Which Priority, Resolution or Plasma for 3.5K?

[Ardynas]

Hello,
Based on reviews I thought I was looking good on waiting for the Panny TH-50phd9UK. Well, with additional reviews I've read, getting a 1080p TV means you'll be ready to resolve the 1080 signals in the future as they become more abundant. My problem is that I'm not willing to spend the 8-9K to get that 50" 1080p Plasma.

Knowing that I'll probably have this monitor/TV for 5-8 years (and wanting to keep it around 3.5 k), should I change my train of thought and go for a different technology (LCD, DLP or SXRD) to get the top resolution... or get the lower resolution plasma? I really like my blacks and I love a great angle of view. Will I regret not getting a 1080p TV? :confused:

I've got the HD Cable box (w/hdmi) with an AV surround system (non-hdmi - 4 years old).

[westa6969]

Your eyes your money - Only you can decide this.

Do a Matrix of what you'll consider in your budget on a spreadsheet and fill the puzzle pieces and go view them and choose the pieces of the puzzel that fits your preferences and budget and patiently decide what makes you go WoW!

Don't follow the herd unless it matches what your goal is.

It's nice to dream of getting the best holy grail panel for $3.5K but that's a pipe dream for now to expect to get a home theater size 1080P Plasma in that price range. However, you have many choices coming on the scene.

The "S" 96 series Samsung LCD's will be 1080P at 46" and 178 degree viewing angles which = perfection and with kick ass PQ and may find one in your price range - going larger you'll need to raise the budget unless you go SXRD or DLP or a plasma if you want to do 768P. All good choices let your eyes be the judge - I'll be going larger and 1080P with a 57" Samsung LCD FP in the near future which streets for double your budget. I have a hard time going plasma since I have a sunny room.

But I've also owned an SXRD 60 and it was the best HD PQ from the "Sweet Spot" - yes viewing angles are more limiting but when your in that spot I've yet to see anything match it fully at 60" and at that price and I owned a 50" plasma also that fail to match the Wow factor of the SXRD IMO - My Sharp 45" comes very close and does have wow factor but cannot make up for being 15" smaller - size matters with HT immersion. The newer SXRD is debuting soon with 1080P inputs and a slimmer cabinet. Viewing angles ltd but rewarding as hell in the Sweet Spot. Damn you've got so many choices it can be dizzying today. Good luck on your HT Journey! :)

[Ardynas]

Thank you for the reply Westa.

I went down to C.C. tonight and looked at the TV's again. I was looking at the Samsung HL-S5087W DLP 1080P (and 56"). There's no doubt that it's a great picture when you're in the sweet spot. I kept looking over at the plasma's and LCD's when I was out of the sweet spot (of the DLP) and they looked sooo good from an angle. The viewing angle is an issue for us as we can see our TV from our kitchen. We tend to keep watching if we go into the kitchen instead of pausing. At this price range, I really don't have that much of a choice... I suppose I should be greatful that my parameters are narrowing my selection.

That 46" "S" 96 series Samsung 1080P LCD looks really nice. All of a sudden I've gone from Panny's to Sammy's... :rolleyes:

[IamAnoobieCheez]

You might want to wait till the Panny PHD9UK comes out and start reading the reviews and personal experience from other members.

[renlopez]

My opinion:

In the 50" size. 1080p is not worth the extra several thousand since the benefits of 1080p are only evident when your viewing distance is < 5-6 feet. My normal viewing distance is 10 feet at which 768p and 1080p displays will be difficult to all but the sharpest eyes to differenciate.

Sometimes I think to myself: Well, if I had a 50" 1080p display, then I would have the option of sitting 5ft away and getting a super sharp HD picture with a Movie theater like immersion factor with being so close. But the reality is, I'd be sitting 10' back 95% of the time.

There are other factors such as whether a 1080p display has any advantage working with a 1080i signal, but to me, that is really insignificant compared to the equation of screen size and viewing distance.

Given all of the above, I would definitely stick with a plasma 768p over rear projection 1080p, plus I hate the whole having to sit in the sweet spot deal with LCD/DLP.

In the > 65" size it's a no brainer, go for the 1080p.

[Ardynas]

Thank you Cheeze and Ren,
The more I think about it, the relatively small sweet spot for the DLP's 'would' irritate me. As a Photograher, I'd like to be able to display some of my pictures or presentations of such. Of course, you'd like to see them clearly from anywhere in the room (like a lit Kinkade). Our viewing distance where we normally sit is right at 12 feet. I wouldn't want to go less than a 50".
That at least takes care of the DLP variable which brings me back to the Plasma or LCD arena (more likely Plasma due to size).

Ren, That's a good point of resolving (or not) the 1080p resolution at 12 feet. I look forward to reading reviews on the 9UK when they hit the market.

Rod

[dbillet]

Plasma with HDTV tuner or monitor only

I use a Time-Warner HD DVR SA8300, my old Sony CRT/TV took a dive when I recently moved, so am looking for a replacement.
I am thinking Plasma or LCD monitor since I do not need the tuner or speakers (HAVE Sony Home Theater w/Yamaha spks)

Is this the path for me?

I've seen the Pioneer Elite Plasma 50" HDTV and loved the picture. It comes with an external (proprietary) HDTV tuner/etc.
I also like the Toshiba HD66 series, again all bells and whistles. I don't need to pay for DVR or for CableCARd or that other stuff and hate to spend the money for features I will never use and I think will be quickly surpassed.
I want to spend $2-3K on a 42" or 50" plasma or LCD

I am honing in on th-50phd8uk or the new th-50phd9uk. I do not understand why commercial monitors are more expensive than their consumer counterparts. I have shunned the pioneer mostly because of price and not wanting to get stuck with some proprietary external HD box.

I really want to have something easy to setup and use with upgradeability to HDMI along with present use of HT and SA8300hd- DVR. I am wondering if the -50phd8uk or the new th-50phd9u are not for me and perhaps I should go w/a consumer model, though I hate to pay for features I will never use (tuner).

I thought the Sony XBR1 LCD picture was awesome, and thought the LG was also good.

Any thoughts?
I am hesitant to spend lots of $$ on soon to be antique techology. I do not intend to use an antenna even though I live in Los Angeles area where we have a few HD stations because I'm not much interested in network TV.

Is 10000:1 contrast vs 5000:1 important?
I do not need PC/SD type inputs.

Thank you in advance.