HDTV triple threat match... first big buy, help is appreciated! Sony/Samsung/Panasonic

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › HDTV triple threat match... first big buy, help is appreciated! Sony/Samsung/Panasonic

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757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#349741 10-Jul-2010 12:43

Stores are far more careless than you'll ever be.
They stick these TVs in torch mode within the first 200 hours of its life and then proceed to leave menus and other sources on there for hours on end.

Turning off the TV is generally the least effective method of removing IR. Turning to a source of mixed fullscreen content for a few minutes is generally effective. Static snow also helps but that tends to have two much white and raises the overall brightness even though it cleans away patchy spots.

Freeview HD has a demo channel that loops lots of fullscreen content which has no fixed watermarks and is perfect for washing IR away.

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samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

#350068 12-Jul-2010 02:13

Yeah plasmas won't look too good with bright lights shining directly into them.
Image retention can still happen but can usually be erased with watching a nice full screen image that doesn't have static elements. Getting permanent burn in is pretty hard to do, none of the plasmas at my store have it, though I don't have them at 100% contrast they have a pretty hard life sometimes with menu screens sometimes being up for hours.
If you really want to get the most out of your screen but especially for plasmas you should break it in, this DVD is a pretty good one, it'll ensure a nicer more IR resistant screen by running through all shades and colours evenly when the display is most vulnerable
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6230381&&#post6230381

Desktop: i7 920, GTX 275, asus P6T, antec 1200, 6gb ram, 1tb spinpoint f1, 1tb spinpoint f3, Logitech Z2300, Zero DAC, Shure SRH440
Laptop: Toshiba satellite, T5300, Go 7300
Home Theatre: 32" loewe CRT, Harmon kardon amp, dvd player, image 418 speakers, rega planar 25 turntable :)

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#350094 12-Jul-2010 09:37

samwooff:
If you really want to get the most out of your screen but especially for plasmas you should break it in, this DVD is a pretty good one, it'll ensure a nicer more IR resistant screen by running through all shades and colours evenly when the display is most vulnerable
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6230381&&#post6230381

Doing break-in will not make the panel more/less resistant to IR.

samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

#350230 12-Jul-2010 13:08

It won't affect IR for the majority of the tv's life but the phosphors in plasmas are most vulnerable in the first few hours so breaking it in can be a safe way to get through this phase.

slapnutz

38 posts

Geek

#351666 15-Jul-2010 00:46

Ok guys, had a look today again.

Actually found a Panny 50" V10 for $2400 at Noel Lemmings BUT it was the last Floor model left and was on display since Nov2009. Actually looked in the back and it said "Made in Japan" .... then looked at the back of an 50" V20 and it said Maid in Thailand.

Now I dunno if it really makes a difference but it was a shame they were out of stock of new v10s since they are discontinued.

However I had a major spanner thrown in the works. Before leaving I went across to JB HiFi and on my way out I saw the new Samsung Series 7 Plasma 3d tv. Now, I couldnt care less about 3D but the picture itself amazing. (it was a 2d miley cyrus movie

but the picture was great) Model - PS50C7000

So intially I was looking at ~$2400 Samung S6 46" LCD, now this $3100 Samsung S7 50" Plasma is also a contender. My only questions are...

(1) Being cheap, does anyone know how the Sammy S6 Plasma compares with the S7 Plasma? Is it at least the same panel?

(2) Whats the best (or one of the best) 46" Pannels out there right now? Doesnt matter if its lcd/led/plasma. Only asking this because I feel 50" might be too big for my sitting distance. I would be sitting around 2.8m from the screen.

Sorry to keep asking questions.

Actually going back to the shops tomorrow. Just wish they had catolgues so I dont have to keep going online everytime a new model comes into play.

clevedon

1059 posts

Uber Geek

#351685 15-Jul-2010 07:45

slapnutz:(2) Whats the best (or one of the best) 46" Pannels out there right now? Doesnt matter if its lcd/led/plasma. Only asking this because I feel 50" might be too big for my sitting distance. I would be sitting around 2.8m from the screen.
Sorry to keep asking questions. Actually going back to the shops tomorrow. Just wish they had catolgues so I dont have to keep going online everytime a new model comes into play.

