General Plasma & LCD discussions

[Zenbaas]

Just saw this on Cats Digital: SAM-PS51D550 - Price: R21,999.00

WTF!!!

Edit: Ok, called a branch & they confirmed it is R12999. Website is incorrect.

Yup. You need to keep them on their toes otherwise they'll take advantage.

 

[CrazYmonkeY159]

I'm no Home theater expert but @DanieP's problem to me sounds as if the TV has a "slow" Analogue to Digital converter?

Since AV is analogue and his TV is natively digital it still has to do a conversion, but the problem with my assumption is that ADC's are really cheap and do conversions with minimal delay (almost negligable) or maybe the problem is with his decoder :O

 

[Lupus]

Go into the decoders menu, under Advanced options you can set the delay.

 

[Roman4604]

30+ forumites I've spoken to myself have compared these exact models - PS42C430 and LA40C530 - and chose plasma based on PQ?

Based on your track record of truthfullness, excuse me if I find it hard to believe you've spoken to at least 30 people who compared these exact two models. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, so what is the application at which the PS42C430 excels ... SD TV via RF or RCA input?

From my perspective this debate has never been about LCD/LED vs Plasma, but rather capability/flexibility/value at a specific price point. Once one goes past the R10k mark and were talking about FHD set vs FHD set , it's a straight shootout based on PQ, features, reliability etc. Personally I have a high regard for the Samsung PSxxD5xx range.

But when one goes down the price range the resolution limitations of low end Plasma become glaring. In a day & age where 1080i HDTV & 1080p Bluray rental are available and moving to mainstream in next few years (not to mention next-gen consoles on the horizon), purchasing less than a FHD 1920x1080p set is in my opinion a bum long term investment (even if PQ is good with legacy SD input).

 

[PostmanPot]

Based on your track record of truthfullness, excuse me if I find it hard to believe you've spoken to at least 30 people who compared these exact two models. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, so what is the application at which the PS42C430 excels ... SD TV via RF or RCA input?

It's actually more than 30. Trust me. Been contributing a lot in this sub forum for nearly a year now. There are tons of threads on what people should buy. It was always a shoot out between PS42C4xx and LA40C5xx, as that is what most people can [only] afford. SD TV/content is a big factor which sways people to the plasma. Also sport. But many have also compared 720p, and in a few cases 1080p, and still preferred the plasma.

Have you seen PS42C4xx/PS43D4xx yourself set up properly? I have a PS42C450 on HD PVR. I have a LA32C550. I have spent plenty time viewing TV/sport on LA40C530 via HD PVR. It's just not the same as 42" plasma, which is probably why the majority of people choose 42"/43" entry plasma over 40" entry LCD?

From my perspective this debate has never been about LCD/LED vs Plasma, but rather capability/flexibility/value at a specific price point. Once one goes past the R10k mark and were talking about FHD set vs FHD set , it's a straight shootout based on PQ, features, reliability etc. Personally I have a high regard for the Samsung PSxxD5xx range.

46" 100Hz mid range LCD or 50" mid range FHD plasma for less. You decide.

But when one goes down the price range the resolution limitations of low end Plasma become glaring. In a day & age where 1080i HDTV & 1080p Bluray rental are available and moving to mainstream in next few years (not to mention next-gen consoles on the horizon), purchasing a less than a FHD 1920x1080p set is in my opinion a bum long term investment (even if PQ is good with legacy SD input).

I understand the limiting resolution, however most people don't sit in the required viewing distance range to get a full FHD experience, nor do they have Blu-ray players. Most people buy HD media players where 720p is the norm and is perfect for 42"/43" plasma. I accept and maintain that if Blu-ray is a priority, 42"/43" plasma may not be what you want if you are into pixels and definition - I always have. Not for 1080i though, as 720p is preferred by most and better. That said, couldn't be happier with 1080p on my 42" 720p plasma for the price I paid. R1,000 cheaper than entry LCD, 2" bigger, and better PQ. PErhaps if I sat at 1.5m I would have preferred the LCD for 1080p stuff, but I sit at 2.5 - 3m and I think this is where most sit too.

