uteotw

The panel on my 50" 1080p plasma is already starting to go, purchased in Feb. 2008, now showing red/green snow, out of warranty, $1000 to repair I'm told. No way...

So, I think I've narrowed it down to a couple, but I'm torn:
(1) Samsung Model:PN51D490A1- 51" Class / Plasma / 720p / 600Hz / 3D/ - $699.99

and

(2) Samsung Model: PN51D530A3- 51" Class / Plasma / 1080p / 600Hz / - $799.99

My XBox 360 is still connected via component so I'm not getting 1080p on anything there, though I'm sure that'll die & I'll go HDMI then.

I sit about 12 feet from my TV, and having spent $2K on the one that's already dying, I'm less than thrilled about having to buy a new TV at all, so I'd prefer to spend a little as possible (though I can't go below 50"; just can't go back).

I mainly watch TV and do some XBox, with the occasional blu-ray. I know a lot's been written on the HD subject, but I wanted some input here. Is 3D worth it, the way of the future, or should I go $100 more, forego that and get 1080p?

Thanks.

Nick Martin

This is news to me, I thought 3D had to be nothing less than full 1080p per "eye".

Given the sheer number of 3D capable titles out and taking your own preferences for 3D into account, if I were in your shoes I'd go 1080p and forget the 3D but that's just my own bias talking. If I want 3D I'd rather go to a theater for that.

My other bias is that I have a 720p TV, and have only had 720p for the past six years or so. After seeing (and picking out) a 1080p TV for a friend, Blu-ray benefits from the higher resolution with no doubt, and the difference was night and day. On my 42", Blu-ray looked great but also softer, more video-like if that makes sense. On his 46" 1080p, it was like actual film projected onto his screen, it was so clear, so sharp, so multi-layered. My test video for that was "Avatar" and on his TV it looked so good that 3D would not have been much of a benefit, going on what I recalled from seeing it in theaters and it was a great 3D presentation. I'm just saying I didn't miss it, is all.

Brent L

Wow, that would be a tough choice for me. I will admit that I'm a total 3D mark. I own a plasma 50'' Panasonic 3DTV and I love it. Seeing Avatar in 3D on that screen is just amazing, and in my opinion looks far better on that TV than it did in theaters. All 3D material I've watched on it looks far better than it did in theaters to me. I personally still do believe that home 3D is going to continue to grow, and we're going to see way more people jump in. It's an incredible experience when you really sit down with it. It's especially breathtaking on an active 3D set, and like I said before, I think active 3D looks better than what you even see in theaters.

But to decide between 720p w/3D or 1080p w/o 3D? That is a very tough one for me since I love the 3D so much. If it really came down to it, I'd likely decide on the full HD. If you have a set that big, you're going to want 1080p no question, and there is far more 1080p material than there is 3D material out there.

I'd say go for 1080p w/3D if you could do it, but I see that isn't an option for ya.

It just depends on what is more worth it to you.

Numanoid

Do you subscribe to a tv service that has 3D channels?

beesonosu

Your eyes may not be able to tell the two resolutions apart at this distance. Maybe someone could be cooler than me and post that nifty chart again.

I doubt mine would, and even then, it's not like you have two TVs for a side-by-side comparison in your room. If you think you will actually use the 3D, I would think that might be your best bet.

I don't know much about the 3D TVs, but I believe you will have to have 3D sources, players, content, etc. You can always budget for those in the future, but I might take that into consideration.

uteotw

DirecTV, which does have some 3D channels, not a lot but enough to make it appealing.

Thanks for the input. 1080p w/3D is $999.99--maybe I should just bite the bullet and do that w/36-mo. BB financing. Even then it's still half what I paid for the set that's dying...

clckworang

Do you already have a 3D Blu-ray player as well? If not, then keep in mind that the only 3D content you will have would be whatever you get through DirecTV.

tholly

If this is an option for you, drop the extra $200 and go with 1080p 3D.


If only the 2 initial choices, 1080p hands-down. While 3D is nice (love it on my 59" plasma), I can live without it. I, on the other hand, cannot live without 1080p. Not having 1080p would be a deal breaker for me on a tv.

Brent L

Yeah really, if that's only how much more the 3DTV would be with 1080p then of course drop the extra $200 down for it and further future-proof yourself. If it blows up you'll have it and be ready to go, and even if it doesn't get much bigger at least you'll be able to watch what is out there.

Sdallnct

This....

Your sitting to far away on such a small set to see the difference. True at about 50" is when I start thinking "go for 1080p", but not if your sitting that far away.

Also great point about the side by side comparison. I still have a 720p projector showing on a 94" screen. I use both BD (PS3) and still HD DVD. First row of seating is about 10.5 feet, while the 2nd is 13". Everyone assumes it is 1080p. IMO it has a better overall picture than my 46" LCD 1080p in the living room. Remember, even if you can tell a difference in resolution (big if), it is only about the 4th most important factor in overall picture quality.

I am curious. What plasma do you have that is "already" going out?

milo bloom

I'm not a fan of 3D in the theaters, and I haven't even touched it in a home theater, but I have to say that at this point in time I can't conceive of buying anything less than 1080p.

uteotw

This is exactly what I did. Had to be done. Couldn't justify going back down to 720p, and couldn't justify skipping 3D for $200. I got this one:
http://www.samsung.com/us/video/tvs/PN51D550C1FXZA
And I LOVE it.

Though I'm not thrilled about having to buy a new TV already, it's half the weight of my previous model, looks better, uses less electricity, AND does 3D--and 3D, which I was really on the fence about, is AWESOME. I sure hope it's the way of the future, because it's truly stunning. Thank again~

JimRochester

Since I'm not a fan of 3D but am a fan of 1080p I'm sure you can guess my recommendation

Rob V

I'm a huge 3D fan and love my TV... but without a ton of content, go for the 1080p if you absolutely cannot spring for both.

Numanoid

I recently got a PN59D6500 Samsung with 3D. The 3D was just a bonus, and it came with a free player and glasses bundle, so I thought "why not?" Well, I absolutely love the 3D. Watched Megamind twice in a row when I first set it up. It's flawless. And Tron Legacy was amazing too. Even the 2d->3D upconversion is quite astounding, and works even on Netflix streaming movies.

I'd say that once you have experienced 3D on a good set at home, you'd never want to be without it. Especially if you have kids. They would eat that up.

Brent L

Awesome, welcome to the club! I never really went too crazy about 3D in theaters, but at home it's just amazing to me.