torn between S60 and ST60

[jdoren1990]

I recently had to return an open box S60 I was having issues with to Best Buy. However, they did not have another S60 or even an ST60 in stock to replace the S60.

To compensate for my time, they offered to sell me another S60 at the same price I purchased the open box for ($649) or an ST60 for $800.

Most people would probably say, take the ST60 and run, however considering that I am a casual gamer, I am not sure how bad the high input lag on the ST60 would be an issue. I do not consider myself a hardcore gamer, but I do enjoy playing online FPS such as Call of Duty and Borderlands. On the flip side, I also appreciate good image quality in games and movies. With this being said, in your opinions, do you think the input lag on a ST60 would be a deal breaker for someone like myself? Are there any other casual gamers who own an ST60 and what are your opinions on it?

I watched a video comparing the input lag of the ST60 to another Panasonic plasma and honestly I cannot tell the difference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJSAWczrwUI

Also, I am going to be hooking up my gaming PC to the TV and I was wondering if their are any differences in video lag compared to a console such as the PS3.

I know the subject of this post is centered around the input lag on the ST60, but this is the only thing holding me back from purchasing this TV.

Thank you.

*Update* Seems S60's and unavailable to order on bestbuy.com and sears.com are they still manufacturing this set?

 

[cmdrdredd]

The ST60 gets about 75ms of input lag which is considered very bad. You will notice it as compared to a faster set. If I remember right 16ms is about 1 frame so 75ms is around 4.5frames of lag which is quite a lot. It woiuld be more pronounced online in a competitive aspect.

You could probably learn to deal with it in time though. I do not believe the S60 is being manufactured any longer. I don't see it available from Amazon anymore. Only 3rd party sellers.

 

[jdoren1990]

yah i was scared someone was going to say the s60 was not being manufactured any longer. Well if that is the case and it isnt what would be my next best bet i guess it doesnt have to be a plasma though i was aiming for one

 

[cmdrdredd]

yah i was scared someone was going to say the s60 was not being manufactured any longer. Well if that is the case and it isnt what would be my next best bet i guess it doesnt have to be a plasma though i was aiming for one

Well if you are willing to spend more but get a better set, the VT60.

If not then I'd start looking at LED based TVs. As far as input lag there are many that are considered good. From Vizio, Sony and others.

What's your budget?

Note: When I say very bad I mean it's on the lower end of the scale for what someone would want in a TV for gaming. Not everyone will notice it as much as the next person. The ST60 is a great TV for all around usage, it's just not that fast. You may not notice it unless you went from a faster monitor/TV to it. It's like how people don't notice vsync introduces some input lag, everyone is different. I would notice it, but that's because I'm used to very low lag.

 

[hawtdawg]

having gamed on my st60, it's really not that bad. My ST30 is better for sure, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

 

[jdoren1990]

My budget is is around 800 the TV I am currently using is a Samsung 51 inch plasma I believe it is a f5300 the idea was to use this until best buy got another Panasonic in stock
But that was before i learned about the s60. With that being said i guess im back to square one. the one thing i really enjoyed about plasma over LED was what i would assume is the main selling point which is how blacks were black and the colors themselves seem true and spot on also the 600hz smooth motion added a fluent image. LED to me seem very bright the colors almost seem artificial But maybe that can be fixed through settings im sure best buys displays are just set to whatever setting the tv has on default. Any suggestion on a set in my price range.

 

[cmdrdredd]

My budget is is around 800 the TV I am currently using is a Samsung 51 inch plasma I believe it is a f5300 the idea was to use this until best buy got another Panasonic in stock
But that was before i learned about the s60. With that being said i guess im back to square one. the one thing i really enjoyed about plasma over LED was what i would assume is the main selling point which is how blacks were black and the colors themselves seem true and spot on also the 600hz smooth motion added a fluent image. LED to me seem very bright the colors almost seem artificial But maybe that can be fixed through settings im sure best buys displays are just set to whatever setting the tv has on default. Any suggestion on a set in my price range.

With high end LCD sets like the sony models, the colors are as good as plasma. It is just the blacks that cannot match plasma. They are considerably more money though. Most stores use vibrant or torch mode to demo them and that is just terrible to me. Everything is way over bright. I would go with an st60 and see what you think. You can always return it if you are dissatisfied but I have a feeling you will like it just fine.

 

[Midwayman]

Supposedly they are making them through december. Whatever you do, I'd grab one of them very soon. They are going to get increasingly rare after the new year. For $800 I'd grab the st60, unless you're a competitive games, then stick with the s60. Have them put it on order now.