Panasonic G25 plasma's HDMI ports died - recommendations on new TV?

[IndyColtsFan]

if I were buying a TV right now, I could easily justify the 6 grand on a 65" E6... LCDs are a thing of the past

I could never justify $6K for a TV - OLEDs are better than LCDs, but not 4x the cost better and when I still have working plasma TVs, it is even harder to justify. Of course, when the set I saw today is $2K next summer, it will be HARD to resist. 😀

 

[IndyColtsFan]

You don't sound snotty - I do suspect the surge suppressor is probably bad. I bought a line conditioner with AVR earlier today to replace it.

I just can't explain why nothing else plugged into the same protector seems to have been affected. I am assuming that last summer, the Denon took out the HDMI port on my G25 and perhaps residual damage finally claimed the other two. I'm going to move an upstairs TV downstairs tomorrow while I wait for my G25 to get fixed and hopefully my receiver will test fine.

So, for those who are curious - my receiver checks out fine. Whatever happened just affected my G25's last two HDMI ports. As I mentioned, I suspect residual damage from last summer may have just caught up to it. At any rate, I should know in a couple of days if the repair shop can get a working board for the repair. Yeah, it is more expensive than me doing it myself but it is still cheaper than a new TV of comparable quality by a long shot. Plus, I figure if I do buy a new OLED set next year, I can put the G25 in my office as an upgrade. 😀

 

[poofyhairguy]

Let us know!

OLED TV prices are coming down. The 55 inch version was sub $1000 at some Frys this week with a promo code (my local one is sold out), and I have seen the 4K model go for below $1700 on Slickdeals.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Let us know!

OLED TV prices are coming down. The 55 inch version was sub $1000 at some Frys this week with a promo code (my local one is sold out), and I have seen the 4K model go for below $1700 on Slickdeals.

Yeah, I saw both - tempting, but I think I'm going to hold out a little longer.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Yeah, I saw both - tempting, but I think I'm going to hold out a little longer.

I think fixing is always better if you can do it. I didn't jump on the deals either, and won't till my Panny plasma dies.



With that said, the day it does die I am driving to Frys and buying an OLED Tv before the sun sets. LEDs tvs are a waste of money at any price IMHO, and as an American I don't think I (or more likely my wife) could live without at TV for even a few days.

 

[Zivic]

I could never justify $6K for a TV - OLEDs are better than LCDs, but not 4x the cost better and when I still have working plasma TVs, it is even harder to justify. Of course, when the set I saw today is $2K next summer, it will be HARD to resist. 😀

you can get oled for a grand that would still blow anything LCD based out of the water.

and yes, it is 4x than LCD

 

[IndyColtsFan]

you can get oled for a grand that would still blow anything LCD based out of the water.

and yes, it is 4x than LCD

Yeah, Fry's had the 1080P OLED for $996 this week but that's the only time I can recall it being that low. Sure, if I'm in the market for a 1080P set, I'd get that one. I think even at regular price, it is around $1200 or $1300.

However, I was comparing high-end LEDs with OLEDs on a feature-to-feature basis and using your $6K number, which I think is probably for a 65" OLED (please correct me if I'm wrong). A 65" high-end LED with 4K, HDR, etc. is what, $1500-$2000? So you're in the 3x to 4x price difference range. Sorry, you might think that price difference is worth it, but that is a very subjective opinion and there is no way I (or most people) would pay that especially considering how little I actually watch TV and what I could do with that money. I spend more than that on vacations per year and if given the chance of spending an extra $4500 on TV or taking an extra vacation, I'll take the vacation, wait a few months, and get the same set for $2K. IMO, the year-to-year improvements aren't going to be that substantial to justify the premium at this stage.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Yeah no way it's worth $6K. I don't think any TV is.

With that said, I have seen the 65inch go on sale for $3k on Slickdeals. So then it's a smaller difference which to me would be worth it given how it's magnitudes better when it comes to image quality. I paid $2500 for my 65 inch plasma a few years ago so that isn't unreasonable.