I want to do a comparison on Avatar 1080p on PS42C450 vs LA32C550. Will be interesting.

 

[PostmanPot]

In fact I went out and had a look at various TVs in great detail. Unfortunately I did not see the PS51D550, only the 450 and 490. IMO, even the 5 series LED and LCD are miles ahead. LED more so but it comes at a cost, so does the 6 series, but again it comes at a cost. 50Hz on the 5 series was not an issue, only a disadvantage for HD sports.

Miles ahead in terms of? I can understand miles ahead when you are comparing FHD because of resolution and definition. With 720p and SD, my experience (and most it seems) is different, with the 42/43" plasma winning at R1,000 less. Not only HD sports is it a disadvantage, but for SD sport too.

What I found absolutely offputting was the glare and reflection on the series 4 plasma. 2 HDMI ports suck too, having to switch cables the whole time would drive me nuts after a while. Then, I could clearly see a difference between the 720p series 4 plasma and other full HD TVs, once you switched to a FHD source.

Especially in a shop under shop lighting. But at home where there are curtains and duller ambient lighting, and viewing is probably generally in the evening, it's not such a big problem. At least for me. I find also once absorbed into the content, I can't even make out the reflections, and I only see them when I try look for it. HDMI extenders are cheap, also many people buy HDMI AV receivers which means the TV could only need 1 HDMI port. Buy an extender and still come out cheaper than 40" LCD, at least R500 cheaper. I'm sure you saw a difference between resolutions. No one advocates 720p plasma for 1080p content though. If you need Blu-ray, you need FHD, and entry LCD wins there until you compare mid range LCD and FHD plasma.

The 51D490/450 is a HUGE display. With 1366*768 pixels that's a pixel density of 30.73 PPI. The 430 (and possibly 450) which have a resolution of 1024*768 have a pixel density of 25.1 PPI, even less! That's not a lot of pixels per inch... Sitting at 2 - 2.5m this really bothered me. For comparism, the 46 FHD LCD or LED has a pixel density of 47.89 PPI.

I sit at 2 - 2.5m and my 42" plasma is crisp. And no one else here has ever complain about their 720p plasmas not being crisp? Maybe it bothered you because you initially looked up close, where LCDs are obviously more crisp? Also, would a higher PPI not be a detriment to lower quality sources? Like TV and SD sport.

The colours on the 4 series Plasma where more accurate than the 5 series LCD and LED but I really did not like them. To me they just seemed dull. I tested this with the same source and using different settings. A higher series Plasma was a different story.

One of the big factors that wins many over - better colours and blacks. Mine are vibrant and bordering on too contrasty. My guess is those shop lights were making the plasma appear dull, this is usually the case. You say you used different settings? Please elaborate.

Grow up and realise that your opinion is not the only one that counts. Just because you don't care about certain issues does not mean they are not important to others. And it certainly does also not mean that your opinion counts more. Disposal is not important to me personally but it may well be important to others, that's why I pointed it out. On the other hand I do care about energy consumption.

I am fully aware of issues that may count towards some people. If someone says they want eco friendly, it's not like I'm going to be an ass and recommend plasma over LED LCD. You pretended like it was an issue you cared about, making a big fuss about it. Don't now call me out.

 

[Tim182]

Miles ahead in terms of? I can understand miles ahead when you are comparing FHD because of resolution and definition. With 720p and SD, my experience (and most it seems) is different, with the 42/43" plasma winning at R1,000 less. Not only HD sports is it a disadvantage, but for SD sport too.

Not winning at R1000 at all. 42" PSD450 goes for more or less the same as 40" LCD 5 Series, LED is not far off in some specials. 51"D490 (D450 if you can find one) Plasma go for about the same as 46 Series 5 LCD. Of course in each case you get some extra size.

SD sports on a 51"? Streched picture, bad quality, the 100Hz technology is not gonna make it any better. A crappy picture will remain a crappy picture.

Especially in a shop under shop lighting. But at home where there are curtains and duller ambient lighting, and viewing is probably generally in the evening, it's not such a big problem. At least for me. I find also once absorbed into the content, I can't even make out the reflections, and I only see them when I try look for it.

