So these are the 2 TVs I'm deciding between for my sister and her husband. Basically it's the best value plasma vs. best value LCD (IMO). The plasma is just 720p, the LCD 1080p.
Seating distance will be about 11-12', sunlight or other light/reflections shouldn't be much of an issue.
It will be used mainly for DirecTV HD, HD DVDs (HD-A3), 360 (via component), and possibly PS3/BR in the near future. So yeah, a little of everything.
As expected, the Panny is much cheaper on a $/inch basis. Total cost of the Panny would be about $1500, Sammy about $1800.
After reading some reviews, it sounds like at that viewing distance, the difference between 720p & 1080p is tough to tell? And the blacks might be slightly better on the plasma?
What else should we consider in comparing these?
If you have either (or a variant of either), what do you like and dislike about it?
Obviously most people who have one or the other are going to vouch for it being the best buy (if only to justify the purchase to yourself :p )...but if you had to pick, at those prices and with the viewing distance and viewing conditions taken into consideration, which would you recommend?
Thanks a lot.
stonewall
11-10-07, 08:28 PM
I have that Panny and it looks great. I have it hooked up to a Directv HD DVR via HDMI and the picture is superb. I will be hooking up an A3 Player at Christmas. Standard DVDs via a non-upcoverting DVD player look better on my Sony HD CRT XBR Tv. Hopefully the A3 player will make standard DVDs look better. Other than that, the picture on this TV is awesome. Both Sat HD and Off-Air HD look great. Could not be happier and I paid $1769 for this Tv.
FYI, there are only 2 HDMI inputs, I wish it had three HDMI inputs but a Blue Ray player is not in my near future.
TomOpus
11-10-07, 09:43 PM
The roommate just recently got the T4665F and put it in the living room. I'm no expert since this is the first HD TV I've been able to spend some time with (well, a couple weeks worth) but the detail and black level are excellent. I could watch live sports on it all day :)
I checked out some reviews (cnet said it's one of the best LCDs and compares it favorable with plasma) and the one drawback that seems to be echoed is the reflective nature of the screen. On one hand, it allows the blacks to be so rich but on the other hand, if you have glare issues, it might be a problem. Luckily, that is not an issue in your case.
We don't have an HD DVD (yet) but bought an Oppo for upconverting. DVDs look pretty damn good.
Wished I could give ya a more educated recommendation but I like what I see so far.
Brian Shannon
11-10-07, 09:55 PM
I have a 42" Panasonic Plasma with the anti glare screen and use it with Direct TV. Excellent picture, blacks and contrast. I am very happy with my choice of plasma.
If i had to choose (again) I would take the plasma.
abintra
11-10-07, 10:06 PM
Can't speak between the two TV's in question but, personally, would go with the Panasonic due to being cheaper and slightly larger.
A 50" TV is going to be small enough at 10+ feet as is so the cost savings combined with the larger size is a nice benefit. The picture quality of both is likely at least comparable so no need to spend a couple hundred more for a smaller set as being 1080p isn't going to yield any real world difference at that size and distance.
Sdallnct
11-10-07, 10:53 PM
Panasonic
Patman
11-11-07, 01:57 AM
I find that my eyes get fatigued when staring at LCDs for a long time (30 minutes and longer) because they seem to be a bit too bright due to the nature of the backlight in the implementation. I urge you have your sister (and her hubby) actually watch the LCD and the plasma for over 30 minutes at the store and see which one is more pleasing to watch.
(Full disclosure - I have the Panasonic TH-50PX600U).
Chew
11-11-07, 10:58 AM
If you have a Sears near you, that Panny will be $1600-$250-5% for $1282.50 from 6-9PM tonight during their "Friends and Family" sale (open to everybody). You need to apply or have a Sears card for the $250 discount, however.
aktick
11-12-07, 01:35 PM
If you have a Sears near you, that Panny will be $1600-$250-5% for $1282.50 from 6-9PM tonight during their "Friends and Family" sale (open to everybody). You need to apply or have a Sears card for the $250 discount, however.
Damn! A day late...oh well, I didn't really want to get another credit card.
They're going with the Panny. Stared at them yesterday for a while, I put the settings on each to settings recommended at AVS, and standing 10 or so feet away, neither of them could tell the difference between 1080p and 720p...both sets actually were hooked up to the same Blu-Ray player, and I got the guy to put the same movie in both. Both sets looked great, but we figured if there was no noticeable PQ difference, going with the bigger/cheaper set was a no brainer.
They also noticed very slight blur watching the 4665, and none at all with the plasma.
Now I've gotta figure out the best price on this thing...Fry's has it for $1500, seems to be about the cheapest, I'll see if CC or BB will pricematch them (not getting my hopes up too much).
Thanks for the help.
Superman07
11-12-07, 02:48 PM
Check Sears again. You can get the 42" 1080p Panny for $1299!
DVD Polizei
11-12-07, 03:33 PM
They're going with the Panny. Stared at them yesterday for a while, I put the settings on each to settings recommended at AVS, and standing 10 or so feet away, neither of them could tell the difference between 1080p and 720p...both sets actually were hooked up to the same Blu-Ray player, and I got the guy to put the same movie in both. Both sets looked great, but we figured if there was no noticeable PQ difference, going with the bigger/cheaper set was a no brainer.
They also noticed very slight blur watching the 4665, and none at all with the plasma.
Yepper. I'd rather get a 50" Panasonic which was only 1080i (actually 720p because it's not "true" 1080i) at the same price because you get more screen with virtually no difference in picture quality.
Panasonic TH-5010UK. 50". $1399 + $100 shipping. Strictly a monitor, but you really don't need a tuner or speakers anyway.
I was about to get a 42" plasma earlier this year, and I am SOOOOO glad I spent a few extra hundred to get the 50" version.
Chew
11-12-07, 03:47 PM
neither of them could tell the difference between 1080p and 720p
I've read in many places in the last few days there have been several studies that state the difference between 720p and 1080p on a 50" TV is apparent to the human eye only within 10'. If your TV is further away than that from the couch, then it's just a waste of money.
The distance is proportionate to the TV size, of course: you have to be even closer on a 42".
DVD Polizei
11-12-07, 05:18 PM
The worse the eysight, the more money you save. :up:
aktick
11-12-07, 10:25 PM
Frys.com had (has?) the 50PX75U for $1399 today, shipping was like $104. Best Buy price matched it (more or less) for me, at $1499 (because I couldn't get it for just $1399 anyways). But since I had to pay tax on top of that, I waffled until he threw in Planet Earth and The Departed on HD DVD. :) Plus I get $45 in reward zone money, so not a bad deal.
Of course they didn't have any in stock, so I have to go back and pick it up Friday. My sister is going to freak when she sees how much of her living room it fills, just because she's not used to something nearly that big (32" is what they've had). :p
Buy: