Get Your Plasma Out For The Lads!

What is there to calibrate I though a tv was a tv, lol. Went to look at a 52 inch samsung but noticed it said lcd and remembered you lot had said to go for plasma in the size. Ooooh my head is swimming now.
 
Stolen but intresting................

PLASMA and LCD - the FACTS

When it comes to finding out more about plasma and LCD, there are a number of myths out there that can be confusing. Here, Panasonic responds to some misconceptions and offers new information.

* How do I choose between Plasma and LCD?

Size matters when it comes to making a choice. LCD is at its optimum performance up to and including 32", whilst plasma offers optimum performance at 37" and above. Panasonic Viera Plasma TV is currently the UK's Nr1 best-selling large screen TV. (see our chart below to help you make a choice).

* Which is more energy efficient, Plasma or LCD?

The energy consumption of both is actually about the same in normal operating conditions. An LCD screen consumption is constant whereas with Plasma it fluctuates according to the brightness of a scene, eg when a scene is predominantly dark , a Plasma will use less energy. All in all the energy efficiency evens out for Plasma and LCD.

* A popular Plasma myths dispelled

Does Flat Panel TV need re-gasing? No. Plasma gases are inert and sealed within tiny cells that are sandwiched between glass plates. There is never any need to re-charge or refill the Plasma.

* Which technology has the longer life span Plasma or LCD?

The life span for both is dependent on viewing habits, but if both are watched for the same duration, one would expect the life span to be approximately the same, 60 000 hours, roughly twice the life span of older CRT technology.

In Summary : don't believe all that you hear

The new European research shown below clearly shows an overwhelming preference for Plasma, citing deeper blacks, richer colour reproduction and critically, the capability to accurately display fast moving action as key drivers.

These findings, coupled with the Fast Facts above, dispelling myths like shorter life, re-gasing and power consumption, conclusively support the case for Plasma when choosing a flat panel TV for the home.
NEW EUROPEAN RESEARCH RESUTS : Plasma offer the best all-round viewing.

Recent independent European research for Panasonic (the first in Europe into customer preferences for medium to large-screen TVs*) has revealed that after viewing plasma and LCD large screens, 73% rated Plasma as superior.

A majority of two to one rated Plasma as providing the best image quality and 72% felt that the best black quality was created by large Plasma screens. The research replicated the typical viewing conditions found in the home and produced very clear results.

Key statistics include

* Sharpness : Plasma was deemed to provide the best sharpness experience by 61% of respondents compared to 22% for LCD.
* Colour: Plasma was deemed to provide the best colour quality by 65% of people with LCD at 24%
* Response speed: Plasma was earmarked as providing the best quality for response speed by 62% of people, with LCD scoring 15%, nearly a quarter of respondents believe that both technologies provide a similar performance.
* Contrast: According to the survey. Plasma has the best contrast performance (61% indicated that Plasma performed best compared to 26% for LCD)
 
Dutch depends on how much you want to spend mate. and on what distance you will be sitting away from the Tv to view it? What will you be viewing, i.e. Sky HD? Sky Standard Digital , standard cable , Freeview?
Alot of people think 50" wow and when they it get home moan because it is a shit picture! why? not because its a shit TV its because they are viewing it to close.

IF you want a new TV 1st Decide what viewing distance will be, what you will mainly be watching? and How much you want to pay.
Dont buy from anywhere, buy from a decent firm and get a proper demo of the set. Where the set is set up properl;y not out of the box settings. As your in Newcastle DONT buy from LE concepts (metro centre) all grey imports, Guys a crook, cheap prices but warranty is not valid. Theres another shop in Metro also has a shop in Gateshead and Newcastle city centre. cant remember name at moment or Try Global Hi fi in Newcastle. Think The Managers name is Paul(Decent Bloke) If You have approx £2500 to spend have a look at new Pioneer 508XD, If you decide on a 42" get the 42" version £1799 and under. Make sure YOu buy with a warranty prefered 5 Years.


and before you buy make sure you do alot of reading to amke sure you know all the good points and bad of buying a TV.
calibration is a service you usually pay for where a GUy comes to your house with a Laptop some software and a cable, hooks it up to your TV and Fine tunes the TV to give you the best possible Picture both During the day and at night.