The reflections on the series 4 are hectic. Everyone out there, please go look at it for yourself. Especially if you don't want to close curtains everytime you watch TV.

HDMI extenders are cheap, also many people buy HDMI AV receivers which means the TV could only need 1 HDMI port. Buy an extender and still come out cheaper than 40" LCD, at least R500 cheaper.

I don't want to buy an HDMI extender. Samsung TVs save different settings for each input. A PC has to go into the DVI/HDMI to disable overscan (and it needs to be labelled correctly) so if you switch to a different source you need to change this. I, and many other people, also want different settings for Xbox, BluRay and again for my DSTV. What a mission to change this everytime!!! Especially with the laggy menu on the D450 (or any series 4 and 5). Not an issue? Think again, especially if picture quality matters to you. Unplug DSTV, plug in BluRay, change setting, unplug BluRay, plug in XBox, change settings... No thanks.

I'm sure you saw a difference between resolutions. No one advocates 720p plasma for 1080p content though. If you need Blu-ray, you need FHD, and entry LCD wins there until you compare mid range LCD and FHD plasma. I sit at 2 - 2.5m and my 42" plasma is crisp. And no one else here has ever complain about their 720p plasmas not being crisp? Maybe it bothered you because you initially looked up close, where LCDs are obviously more crisp? Also, would a higher PPI not be a detriment to lower quality sources? Like TV and SD sport.

I am not reffering to the 42, I am talking about the 46 versus 51. 720p on a 51" to me looks pixellated, even at 2.5 meters.

One of the big factors that wins many over - better colours and blacks. Mine are vibrant and bordering on too contrasty. My guess is those shop lights were making the plasma appear dull, this is usually the case. You say you used different settings? Please elaborate.

They switched the shop lights off for me so lights were not an issue. The colours looked horrible on the series 4 plasma (of course, a higher series looked amazing). I much preferred the LED and LCD. Blacks were better though.

IMO, the Series 4 Plasmas are horrible TVs, little features, bad quality. No thank you.

I am fully aware of issues that may count towards some people. If someone says they want eco friendly, it's not like I'm going to be an ass and recommend plasma over LED LCD. You pretended like it was an issue you cared about, making a big fuss about it. Don't now call me out.

I didn't make an issue about it. I just pointed it out.

 

[PostmanPot]

Not winning at R1000 at all. 42" PSD450 goes for more or less the same as 40" LCD 5 Series, LED is not far off in some specials. 51"D490 (D450 if you can find one) Plasma go for about the same as 46 Series 5 LCD. Of course in each case you get some extra size.

Yes you are. How is it fair to compare LAxxC530 to PSxxD450? Pal, the comparison is LAxxC530 vs PSxxC430.

Game's latest brochure has the [phenomenal ] LA40C530 at R5,999 on special. They had the PS42C430 on special a week or so ago for R4,499. Screw R1,000 cheaper, it's R1,500 cheaper!

SD sports on a 51"? Streched picture, bad quality, the 100Hz technology is not gonna make it any better. A crappy picture will remain a crappy picture.

That is besides the point. Compare it to SD sports on a similar price/size 46" LCD (LA46C530), and then we talk about which is better. That's the point.

The reflections on the series 4 are hectic. Everyone out there, please go look at it for yourself. Especially if you don't want to close curtains everytime you watch TV.

Thankfully I have the C450 which has a better AR coating. I have spend a lot of time in front of the PS42C430, and since it is in a room with not that much direct sunlight, I haven't been able to notice any lights once absorbed in the action. I think you are exaggerating a bit here. If there is a lot of direct sunlight and ambient lighting of a room is bright, then yes you are correct.

I don't want to buy an HDMI extender. Samsung TVs save different settings for each input. A PC has to go into the DVI/HDMI to disable overscan (and it needs to be labelled correctly) so if you switch to a different source you need to change this. I, and many other people, also want different settings for Xbox, BluRay and again for my DSTV. What a mission to change this everytime!!! Especially with the laggy menu on the D450 (or any series 4 and 5). Not an issue? Think again, especially if picture quality matters to you. Unplug DSTV, plug in BluRay, change setting, unplug BluRay, plug in XBox, change settings... No thanks.