Get a Panasonic 50", although I'm biased - got two of them. Look here http://thx.com/consumer/home-entertainment/home-theatre/hdtv-set-up/

MrFlower

68 posts

Master Geek

#351691 15-Jul-2010 08:22

As I expected, V20 are no longer made in Japan...

I think Magness Benrow still has V10. not sure quantity, best give them a call? $2399 is the price

http://www.magnessbenrow.co.nz/clearance-models.html

Jaxson

7491 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#351708 15-Jul-2010 08:50

I think it's a bad time to be buying a good main TV.
3D is rather pointless now given the complete lack of content and no immediate signs of any 3D broadcasting. However, it is the future and it's one of those things where if the price is similar, it would be silly not to at least consider it. Currently 3D appears to be another $1,500 or so premium? (I can't really say).

I'd almost be looking at a cheaper 2D set for the next few years and 3D after that, rather than a very expensive 2D set. But that's just my 2c.

slapnutz

38 posts

Geek

#351855 15-Jul-2010 13:21

Jaxson: I think it's a bad time to be buying a good main TV.
3D is rather pointless now given the complete lack of content and no immediate signs of any 3D broadcasting. However, it is the future and it's one of those things where if the price is similar, it would be silly not to at least consider it. Currently 3D appears to be another $1,500 or so premium? (I can't really say).

I'd almost be looking at a cheaper 2D set for the next few years and 3D after that, rather than a very expensive 2D set. But that's just my 2c.

Yeah I feel like that sometimes at the moment. However, I know that I have to jump in at some point and tech will allows be advancing. This whole "HDBaseT will replace hdmi rumours" doesnt help either.

So now I'm looking at 3 totally different options... well and one ole one.

Samsung Series 7 50" Plasma = ~$3100 (store price)

Samsung Series 6 50" Plasma = ~$2800 (web price, havent checked shops yet .. so could be cheaper. Its not 3D so once I get a store price, I'll be able to tell how much of a premium the 3D Series7 is)

Samsung Series 6 LCD = ~$2200 (store price ... my "cheap" option

)

..and to bite the bullet ... Panasonic V20 46" Plasma = $2600 (store price)

Called around and pretty much all V10s are display models sitting there for at least 6months.

Doesnt help that the salesman is telling me that Samsung realiabilty isnt "up to scratch" and that the thinner design means worse cooling performace. Feeling like i should just get a $500 lcd from warehouse to avoid all this confusion ... but I guess I have to put up with it being a extremely fussy hdtv buyer.

Of to look some more today. Too bad no public holiday sales will happen until October.

Once again, thanks for the info thus far!

slapnutz

38 posts

Geek

#352096 15-Jul-2010 20:58

Since there doenst seem to be an edit option for my post above, sorry I have another question/s.

1) Does the Samsung S6/S7 Plasma 50"s have known "issues" like the Panasonics? (rising blacks)

I got offered a Samsung Series 6 50" Plasma for $2670 with 3yrs warranty deal. Its pretty damn enticing atm. PS50C6500

2) Seeing that most games are locked at 60hz (xbox360/ps3) ... would a LCD doing 200hz/120hz have an advantage of one doing 100hz?

Btw, for those who are wondering. There are still at least 1 more Panasonic V20 still being made in Japan. Saw them in Harvey Normans today: TH-P54V20.

samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

#352178 16-Jul-2010 01:06

The current shifts in tv land can make it seem like waiting is a good idea but playing the waiting game is never fun because next year something else will happen and you'll just never end up with a tv lol.

To be honest out of those 4 choices you have put there I'd go for the Samsung 50" C6500, I'd really miss the 4" if I got the panasonic even though it does have better blacks, and I don't like 3D and that seems to be the only difference between that and the c7000.

Samsung may have a slightly higher percentage of faults but it would still be so small for you to not have to worry, you should get 10 years + out of any tv you buy these days.

