General Plasma & LCD discussions

[PostmanPot]

when I compared plasma and led on hd content, led was sharper, pixelated effect as RW called it. I actually preferred this, while it seems others don't.

You were standing too close at a distance that doesn't correspond to your viewing distance at home. From normal viewing distance there is no difference in sharpness/crispness/etc.. I agree from closer up LCD is more crisp.

 

[Ono'rach]

I was in a store today which had a massive Panasonic plasma model display on, all running HD programming (some DSTV HD and some Blu-rays)

Well, I was absolutely blown away by the picture quality... The colours, black levels and motion were simply awe-inspiring. It seemed as if they had just about the entire range on display and every model is spectacular in its own right.

There were no prices up, and I wasn't going to depress myself and ask either

I've made my mind up, my next TV purchase is going to be a Panasonic plasma.

 

[Dolby]

Hi vaulted,

There actually are members on here with mid 100hz LCD and a few of them made the change from plasma > LCD.

The interesting thing is that they're happy - very happy. One member mentions how close it is to his KURO plasma and another member has plasma, LCD and LED. I'm chuffed at my purchase - and my parents excited with their new LED.

Sadly though, they avoid posting in this section anymore because its pointless try to point out that plasma do have defects too. Reading this, one expects plasma to have ZERO flaws and LCD/LED is simply littered with them. The truth is they're actually relativly close to each other.

However, as you're spending s fair amount of money - check out a few non-bias reviews to get an answer?

 

[PostmanPot]

...and a few of them made the change from plasma > LCD.

Perhaps because they don't watch SD/TV/sport. At least that's in your case.

Btw, experts also say plasma is better for gaming, which makes things quite interesting.

Sadly though, they avoid posting in this section anymore because its pointless try to point out that plasma do have defects too. Reading this, one expects plasma to have ZERO flaws and LCD/LED is simply littered with them.

Your post was OK until you posted this crud.

 

[randomwalsh]

Hey superskully. The best thing to do I found is to phone tafelberg furniture in cape town and even dion wired had the c550 for 9999 which game price beat.

I do alot of phoning first and then go to where the tv is in stock and ask them to match or beat the price. That's how i got my ps42c450 for 5999 for Hirsch. TodAy the price on it was marked at 7400.

Relating to picture quAlity. SD feeds are unmatched in plasma. The produce an amazing picture. My parents 46" LCD 50hz showed a crappy sd feed but looks very nice now that I upgraded them to hd.

Then on the other hand my parents in laws have a 46" series 6 led and anything u throw at it looks beautiful on it. Even sd was good in my books and gaming is flawless IMHO.

So the feeling on my side which are reflected in my recent tv purchase is if u got the money I would go for a 100hz + LCD but if money is alittle tighter plasma offers the best bang for your buck.

The reason I say LCD if u got more money is personal preference as I prefer a completely silent tv without any risk of burn in and frankly I like the "looking out the window" look that high end LCD / led have.

Wow looking back at this thread it's like a minefield of explosive comments but at the end of the day u need to make up your mind by googling and then taking your laptop or media player or whatever u use to the store and testing each tv u r interested in. Ask the sales person for the remote. Change the settings. Have them move the tvs next to each other to compare. That's what I did anyway and I choose the ps42c450.

 

[ricoza]

Bought the ps50c430 for R6999 at the new world menlyn special yesterday, and i'm fsking exstatic. The tv is brilliant! No buzzing(in Pta) or image retention (low settings and all, during the run in phase)

Watched the super15 yesterday, in sd, looked awesome. Watching avatar on normal sd now, looks flippen awesome as well! Even 'low budget' channels lile actionx looks good.

I rushed to makro yesterday after buying the tv to get the hd pvr, but all of them were sold out getting mine on thursday, I can hardly wait.

Next step, some good audio...

 

[randomwalsh]

That's a flipping good deal. Well done mate and well done on the no buzzing. The sd picture is great. Wait till u see the 720p picture is way sweet.

 

[Grimspoon]

Nice one ricoza, welcome to the 50" club

@randomwalsh, hope you having some better luck mate!