It's all about relative value though. If someone doesn't watch a lot of TV a 1080p LED TV will suit them fine.

I wouldn't spend more than $1k on any LED TV though. I would rather have a 1080p OLED then a HDR LED tv every day of the week.

 

[Zivic]

Yeah, Fry's had the 1080P OLED for $996 this week but that's the only time I can recall it being that low. Sure, if I'm in the market for a 1080P set, I'd get that one. I think even at regular price, it is around $1200 or $1300.

However, I was comparing high-end LEDs with OLEDs on a feature-to-feature basis and using your $6K number, which I think is probably for a 65" OLED (please correct me if I'm wrong). A 65" high-end LED with 4K, HDR, etc. is what, $1500-$2000? So you're in the 3x to 4x price difference range. Sorry, you might think that price difference is worth it, but that is a very subjective opinion and there is no way I (or most people) would pay that especially considering how little I actually watch TV and what I could do with that money. I spend more than that on vacations per year and if given the chance of spending an extra $4500 on TV or taking an extra vacation, I'll take the vacation, wait a few months, and get the same set for $2K. IMO, the year-to-year improvements aren't going to be that substantial to justify the premium at this stage.

thinking you are placing FAR too much emphasis on resolution. a 2K buck LCD is not "high end" and is bested by the 1080p OLED regardless if the LCD is labeled 4k and/or HDR. The big improvement came last year with oleds. the 9500 was a great display except for some uniformity issues. there isn't an LCD on the market that really even comes close to what OLED offers... .and that comes at a premium price. Seeing both displays side by side really shows how much better the OLEDs are. LCD is "good enough for the masses" tech

sammies 8 series LCD is probably the closest an LCD panel would get to the OLEDs (and yet still not close to the higher end LG offerings) and it is north of $4k .

The way I look at it, I buy a cheapo display around the $1000 mark to 'get me by' or I buy high end.

 

[Zivic]

Yeah no way it's worth $6K. I don't think any TV is.

With that said, I have seen the 65inch go on sale for $3k on Slickdeals. So then it's a smaller difference which to me would be worth it given how it's magnitudes better when it comes to image quality. I paid $2500 for my 65 inch plasma a few years ago so that isn't unreasonable.

It's all about relative value though. If someone doesn't watch a lot of TV a 1080p LED TV will suit them fine.

I wouldn't spend more than $1k on any LED TV though. I would rather have a 1080p OLED then a HDR LED tv every day of the week.

you state "LED" like it holds some value in comparison to the OLED...

LED is LCD..

LED simply refers to how it is backlit

 

[poofyhairguy]

you state "LED" like it holds some value in comparison to the OLED...

Nah, it's just how these TVs are labeled in the store. I think edge lit LED panels are the worst TV technology to hit the market.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

thinking you are placing FAR too much emphasis on resolution. a 2K buck LCD is not "high end" and is bested by the 1080p OLED regardless if the LCD is labeled 4k and/or HDR. The big improvement came last year with oleds. the 9500 was a great display except for some uniformity issues. there isn't an LCD on the market that really even comes close to what OLED offers... .and that comes at a premium price. Seeing both displays side by side really shows how much better the OLEDs are. LCD is "good enough for the masses" tech

sammies 8 series LCD is probably the closest an LCD panel would get to the OLEDs (and yet still not close to the higher end LG offerings) and it is north of $4k .

The way I look at it, I buy a cheapo display around the $1000 mark to 'get me by' or I buy high end.

I'm not arguing with you on whether OLED is better than LCD because it is. What I'm disputing is the price differences and whether it is worth it. You were the one who mentioned $6K TVs, not me, and then proceeded to say paying 4 times the price was worth it. IMO, it is not when you're talking numbers like that. Now, if you want to make a different argument and compare the $1000 1080P OLED to various LCD options, you won't get an argument from me. I'm not overly enamored of 4K or stuff like that, but if I am spending $2k-$3k on a TV, I will probably look at 4K because a TV is something I want to keep for a long time without having to replace. My oldest Panasonic plasma is a 720P unit from 2007 that is still in use and looks great.