The samsung plasmas will have issues, just not the same ones, no tv is ever perfect. Last year apparently all the samsungs made a very loud buzzing noise. So far this year, I don't think the samsung lineup has any major problems but the picture quality is not quite as good as panasonic's plasmas but then panasonic may have the rising black issue again.

1080p

1332 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#352185 16-Jul-2010 06:40

JimmyH:

/Rant
Personally, I used to be a big Sony Fanboi, right back to the days of Beta VCRs. I now avoid Sony products like the plague, right across the board - they still want a premium price for product that is distinctly second-tier in a lot of cases, quality has slipped a lot, they have a mania for proprietary formats/connectors/standards, overcharge ludicrously in perpherals, and seem to have a deep-seated contempt for their customers. Plus, their anti-consumer lobbying, on their own and as part of the MPAA/RIAA etc means that I have another reason to avoid giving them my money.
/ Rant off

I was interested to read this comment on Sony and its being a part of the MPAA/RIAA. I found out the other day that Sony is one of three major brand tech names that import DVD players locked to a particular region (as the law/licensing terms dictate) then opens each package in Auckland and unlocks them so they'll play any DVD region. As a result they sell three times more than similar locked units.

Interesting to see what kind of compromises can be made in the name of profit.

As for a panel I am personally a fan of Samsung LCD televisions. Both the LED LCD and the older 'normal' LCDs. I find Samsung an excellent manufacturer and - most importantly - an innovator which is why I like their product.

If I were to pick a panel I'd choose the C6900 series LED LCD. The panel is gorgeous and I'm not a fan of the 3D tech as yet.

Jaxson

7491 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#352237 16-Jul-2010 10:44

I too agree with the styling of the Samsungs, and I like things like skipping over inputs with nothing attached.

I'd be looking at some non image attributes too in any new TV. Personally I'd want to ensure that:
A TV with freeview built in does allow for 5.1 audio output (as I know some of the Samsungs do not).
The TV supports discrete input IR selection commands (to ensure I could integrate with a Harmony Remote setup, -only the best thing out ever).
When you press mute on the remote, the mute icon goes away after a while. (Seems trivial but this allows for easy use of TV audio sometimes, and feeding audio to a receiver at other times extremely easily without having to turn the TV volume right down. -Also another Harmony remote integration point).

I like what THX have on their website about buying TV's, they say buy Full HD or go home. Totally agree on that now.

I went Panasonic, cos I prefer plasma, having had a plasma and a samsung LCD before.
New TV's are so good though I think seriously that most people should be able to find something they like.
All my $0.02 only though. Personally I prefer the wow factor of a good projector, which I just don't get from even a 50" TV screen. (I'm waiting for someone to say they have sorted 3D on projectors at some stage.)

langi27

576 posts

Ultimate Geek

#352247 16-Jul-2010 10:51

IF you go with the samung 3D 50" Plamsa you also get the nice feature of a PVR, you plug in a hard drive and can record HD content. You can't record 1 chanel and watch another due to the single tuner, but its basic eniough that you can schedule recordings.

Not to mention the wicked 3D games that are coming out. If you say your using it for 75% gaming, surely you should consider how cool games are in 3D?

JimmyH

2738 posts

Uber Geek

#352420 16-Jul-2010 18:52

I like the Samsung too. I have a series 6 and am very happy with it.

Interesting that they now de-zone DVD players as a matter of course. I remember going into a Sony dealer "back in the day" - when there were virtually no DVDs in NZ but you could buy a good range from the US, and DVD players cost about $NZ 2,400 (yes, really!). I asked whether they were able to sell me a Zone 1 player so I could import discs, and I was called a pirate (??) and was virtually bodily ejected from the shop. A known repeat customer (TV, Walkman, VCR etc) wanting to drop $2,400 on hardware so they could watch legit discs is, to my way of thinking, more like a valued customer that should be courted rather than a problem.

It would be interesting if someone tried to see whether their new "customer focus" extends as far as being able to supply a de-zoned (or zoned with North American firmware/regioning) Blu Ray player. I suspect not, and that they only grudgingly gave way on DVDs because everyone else was doing it.

Would be an interesting experiment to try if any Geekzoners are walking past a Sony dealer. I won't be near one for at least a week.

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