The earthquake killed my beloved Panny plasma, what to replace with?

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# 1671362 15-Nov-2016 14:14

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Just buy a regular $2K 55" 1080p TV and enjoy the shows. A slightly difference in color, contrast, motion, or whatever technical thing you're looking is difficult to justify at $5.5K extra.

DeepBlueSky

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# 1671378 15-Nov-2016 14:43

Hi just a thought Trademe, just searched and found a 65" Panasonic 3D Plasma starting bid $800. You may have to pay for transport as its being sold in Canterbury.

DeepBlueSky

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# 1671380 15-Nov-2016 14:45

Better Still TH-P60ST60Z Buy Now $1200 in Wellington.

Dingbatt

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# 1671395 15-Nov-2016 14:52

JBHIFI had the LG OLED65B6T for sale in their cost plus GST sale for $7067. So that becomes the benchmark price for me.

Areas of Geek interest: Home Theatre, HTPC, Android Tablets & Phones, iProducts.

dpw

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# 1671432 15-Nov-2016 15:53

Sorry about the telly, that really sucks. Unfortunately I can't offer an opinion on its replacement, but that's a nice looking Taylor - glad to see it didn't get damaged in the shake.

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surfisup1000

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# 1671445 15-Nov-2016 16:09

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dafman:

Azzura:

Panasonic
Model TH-65DX900U

Thanks, I'll look at reviews for this model. It's around $2.5 cheaper than OLED, but to date I'm yet to see an LED that I like picture-wise that is close to plasma for cinema viewing.

Haven't seen an LED that does not bleed light yet.

PhantomNVD

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# 1671485 15-Nov-2016 16:40

And before jumping on the 4K bandwagon, here's a good read on resolutions in the lounge environment

https://www.cnet.com/news/why-4k-tvs-are-stupid/

dafman

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# 1671519 15-Nov-2016 18:48

dpw:

Sorry about the telly, that really sucks. Unfortunately I can't offer an opinion on its replacement, but that's a nice looking Taylor - glad to see it didn't get damaged in the shake.

Thanks. Yes, the Taylor remained happily in place observing while carnage all around ensued!

dafman

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# 1671527 15-Nov-2016 19:04

PhantomNVD: And before jumping on the 4K bandwagon, here's a good read on resolutions in the lounge environment

https://www.cnet.com/news/why-4k-tvs-are-stupid/

Interesting. I spent a good part of today looking a options at Harvey Normal. I took in a blu-ray (Prestige) and an older SD DVD to demo. I actually think the HD 1080 TVs did a better job of rendering the picture than the 4K TVs.

For my 65" plasma, I used to sit about 6 feet back for 1080p movies - just at the point where I could just begin perceive the pixels. Yes, I'm an outlier, but I love the immersion of the big screen.

But I remain unconvinced that 4K is a tangible improvement over 1080p - esp. after watching the 4K demo of Creed in store.

dafman

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# 1671528 15-Nov-2016 19:12

Ok, so today I spent a lot of time in Harvey Norman looking at replacement options for my now dead 65" plasma. I took a BD (Prestige) and SD DVD for demo. For shortlisted TV's I adjusted picture to their cinema setting and dialed down sharpness.

I went in fully prepared to drop $7.5k on a 65" OLED if it passed the test (yes, it would hurt financially, but I don't want to compromise here).

Yes, the OLED was the best picture, but was it $3k better than competing 4k LCDs? I'm not sure.

But even the best picture (OLED) fell short of my plasma. While the OLED has outstanding contrast, it retains the 'cartoon' characteristics of LED and motion falls well short of smooth experience of plasma. So I didn't buy, I can't pay $7.5k for a TV that falls short of a TV that cost $3.2k some years back.

So not sure where next. Maybe a $2.5k 55" for general TV and a projector for movie watching? Or wait for a good second hand Neo plasma?

shk292

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# 1671542 15-Nov-2016 19:25

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dafman:

So not sure where next. Maybe a $2.5k 55" for general TV and a projector for movie watching? Or wait for a good second hand Neo plasma?

But why would a projector be better than an LCD for movies? They're an LCD panel at heart, with a strong backlight - or have I got that wrong?

Luckily I never owned a plasma TV so I don't know what I'm missing when I watch my LED TV

Dunnersfella

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# 1671553 15-Nov-2016 19:43

Projectors certainly give a more 'cinematic' experience - everything's just so BIG!

I'm in the same boat if my VT60 was to fail, I like the OLED picture (when calibrated) but the motion drives me nuts.

I'm just hoping I get more hours from it...

ARIKIP

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# 1673633 18-Nov-2016 15:09

I had the same 65" ST60 TV about 6 months ago. Had a screen issue and was replaced under warranty with the current 65" DX700. The picture on UHD Discs is pretty good with HDR etc...Firefox OS is pretty good too..but to be honest, i still wish i had my Plasma back. My partner said it all when she described the Plasma as more natural...i just miss those blacks. I still Have a 60" ST50 in my "Audio" room and even that is better. I would probably get a fill in model for cheap and hang out for an OLED that pushes your buttons.

dafman

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# 1673765 18-Nov-2016 18:43

ARIKIP:

I had the same 65" ST60 TV about 6 months ago. Had a screen issue and was replaced under warranty with the current 65" DX700. The picture on UHD Discs is pretty good with HDR etc...Firefox OS is pretty good too..but to be honest, i still wish i had my Plasma back. My partner said it all when she described the Plasma as more natural...i just miss those blacks. I still Have a 60" ST50 in my "Audio" room and even that is better. I would probably get a fill in model for cheap and hang out for an OLED that pushes your buttons.

Thanks. Sums up my thoughts exactly. Although I am going to have a play with the projector option, I think I will pick up an interim cheapie and look for another 65" neo plasma second hand.

Regs

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# 1673927 19-Nov-2016 00:27

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i'd probably go the trademe route myself, if I couldn't get a decent OLED. They have better models in the US than we have here, but still a ways off being decently prices. None of the 4K TVs I tried were any good, most were awful with the content I bought in. I was lucky to find a TH panny gathering dust at an appliance shed when I went looking.... you could try ringing a few places- are you covered by replacement insurance?

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