 

[PostmanPot]

Bought the ps50c430 for R6999 at the new world menlyn special yesterday, and i'm fsking exstatic. The tv is brilliant! No buzzing(in Pta) or image retention (low settings and all, during the run in phase)

Watched the super15 yesterday, in sd, looked awesome. Watching avatar on normal sd now, looks flippen awesome as well! Even 'low budget' channels lile actionx looks good.

I rushed to makro yesterday after buying the tv to get the hd pvr, but all of them were sold out getting mine on thursday, I can hardly wait.

Next step, some good audio...

Sounds great man but I have to say that all plasma's buzz by nature so I find it hard to believe yours doesn't. Turn off the volume and listen at the back - there will be a buzz. Sounds like yours is just less audible than others which is great too.

 

[ricoza]

Sounds great man but I have to say that all plasma's buzz by nature so I find it hard to believe yours doesn't. Turn off the volume and listen at the back - there will be a buzz. Sounds like yours is just less audible than others which is great too.

I'm totally in love with this t.v.

It totally rocks SD content and sport. Can't wait to get than HD PVR

Watching the Sharks game now, muted the set, and stuck my head behind my t.v., it's not totally silent, but it has a very very soft hum (more like a purr ) and I really can't hear it from anywhere else more than 30cm away, maybe it will slightly louder when it gets less humid (It's been raining the past two days)? Is that even a factor?

It's certainly much much much softer than my desktop PC.

I made the last minute decision to get the 50" instead of the 42", which was still on special for R3999! But I'm very glad I did, especially since the t.v. room is quite big. In hindsight I should of bought a 42" as well and sold it for R4,500 - R5,000 and in essence only pay R5999 for the 50".

I'm super stoked!

 

[greg_SA]

I was in a store today which had a massive Panasonic plasma model display on, all running HD programming (some DSTV HD and some Blu-rays)

Well, I was absolutely blown away by the picture quality... The colours, black levels and motion were simply awe-inspiring. It seemed as if they had just about the entire range on display and every model is spectacular in its own right.

There were no prices up, and I wasn't going to depress myself and ask either

I've made my mind up, my next TV purchase is going to be a Panasonic plasma.

Which store was this? Not many places stock Panasonic Plasmas

 

[lindanewit]

Hey everyone, looking for some advice regarding a wall mount for a 42" LCD. I have checked around and there are a few ranging from R250-00 to RR750-00 which would you recommend? They all seem 'solid'
Thanks!

 

[PostmanPot]

Hey everyone, looking for some advice regarding a wall mount for a 42" LCD. I have checked around and there are a few ranging from R250-00 to RR750-00 which would you recommend? They all seem 'solid'
Thanks!

Not too sure but the Aavara ones are of good quality.

What kind do you need? Just a simple fixed mount? Or must it tilt, swivel etc.?

 

[superskully]

You were standing too close at a distance that doesn't correspond to your viewing distance at home. From normal viewing distance there is no difference in sharpness/crispness/etc.. I agree from closer up LCD is more crisp.

That could be true, esp. since i was looking at a 58".

 

[PostmanPot]

That could be true, esp. since i was looking at a 58".

Guaranteed!

Don't worry, it's quite a common "mistake" people make.

 

[superskully]

Hey superskully. The best thing to do I found is to phone tafelberg furniture in cape town and even dion wired had the c550 for 9999 which game price beat.

I do alot of phoning first and then go to where the tv is in stock and ask them to match or beat the price. That's how i got my ps42c450 for 5999 for Hirsch. TodAy the price on it was marked at 7400.

Relating to picture quAlity. SD feeds are unmatched in plasma. The produce an amazing picture. My parents 46" LCD 50hz showed a crappy sd feed but looks very nice now that I upgraded them to hd.

Then on the other hand my parents in laws have a 46" series 6 led and anything u throw at it looks beautiful on it. Even sd was good in my books and gaming is flawless IMHO.

So the feeling on my side which are reflected in my recent tv purchase is if u got the money I would go for a 100hz + LCD but if money is alittle tighter plasma offers the best bang for your buck.