Fair point. I would say that most/common people are happy with one general setting though for all sources (bar PC) and don't fuss to change it for each source. Good for you if you like to do that though, yes if you don't have a AV receiver (don't you have one? Perhaps not yet?) you may need more HDMI ports. For those who need plasma for superior viewing of certain content, and who need 3 HDMI ports, they would need to spend more. Mine was 8 months ago R5,999 (same price as the LA40C530 on special now). I can't say I have noticed a laggy menu on either the PS42C450 of LA32C550, could you elaborate? You mean scrolling down?

I am not reffering to the 42, I am talking about the 46 versus 51. 720p on a 51" to me looks pixellated, even at 2.5 meters.

Never heard any forumite mention this, and we have a lot of 50" 720p plasma owners. Personally I don't have much experience with 50" 720p plasma.

They switched the shop lights off for me so lights were not an issue. The colours looked horrible on the series 4 plasma (of course, a higher series looked amazing). I much preferred the LED and LCD. Blacks were better though.

You mentioned using different settings earlier which I'm still waiting for you to elaborate on. I take it you quickly did a quick calibration on each set you were comparing, in order to judge the plasmas having horrible colours (which earlier you said were more accurate, funnily enough)?

IMO, the Series 4 Plasmas are horrible TVs, little features, bad quality. No thank you.

That would be very opinionated. I don't think I've read a single complaint about Series 4 plasmas, especially after most compared to Series 5 LCD. I've only heard praise. Do you think these people are just defending their purchases, and are lying that they found it to be better than 5 Series LCD?

Only complaints have been about Samsung warranty/after sales service...

I didn't make an issue about it. I just pointed it out.

Lol, not going to reply to this.

 

[Tim182]

Yes you are. How is it fair to compare LAxxC530 to PSxxD450? Pal, the comparison is LAxxC530 vs PSxxC430.

Game's latest brochure has the [phenomenal ] LA40C530 at R5,999 on special. They had the PS42C430 on special a week or so ago for R4,499. Screw R1,000 cheaper, it's R1,500 cheaper!

Then lets compare the D series:
LA40D550: +-R6500
PS43D450: +-R6500
LA46D550: R8700
PS51D450: R9000

That is besides the point. Compare it to SD sports on a similar price/size 46" LCD (LA46C530), and then we talk about which is better. That's the point.

Both will look equally bad.

Thankfully I have the C450 which has a better AR coating. I have spend a lot of time in front of the PS42C430, and since it is in a room with not that much direct sunlight, I haven't been able to notice any lights once absorbed in the action. I think you are exaggerating a bit here. If there is a lot of direct sunlight and ambient lighting of a room is bright, then yes you are correct.

If you watch in the day the reflection will likely bother you.

Never heard any forumite mention this, and we have a lot of 50" 720p plasma owners. Personally I don't have much experience with 50" 720p plasma.

I starred at it for 20 minutes trying to convince myself otherwise. Needless to say, I couldn't. 720 on a 51 bothered me. To make sure I wasn't imagining things I got a friend with no knowledge of the TV or resolution to look at it. Same result

You mentioned using different settings earlier which I'm still waiting for you to elaborate on. I take it you quickly did a quick calibration on each set you were comparing, in order to judge the plasmas having horrible colours (which earlier you said were more accurate, funnily enough)?

Let me correct myself, I found the colours on the LED and LCD better. The Plasma was more "real life" but somewhat dull and not as vibrant. I guess this is just a matter of taste. I didn't just do a quick comparism, I properly tried out the settings (I am familiar with the settings on a Samsung TV so I knew what I was doing).

That would be very opinionated. I don't think I've read a single complaint about Series 4 plasmas, especially after most compared to Series 5 LCD. I've only heard praise. Do you think these people are just defending their purchases, and are lying that they found it to be better than 5 Series LCD?

