HDTV Shopping thread for 2012

[dedfish]

Anyone have anything to say about the Samsung UN32EH5300 32" smart tv? I'm looking for a wifi enabled smart tv for my bedroom.

I decided to put my current 37" Vizio in the bedroom and upgrade my main/office TV. I was going to get the 40" model of the Samsung above, the UN40EH5300, but since the prices just dropped for black friday I just pulled the trigger on the 46" model, the EN46EH5300. It's now down to $597.99 and the 40" is $447.99....both are a great deal I think. Walmart wanted me to wait in line for a 10pm chance to buy one...Amazon let me buy today for the same price and I'll have it tomorrow before it's even on sale at Walmart.

 

[armwt]

Anyone out there have any opinions on the TC-P60U50 model? Or even how the "U50" compares to some of the other Panny plasmas, like the ST's?

Prices look pretty darn good on Amazon. The 50 inch model is $599 right now, the 60 inch is $798.

Looks like they don't have some of the more advanced features - no wifi, no 3d, etc., but honestly, I'm more interested in just a "screen" than everything else... I've got Hulu, Netflix, iTunes, etc. all through my AppleTV, what matters most to me is a good HDMI port and a good screen... my AV receiver can handle my input sources just fine, I don't need the TV to do it for me.

Thoughts? That 60 is the best-price I've seen for a Panasonic in a while.... wasn't planning on buying anything for a few more months, but that looks like awfully nice pricing.

 

[NulloModo]

Anyone out there have any opinions on the TC-P60U50 model? Or even how the "U50" compares to some of the other Panny plasmas, like the ST's?

Prices look pretty darn good on Amazon. The 50 inch model is $599 right now, the 60 inch is $798.

Looks like they don't have some of the more advanced features - no wifi, no 3d, etc., but honestly, I'm more interested in just a "screen" than everything else... I've got Hulu, Netflix, iTunes, etc. all through my AppleTV, what matters most to me is a good HDMI port and a good screen... my AV receiver can handle my input sources just fine, I don't need the TV to do it for me.

Thoughts? That 60 is the best-price I've seen for a Panasonic in a while.... wasn't planning on buying anything for a few more months, but that looks like awfully nice pricing.

This should show you some of the differences: http://shop.panasonic.com/compare/?item ... TC-P65ST50

Basically it looks like it doesn't have the expanded black level tech that some of the better Panny panels do, and it only has 2 HDMI inputs. It also lists 6,144 shades of gradation vs 24,576 on the VT series, though I'm not entirely sure what that means when it comes to plasma sets.

 

[armwt]

Dangit. Checked finances today, decided to pull the trigger on the 60 inch Panny.
Still listed as out of stock, but the price is up $100 since yesterday Boo.

You don't expect to see prices go UP on Black Friday.....

 

[IceStorm]

Anyone see/considering the Sony KDL-55HX850? As much as I want Plasma, I don't want the heat/power usage and I want Sony's image processing for SD content.

The power (heat) is a real concern. The Sony apparently uses 45w with no power savings. A Panasonic 55" GT50 is around 260w. My aged Sony KDF-42WE655 is around 230w. More would be bad.

 

[tim1_2]

Anyone see/considering the Sony KDL-55HX850? As much as I want Plasma, I don't want the heat/power usage and I want Sony's image processing for SD content.

The power (heat) is a real concern. The Sony apparently uses 45w with no power savings. A Panasonic 55" GT50 is around 260w. My aged Sony KDF-42WE655 is around 230w. More would be bad.

The Panasonic plasma would use somewhere between 200 to 210 watts once calibrated. That Sony you mention would likely use somewhere between 90 and 100 watts ( http://www.televisioninfo.com/content/S ... mption.htm ).

So, in the end, you're probably talking about a difference of $20 to $30 per year max for the energy consumption. Of course, I have nothing against LCD/LEDs, and I'm sure the Sony would have a great picture.

Another factor to consider is that LCDs/LEDs are better for bright environments where there will be a substantial amount of non-controllable light.

 

[IceStorm]

210 vs 84 is a sizable heat difference. I went with the Sony.