If they come back tomorrow and told me my G25 can't be fixed, I've already decided on the replacement - the 55" flat OLED from last year. However, I'm assuming the G25 will get fixed and then I'll probably end up waiting until 4K becomes more relevant from a content perspective before I jump.

 

[Zivic]

My oldest Panasonic plasma is a 720P unit from 2007 that is still in use and looks great.

If they come back tomorrow and told me my G25 can't be fixed, I've already decided on the replacement - the 55" flat OLED from last year. However, I'm assuming the G25 will get fixed and then I'll probably end up waiting until 4K becomes more relevant from a content perspective before I jump.

the 720 looks great because it is a plasma - has decent black levels. resolution is over hyped. Given viewing distance in comparison to screen size the resolution may not matter at all.

If I were trying to compare I would say the LG E6 oled is twice as good as the best of the market available LCD - (which I think is the 8 series sammy?) the E6 in a comparable screen size isn't twice the money.

 

[poofyhairguy]

If they come back tomorrow and told me my G25 can't be fixed, I've already decided on the replacement - the 55" flat OLED from last year. However, I'm assuming the G25 will get fixed and then I'll probably end up waiting until 4K becomes more relevant from a content perspective before I jump.

Nice! Let us know how it goes! Would love to hear it got fixed.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

the 720 looks great because it is a plasma - has decent black levels. resolution is over hyped. Given viewing distance in comparison to screen size the resolution may not matter at all.

I know - in fact, that is exactly why I mentioned that my original plasma is 720p, still works, and looks great. As I mentioned, 4K isn't something I tremendously care about but if I'm buying a new TV, why not get it?

 

[Zivic]

I know - in fact, that is exactly why I mentioned that my original plasma is 720p, still works, and looks great. As I mentioned, 4K isn't something I tremendously care about but if I'm buying a new TV, why not get it?

why not? because you could get a display that does better blacks/contrast that matters more than whether or not it does 4k. IMHO, PQ is always number one.. and the biggest driver is not resolution, it is blacks/contrast. Now if you were limited to say a 55" with really good PQ and had the option for say a 70"+ display with less PQ, then one has to figure out how much PQ they will give up for the larger size...... because as we all know size does matter.

if we are comparing say the grand OLED with 1080p vs the best you can LCD for the same money that does 4k , you buy the oled.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

why not? because you could get a display that does better blacks/contrast that matters more than whether or not it does 4k. IMHO, PQ is always number one.. and the biggest driver is not resolution, it is blacks/contrast. Now if you were limited to say a 55" with really good PQ and had the option for say a 70"+ display with less PQ, then one has to figure out how much PQ they will give up for the larger size...... because as we all know size does matter.

if we are comparing say the grand OLED with 1080p vs the best you can LCD for the same money that does 4k , you buy the oled.

I'm not sure I can make this any clearer and I'm not quite sure why you're rehashing points that no one disputes (ie, OLED having deeper blacks than LCD). That was never a question. The question came up when you implied a $6K TV was worth it over a $1500 TV. To be clear:

1. I am limited to 55". The space will fit a larger TV, but the WAF means it won't happen.
2. If I end up buying, my budget is probably NOT limited to the point where I would choose an LCD over an LED for my main TV. I WOULD consider LCD models to replace the TVs in my office and master bedroom, but that isn't something likely to happen for awhile and hopefully when it does happen, the price differential between OLED and LCD will be negligible and the point would be moot.
3. If my only choices were a $6K OLED TV vs. a $1500 LCD, I'd probably buy the LCD for reasons I've previously stated. However, that isn't the case, as at least two OLED models can be had at or below $2,000.
4. As I have also mentioned in this thread several times, if I am buying a new TV tomorrow, I'm getting an OLED and I'd likely get last year's 55" 4K model. I don't upgrade TVs every couple of years - Ideally, I'd like 10 years out of each model and within 10 years, I'm sure 4K will be standard on TVs and most content.

