Help with new TV purchase

[rcpratt]

I'm considering purchasing a new TV, just graduated and starting my new job, so I haven't had anything but an ol' crappy CRT before. I would prefer to keep my budget fairly low, around $1000-1500, but I could spend a bit more if it's worth it. Anything above 50" is going to be too big for the room, but I'd like at least 40". Somewhere between 42"-46" would probably be best. I do know that I definitely want a 1080p set.

I must admit that I do not know a ton about the differences between LCD, plasma, LED, etc. I would primarily be watching sports (basketball, football, baseball mostly) and the occasional show, as well as playing PS3 and watching DVDs/Blurays. In the future I also plan on building an HTPC that I can put all of my downloaded/ripped TV shows and movies on as well.

Again, I am open to just about anything and am primarily interested in getting the best performance for my money, although I don't by any means need the very best. But I've heard things such as the newish 120Hz LCDs being much better for sports that I'm just not totally sure on. I appreciate and help and opinions!

 

[JackBurton]

You have a good budget to work with and the Panasonic 50" G10 fall perfectly within it.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIE...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1261767774&sr=8-1

It is just a really good set all the way around. You should be very happy with it.

 

[rcpratt]

You have a good budget to work with and the Panasonic 50" G10 fall perfectly within it.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIER...1767774&sr=8-1

It is just a really good set all the way around. You should be very happy with it.

Can anyone give me a quick rundown or a link to the advantages/disadvantages of LCD/Plasma/LED? I have heard that plasma has superior contrast and blacks compared to LCD, are there any disadvantages? That looks like a nice set from what I can tell, but what am I looking at with plasmas other than the contrast ratio?

 

[rcpratt]

This is a bit overwhelming. From what I've read, plasmas are superior in picture quality, contrast ratio and blacks, and motion tracking. The only real disadvantage to plasma seems to be burn in, which is easily avoidable and fixable?

I read some reviews on that P50G10 and it sounds great. I've also seen really good reviews on the P50V10 and the Samsung PN50B650. The Samsung is a bit cheaper but any of them would fit in my price range. I do plan on getting out to a brick and mortar store and looking at these, but does anybody have specific experience with any of those? Is there really a significant difference in picture quality to make up for the ~$100 difference between the P50G10 and the PN50B650?

 

[blackangst1]

Yes, most if not all of the earlier disadvantages of plasma are gone. Really the deciding factor should be how bright the room is where its going. Remember plasma has glass on the outside whic will reflect. Some have an AR coating, but it doesnt alleviate it entirely.

Anyway, for the differences I would suggest Google. Not trying to be a dick, but IMHO when making a major purchase you should get as much info as you can. Theres a ton of info out there. I know because I started asking the same questions in August before buying a TV on Black Friday. good forum to read is http://www.avsforum.com. Theyre pretty much the big boy's A/V board.

 

[rcpratt]

Trying to google and ask a few questions at the same time ^_^

No windows in the room the TV will be in, so I don't suppose glare will be an issue. Thanks for the forum link.

G10 seems to be the right choice for me as I do more research. The V10 is a bit out of my price range, and I have no problems with the G10's depth.

 

[blackangst1]

Then I would go with plasma personally. You'll save a few hundred bucks too

 

[AndroidVageta]

Have you thought of a projection DLP TV? I got my Mitsubishi 60inch 1080p 120hz TV for $900...try getting that size and resolution at that price with LCD or plasma. Projections are also a lot smaller now a days too...mine isnt but a foot deep and its small, meant to be put on table tops...no big ass cabinet anymore.

I mean, honestly...unless you are hanging it on your wall, whats the advantages of plasma and LCD? Granted a DLP is thicker, but its way small enough to fit on the stand that that LCD or plasma you are eventually going to buy is going to be on.

Just my 2 cents, but for size, resolution, refresh rate, and overall brightness and picture quality, DLPs are the best...just not 2-3 inches thick.

 

[rcpratt]

Where are the best places to buy TVs, both brick-and-mortar and online? I'd prefer to get it in person, but I doubt I'm going to get as good of a price there. I'm going to stop at Best Buy and Costco tomorrow just to look around, but the Best Buy price on the P50G10 is about $250 higher than both amazon and newegg.

 

[rcpratt]

Went and checked out some TVs in person today and I was very impressed with the Panasonic P50G10.

Considering grabbing one at either amazon or newegg (same price), where they're about $250 cheaper after tax than any local big box store.

 

[Tiamat]

Panasonic G10
Samsung 46" LEDLCD is 100$ over your budget I think.

Amazon.com is pretty good with shipping (direct from amazon, I dunno about various merchants on amazon though).

I bought an S14 50" Panny from costco several months ago before the G10 dropped to below 1500$, and am very happy with it.

Setting it up (getting it outta the box and onto a stand or wall) with another person makes the job much easier. Certainly not something I would suggest you to do by yourself.