The reason I say LCD if u got more money is personal preference as I prefer a completely silent tv without any risk of burn in and frankly I like the "looking out the window" look that high end LCD / led have.

Wow looking back at this thread it's like a minefield of explosive comments but at the end of the day u need to make up your mind by googling and then taking your laptop or media player or whatever u use to the store and testing each tv u r interested in. Ask the sales person for the remote. Change the settings. Have them move the tvs next to each other to compare. That's what I did anyway and I choose the ps42c450.

Thanks RW. And that is the thing, people perception's of what looks good on a TV are different - some may prefer the smooth plasma or the sharp LCD. I loved watching the cricket on Plasma - but if i do get a LED - its the 200hz one.
Do u also see that LED is better - cos the 10 times now i have compared LCD with LED - LED just has that more distinct look, evern my wife agrees. Could it be lighting - well i have never seen that distinctness on my LCD.

I have some time again as my old sammy is back (it goes off from time to time), so i can wait for a good special.
I am goin to DW this weekend to convince my heart not to buy the 55" LED 200hz.

Pity Sony dont make plasma's cos if its one thing i am a fanboi of - its Sony products.

 

[PostmanPot]

Thanks RW. And that is the thing, people perception's of what looks good on a TV are different - some may prefer the smooth plasma or the sharp LCD. I loved watching the cricket on Plasma - but if i do get a LED - its the 200hz one.
Do u also see that LED is better - cos the 10 times now i have compared LCD with LED - LED just has that more distinct look, evern my wife agrees. Could it be lighting - well i have never seen that distinctness on my LCD.

I can't say I can understand how people's perceptions of TV's are different in that they prefer smoothness of plasma/sharpness from LCD when it's agreed with that from correct home viewing distance both are the same; also considering LCD/LED-LCD's offer 100/200Hz motion. Unless you are referring to being close-up, a distance which people do not watch TV from - then yes I agree as LCD's are more crisp close up.

Either you're comparing lower end LCD's to higher end LED-LCD's (please, use correct terminology so as not to further their marketing gimmick campaign), or they've put the LED-LCD's on "torch mode" (increased brightness/contrast settings for obvious reasons...), or you've compared full array RGB LED back-lit LCD (which indeed is better than LCD but costs a ton more and is quite scarce).

The question regarding LCD vs LED-LCD would be, did you compare a 200Hz LCD with the 200Hz LED-LCD you mentioned? If not then it's an unfair comparison.

I have some time again as my old sammy is back (it goes off from time to time), so i can wait for a good special.
I am goin to DW this weekend to convince my heart not to buy the 55" LED 200hz.

If you like it and you can afford it then there is no reason why you should not get it. What's the price? Do check out Panasonic plasma though.

Pity Sony dont make plasma's cos if its one thing i am a fanboi of - its Sony products.

True.

 

[superskully]

I can't say I can understand how people's perceptions of TV's are different in that they prefer smoothness of plasma/sharpness from LCD when it's agreed with that from correct home viewing distance both are the same; also considering LCD/LED-LCD's offer 100/200Hz motion. Unless you are referring to being close-up, a distance which people do not watch TV from - then yes I agree as LCD's are more crisp close up.

Either you're comparing lower end LCD's to higher end LED-LCD's (please, use correct terminology so as not to further their marketing gimmick campaign), or they've put the LED-LCD's on "torch mode" (increased brightness/contrast settings for obvious reasons...), or you've compared full array RGB LED back-lit LCD (which indeed is better than LCD but costs a ton more and is quite scarce).

The question regarding LCD vs LED-LCD would be, did you compare a 200Hz LCD with the 200Hz LED-LCD you mentioned? If not then it's an unfair comparison.



If you like it and you can afford it then there is no reason why you should not get it. What's the price? Do check out Panasonic plasma though.



True.

