TV experts, I need ur help.

[Brer Rabbit]

Ive been trying to find information on who makes the best rated plasma TVs. Looking at something around 55-60". I have done a few searches today and cant find the info Im looking for. A friend at work claims Samsung makes the best plasma, but I think hes just saying that because thats what he has. Ur thoughts would be great. Thanx.

 

[Rodney87GN]

I'd say Pioneer (specifically the Elite line) or Panasonic plasmas are the best quality if $$ not an issue. Samsung is good too, I'd say their stuff has improved alot the past few years. For the money they're not bad at all.

Myself, I have a Pioneer Elite Pro 1540HD 60" plasma that I like very, very, very much!

Also goto the AVS Forum - Home...tons of good info that you'll ever need to know about plasmas.

 

[phillyturbosix]

Also make sure you get 1080P That is the latest and greatest! Notice how all these 720p sets are dropping in price like a bomb? That's why. 1080p is where it's at! :biggrin:

 

[Brer Rabbit]

thanx guys.

I registered at that site. There is way too much info there! I will be an expert by the time I figure it all out.

 

[strikeeagle]

1080P plasmas in the 55-60" range are premium products and thus pricey. If you can live with 480P/720P/1080I, I saw Panasonic's base 58" going for $3,300 the other day.

BTW, the best time to buy a TV may be just after CES in Vegas. That's when the new products hit the conscience and the old stuff gets swept out...

strike

 

[GNBRETT]

How much money do you want to spend? Runco probably makes the best plasma you can buy. Its not cheap tho. Runco International—The World's Finest Home Theater. Fujitsu is also a top rated plasma and have been around longer then anyone. Home Theater Displays You will not find the runco or fijitsu at best buy or circut city. You may find Fijitsu at best buy but rarely. make sure it is not the european model. And make sure you get HD (Hign DEF.) and not ED (Enhanced DEF.). If you watch high definition DVD's or bluray or watch HDTV channels ED will not work.

Pioneer elite is also a good model. Hitachi Makes a great unit as well for the money. Panasonic has good prices but you get what you pay for. If you play PS3/XBOX etc... on the big screen then go with an LCD. The life of a plasma is anywhere from 12-20k hours. That a very long time.

 

[SGRIM]

Panasonic is the leader in Plasma, at least for decent pricing. I have always been a Sony fan but they lead in the LCD 42" and lower dept. There plasma isn't up to par. I want to go with a new set up myself. I keep waiting for prices to keep dropping and technology getting better. Thing is every few months it changes and I can't make my self pull the trigger. I am waiting for a 60" 1080dpi that will be reliable for under 2K!

 

[tomcatturbo]

Go with Sony. That's what I have. Go to Circuit City or BEST BUY, and check out the picture on the Sony 50-70 inch SXRD Rear Projection TVs. Go check out the picture on one of these.

SonyStyle.com | 60" Grand WEGA™ SXRD™ Rear Projection HDTV

Sony was huge in the 80's and 90's with the Trinitron. Remember that?

...Now they have some of the most brilliant, and clear Flat Panels too.

 

[BandAid]

Correct me if i am wrong ,but I thought LCD was the way to go since plasma burn out after a few yrs,or do I have it backwards??
thanks

 

[Quiky One]

You are correct. I have no idea about TV's except plasmas do the burn in.

Jason

 

[SGRIM]

Most of the new Plasmas have figured out that problem. They both have their pro and cons. Best info I can find says 42 and below LCD, 43 UP Plasma!

 

[KWIKR 1]

are you stuck on a plasma ? if not consider a DLP . I was going to go Plasma for my Home Theatre but switch over to a DLP after doing the research . picked up a 61" Samsung . HD picture is stunning and 1080 upscale DVD quality the same .can not go wrong with a Samsung they are 5th HDTV generation technology . One reason I think Sony does not have a DLP platform , they can not compete with Samsung . also be certain you have the proper viewing distance required based on screen size . a lot of people make the mistake of buying a big screen and sit 6 ft in front of it , and wonder why the picture looks like crap and end up with a headache watching TV .

 

[Fuelie600]

Also, LCD's are favorable where there are alot of windows, or lighting. Plasmas have too much glare, unless they are in dim lit areas. Brian

 

[GNBRETT]

Plasmas do not burn out unless u buy a crappy one. If u play games on it they will burn out eventually. For example, the scoreboard or things that stay motionless will cause problems or if you run it all day long for years, other then that they will last a very long time. A quality plasma will last many many years and by the time you will need a new one there will be newer and better ones out for 1/4 the price. You will want to upgrade anyway.

Sony does not make plasma panels anymore for the consumer market. You can still buy them but are no longer being made. Sony never made their own panels anyway. Fujitsu made their panels. Their SXRD RP (Rear projection) unit is a nice piece tho.

As you go bigger with either a plasma RP or LCD the clarity will suffer because the pixels get larger. Its important to make sure you dont get one too big for ur room or it could look worse then a smaller unit. There are distance formulas on the net to determine what is the proper distance to view a tv without distortion in ur room.

When u are at best buy/circut city or wherever they always play the units in HD. Its important to see the unit in standard def. as well as a DVD (Unless u have a HD DVD or bluray) before making the purchase because it will look a lot worse when u get home then it does in HD. Not everyone has HD channels because most cable companies charge more for them. Some local channels are in HD now tho but HDNET or ESPN are not free with ur cable service.

The LCD is a good unit but in my opinion they are just not as sharp as a Plasma. They are comming out with larger LCD units now but as those get larger the clarity will suffer.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

My buddy sells electronics at Sears and we recently had this discussion. Consumer reports rated the Sony Bravia as the best. Sony owns Samsung so they don't compete against each other in DLP. The Mitsubishi 1080P looks phenomenal. $3,300 I think it is at Sears.

 

[KWIKR 1]

Sony owns Samsung so they don't compete against each other in DLP.

I like to know where you found that info . My best advice ,IMO buy the one that looks like it has the best picture to "you" and "you only" .
VoiceSignal Technologies

 

[gnfanatic]

Just purchased a 50in Panasonic plasma (60U) for $1880. Not only does it get hi ratings but the quality and picture is insane. I use the HDMI cable for the HD box and cant wait to get bluray. You cant go wrong with Panasonic.

 

[strikeeagle]

Sony does not own Samsung. They have a business relationship.

Sony has decided that the immediate future of consumer TV lies with LCD. They made plasmas for the consumer market up until a few years ago, and continue to make them for the commercial market.

Sony's flat panel LCDs up to 52" are among the best, as are their SXRDs in the 50-70" range.

Panasonic makes very good plasmas in the 42-65" range, lots of bang for the buck.

Plasma burn-in? Welcome to years ago...

strike

 

[TWISTER]

I have the Sony SXRD 60" and paid alot for even thou I think I got a deal. I also have the 1080 DVD player for it and it is a difference between nite and day over the satellite feed that hasnt caught up to TV technology that I know of. Find and ABC Warehouse and bargain with them if you can. I paid $1000 less than what a dealer across the street wanted .