Well here you go then: I compared them, I starred at them for hours, looked at them in different shops, different lighting, different inputs. I had the money to buy either. I preferred the 5 series LCD/LED in every regard. I did not like the series 4 Plasma one bit.

 

[PostmanPot]

Then lets compare the D series:
LA40D550: +-R6500
PS43D450: +-R6500
LA46D550: R8700
PS51D450: R9000

LA40D550 - R6,499 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/20612200/Samsung+LA-40D550+40"+LCD+TV/
PS43D450 - R5,499 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/21022682/Samsung+PS43D450+43''+Plasma+TV/

LA46D550 - R8,899 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/search/?search=LA46D550&bcid=163
PS51D450 - R7,999 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/21022683/Samsung+PS51D450+51''+Plasma+TV/

Why, again, am I seeing bigger plasmas for ±R1,000 less?

Because it does not matter whether you compare C or D Series !

Both will look equally bad.

LOL. The forumites who upgraded from LA40C530 to PS50C450 will disagree with you! Come on, you've gotta try harder if you're going to lie.

If you watch in the day the reflection will likely bother you.

If there is a lot of direct sunlight and ambient lighting of a room is bright, then yes you are correct. Thankfully most TV rooms aren't really like that if they've been thought out, and they have curtains.

I starred at it for 20 minutes trying to convince myself otherwise. Needless to say, I couldn't. 720 on a 51 bothered me. To make sure I wasn't imagining things I got a friend with no knowledge of the TV or resolution to look at it. Same result

That's interesting. All the owners here have never reported that. Are you sure your "2.5 viewing distance" was not a slight over measurement?

Even on my 42" 1024x768 rectangular pixeled 720p wide screen plasma, I can not notice any pixellation with HD content, even from 1.5m away? According to your PPI theory, I should?

Honestly, do you think I should get my eyes checked?

Let me correct myself, I found the colours on the LED and LCD better. The Plasma was more "real life" but somewhat dull and not as vibrant. I guess this is just a matter of taste. I didn't just do a quick comparism, I properly tried out the settings (I am familiar with the settings on a Samsung TV so I knew what I was doing).

Sounds like overly contrasty, washed out colours to me...

Well here you go then: I compared them, I starred at them for hours, looked at them in different shops, different lighting, different inputs. I had the money to buy either. I preferred the 5 series LCD/LED in every regard. I did not like the series 4 Plasma one bit.

Remind me again what sources you were testing?

 

[Tim182]

LA40D550 - R6,499 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/20612200/Samsung+LA-40D550+40"+LCD+TV/
PS43D450 - R5,499 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/21022682/Samsung+PS43D450+43''+Plasma+TV/

LA46D550 - R8,899 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/search/?search=LA46D550&bcid=163
PS51D450 - R7,999 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/21022683/Samsung+PS51D450+51''+Plasma+TV/

Why, again, am I seeing bigger plasmas for ±R1,000 less?

Because it does not matter whether you compare C or D Series !

Fair enough regarding the prices. They are R1000 less because they are R1000 worse.

LOL. The forumites who upgraded from LA40C530 to PS50C450 will disagree with you! Come on, you've gotta try harder if you're going to lie.

Good for them, they most likely all watch DSTV only and that's it. In that case its a great buy.

If there is a lot of direct sunlight and ambient lighting of a room is bright, then yes you are correct. Thankfully most TV rooms aren't really like that if they've been thought out, and they have curtains.

Leave the curtains open and let a bit of light inside and you will see reflections. FULLSTOP. Great, its sunday afternoon, sport is on, the sun is shining, its a beautiful day outside, you wanna watch TV. With that TV you will have to close your curtains, no thanks.

That's interesting. All the owners here have never reported that. Are you sure your "2.5 viewing distance" was not a slight over measurement?

Even on my 42" 1024x768 rectangular pixeled 720p wide screen plasma, I can not notice any pixellation with HD content, even from 1.5m away? According to your PPI theory, I should?

Honestly, do you think I should get my eyes checked?

