Starhawk Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 With my ol' Toshiba 50H81 likely never coming back, Im having my own television conundrum. Im trying to get something under $2000 and at least the same size as my old set, which was a 50". For now, the set would mainly be used for HDTV, Wii, DVD, and last gen consoles. Within the TV's lifespan, I will eventually own at least a 360 and one of the Hi-Def DVD formats. I used to know a good deal about current tech in TVs when I bought my 50H81 over 5 years ago. I either was really satisfied or just dont care as much anymore because im a little out of the loop on current tech and features I may be missing out as Im making a decision. So basically, I just need a little guidance here without having to read several 100+ page threads on AVS. That being said, so far, I have narrowed down (but not finalized) my choices to: Samsung HL-T5087S DLP $1829 Panasonic TH-50PH9UK $1689 My thoughts on the two are... Samsung: +New Model +Probably has alot of up to date features and cool shit i might want +1080p not that I'll actually be using it right now -I think I see rainbows in DLPs. I need to see this new LED model in person. -Unable to hang on wall. This is only important because I keep thinking about getting an even bigger set in the next couple of years and if this one is still working, I'd seriously like to hang it in the bedroom. Panasonic: +Im guessing I will like the picture of this Plasma better +Cheaper +Wall Hangable -Older model -no 1080p -lacking features?? I also looked at the newer Panasonic Plasmas but thought they were slightly too expensive right now. What about Sony's sets? Should I consider those? Can I get a better deal on either TV above other than the link I provided? Any advice is appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelley Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 One thing about the plasma is it doesn't have audio, so you'll need to be cool with running your speakers all the time for sound, also you'll need to add $155 for an HDMI board and then another $150 for a wall mount. Now having said that, the Panasonic puts out an incredible picture, one that I think rivals any other TV on the market. I'm hoping that my 6187S will be in tomorrow for me to take a look at, I will let you know what I see. Have you thought about the Sony 50A2020 SXRD? Dan seems to really love the SXRD technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Panasonic: -lacking features?? What would be your definition of features? Those commercial panels lack all sorts of consumer aimed image processing, which is a good thing, so you're at no loss there. They're effectively a tweakers dream in terms of set up and calibration, and the user is left to pick and choose what inputs (blades) they want for it as its modular. If you're ok to forego the convenience of an integrated TV tuner and speakers then the commercial Panasonic panels will always be the better bet compared to the consumer aimed VIERAs. As for the Sony's... Their LCDs are good, with more tweaking options than most consumer displays offer you without ever having to touch the service menus. I like them, and might still consider one, but the better image quality will still be with a commercial grad plasma display. Best technology Sony is putting out there though really is the SXRD stuff, but I know the US A2000 model isn’t as well featured as the UK one so I don’t know how far I could go to praise the US model. The technology itself is certainly my favourite digital display technology on the open market right now though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starhawk Posted April 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Thanks Kelley. I have no problem at all running audio from my receiver. I had my old set's speakers off all the time. I havent looked at the SXRDs to much yet, but they were in the back of my mind to look over. Look forward to what you think about the 61"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starhawk Posted April 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 What would be your definition of features? Those commercial panels lack all sorts of consumer aimed image processing, which is a good thing, so you're at no loss there. They're effectively a tweakers dream in terms of set up and calibration, and the user is left to pick and choose what inputs (blades) they want for it as its modular. If you're ok to forego the convenience of an integrated TV tuner and speakers then the commercial Panasonic panels will always be the better bet compared to the consumer aimed VIERAs. Mainly inputs, HDMI versions, etc. I dont care at all for integrated tuners, speakers, or any other fluff I will never use. I'd rather my TV just be a 'monitor', and that's what this set sounds like it is! I used to take my 50H81 apart to calibrate the thing so this one being a "tweaker's dream" sounds like fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Worrying over HDMI versions is really quite pointless as far as displays are concerned. There is one slight benefit to HDMI 1.3 in displays actually and that’s a little known feature that locks sync with the output device to prevent you from ever getting any side effects of audio delay. If you’re using an external receiver of pre-amp though, that ought to have audio delay parameters built in for you to tailor so on a commercial panel like the Panasonic’s it is of no real concern. You may find there’s no delay whatever the case. Few have problems with it. You’ve got VGA as a fixed input on the commercial displays, and there are three slots to fit blades of your choice so you could have 2 HDMI and 1 component, or whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shine5555 Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 I must say I just received my Samsung 56" (Bulb). I love it. The colors are great and the picture is sweet. One thing to note. All DLPs at this time are not 100% true 1080P. The have to do some tricks until TI updates the chip set. The LED sounds very very nice. The only reason I did not go for a Plasma, is due to reflections in my room. Plasmas do have a great deal of +'s, and if you do the first 100 hours correctly, you should not have to worry about any burn in problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Starhawk, If you were anywhere near Tulsa, you could come over and the decision would be EASY. I