Nefarious

Trying to decide between a DLP (Samsung HL-S6187W) and plasma (Samsung HP-T5064 or Panasonic TH-50PX77U). Viewing distance will be about 10-11 ft for the main sitting area. There are some windows on one side of the room and a set of doors about 20 ft away. Need to stay below $2k

Questions:
I'm curious why there such a resolution difference between the DLP and plasma?

Do you need a really dark room for plasma?

The rated life of a plasma is 60,000 hours...anyone had one for 4 or 5+ years and noticed any picture degradation?

The DLP can do 1080p and the plasmas I'm looking at can't.

Spiky

DLP can easily get to large resolutions since it is based on a nearly microscopic series of mirrors. They can fit plenty in there. Plasma has rather large cells, 3 of them for each pixel space. There is a finite number that can fit in a 50" TV. So they've only been 768p usually. Although Pioneer did manage to make one last year with 1080 resolution, but it is $10000.

The plasma will be brighter than the DLP, almost assuredly.

I don't have a plasma, but if you were to leave the TV on, NEVER turning it off, 60000 would still take 8 years. I think the electronics will give out before the plasma cells. Or the connectors.

Sdallnct

Panny plasma.

Ripper

[QUOTE=Sdallnct]Panny plasma.[/QUOTE

Amen!

mrhan

I love my 58" Panny. It's the best TV I ever bought so far.

Nefarious

I went to a local high-end theater store today. I was hoping they had the Panasonic and/or Samsung plasmas but they only had LG, Pioneer, and Sony.

I have decided on Plasma based on what I saw today. They were stunning compared to the DLPs. Especially at an angle.

I'm looking at 50" models and am right now heavily leaning towards the Panasonic TH-50PX600U. I can get it for $1899.88 shipped which seems like a good deal. Anyone seen it cheaper (non-refurb and authorized seller)?

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=31182

I'm getting OneCall to pricematch vanns.com

I'll be about 10-11 feet away in viewing distance and I think the 50" will be plenty. I'd love to get the 58" but not sure I can stomach the extra $700-$800 bones.

Patman

I got the TH-50PX600U 6-7 weeks ago, no regrets at all.

mrhan

Buy what you can afford but you have to remember they actually "shrink" over time. I thought my Panny was huge when I first bought it but now that I've gotten used to it; it is not so overwhelming as it once was.

eedoon

A DLP generally is more brighter than a plasma so if you plan to watch movie during the day I recommend you go DLP. Unless if you only plan to watch movie during the night (or you can block all the light out of the window), then a plasma can be a good choice.

Nefarious

vs.

So which is it peoples?

Vipper II

Plasmas are usually brighter, but the Samsung DLPs tend to be brighter than other manufacturers' DLPs. I have the Samsung 5687 and am in love with it.

starseed1981

Plasma without a doubt. Unless you are going to play videogames on it as well, then I suggest the DLP.

Nefarious

Can you eleborate on this point a little more? We have an XBox and a Wii. Planning to move the Xbox back to my son's room, though. The Wii would still be hooked up to whatever I get.

Just lesser quality or it hurts the plasma in some way?

GreenEggs248

I think he is concerned with burn in.

I play our Wii on out Panny Plasma and no problems so far.

I would think that you have to be pretty bad to even get image retention.

I would go with the plamsa. We looked at DLP and LCDs also, but the plasma won me over. We do not regret it one bit.

We are now looking for another plasma for the upstairs living area

dick_grayson

if you have a separate receiver/speakers you can get a Panny plasma that doesn't have speakers and all that. That's what I did. It also has black bezel, which I think looks nicer. The only drawback is that you'd need to add an hdmi or dvi card and it doesn't come with a stand. I wallmount so it doesn't matter.

check out tvauthority.com or visualapex.com for specs and prices for the non-speaker range Panasonic plasmas. their prices are also quite low.

here's an example:

http://www.visualapex.com/plasma/Pla...ber=TH-50PH9UK

Nefarious

DG, thanks for the info. & link. That is an enticing price but their shipping deflates the deal somewhat.

I need a stand as I don't want to wall mount this one. I am hooking it up to a receiver so the built in speakers wouldn't be a huge deal. But if I were to resell it eventually or move it to an area w/o a surround system I don't know that I'd want to limit my options.

OneCall does have some black trimmed models but I'm not sure what all the differences are:

http://www.onecall.com/ProductSearch...0+1065+666+674

eedoon

To make things clear, when I typed the post I was thinking about front projection DLP instead of rear projection. Not sure if I'm 100% accurate but most of the front projection DLP I've seen is still brighter than a plasma.

Sorry if I mix things up.

Spiky

Uh, FPTV would be far less bright than plasma, or even RPTV. FAR less bright. Unless you are talking about some $30000 and up light cannons. Ex: The DLPs in commercial movie theaters would be brighter, but they would also be over $100,000. And I assume not really part of this thread.

Panny has 2 lines, consumer and commercial. The consumer line (ex: 500U, 50U) comes with everything bundled/built-in, the pro line (ex: 5U) is just a monitor that you can add speakers or connectors to. Sometimes you can find the pro line bundled with an appropriate connection box. They are basically the same machines, but the pro line is usually black and the consumer usually silver right now. You just need to make sure you know what you are shopping for and what is actually included in the price. I hope I have the model number examples correct, I'm not positive.

Sdallnct

IMHO, one of the best features of the commercial versions is they have more user accessable settings for adjustment. You can really get in there and easily tweak the set more them the consumer version. T

Nefarious

Well, I pulled the trigger.

I bought the Panasonic TH-58PX600U.

I was debating between the 50" and 58" and they sold out of the 50"s. So that made that decision. I wanted to stay w/ OneCall as they were doing 18 mo. 0%.

Anyway, so I was on the phone to order the Panasonic TH-58PX60U and as we completed the order they had sold out of those. They were going to give it to me for $2479.88. So he got back on the line and said he could give me the 600U for $100 more at $2579.88.

Decent deal?

P.S. I would have preferred an all black casing but I can live w/ the silver.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback and advice. I appreciate it.

Patman

That's a nice price for a 58" with all the extra features (features that I use, so I can't say the extra paid was wasted in my case, either).

porieux

'bright' and DLP do not go together at all in my experience.
DLPs usually look dull whereas plasmas are rich and vibrant.

68ShelbyGT500KR

Congrats on your Panny Plasma. You will be happy!

Here are a couple of links for you, in case you are not aware of them:
Your Plasma Set Pic Settings

Bruzzi

DVD Polizei

OneCall is good place to buy stuff.

I have a 50" Panasma myself. I like the way that word rolls off my tongue.

Nefarious

Great links. Thanks!

I've dealt with OneCall before and had since referred my dad and both brothers. All of us have been very pleased with their pricing and service. I feel very comfortable with them.