BoulderHill1
join:2004-07-15
Montgomery, IL
 ·AT&T DSL Service
1 edit | reply to BoulderHill1
Re: Plasma TV experiences. What Brands??
I guess my biggest concern is the black pillarbox bars and image retention. The owners guide seems to make such a big deal about that. When I set the format to FULL it displays everything in the ratio it is being broadcast in. So example this evening I watched Letterman on channel 2.1 which is broadcast widescreen 16x9. It is being displayed properly because it is set to FULL. But the Next program with Casey Fergusen is broadcast 4x3 and is displayed pillarboxed with blackbars on the left and right. Now I could change the format to JUST or H-FILL and fill the screen but if I change channels to NBC to see Conan O'Brien now the picture goes off the screen on the left and right because his show is broadcast widescreen 16x9 format. |
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BoulderHill1
join:2004-07-15
Montgomery, IL
·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to wings10
CAble or Satelitte really doesn't figure into this. Yes I a using OTA and get great reception. I have programmed out all of the analog stations from the channel lineup so I am only tuning digital (ATSC). It really has to do with each individual programs aspect ratio and wanting to fill the screen as much of the time as possible. On the Philips this just happened automatically but with this set I would need to change format everytime I change the channel. |
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BoulderHill1
join:2004-07-15
Montgomery, IL
·AT&T DSL Service
| Don't get me wrong, as I originally asked in this topic, reliability was my biggest concern. When I spend this kind of money an electronic item, or anything really, it needs to work. And it needs to work for a signifigant amount of time. This was something that the Philips product did not seem to be able to deliver. The picture was great as were the features, but what good is it if the TV just stops working. Perhaps I got spoiled with the Automatic format on the Philips. Like I said it was great for channel surfing. I would never choose AUTO for DVD or other source viewing, Iwould instead choose the proper format for the material. With all that said I am much more confident that the Panasonic hanging on my wall to be there for a long time. |
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Vistaluvr
@rr.com
| reply to Steely
said by Steely  :said by Vistaluvr :*drool* at Contrast Ratio. Maybe. I couldn't help but notice this Amazon user review for the TH-50PZ85U (one of the new 2008 models) and specifically what was said regarding contrast ratio... quote:
I was really excited about the improved contrast ratio because on paper it was such a huge jump over last years model but after getting it set up and watching it side by side with my TH-50PZ77u, I have to say it looks almost exactly the same. I played several Blu ray movies (Cars, Casino Royale...etc), test patterns and solid color screenshots and they were no differences to my eyes. In some instances, the blacks were more detailed on my TH-50PZ77u.
In fairness to context I would suggest reading the entire review. I know it's just one observer and it's not very scientific, but salespersons in more than one store I was checking out TV's in told me that some of the advertised specs, especially contrast ratios, were often exaggerated and not necessarily accurate or in any way standardized. It sounds like his old TV is calibrated (factory) better than the new one. Once ISF calibration is done, there should be more details, even in dark areas. There's no TV (even same make/model) that looks exactly the same. Plus eyes are different from person to person. There are alot of things I could see in a display that most could not. I guess having a 30,000:1 gives me piece of mind that it'll display true black. I'd never look at a TV with Dynamic Contrast ratio in mind though since it actually brightens/darkens the display - can be annoying if you look for it or know what to look for. |
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BoulderHill1
join:2004-07-15
Montgomery, IL
·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to BoulderHill1
Did much more tweaking today. Really sat with it for several hours. Realized a few things and got a better understanding of how this TV works. Much better picture that past few days. More consistant across channels too. I would have to say though extremely more difficult to set up that the Philips tv. On the Philips the initial setup presented you with several different split screen images asking you which side you preferred. There were 8 or 10 of these split screens. The tv then set all the levels based on your choices. This worked quite well. I did final tweak it after that but it was very minimal and just took a few minutes. I would have to say that I am pleased with the Panasonic but as far as features and the way the setup menu works the Philips was hands down far superior. Too bad they don't build that quality into the reliability of their product. |
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wings10
I Am Legend
Premium
join:2004-06-09
South Elgin, IL
 ·Dish Network
·AT&T DSL Service
 ·Comcast
2 edits | said by BoulderHill1 : I would have to say that I am pleased with the Panasonic but as far as features and the way the setup menu works the Philips was hands down far superior. Too bad they don't build that quality into the reliability of their product. That's why Philips is cheap and not very good. (far superior? LOL) Do you want something simple or something with quality? The Panasonic is a "Big Boy" Plasma. Not a toy. You have moved up. 
If not return it and go for the budget crap.
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"The American Indians found out what happens when you don't control immigration." |
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KickMe
join:2001-10-03
Lancaster, OH
·RoadRunner Cable
·Earthlink Cable Mo..
| said by wings10 :said by BoulderHill1 : I would have to say that I am pleased with the Panasonic but as far as features and the way the setup menu works the Philips was hands down far superior. Too bad they don't build that quality into the reliability of their product. That's why Philips is cheap and not very good. (far superior? LOL) Do you want something simple or something with quality? The Panasonic is a "Big Boy" Plasma. Not a toy. You have moved up. If not return it and go for the budget crap. That is correct. The "Big Boy’s" expect you to want to experience the high quality of their TV with either a professional calibration or at the very least, using the AVIA or Digital Video Essentials DVD and a set of color filters (a blue one at a minimum) to calibrate. Certainly not some half a$$ed attempt to calibrate by asking which side looks better to you. |
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BoulderHill1
join:2004-07-15
Montgomery, IL
·AT&T DSL Service
| Not really looking to get flamed here. But the picture on the Philips was absolutely stunning basically out of the box. When I say far superior it is in regards to how the setup menu works. For example if I wanted to change aspect ratio it was just a matter of a drop down menu where I could choose the format I want directly. On the panny I have to scroll through all the formats stopping on the one I want. |
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wings10
I Am Legend
Premium
join:2004-06-09
South Elgin, IL | Then I would suggest you return it and get something simple.