 

[kelco]

Picked up the Panny ut50 plasma, and I must say, I dig the whole thing. The picture destroys my 5 year old 720p lcd, and the smart stuff is neat. I like how everything syncs over hdmi now, its very apparent that a lot of progress has been made over the last few years.

avs had some good picture settings, and the different types of compatible 3d glasses can be confusing. Unfortunately panny had a document that said 2012 vieras were all passive, but it failed to mention it was only referring to the LCD models. SO I have to take back the glasses I bought and save up for the active glasses. I was excited to see NVidia supports the 3d viera, and for 40 bucks I can have a 3d computer on a big screen tv.

 

[windwaves]

couple of things.

I am shopping for a new panel, likely LED, 42-55".

As I read the recent messages on this thread I took a look at some of the models mentioned and realize that they mostly come with all these extras, internet ready, 3D and more which I don't really need and for which I am sure I would be paying for (well thsoe extras is what they use to try and keep prices from collapsing).

One simple question is: if I do want a good screen which will be mainly used for games, is it recommended to get one of these recent model even if one does not need all the extra stuff ? Or is there an older model that would do just fine and save me a significant amount of money ? I don't care so much, but if I can avoid spending money on stuff I don't use, I would be happier ! I hate to "support b/s" with my $$$".

Also, is it ok to purchase these panel at Amazon or other online retailers ? I really don't go to places like Best Buy or PC Richard, if I can avoid and I will do a lot to avoid it !

thx !

 

[ou818]

One simple question is: if I do want a good screen which will be mainly used for games, is it recommended to get one of these recent model even if one does not need all the extra stuff ?

Personally, if I were buying a TV for only 2D gaming, I would buy an older model and pocket the savings; however, since I like the option of playing games in 3D, I would opt for a newer 3D model. From reading reviews, newer 3D TVs have noticeably better depth and less problems like crosstalk.

Also, is it ok to purchase these panel at Amazon or other online retailers ? I really don't go to places like Best Buy or PC Richard, if I can avoid and I will do a lot to avoid it !

My experience buying 3 TVs online has been good so far. We've purchased from Amazon and Crutchfield.

 

[windwaves]

thx ou818, makes sense.

Are there already 3D games out there ? I know nothing about this, I realize (not necessarily surprised).

 

[ou818]

thx ou818, makes sense.

Are there already 3D games out there ? I know nothing about this, I realize (not necessarily surprised).

There are tons: List of 3D PlayStation 3

Honestly, the only game I care about playing in 3D is Gran Turismo 5. It helps gauging corner entry speed so I don't have to use the stupid track lines.

 

[Jehos]

couple of things.

I am shopping for a new panel, likely LED, 42-55".

As I read the recent messages on this thread I took a look at some of the models mentioned and realize that they mostly come with all these extras, internet ready, 3D and more which I don't really need and for which I am sure I would be paying for (well thsoe extras is what they use to try and keep prices from collapsing).

One simple question is: if I do want a good screen which will be mainly used for games, is it recommended to get one of these recent model even if one does not need all the extra stuff ? Or is there an older model that would do just fine and save me a significant amount of money ? I don't care so much, but if I can avoid spending money on stuff I don't use, I would be happier ! I hate to "support b/s" with my $$$".

Also, is it ok to purchase these panel at Amazon or other online retailers ? I really don't go to places like Best Buy or PC Richard, if I can avoid and I will do a lot to avoid it !

thx !

How picky are you about picture quality? Because if you're like me and anything modern is good enough, the Insignia brand (Best Buy's in-house brand) is a panel made by LG with none of the bells and whistles. I bought a 55" LED and a 32" LCD and love them both. They're exactly what I wanted--big screen, nice picture, no extra money for looking extra pretty or making me coffee.

I realize I'm probably the serious minority opinion on that one, but I'm just not a hardcore TV guy. I mostly watch TV while I'm eating breakfast and drinking my morning coffee.