This is Just My opinion on this subject, dont want to get into any arguements re Pioneers being better or plasma better than LCD etc Etc LOL

Edit < You will be able to pick up the previous series from Pioneer E.G. 427XD and 507XD alot cheaper now because of the 8th Gen being out but you risk getting a TV with the Dirty Screen Affect fault which Pioneer do not class as a fault, LOL. I got a refund on mine and bought the new 42"
reviews

508XD Web review from Home Cinema Choice
http://blog.homecinemachoice.com/pag...eb_exclu sive

4280XD review by HDTV test
http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Pioneer-PDP4280XD/

508XD review by HDTVorg.co.uk
http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/reviews/pla..._pdp-508xd.htm

428XD review by HDTVorg.co.uk
http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/reviews/pla..._pdp-428xd.htm

508XD review by CNET.co.uk
http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/television...91826-2,00.htm

pictures

https://www.digitalworldz.co.uk/index.php?threads/137285/

http://www.prisjakt.nu/produkt.php?g=193246

shops

http://www.lintone.co.uk/

http://www.globalhificentre.com/


http://www.johnlewis.com/Audio+and+TV/Televisions/Televisions/Plasma+TV/1377/Brand/Pioneer/List.aspx

http://www.tlcbroadcast.co.uk/pioneer/

Heres pics of Mine using Standard Digital throught a Topfield freeview PVR, excuse the quality of pics. Uncalibrated also
 
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@Dutcho when you are looking at higher end plasma's (like the fujitsu and the pioneer), to get the best out of them you will need to calibrate them to each source and environment so you are always getting the best picture.

BUT not all plasma's have this functionality and is mostly set aside for the high end products like some of the fujitsu or pioneer sets. When you go to audition your TV ask them if it has been calibrated or not, then draw your own conclusion ........ Be warned tho a lot of places dont calibrate their TV's ...... you need to go to a specialist shop ........

OR if you dont want to spend a couple of hundred on someone calibrating your device you can get close to a good picture using settings from another forum.

LCD's are good and have their merits over plasma BUT for me the black levels/detail are just not the same as plasma's. I prefer the pic on a plasma compared to an LCD
 
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Ok I want a plasma 50 inch + with picture in picture free view errrrr and I will spend upto £2000, what does that get me, oh and I would need 2 scarts 3 would be a bonus, no real HD equipment at mo but I plan to get some so I want to be future proof so to speak so I am looking at the 1080 models.

;)
 
shaun127 said:
Dutch depends on how much you want to spend mate. and on what distance you will be sitting away from the Tv to view it? What will you be viewing, i.e. Sky HD? Sky Standard Digital , standard cable , Freeview?
Alot of people think 50" wow and when they it get home moan because it is a shit picture! why? not because its a shit TV its because they are viewing it to close.
Click to expand...

Got to agree with Shaun,
If you're only sitting up to 7 feet away with a 50" + , anything other than HD source will look pretty sh*t as it will show up every artefact.
But if you got a big enough lounge then go for it!
 
Dutcho said:
Ok I want a plasma 50 inch + with picture in picture free view errrrr and I will spend upto £2000, what does that get me, oh and I would need 2 scarts 3 would be a bonus, no real HD equipment at mo but I plan to get some so I want to be future proof so to speak so I am looking at the 1080 models.

;)
Click to expand...

OK Got two good selections for you for under £2k and both 1080P capable...

Panasonic TH-50PX70 Priced around £1,650
Description:
Size (off stand): 1210(w) x 793(h) x 97(d)mm
Weight (inc stand): 45kg
Native aspect ratio: 16:9
Claimed max contrast ratio: 10000:1
Claimed max brightness: N/A
Connections: Two HDMI inputs, two Scarts (both RGB), component video input, D-Sub PC input, Stereo audio output, headphone jack, stereo audio inputs, CAM slot, RF input

Hitachi P50T01U plasma Priced at £1,500 approx
Description:
Size (on stand): 1240(w) x 882(h) x 423(d)mm
Weight (inc stand): 47kg
Native aspect ratio: 16:9
Claimed max contrast ratio: 10000:1
Claimed max brightness: 1300cd/m2
Connections: Two HDMI inputs (PC and video), three Scarts (2 RGB), component video input, composite video input, S-Video input, D-Sub PC input, Stereo audio output, headphone jack, stereo audio inputs, CAM slot, RF input, SD card reader, USB socket, digital audio output


I know the Hitachi has 3 scarts but personally I'd go for the Panny for the picture quality.
 
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Dazmeister said:
OK Got two good selections for you for under £2k and both 1080P capable...