Most probably, yes. I have spent a lot of time looking at a 42" 1024x768 plasma (although LG and an older model) and the pixalation has always bothered me. Its no different on the new Samsung 4 series Plasma, and especially not on the 51". If anyone reads this, just stay away from that TV if you plan on using FDH sources. All the owners you are quoting most probably simply watch DSTV, and that's it. Again, in that case its a great buy.

Sounds like overly contrasty, washed out colours to me...

Good thing you don't have to look at it then, isn't it?

Remind me again what sources you were testing?

DSTV SD and HD, Bluray and mkv (720 and 1080).



Again to anyone who reads this consider your buy. In my opinion the 5 series LCD is a much better buy than the 4 series plasma.

 

[Roman4604]

LA40D550 - R6,499 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/20612200/Samsung+LA-40D550+40"+LCD+TV/
PS43D450 - R5,499 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/21022682/Samsung+PS43D450+43''+Plasma+TV/

LA46D550 - R8,899 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/search/?search=LA46D550&bcid=163
PS51D450 - R7,999 - http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/21022683/Samsung+PS51D450+51''+Plasma+TV/

Why, again, am I seeing bigger plasmas for ±R1,000 less?

Because it does not matter whether you compare C or D Series !

Just cant stay away from distorting the truth to your own purposes.

The price difference is obvious, 5 series vs 4 series. Your comparing 1920x1080 panels against 1365x768 ones. Lets see a like-for-like pricing comparison against the 5 series Plasmas (PSxxD5xx models).

 

[Tim182]

Just cant stay away from distorting the truth to your own purposes.

The price difference is obvious, 5 series vs 4 series. Your comparing 1920x1080 panels against 1365x768 ones. Lets see a like-for-like pricing comparison against the 5 series Plasmas (PSxxD5xx models).

Lol, no he can't stay away from distorting the truth to his own purposes. Nonetheless, he's trying to argue that the series 4 plasma beats the series 5 LCD and that IMO is crap.

If he were to compare series 5 against series 5 the outcome would be a different story. But then again a series 5 plasma costs considerably more... I have a feeling this guy bought the 42D450 and somehow regrets this decision. He therefore needs to convince everyone else that his TV is better lol

 

[PostmanPot]

Fair enough regarding the prices. They are R1000 less because they are R1000 worse.

Only if you're a pixel phreak who prefers resolution over sheer picture quality.

Good for them, they most likely all watch DSTV only and that's it. In that case its a great buy.

SD DSTV, HD DSTV, sport, HD rips, gaming.

Leave the curtains open and let a bit of light inside and you will see reflections. FULLSTOP. Great, its sunday afternoon, sport is on, the sun is shining, its a beautiful day outside, you wanna watch TV. With that TV you will have to close your curtains, no thanks.

Depends if the window is somewhat directly in front of the TV or not.

I find it funny how so very few complain about the reflection, yet here you are making an incredible fuss about it and you don't even own one.

Most probably, yes. I have spent a lot of time looking at a 42" 1024x768 plasma (although LG and an older model) and the pixalation has always bothered me. Its no different on the new Samsung 4 series Plasma, and especially not on the 51". If anyone reads this, just stay away from that TV if you plan on using FDH sources. All the owners you are quoting most probably simply watch DSTV, and that's it. Again, in that case its a great buy.

No, they watch SD DSTV, HD DSTV, sport, HD rips, and they game. We can agree regarding FHD and if you are a pixel phreak. That's an incredible jump you're making - SD TV to FHD!

Good thing you don't have to look at it then, isn't it?

Actually I often do, as my friend owns it. Although not in the same house as mine, I've been able to make a fair comparison since he uses the same HD PVR as me. I came to the exact same conclusion everyone else who bought PS42C4xx over LA40C5xx came to.

DSTV SD and HD, Bluray and mkv (720 and 1080).

Bwahaha. I can understand the difference being less noticeable with HD content, but SD? Please don't tell me you jsut said SD is better on LA40C5xx than PS42C4xx.

Again to anyone who reads this consider your buy. In my opinion the 5 series LCD is a much better buy than the 4 series plasma.

You and Roman vs us, 30+ others who have compared LA40C5xx with PS42C4xx...