 

[sciencegeek]

Panasonic UT series are basically the same as the ST minus some inputs and glare filter. The Panasonic plasmas this year are some of the best TVs on the market. The UT and ST models have the best bang for the buck. The GT series are just a fluffed up ST. Same picture quality. The VT is another story. The best HDTV on the market.

I'm not a fan of LED yet. The soap opera effect makes me nauseous. The Sharp Elite is nice and it should be for that kind of price. Sony's new flagship LED (950 series) looks great until you view off-angle. A problem with most LED panels except for IPS glass (LG and Panasonic).

Samsung LED....no f*ckin way. Shady business practices with their infamous panel lottery they have been playing for years. Randomly using glass panels from outside suppliers that vary in quality and type (P-MVA and S-MVA) when Samsung glass is their own (PVA). You would expect to always get the same quality and brand of glass but Samsung doesn't play like that. You can find out the supplier by the coding on the box label and also in the service menu of the TV.

Samsung plasma tvs are very good. Not quite as good as Panasonic but if you can score a 7000 or 8000 series on sale then go for it.

LG is not bad but not quite there yet. They used to play the panel lottery but I think that has been over with for a while. Their IPS glass is good.

Panasonic LED isn't ready yet either. They use their own IPS glass but their tvs aren't up to the quality and performance that the best Samsung and Sony models.

 

[windwaves]

is plasma still better for gaming ? their weight and heat does sort of annoy me .... even though I in the past always preferred them. But here, I am really concentrating on gaming ...

 

[sciencegeek]

Generally yes. Zero lag, better colors, and excellent off-axis viewing. Yes they do put out more heat. Newer models don't crank out as much as the older ones though.

Be smart with screen settings. Anyone that uses "Vivid" mode to watch TV or gaming should be shot. With settings that high you are asking for image retention issues. Use the game mode and try not to leave your game on pause for 8 hours at a time. Another way to prevent image retention is to activate the "Eco" mode on the plasma. You can set it to cut off if no signal or activity occurs after x amount of time.

If you go the LCD (LED is the same thing here) route then get one with IPS glass. Panasonic and LG are the only companies using it for TVs.

 

[spagthorpe]

Went to the store to pick up a 8000 series Samsung LED, and left with a Panasonic VT50. I'm in serious OMG mode with it. I really didn't think the picture on a plasma would ever blow me away, but at least with this one, I'm sold. I did like the brightness of the Samsung plasma to be honest, and almost went that way, but went with the VT50 after reading numerous praises. I understand them now. It looks a lot better here at the house than it did in the showroom. Even streaming Netflix to it, it's simply amazing. The seriously fast connection ethernet is probably helping, as I'm used to a Roku over wifi on the old set.

I guess now that I have it here, really trying to decide if I want to go to a larger size. I got the 55, and now kind of thinking the 65 would look better where I have it. Big difference in money though. Anyway, if you are on the fence, just jump over and get the VT50.

 

[continuum]

Spent a bunch of time watching a Panasonic ST30... I have to say, on the more affordable end, plasma definitely looks better than equivalent LCDs.

However for 98% of the watching that goes on here, the difference between a decent plasma and a decent LCD, both of the same price, well, the people watching just don't care... so I'll keep the LCD, since I'm the one who has to pay the A/C bill in the summer.

 

[NulloModo]

I was reading over at AVS that apparently Samsung and LG are having a lot of trouble getting useful yields in large OLED screen.

A fundamental challenge for AMOLED TV remains manufacturing yield. Pilot production indicates that 55” AMOLED TV panel straight yield (without repair) is in single digits due to instability in the large backplanes (using LTPS or oxide TFT). Total yield (after repair) is estimated to be less than 30%. Finally, frit encapsulation is too fragile for large area TV, and is resulting in reduced panel life.

More companies seem to be focusing on 4K resolution sets instead, which I can't say I'm happy about as there isn't any distribution system for anything at that resolution yet, and there are still the black level and viewing angle issues to tackle with current LCD tech that should be made a priority over upping the resolution.

CES should be interesting this year. I'm hoping for some real models being announced using Sony's Crystal LED tech (which basically makes each individual pixel on the screen a discrete set of RGB LEDs).