No harm no foul. There are some budget plasma's on sale at Best Buy.
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"The American Indians found out what happens when you don't control immigration." |
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BoulderHill1
join:2004-07-15
Montgomery, IL
·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to KickMe
I understand what professional calibration (ISF) is about and what it does. However as a consumer, it seems really crappy that in addition spending a large amount of money on a TV you also need to spend more to get it to display nicely. I would not say that the split screen setup to be a half a$$ed attempt to calibrate the TV. Rather it was a highly effective attempt as evidenced by the final result. The picture was simply stunning. As far as being a "toy" or budget equipment, the list price for the Philips is basically the same as the Panny I bought. Of course it was less at Walmart. I paid retail for the Philips at walmart at $1397.00 while the Panasonic was $1499.00 at Circuit City. |
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BoulderHill1
join:2004-07-15
Montgomery, IL | reply to wings10
I have looked at best buy and they have nothing in this size plasma for this price. Maybe an open box for 1999.00. The criteria was 1. Plasma 2. At least 50 inch 3. Less than $1500 |
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BoulderHill1
join:2004-07-15
Montgomery, IL
·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to BoulderHill1
Thanks to Wings and all who have inputted here. Info has been helpful. I've jst been expressing my thoughts and opinions on the differences between the two brands. Definatley keeping the panny. Had the philips not exhibited any powering off issues I would still have it and never even posted. |
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Bubba17
Less is More
Premium
join:2006-09-21
| reply to BoulderHill1
said by BoulderHill1 :I understand what professional calibration (ISF) is about and what it does. However as a consumer, it seems really crappy that in addition spending a large amount of money on a TV you also need to spend more to get it to display nicely. I didn't expect such an offer. "We'll take your new TV out of the box, calibrate it for perfect picture, reinstall it back into the original packaging (you won't be able to tell it was even opened!)." I've tried to remember the price .. I think it was in the $125 to $175 range, at Circuit City.
Nah .. thanks, I said .. I'll fiddle with it myself.
Indeed, I cannot imagine a more, right out of the box, "perfect picture" than what the Sony 52XBR4 is displaying.
Anyway, picture quality is all so subjective. What we like may look like crap to someone else.
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"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything" --Wyatt Earp |
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wings10
I Am Legend
Premium
join:2004-06-09
South Elgin, IL
·Dish Network
·AT&T DSL Service
·Comcast
| Yea picture quality is all so subjective. I only had to make some minor adjustments for both my Panasonic's to get the Picture clear and sharp. Quite simple really.
Imaging if the poster bought one of those really high end $8,000 plasma's like they sell in the Magnolia room at Best Buy.
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"The American Indians found out what happens when you don't control immigration." |
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BoulderHill1
join:2004-07-15
Montgomery, IL
·AT&T DSL Service
| Wings, I gotta say I love your tagline.
I want to ask you what settings are you using for your panasonics? I have been tweaking alot and altough the picture is signifigantly better I think it could be better yet.
With the Philips set, When I would watch Jay Leno doing his monologue you could see the pores on his face and the detail of the fabric of his suit. This kind of detail is not visible on this set. The skin looks kinda pastey and painted while the black of his suit is varying levels of blacks. |
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gate1975mlm
Premium
join:2001-09-30
Philadelphia, PA | reply to BoulderHill1
Panasonic and Pioneer are the best for Plasma!  |
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BillTager
join:2000-09-20
Charlotte, NC
| reply to BoulderHill1
I just ordered a Samsung 50" Plasma (t5084) for $1764. It's scheduled to be delivered next Thursday. I can't wait. It's gotten excellent reviews over at AVSForums and elsewhere.
One of the main reason I went with the Samsung over the Pioneer or Panasonic equivalent is the fact that the Samsung accepts 1080p signals over component; not to mention the price was significantly less than the Panasonic or Pioneer models of the same size.
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Praise be to my Cadillac |
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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
2 edits | said by BillTager :I just ordered a Samsung 50" Plasma (t5084) for $1764.....the price was significantly less than the Panasonic or Pioneer models of the same size. I paid $1750 for my 50" 1080p Panasonic TH-50PZ77U (it has an awesome anti-reflection screen) a couple of weeks ago. It's now going for $1688 at a couple of regional NJ chain stores.
FYI, out of the twenty 50" plasmas tested and rated by Consumer Reports, the Samsung FP-T5084 ranks 17th with an overall score of 68. One Pioneer and two Panasonics make up the top three spots with scores ranging from 80 to 84. |
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BillTager
join:2000-09-20
Charlotte, NC
| I prefer real user reports.
Also, how many of the twenty tested were 1080p sets with three HDMI inputs; and accepted 1080p over component? Got a link to the article? I'd love to read it.
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Praise be to my Cadillac |
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grobinette
Premium,Mod
join:2001-01-27
Springfield, VA
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
Host:
Home Repair & Impr..
Millenicom
| reply to wings10
said by wings10 :How about their 150". Can you wall mount that bad boy?
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Team Discovery |
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