Panasonic TH-50PX70 Priced around £1,650
Description:
Size (off stand): 1210(w) x 793(h) x 97(d)mm
Weight (inc stand): 45kg
Native aspect ratio: 16:9
Claimed max contrast ratio: 10000:1
Claimed max brightness: N/A
Connections: Two HDMI inputs, two Scarts (both RGB), component video input, D-Sub PC input, Stereo audio output, headphone jack, stereo audio inputs, CAM slot, RF input

Hitachi P50T01U plasma Priced at £1,500 approx
Description:
Size (on stand): 1240(w) x 882(h) x 423(d)mm
Weight (inc stand): 47kg
Native aspect ratio: 16:9
Claimed max contrast ratio: 10000:1
Claimed max brightness: 1300cd/m2
Connections: Two HDMI inputs (PC and video), three Scarts (2 RGB), component video input, composite video input, S-Video input, D-Sub PC input, Stereo audio output, headphone jack, stereo audio inputs, CAM slot, RF input, SD card reader, USB socket, digital audio output


I know the Hitachi has 3 scarts but personally I'd go for the Panny for the picture quality.
Click to expand...

I would view them both. Take along a few DVD's and try to see them on all sources, Freeview and Standard DVD Definately. Any doubts in your mind walk away if your paying that kind of money you want to be sure., Panny at John Lewis newcastle and

The panny @ John Lewis will be out of box settings so dont judge it on that. Try and find a shop that has it set up properly but if you want it buy from John Lewis, excellent customer service and free 5 year guarantee. Dutcho if you have an MBNA credit Card apply for John Lewis Vouchers online. you will get an extra 10% off

type in MBNA in Box, then find John Lewis

http://www.mbna.co.uk/lifestyle/

after you have logged in

http://www.enticerewards.com/mbnalifestyle/details.asp?page=1&navId=-1&Item=275

Hitachi in the metro centre @ Lintone audio or it was a couple of weeks ago.


http://www.johnlewis.com/Audio+and+TV/Televisions/Televisions/Plasma+TV/1377/230422753/Product.aspx


http://www.stockchecker.co.uk/PriceComparer.aspx?productId=19271
 
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That px70 panny is only 1300 at john lewis. Cheers for the links lads.

Anyway whats wrong with samsungs, lol, and that panny doesnt mention 1080 in the spec but then im thick so should it ?

Might have a look out to scum land I mean Newcastle, lol at the weekend.
 
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£1399 @ John Lewis with 5 Year guarantee, Free Delivery and if you have an MBNA credit card you get an extra 10% off if you use Vouchers in the link above , You will have to read up on that and how to do it thou Dutch as I aint got a card mate.
 
they still do a price match only with high street stores thou,
check out the price in dixons, comet, richer sounds and sevenoaks, fenwicks in Newcastle. If Its cheaper in any of those stores, tell John lewis you have seen it cheaper, where, and how much. they should give it to you for the same price.
 
just had to share this with peeps who actually now understand, it turned out to be a personal battle in the end between me and my bro. About a year ago i was interested in the LG50PX1D and mentioned it to my bro. He said he wanted it, and i told him if he waited until xmas(just gone) that i'd be able to get 2 at a seriously low price! Being smart(or he thought so) he bought 1 the next day and rang me to tell me!!! He paid 2 grand but i said nothing until 5 months later at xmas when i picked up my panny 50 inch for 1500. He still hasn't spoken to me since!
 
Dutcho said:
Ok I want a plasma 50 inch + with picture in picture free view errrrr and I will spend upto £2000, what does that get me, oh and I would need 2 scarts 3 would be a bonus, no real HD equipment at mo but I plan to get some so I want to be future proof so to speak so I am looking at the 1080 models.

;)
Click to expand...

Then I would say the TH50PZ700 answers all your specifications, is around your budget, and Panasonic make some of the best in the plasma game.

Most the other mentioned before are panels rather than TVs as such. The difference is that the TV versions e.g (TH50PZ700) have freeview, scarts etc built in. The panel versions e.g (TH50PF9) do not contain any gubbins etc as these are aimed for professional display environments so inputs blades (HDMI,SCART) has to be bought seperately. The panel versions concentrate soley on the display so tend to produce better PQ than their TV counterparts (more configurable, better processing etc).

But for your requirements I would definitley look into the TH50PZ700.

:)
 
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