just mounted up a 509UK and it's flat gorgeous. It's a tweakers dream and looks fantastic out of the box. The wall mount is $89 not the $150 that Kelley is quoting. The one area where the DLP can't compete is ultimately the floor space you gain. Just look at the before and after pictures on my zzt thread and you'll see. If you are married or going to get married, your wife will LOVE you for this decision. I played a little MLB last night from the 360 and it's jaw dropping. Josh/Stencil knows what I'm talking about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starhawk Posted April 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Thanks, Shane. I will have to say I am currently leaning towards the Panny. Going to your zzt thread now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Ignore my ugly picture taking skills or lackthereof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMonkey Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 I'm a plasma guy myself. I don't think there's enough 1080p stuff to worry about that much - I also don't think 1080p makes that big of a difference, depending on your seating distance/size of display. (Kind of like people couldn't tell the difference between a 42" 480p plasma from a 42" 720p plasma past about 10-11 feet). This coming from a guy that's on his second DLP projector. They are both good techs. I've never been a big fan of rear projection, but if your seating position is good for it, and you have the space, you should consider both. On the floor space thing exile talked about - I'm not big on saving space. I'm the guy with the 24" CRT computer monitor that weighs 90lbs. But with another kid on the way space is feeling a bit harder to come by. I'm planning on putting a little kid table under the LCD in the corner of the living room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starhawk Posted April 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 It looks like SD isnt so great on the Panny, but i wonder how bad it really is in comparison to others, especially the Samsung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter O Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Samsung HL-T5087S DLP $1829 That's an amazing price. I was thinking the LED model would go for $2300. Does anyone know how Amazon ships large TVs? Courier service? I'm seriously thinking about ordering one now. I must say I just received my Samsung 56" (Bulb). I love it. The colors are great and the picture is sweet. One thing to note. All DLPs at this time are not 100% true 1080P. The have to do some tricks until TI updates the chip set. What do you mean they aren't true 1080p? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 It looks like SD isnt so great on the Panny It's better than my Mits CRT HDTV. I haven't begun tweaking it yet though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shine5555 Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 That's an amazing price. I was thinking the LED model would go for $2300. Does anyone know how Amazon ships large TVs? Courier service? I'm seriously thinking about ordering one now. What do you mean they aren't true 1080p? Due to Wobulation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wobulation I personally do not think this is a big deal what-so-ever, and have never noticed anything bad, but if someone is trying to "future proof" the investment then I was just throwing that out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter O Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Thanks. Does it significantly degrade the image quality when hooking up a computer at 1920x1080? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shine5555 Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Thanks. Does it significantly degrade the image quality when hooking up a computer at 1920x1080? I have no idea about a PC, but with my 360 through VGA and 1920x1080 selected from the Xbox, "I" think the image looks great and better than my component hook up looked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 So I have a friend who wants to buy my 37-inch Panny ED plasma. I'm thinking of replacing it with a 42-inch HD commercial display for $900, but after spending $155 on an HDMI blade and $195 on a table stand, I'm at $1245. I can get the consumer set for $1324 and it has 2 HDMI ports as well as the stand included. I'm leaning toward the commercial display since I'm a tweaker, but I'm kind of torn. Anyone have any words of verdict for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Commercial, Josh. I’d only take the VIERA if you welcome the convenience of integrated tuner and speakers. God if a 42inch PH9 cost me the equivalent of $1300 I’d buy five of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Commercial, Josh. I?d only take the VIERA if you welcome the convenience of integrated tuner and speakers. God if a 42inch PH9 cost me the equivalent of $1300 I?d buy five of them. Right. Thanks. I had a moment of weakness for the shiny plastic, and I'm curious about the glare-resistant finish, not that that's a problem for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMonkey Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Agreed. I like the commercial models, how you can add or change blades on it. I don't really have a lot of need for a TV tuner as I think I'll always have a DVR now if I chose to watch TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starhawk Posted April 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Im still leaning towards the Panasonic Plasma and it's looking like I may be getting it (or another set) within the next couple of weeks. How much should I be worried about lag on a Plasma while playing games? Do the DLPs handle lag better? Any real world experiences? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 No lag here. No worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starhawk Posted April 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 With lag in mind, is there any difference in running your game system through Component vs. HDMI or even something like S-Video? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 With lag in mind, is there any difference in running your game system through Component vs. HDMI or even something like S-Video? Never noticed any lag at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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