I think I'm gonna send off a few PMs to the plasma owners to reply here - so they can give you some perspective.

 

[PostmanPot]

Just cant stay away from distorting the truth to your own purposes.

The price difference is obvious, 5 series vs 4 series. Your comparing 1920x1080 panels against 1365x768 ones. Lets see a like-for-like pricing comparison against the 5 series Plasmas (PSxxD5xx models).

How am I distorting the truth? Can you not get over the fact that the LA40C530 costs R1,500 more than the PS42C430, which is 2" bigger and outperforms the former at 720p content and below? Even FHD sometimes, when far away enough out of the viewing distance required for a full FHD experience?

So now we have to compare along Series numbers? Please. Comparisons are done on price, not resolution. Don't forget, 5 months ago the difference in price between the mentioned sets was only about R500. Now, because plasma has become dirt cheap, it's inaccurate to compare different Series numbers? Meh. How convenient.

5 Series plasmas are comparable to Series 6 LCDs. We've already had a forumite saying Series 4 plasma beats Series 7 LCD at SD and SDTV. Still waiting for a Series 5 plasma vs Series 6/7 LCD test. I have high hopes for the plasma.

 

[PostmanPot]

Lol, no he can't stay away from distorting the truth to his own purposes. Nonetheless, he's trying to argue that the series 4 plasma beats the series 5 LCD and that IMO is crap.

If he were to compare series 5 against series 5 the outcome would be a different story. But then again a series 5 plasma costs considerably more... I have a feeling this guy bought the 42D450 and somehow regrets this decision. He therefore needs to convince everyone else that his TV is better lol

Since when is 5 Series plasma compared to 5 Series LCD? No one has ever done that. This nonsense does not bode well for your case.

I am thrilled with my purchase, use it for SD TV, sport and SD/720p rips. Could not be happier. Have compared vs Series 5 40" LCD in detail, as everyone else has. Have compared to LA32C550 in my own house and it only has the edge with FHD stuff because I sit 1m from it. Everyone who's seen it immediately comments on the colours seeming washed out in comparison to the plasma. A fact of entry level LCD you have to accept I guess. Lovely PC LCD though!

People come to my house and I show them SD sport. These people are all predominantly LCD owners because of their misunderstanding of newer plasmas (and their salesmen), thinking the same BS like short lifespan, high power usage, gas refilling, burn-in, etc.. They are baffled when I tell them they can get the quality I show them for less than R5,000.

So no, I don't regret my decision at all. I followed the exact advice given by the local experts when I started participating here, compared vs LCD as told, and made my decision. Exactly the same way I advise other people who follow the exact same process and choose entry plasma over entry LCD.

Remember, it's not only me recommending entry LCD - it's the experts too. It seems neither of you have met them yet.

 

[Roman4604]

Only if you're a pixel phreak who prefers resolution over sheer picture quality.

This statement can only come from one who's blind as a [-]bat[/-] pot

 

[PostmanPot]

This statement can only come from one who's blind as a [-]bat[/-] pot

But the plasma performs better at anything up to 720p. Of course the difference at SD is a lot more noticeable than the difference at 720p. Please educate me what LA40C530, at 720p, offers that is better than 42" plasma?

 

[Tim182]

Strange the only one replying and recommending the plasma here is you then.

 

[PostmanPot]

Strange the only one replying and recommending the plasma here is you then.

Ditto that for LCD... :erm:

Oh wait, we can see in this thread three forumites advocating plasma! Even one of the local experts himself, Dolby! Fancy that. They must be drinking the same water as me.

In fact I keep close track of the numbers of plasma buyers I speak of. At least 10 - 15 of the 30+ plasma buyers (mostly one post wonders/low post counts/recent members) have personally PMed me to discuss. Then at least 10 - 15 of our regulars, with >1,000 posts have bought plasma over LCD. All the discussions and mini reviews are here if you search for them.

Don't you worry, I will be PMing them soon so they can give you and Roman some perspective.

To say that I have no case because I am the only one advocating plasma in this thread is a fallacious argument.