To further illustrate my point, the cost of my plasma repair may be a good chunk of a new LCD TV and yet, I chose the repair option precisely because I value the PQ of my plasma (the G25 was one of the best models of its day) over buying a new LCD.

 

[Zivic]

I'm not sure I can make this any clearer and I'm not quite sure why you're rehashing points that no one disputes (ie, OLED having deeper blacks than LCD). That was never a question. The question came up when you implied a $6K TV was worth it over a $1500 TV. To be clear:

1. I am limited to 55". The space will fit a larger TV, but the WAF means it won't happen.
2. If I end up buying, my budget is probably NOT limited to the point where I would choose an LCD over an LED for my main TV. I WOULD consider LCD models to replace the TVs in my office and master bedroom, but that isn't something likely to happen for awhile and hopefully when it does happen, the price differential between OLED and LCD will be negligible and the point would be moot.
3. If my only choices were a $6K OLED TV vs. a $1500 LCD, I'd probably buy the LCD for reasons I've previously stated. However, that isn't the case, as at least two OLED models can be had at or below $2,000.
4. As I have also mentioned in this thread several times, if I am buying a new TV tomorrow, I'm getting an OLED and I'd likely get last year's 55" 4K model. I don't upgrade TVs every couple of years - Ideally, I'd like 10 years out of each model and within 10 years, I'm sure 4K will be standard on TVs and most content.

To further illustrate my point, the cost of my plasma repair may be a good chunk of a new LCD TV and yet, I chose the repair option precisely because I value the PQ of my plasma (the G25 was one of the best models of its day) over buying a new LCD.

as far as I am concerned, to me it is $1500 wasted on a crappy LCD vs spending 6k on a good quality display... so I see value in spending the 6k. your argument about 10 yrs out of the models furthers the point that there is value in spending more money in buying a better model/technology. In your case, i doubt there would be a display good enough for you to drop that kind of money on

BUT you don't have to spend 6k to get a decent to good display.

all I am saying is people get caught up in spec... does it have 4k? and in real world, that really is 3, 4, 5th on the list of importance.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

as far as I am concerned, to me it is $1500 wasted on a crappy LCD vs spending 6k on a good quality display... so I see value in spending the 6k. your argument about 10 yrs out of the models furthers the point that there is value in spending more money in buying a better model/technology. In your case, i doubt there would be a display good enough for you to drop that kind of money on

BUT you don't have to spend 6k to get a decent to good display.

all I am saying is people get caught up in spec... does it have 4k? and in real world, that really is 3, 4, 5th on the list of importance.

The whole sales game is based on specs. If I had to guess, I would bet my life that 90% of people sit at a distance that their eyes cannot resolve the resolution they paid for. How about you? Was resolution not in the equation for your previous buying and are you sitting within the limits of your eyes to benefit from what you paid for?

 

[Zivic]

The whole sales game is based on specs. If I had to guess, I would bet my life that 90% of people sit at a distance that their eyes cannot resolve the resolution they paid for. How about you? Was resolution not in the equation for your previous buying and are you sitting within the limits of your eyes to benefit from what you paid for?

when I bought my last display I bought the biggest available screen size available in the given model, my choice was based on PQ.. actually bought two -

I have a KRP-600M and Pro-151fd...

these coming up on 10 yrs old now, and until the OLEDs were released in the last year or so, nothing offered up to be a true successor.

I bought the pro-151fd for around 4700.. and the 600M was about 3000. with inflation and that, I don't see a top of the line 65" display at $5500 (actual street price of the E6) as outrageous at all

I actually had bought a 9500 OLED last year, but I couldn't tolerate the white uniformity issues given the price tag. They were only able to be seen during panning watching hockey. If I had "needed" a display I would have kept it, as it was beautiful in every other aspect and the 3D is awesome on it... and I always thought 3D was a gimmick, but given the right content it was great