[jimdgoulding]

I'm thinking about buying a 50" 763p Samsung plasma.  The model I want is souped up with a Fourajda chip (I may not haved spelled that right) for better DVD transfers.  The DVD player (a special edition Oppo) that I'm considering has one too.  Is this overkill?  Would I be given anything up if I opted to purchase a less expensive model of one or the other seeing how at least one such chip will be in the chain?  I could save a couple of hundred bucks my going with the standard Samsung.

I know that Pioneer rules in plasma.  Anybody have experience with the Samsung plasma?  Know of any sources of comparative reviews? 

Your information is appreciated.

Also, do plasma units have an unlimited lifetime?

[ctviggen]

It might be overkill to have both, unless you'll have sources other than the DVD that the TV's chip will improve.  That could be possible.  For instance, if you have an HDTV receiver that sends raw data to the TV, the Faroudja chip might improve this.  See the following for instance:

http://www.av-outlet.com/en-us/dept_335.html

Same with regular 480i; the Faroudja probably does a good job scaling this and removing artifacts.  So, if you have more sources than the DVD player, I'd get the higher quality TV.

Plasmas do have a lifetime, which supposedly is relatively long now.  They also are susceptible to burn in (a static image gets "burnt" into the display).  However, most TVs have anti-burn-in circuits.

I'm also interested in the Samsung v. Pioneer, as Samsungs are much cheaper. 

[Mike Dzurko]

Plasmas are supposed to have extremely long life spans. My bet is that most will have some sort of failed electronics long before the plasma itself goes. Image retention can be an issue but there are some simple and practical ways to avoid. I did a lot of lurking over at AVS this summer before I finally decided on the Pioneer 6070HD, and couldn't be happier with my choice. Approx. 200 hour break-in period is recommended and I followed that pretty religiously, just getting past 200 hours now. 

I've had the Pio for about a month and have seen 0 motion artifacts, and I pretty much see them on every DLP I've ever seen. I'm still tweeking the pic settings but this plasma has a very natural picture that looks surprisingly good with SD content.

[jimdgoulding]

Thanks, fellas.  Mike, is your PIO 768p or 1080p?   The Samsung I'm oggling is a plasma, not the DLP.  And it has that Fajouda chip I referred to earlier as does the OPPO.  I know that Pioneer has fabulous DVD conversion.  Something about "pull down", I think.  Anybody got any more information for me?  I could use it.

[Mike Dzurko]

Thanks, fellas.  Mike, is your PIO 768p or 1080p?   The Samsung I'm oggling is a plasma, not the DLP.  And it has that Fajouda chip I referred to earlier as does the OPPO.  I know that Pioneer has fabulous DVD conversion.  Something about "pull down", I think.  Anybody got any more information for me?  I could use it.

My 6070HD is 768. The new KUROs I believe are 1080 and WAY more expensive. From what I've heard, the real advantage of the KURO is not so much resolution as that they have improved black levels but I'm plenty happy w/ mine and didn't have extra $KK laying around

[Bob Reynolds]

I'm thinking about buying a 50" 763p Samsung plasma.  The model I want is souped up with a Fourajda chip (I may not haved spelled that right) for better DVD transfers.  The DVD player (a special edition Oppo) that I'm considering has one too.  Is this overkill?  Would I be given anything up if I opted to purchase a less expensive model of one or the other seeing how at least one such chip will be in the chain?  I could save a couple of hundred bucks my going with the standard Samsung.

I know that Pioneer rules in plasma.  Anybody have experience with the Samsung plasma?  Know of any sources of comparative reviews? 

Your information is appreciated.

Also, do plasma units have an unlimited lifetime?

The buyer's guide here is pretty good: http://www.hometheatermag.com/buyersguides/flatpanels/

The life of the panel is usually specified as the number of hours to reach 1/2 its original brightness. They are still useable beyond that point.

Has anyone considered the new Panasonic 1080p plasmas?