Looking for a new TV - PQ is only real consideration

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Looking for a new TV - PQ is only real consideration

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757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1011947 24-Mar-2014 16:59

The ST60 is capable of reference performance. It has no issues with sharpness (or lack thereof). Any perceived sharpness you see on a different model is purely artificial sharpening which introduces artifacts into the picture that are not in the original source. An appropriate test pattern will confirm this.

Where was the ST60 located when you viewed it? The louver filter is designed to block light from above, so viewing the TV from above will result in significant contrast reduction. If its on the floor, you need to squat down and view it dead-on.

bfginger

1268 posts

Uber Geek

#1012059 24-Mar-2014 20:56

How the TV is set up will make a big difference. Most places have very bright lights and do not set their televisions up correctly. Many still have component cable distribution.

Samsung plasmas are inferior to Panasonic plasmas.

PJ48

295 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1012091 24-Mar-2014 21:44

Have to agree with a lot of the other responders here. The OP started his thread saying that PQ was the only real consideration.

We managed to get our PH-50ST60 from Noel Leeming on special around boxing day for $1499. Harvey Norman had it on special recently for $1388 for about 3 days. It is bound to come down again as they try to clear stock.

I made our decision based on our previous good experience with plasma, but our TV is in a sunroom and I wanted better performance in bright light. The Neoplasma on the ST60 is noticeably better than previous technology on brighter rooms. I was initially disappointed with the PQ unless the ambient light was reasonably low. I then researched proper calibration settings on the internet and found 2 in particular that seemed to get very close to ideal. I just had to tweak the red setting fractionally.

What a revelation!! the TV continues to blow me away - the sensation is almost visceral. Properly set up - I cannot believe how enjoyable TV watching has become. We slightly pull the curtains only.

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-19410_102-590736/panasonic-tc-p55st60-picture-settings/

http://reviews.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/panasonic-plasma-tv/panasonic-st60-picture-settings.html

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1012093 24-Mar-2014 21:46

Some people like jazz.
Some people like thrash metal.

Some people like plasma.
Some people like LED lit LCD's.

I can't stand over blown, artificial looking LED's in my home. But on the showroom floor they look so much brighter and punchier, it's easy to see why people choose them.

HowickDota

423 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1012130 24-Mar-2014 23:29

As far as picture quality goes, nothing's beaten panny plasmas so far so if PQ is your top priority, stick with them.

Also, how's the ambient light in the room you're planning to put the TV in? At $850 the s60 is a great buy and a terrific performer in dark environments but falls to the wayside in a bright room, due to reflections and low brightness.

If you've got quite a bit of ambient light then I'd say go for the st60 it's $1600 right now but you can always haggle these prices, mention you've seen it go at $1400 and see how much you can get off.

epic

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1012325 25-Mar-2014 11:14

Not really up to speed on tv specs and models etc as not in the market to buy atm but we have just recieved the latest mailer from Dicksmiths and it has 2 Panasonic plasmas listed.TH p50s60z for $999 and TH p60s60 for $1499. Are these the same as the model you are refering to and if not what are the differences?

PJ48

295 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1013030 26-Mar-2014 11:19

ST60 has significantly better performance in bright rooms compared with S60 models. Also is able to be highly calibrated to achieve the best response.

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teamsteve

59 posts

Master Geek

#1013032 26-Mar-2014 11:25

The article that got me to buy the ST60 was Wirecutter's The Best TV is the Panasonic ST60

I checked it out in the store and it did look dimmer than the LCDs etc, but I trusted that article more than my store impressions and I'm super happy that I did

dclegg

2806 posts

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Trusted

#1013034 26-Mar-2014 11:27

teamsteve: The article that got me to buy the ST60 was Wirecutter's The Best TV is the Panasonic ST60

I checked it out in the store and it did look dimmer than the LCDs etc, but I trusted that article more than my store impressions and I'm super happy that I did

Out of the box, the ST60 is quite dim and unimpressive. But once tweaked to more optimal picture settings, it really is pretty damn awesome.

DarthKermit

5346 posts

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#1013069 26-Mar-2014 12:07

sbiddle: They are now getting scarce though with Panasonic pulling the plug on Plasma so you'd better get in quick.

I think that I read recently that all makers are discontinuing Plasma screens. Is that correct?

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

robjg63

4098 posts

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Subscriber

#1013097 26-Mar-2014 12:27

DarthKermit:
sbiddle: They are now getting scarce though with Panasonic pulling the plug on Plasma so you'd better get in quick.

I think that I read recently that all makers are discontinuing Plasma screens. Is that correct?

At the time Panasonic announced the end of their plasma production Samsung and LG said they didnt have plans to stop.
Dont know if they have changed that view yet.

I think the main problem Panasonic had with plasma was the production costs of ramping plasma up to 4k - which is the 'next big thing' - whether we need it or not. Its much cheaper to produce 4k LCD/LED panels.

Its a pity - because plasma certainly can produce a superb picture and the panasonic was probably the best.

LCD/LED is still bunging a little filter over a light bulb to produce a colour pixel - while plasma was effectively pure glowing colour pixels.
I suppose in that respect OLED is quite similar to plasma and even has some similar potential 'issues' - according to this quite interesting article:

http://www.whathifi.com/news/oled-tv-reviews-news-and-everything-you-need-to-know

I imagine we will see more of OLED - but they still have a few things to iron out before I would be looking at that - never mind the eye watering prices!

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

martyyn

1971 posts

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#1013879 27-Mar-2014 14:06

In case anyone is interested I pulled the trigger on a Samsung PS51F5500. Although not quite at the ST60 levels in reviews and tests it was a very close second in pretty much everything I read.

I got it for $1188 with free next day delivery, so when compared to $1698 for the ST60 makes it feel like a bargain. I'll find out when it gets here and I've finished setting it up I suppose.

dclegg

2806 posts

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Trusted

#1013880 27-Mar-2014 14:11

martyyn: In case anyone is interested I pulled the trigger on a Samsung PS51F5500. Although not quite at the ST60 levels in reviews and tests it was a very close second in pretty much everything I read.

I got it for $1188 with free next day delivery, so when compared to $1698 for the ST60 makes it feel like a bargain. I'll find out when it gets here and I've finished setting it up I suppose.

Nice! I hope you enjoy your new telly.

martyyn

1971 posts

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#1019498 6-Apr-2014 14:43

Ok, I've had it set up for a week and here are my initial impressions.

Out of the box the reds where retina-burning ! Turning all the fancy stuff off and turning it down a little has helped greatly as you would expect. In a nice dark room and with a quality source it's fantastic. DVB-S tv going through my HTPC however leads to some good pictures, some ok and some bad, but HD through the HTPC is great.

Sadly the screen and bezel are so reflective that daytime viewing is virtually impossible. I may as well have bought a mirror and with the sun now lower in the sky it's getting harder to keep bright light out of the room.

This coupled with the poor tv viewing means I'm probably going to see if I can replace it with something else. Our LED didn't have anywhere near as much trouble with the bright room so perhaps that's where I'll end up again.

A great picture in the right room, but sadly mine is not the right room.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1019617 6-Apr-2014 20:58

Try a NeoPlasma... anti-glare louvre filter and a great picture.
Perfect.

But I may be repeating myself.

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