Need Opinion on LG TV

[deathstorm78]

So I'm rather new and have been piecing together information here and there about some screens. I'm a big LG fan myself, but with convincing evidence I could be swayed.

Was wondering if this was a good deal. I'm looking for a 50"+ Flat Panel LCD or Plasma.
No real need for 1080i, so 720p will do fine. Trying to keep it under $2k . Let me know what you all think or if you know a better deal and why? thanks for your help.

LG

 

[Harvey]

Two separate issues:

1. I've seen good reviews on LG products, but when I last went shopping for HDTV's and comapred various models side by side, Samsung models blew them away for color depth and good blacks.

2. I'd be looking at newer LCD'S over plasma sets. Last time I checked, the longevity of plasma isn't as good. Again, I'm really impressed with the black levels in the Samsung 32" I bought for my Mom.

On a slightly different subject, an HDTV is one of the few products for which I'd buy an extended warranty because the technologies are evolving so fast, and the prices are in continual freefall. If any of the more expensive components fails within the nominal warranty period (for example 3 years), the cost of repairing it, then, could be so high that it would make more sense to spend the money on an even newer, more advanced set than it would to repair your nearly new but obsolete model.

 

[SpeedEng66]

I have a zenith/lg plasma for 2 years
it's the last gen model of the one your looking at

it's been a great tv
too bad I dont see anymore zenith/lg @ bb because the zenith brand was always less than the lg

side by side they look exactly the same (except for the table stand and brand name)

 

[deathstorm78]

Originally posted by: Harvey
Two separate issues:

1. I've seen good reviews on LG products, but when I last went shopping for HDTV's and comapred various models side by side, Samsung models blew them away for color depth and good blacks.

2. I'd be looking at newer LCD'S over plasma sets. Last time I checked, the longevity of plasma isn't as good. Again, I'm really impressed with the black levels in the Samsung 32" I bought for my Mom.

On a slightly different subject, an HDTV is one of the few products for which I'd buy an extended warranty because the technologies are evolving so fast, and the prices are in continual freefall. If any of the more expensive components fails within the nominal warranty period (for example 3 years), the cost of repairing it, then, could be so high that it would make more sense to spend the money on an even newer, more advanced set than it would to repair your nearly new but obsolete model.

I get what you're saying Harvey, but I've looked around as well concerning the longevity of the Plasma Screens and they are listed at 60,000 hours. Even at half that it's still pretty good. Overall they're rated the same as LCDs. I don't know if it's true or not, but thats the info I've been seeing.

I did take your advice and check out the Samsungs and came across the HP-T5064 for about the same price as the LG. this model has good reviews everywhere I look.

I like CNet Reviews because they describe to you the testing process somewhat, so it works well for me.

CNet Review HP-T5064

 

[vi edit]

I've got the 42" version of that TV. Purchased from Best Buy. I have no complaints with the TV. Picture looks good to me. The stretch modes of 4:3 content is pretty decent. the OTA tuner is great. The remote is easy to use and feels really well built. Sound from the speakers is also very good given their size.

I've had mine for about 14 months and haven't had a single issue.

The only real negative I have about plasma is that they suffer from image retention. Retention isn't the same as burn in. Same concept, except retention is just temporary. If I have a menu or a guide up sometimes I can still see an outline of the guide if the screen goes black between scenes or commercial gaps.

It always goes away, but does give you a little anxiety the first few times you see it.

I'd cross shop with the Panasonic displays. They are very good for the money and would run similar in price to the LG's.

 

[blatherbeard]

Just bought the 50 ince 720p plasma Lg. The 50PC5D from LG was much less than every comparable brand that they had at BB for a 50 inch. We picked it up for 1499. The women are putting the desk together so ill get back to you on how much i like/ dislike it lol. In store the picture was pretty comparable to the 1080p models and we went with this over a 1080p lcd at $100 more. Most of the comparable plasmas were much closer to the 1899-2000 dollar range. The reviews ive seen online have been 90 percent positve. The biggest shot in the dark problem ive read about was it turning itself on and off. I also buy the extended warranty on my purchases more than 1000 bucks. So with that worked in the price was around 1800, 4 year warranty, pretty much replace if broken.

If your not like me and can wait for it to be shipped, you can save 150 bucks if you buy it online.

 

[DBL]

If your budget is 2k, you can get a 50" 1080p Panasonic Plasma. Nothing really comes close for that size and budget.