" LCD computer monitor, so going from that to a 42" will be a huge increase already.
Click to expand...

Many mid tier(Panasonic, Samnsung,ect) HDTV's are already so high quality that the differences between them are fairly insignificant. That extra 10" of screen space is a MUCH larger difference when it comes to desirability/long term happiness.

 
I recently got the Panasonic 50px80U for $1500. It's 720p. However, I looked at the Panny 1080p right beside it a number of times and I could not tell any difference at my viewing distance, about 10 feet. Actually the human eye cannot resolve the difference in pixel size at that distance. If you're running your PC through it you would need 1080p for easier compatibility, but if you're just watching movies.... And I agree, the bigger screen the better. I almost went for a 42", I'm soooooooooooo glad I didn't.

Check out avsforum.com for more in depth discussions than you ever want to read....
 
I've pretty much decided on a Samsung PN50A550, 50" 1080p. I was at best buy tonight and I could easily tell the difference between the 720p TVs and the 1080p, I could usually tell the difference between plasma and LCD, although some of the cheaper plasma looked a lot like LCD to me.

Anyway, how bad of an idea would it be to buy a TV like this online? Just thinking from the perspective of what if I get it and it has a ton of bad pixels, or whole scan lines that just don't look right. I'm thinking it might be worth paying an extra $100-$200 just to buy it local where, in worst case scenario, exchanging it would be easier.
 
Originally posted by: Chiropteran
I've pretty much decided on a Samsung PN50A550, 50" 1080p. I was at best buy tonight and I could easily tell the difference between the 720p TVs and the 1080p, I could usually tell the difference between plasma and LCD, although some of the cheaper plasma looked a lot like LCD to me.

Anyway, how bad of an idea would it be to buy a TV like this online? Just thinking from the perspective of what if I get it and it has a ton of bad pixels, or whole scan lines that just don't look right. I'm thinking it might be worth paying an extra $100-$200 just to buy it local where, in worst case scenario, exchanging it would be easier.
Click to expand...

That's entirely up to you. However, I think QC is pretty good on sets and I have seen very few that have any sort of problem.
 
I own a Samsung 550 series (46 inch), and a Panasonic 50" 1080p plasma. Both are great in their respective functions, but I will say this: I really like the Samsung's functionality better. I like the menus better, and frankly, I enjoy the picture better. But I am impressed with Panasonic's "consierge" service - their support is outstanding. The Panasonic has a "store" mode where it resets to a vivid setting (blast out the contrast to impress customers), and the support guy helped me resolve it quickly with one call (and he spoke clear English!)

So it's all in taste. I am now a fan of Samsung LCD's. If their plasmas are as good with their menu system and with the outstanding resolving of sd content, then you're going to be very happy.
 
We sit about 8 feet from our TV. We bought a 50" Plasma. When we got it home and set it up, my first thought was that it was too effing big. It's huge when compared to the scale of the room. People walk in and are awed by the size. But then, they are tube users.
Now we are used to it and it has fantastic PQ. I am glad we went with the 50"
 
I ended up buying the Samsung PN50A550 from amazon because I realized even if I bought one local I wouldn't be able to return it myself, I simply couldn't fit the damn TV in my car. There were a few places slightly cheaper than amazon but I wanted to go with a big company where I knew I would be okay if I had to return or exchange it.

It should be arriving within the next 2 hours.
 
Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
We sit about 8 feet from our TV. We bought a 50" Plasma. When we got it home and set it up, my first thought was that it was too effing big. It's huge when compared to the scale of the room. People walk in and are awed by the size. But then, they are tube users.
Now we are used to it and it has fantastic PQ. I am glad we went with the 50"
Click to expand...

Yes exactly. TV's look smaller the longer they stay in your room. A month after you buy it, the TV will seem smaller than when you first set it up.
 
Originally posted by: fanerman91
Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
We sit about 8 feet from our TV. We bought a 50" Plasma. When we got it home and set it up, my first thought was that it was too effing big. It's huge when compared to the scale of the room. People walk in and are awed by the size. But then, they are tube users.
Now we are used to it and it has fantastic PQ. I am glad we went with the 50"
Click to expand...

Yes exactly. TV's look smaller the longer they stay in your room. A month after you buy it, the TV will seem smaller than when you first set it up.
Click to expand...

lol - aint that the truth. I never heard anyone say after 3 months "dang, the TV is too big, I wish I would have bought a smaller one"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top