I agree that with LCD, the further u go back the more u cannot tell a difference on content (as per the chart u attached). When u do go closer - the sharper it becomes - until u get too close and u get the pixels sought off shining at u. I did not notice this on LED - comparing TV's that are same specs on same content and same settings - i.e. 46" 100hz (cant remember what series) and edge-lit. However when u start going back - the LED and LCD become similar.
Why would i sit close - only when i game cos i just cannot sit far, maybe its the 50hz or the fact that i am right eyed and left brained -but i sit 1m away when gaming. I have still to test gaming on plasma and that will be the defining moment.

I do disagree though that people's perceptions are different on what looks good - a friend of mine has a 40LCD and 50" plasma and prefers the latter cos he does not like the sharpness of the LCD.

PP - whenever i buy something i have to debate abt it with everyone i know, just so i can make the right decision and have regrets.
Can you explain two things to me please:
1. Plasma's prices have not dropped in 6 months, why? Is it cos of demand. I am sought of the person that wants to buy things for a bargain - so when i look at 50C430 for 8k or C550 for 12k - thats not a special (was same price 6 months ago).
2. why such a big price jump for plasma for 50 to 58" - is it such cos the technology has to change completely. I sit abt 4-5m away from TV - so i can go big.

 

[superskully]

If you like it and you can afford it then there is no reason why you should not get it. What's the price? Do check out Panasonic plasma though.

Thats the thing - the bargain side of me wants it - as i mentioned before (special ends this week), LG 55" 3D LED (edge-lit) 200hz (thinks its 240) with 3D blue ray player and starter pack (both worth 5k) for 20k.
But, i already have a 3D blue ray player (PS3) and cannot see 3D myself (i tell my wife that my brain is so advanced that it puts the 2 images back together ), i dont beleive in the hype of 3D yet the 10% of me wants it cos its a bargain.

 

[PostmanPot]

I agree that with LCD, the further u go back the more u cannot tell a difference on content (as per the chart u attached). When u do go closer - the sharper it becomes - until u get too close and u get the pixels sought off shining at u. I did not notice this on LED - comparing TV's that are same specs on same content and same settings - i.e. 46" 100hz (cant remember what series) and edge-lit. However when u start going back - the LED and LCD become similar.
Why would i sit close - only when i game cos i just cannot sit far, maybe its the 50hz or the fact that i am right eyed and left brained -but i sit 1m away when gaming. I have still to test gaming on plasma and that will be the defining moment.

That chart explains HD vs Full HD, not plasma vs LCD.

It's very important to note the specs (and price) of TV's when comparing. You can't just say "The LED[-LCD] was better" when it's a fact that edge-lit LED-LCD offers no picture quality improvement over CCFL-LCD. But if you are comparing 200Hz LED-LCD to 60/100Hz CCFL-LCD that costs less, sure there will be a difference.

I do disagree though that people's perceptions are different on what looks good - a friend of mine has a 40LCD and 50" plasma and prefers the latter cos he does not like the sharpness of the LCD.

At what viewing distance?

PP - whenever i buy something i have to debate abt it with everyone i know, just so i can make the right decision and have regrets.
Can you explain two things to me please:
1. Plasma's prices have not dropped in 6 months, why? Is it cos of demand. I am sought of the person that wants to buy things for a bargain - so when i look at 50C430 for 8k or C550 for 12k - thats not a special (was same price 6 months ago).
2. why such a big price jump for plasma for 50 to 58" - is it such cos the technology has to change completely. I sit abt 4-5m away from TV - so i can go big.

1. Plasma's prices have dropped more than ever in the past 6 months.

PS42C430 was R5,999 6 months ago, now as low as R4,999.
PS42C450 was R6,999, now R5,999.
PS50C430 was ±R10,000, now R7,500.
PS50C450 was ±R10,999, now R7,999.
PS50C550 was ±R12,999, nor R9,999.

(I followed 42" prices more closely).

2. Because the 58" plasma is in a different league. It's a 6/7 Series where the ones above are 4/5 Series. Probably has 3D, network connectivity, probably very slim.

Where with LCD, you see the same sort of price increases from 4/5 Series to 6/7 Series (although LCD 6/7 series have come down in price as well).