 

[Bonesdad]

your original post indicated you wanted 42-46" TV. The G10 comes in both of those flavors, in addition to the 50". I just got the 46" G10 a few weeks ago and I really love it. Got mine at Amazon.com for $1100 plus a free $100 credit toward Amazon Video on Demand. Do you think the VieraCast would be something you are interested in? If not, consider the Panasonic S1...same picture quality, without the VieraCast.

 

[rcpratt]

your original post indicated you wanted 42-46" TV. The G10 comes in both of those flavors, in addition to the 50". I just got the 46" G10 a few weeks ago and I really love it.

Yeah, at first I was thinking of going a bit smaller, because 50" is going to be slightly too big for my place right now. But I'm going to be moving into a new house in June, and the more I thought about it, I figured I should spend the extra $300 now to get something that I know I'll be happy with for longer. It's still in my budget, anyways. The size difference between the 42" and 50" really blew me away yesterday.

 

[sdifox]

Yeah, at first I was thinking of going a bit smaller, because 50" is going to be slightly too big for my place right now. But I'm going to be moving into a new house in June, and the more I thought about it, I figured I should spend the extra $300 now to get something that I know I'll be happy with for longer. It's still in my budget, anyways. The size difference between the 42" and 50" really blew me away yesterday.

50" =141% of 42" screen area. Just picked up a Panny X series 50" 720p for the bedroom so my wife can watch tv...of course with the new tv, there is a pending room reorg.


$#@%#@$%@#$%@#$%#$

 

[rcpratt]

Ordered the P50G10 on newegg today, on sale for $1200. Checked it out again at a local audio/video store and the guys there were very high on the Panny's. I'd rather not order such a large and expensive item online, but it's $200 cheaper (plus tax) than the cheapest B&M store I could find. Others have said their online HDTV purchases worked out well, so hopefully I don't have any issues.

 

[sdifox]

Conglats. You got a nice tv.

 

[KaChow]

Ordered the P50G10 on newegg today, on sale for $1200. Checked it out again at a local audio/video store and the guys there were very high on the Panny's. I'd rather not order such a large and expensive item online, but it's $200 cheaper (plus tax) than the cheapest B&M store I could find. Others have said their online HDTV purchases worked out well, so hopefully I don't have any issues.

I got my P50G10 from Amazon and I was a bit apprehensive about buying online but the delivery process was very smooth (and the G10 is awesome!).

 

[Unmoosical]

your original post indicated you wanted 42-46" TV. The G10 comes in both of those flavors, in addition to the 50". I just got the 46" G10 a few weeks ago and I really love it. Got mine at Amazon.com for $1100 plus a free $100 credit toward Amazon Video on Demand. Do you think the VieraCast would be something you are interested in? If not, consider the Panasonic S1...same picture quality, without the VieraCast.

Is the VieraCast really the only difference between the G10 And S1?

 

[rcpratt]

Is the VieraCast really the only difference between the G10 And S1?

THX certification and calibration, I believe. The guys at the store swore to me that there's no other difference in picture quality, but I'm not going to get it professionally calibrated so the THX is pretty important to me.

 

[manimal]

S1 uses a different panel than the G10 doesnt it? G10 is cheapest neopdp panel you can get I thought. If I rememeber correctly the anti glare is better on the g10 as well.

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_...600Hz+NeoPDP/2323941/index.html#anker_2323943

Wife and I love our g10-its our bedroom tv and gets lots of use now that our triplets are home.

 

[blackangst1]

THX cert is useless unless you also take into account other THX factors such as wiring, speakers, room ambiance, and quality of power among other things. Sure it can give you bragging rights, but if the rest of your system and room are not THX cert'd...well...youre overpaying and it wont benefit you. When Lucas created the THX cert, he intended for movies to look and sound the way HE wanted, and THX was born. Remember, THX is not a format like DTS is.

That said, if a component HAS THX cert, then cool. But I certainly wouldnt buy because of it.

Just mine and many others humble opinion.

 

[rcpratt]

S1 uses a different panel than the G10 doesnt it? G10 is cheapest neopdp panel you can get I thought. If I rememeber correctly the anti glare is better on the g10 as well.

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/Viera+Flat+Screen+TV/Overview/VIERA+|+600Hz+NeoPDP/2323941/index.html#anker_2323943

Wife and I love our g10-its our bedroom tv and gets lots of use now that our triplets are home.

Not sure on the panels, but I'm pretty sure that the anti-glare is just as good on the S1. The guy in the store that I was talking to the other day turned off the G10, S1, and some older Panny and was showing us the glare difference between them. G10 and S1 seemed the same and much better than the previous models.

 

[sdifox]

Not sure on the panels, but I'm pretty sure that the anti-glare is just as good on the S1. The guy in the store that I was talking to the other day turned off the G10, S1, and some older Panny and was showing us the glare difference between them. G10 and S1 seemed the same and much better than the previous models.

the AR coating on my X1 is pretty good so I imagine the newer lines would be better.