I think I want a plasma, but just bought an LED LCD. Looking for opinions.

[OCNewbie]

First off, I would ideally like to get a 42" 1080P Plasma. The problem is, my budget is around $500. This will be my first non-CRT TV.

I just bought this LED LCD from Walmart yesterday - Link. It apparently uses a Samsung panel, and has excellent user reviews. It appears that the panel itself is capable of 120Hz, but the max input @ 1080p is 60hz. I don't like that ghosting and/or image blur is likely, in some instances, with this TV since it is apparently NOT true 120hz.

From what I've read, Plasmas seem to be more in line with what I want. My #1 goal is picture quality. I don't mind a "little" added heat, or extra power usage, or not having the most thin TV around. I just want a stellar picture in the widest range of uses possible.

Cliffs
I think I want a plasma
I bought this TV, but haven't yet received it - Link
My budget is ~$500, so 1080p Plasma is unlikely
Will I regret 720p?
If I won't regret it now, will I regret it soon (when 1080p content is more common)?

 

[smitbret]

You should have gotten a 42" Samsung plasma, unless you have a glare problem with uncontrolled lighting in your viewing area. In that case, get a 42" Panasonic plasma.

You won't regret the 720p. You can get 1080p in the Panasonic TC-P42S30, but i doubt it would be worth the $200 at the 42" size.

 

[sdifox]

42" 720p is fine.

 

[dfuze]

I've got a 42" panasonic plamsa 720p, very happy with it. Not sure I'm missing anything by not having 1080p.

 

[Rhoxed]

1080p 42" panny plasma - love it to death

 

[gevorg]

Good 720p is better than average/so-so 1080p, especially at 42" where the resolution difference is harder to notice. Find a good TV, not a high resolution TV.

 

[OCNewbie]

I have the following 2 TV's ordered and coming my way:

40" TCL 1080p LED/LCD - $419 + tax ($446.24)

43" Samsung 720p 3D Plasma - $599.99

I don't intend on keeping both. At this point I'm thinking I will most likely keep the Samsung Plasma, but I won't know for sure until I try them both out at home. The Samsung was about $150 more, but did include 2 pairs of 3D glasses, and is 3D to begin with, a little larger, can play divx/mp4 video from USB, etc.

What would you guys choose between these 2 models, and considering the price difference as well as the different features? Keep in mind the TCL does use a Samsung panel, and has gotten excellent reviews online. Also, I bought the LED from Walmart, which has a 90 day return policy (unsure of price match duration), and the Plasma is from Amazon (30 day return, return shipping paid for, 14 day price match)

 

[smitbret]

I have the following 2 TV's ordered and coming my way:

40" TCL 1080p LED/LCD - $419 + tax ($446.24)

43" Samsung 720p 3D Plasma - $599.99

I don't intend on keeping both. At this point I'm thinking I will most likely keep the Samsung Plasma, but I won't know for sure until I try them both out at home. The Samsung was about $150 more, but did include 2 pairs of 3D glasses, and is 3D to begin with, a little larger, can play divx/mp4 video from USB, etc.

What would you guys choose between these 2 models, and considering the price difference as well as the different features? Keep in mind the TCL does use a Samsung panel, and has gotten excellent reviews online. Also, I bought the LED from Walmart, which has a 90 day return policy (unsure of price match duration), and the Plasma is from Amazon (30 day return, return shipping paid for, 14 day price match)

43" plasma all day, every day.

Calibrate before you make any decisions. Side by side, the LCD will be brighter, but you'll have much more detail, better contrast, etc. on the plasma.

 

[rcpratt]

I'm a little late to this party, but I just bought a 42" 1080p plasma (Panasonic TC-P42G25, I think) at Costco yesterday for $550. The catch - it was a display model. But it looked to be in practically new condition and was a pretty good deal, I think. And I have 90 days to return if I find anything.

I went in there looking for a 32" or 37" for my bedroom, but I clearly ended up spending more than I wanted to. Oops.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Do you plan to hook a PC up to it and use it ocassionally as a PC monitor? If yes ... then go 1080P no matter what.

If you don't plan to use it for a PC, than 720p is fine.

 

[talion83]

I always recommend Plasma when possible as you will get the best picture quality. However, to move onto part of your question:

It apparently uses a Samsung panel, and has excellent user reviews. It appears that the panel itself is capable of 120Hz, but the max input @ 1080p is 60hz. I don't like that ghosting and/or image blur is likely, in some instances, with this TV since it is apparently NOT true 120hz.

These are two different specs you are listing. 120hz, 240hz, 600hz etc...when not listed with something like "1080p 60hz" is actually how fast the screen refreshes itself. Plasma's are 600hz, LCD's can range wildly. The lower the more "ghosting" you will get.

The @1080p 60 is what the source is pushing out - the 60 is Frames Per Second. 60 is pretty much your standard for most tv watching. Movies are often shot in 24, but converted into 60 for DVD release.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6029_7-7012393-1.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/hdtv-resolution/?tag=rb_content;rb_mtx

 

[BurnItDwn]

I always recommend Plasma when possible as you will get the best picture quality. However, to move onto part of your question:



These are two different specs you are listing. 120hz, 240hz, 600hz etc...when not listed with something like "1080p 60hz" is actually how fast the screen refreshes itself. Plasma's are 600hz, LCD's can range wildly. The lower the more "ghosting" you will get.

The @1080p 60 is what the source is pushing out - the 60 is Frames Per Second. 60 is pretty much your standard for most tv watching. Movies are often shot in 24, but converted into 60 for DVD release.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6029_7-7012393-1.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/hdtv-resolution/?tag=rb_content;rb_mtx

Just a minor addition, most Bluray is 24 fps.... though blurays from tv source are usually 60i.

 

[smitbret]

Just a minor addition, most Bluray is 24 fps.... though blurays from tv source are usually 60i.

23.976 fps, actually.

 

[Emulex]

yeah plasma can do a good 24p - lcd not so much (maybe 5-10 frames repeated) - if you don't mind the glare - plasma will own any lcd and 720p is fine at 42" size. i realized when i moved from 1080p 42" to 1080p 60" that you can finally see the difference at a reasonable seating range and lcd just didn't have the brightness that plasma does to pull the dark scene details out. essentially you have to blow up the low lux scenes until they seem unnatural to get 1080p detail at 42" that you can just see at 60" . love the native 24p'ish support that my htpc gets with the LG plasma. love it.