50" Plasma HDTVs

PaulFolbrecht · « **on:** 11 Nov 2007, 05:33 am »

I want to replace our wall-mounted 42" plasma with a 50" - yes, the size will make quite a difference.

Would appreciate a recommendation or 3 to get started. Should I insist on 1080p at this point?

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 01:23 pm »

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 11 Nov 2007, 05:33 am

I want to replace our wall-mounted 42" plasma with a 50" - yes, the size will make quite a difference.

Would appreciate a recommendation or 3 to get started. Should I insist on 1080p at this point?

Budget?

Distance to plasma?

Sources?

Hard to make a recommendation without more info.

George

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 02:04 pm »

Of course. Sorry. Budget - you might say unlimited. Want the best. This will be the only TV in the house. $4K or so.

I have a Rotel DVD player that is actually acting up and will consider a new source as well.

We sit at about 9' which makes a 50" nearly ideal. Anyway, that's the biggest that will fit.

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 02:23 pm »

For $4k you should easily get a 1080p 58" plasma. I paid a bit less than $3500 shipped for my Panasonic 58" 1080p.

Panasonic and Pioneer are consistently rated the top plasmas.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 02:26 pm »

I don't think 58s are even wall-mountable, and if they are I won't have the room.

50 will do.

Bigfish · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 02:30 pm »

Quote from: JoshK on 11 Nov 2007, 02:23 pm

For $4k you should easily get a 1080p 58" plasma. I paid a bit less than $3500 shipped for my Panasonic 58" 1080p.

Panasonic and Pioneer are consistently rated the top plasmas.

I would definitely purchase 1080P and I would purchase from an on-line dealer to save money. First year of warranty is covered by manufacturer, not by the store where you purchase. Pioneer, Panasonic and Samsung are the major names to consider.

Good luck with your purchase as football will never be the same again.

JoshK · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 02:30 pm »

58"s are wall mountable FWIW. But if it won't fit, it won't fit. I sit about 9' maybe 10' from mine and I think 58" is really nice and 63" would have been better, but I couldn't justify that one, it was ~$7k.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 02:37 pm »

Quote from: Bigfish on 11 Nov 2007, 02:30 pm

Good luck with your purchase as football will never be the same again.

Actually, it will be exactly the same for me - never watched, that is.

It's for movies. That's all we watch.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 02:39 pm »

Quote from: JoshK on 11 Nov 2007, 02:30 pm

58"s are wall mountable FWIW. But if it won't fit, it won't fit. I sit about 9' maybe 10' from mine and I think 58" is really nice and 63" would have been better, but I couldn't justify that one, it was ~$7k.

Well - just *maybe*. Right now, I have about 8" of clearance from the top of the TT to the bottom of the 42" TV. I figured a 50" would have enough extra vertical length that it would be pushing it as close as is wise. But, with a higher mounting, it might be doable. Worth a less than ideal viewing angle? Maybe not.

JoshK · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 02:52 pm »

Just keep in mind, as you probably already experienced, that a lot if not most movies are shot in 2.35:1 not 16:9 so you still don't use the full screen when watching a flick. So I think getting all the extra size is a good thing to maximize the actual footage screen.

I personally think raising it a tad to get a bigger display would be worth it, but its your decision. I think the difference between 58" and 50" is much like 50" is to 42". Since you mentioned your price range which would fit the 58" I thought I'd suggest it.

I really love my Panny 58" btw. I have a Panasonic 42" too (my old 3rd gen one), its now in the bedroom hanging above our fireplace. So I am familiar with the upgrade.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 03:02 pm »

Thanks for the replies. I will start reading reviews. I will be buying in December.

Something else I have to consider is whether to use the HDMI input or not. When I had the 42" installed last year, I had a component input only hooked up and that's what I've been using. Am I better off using HDMI? I believe the answer is 'yes'.

zybar · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 03:03 pm »

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 11 Nov 2007, 02:04 pm

Of course. Sorry. Budget - you might say unlimited. Want the best. This will be the only TV in the house. $4K or so.

I have a Rotel DVD player that is actually acting up and will consider a new source as well.

We sit at about 9' which makes a 50" nearly ideal. Anyway, that's the biggest that will fit.

Right now Pioneer makes the best plasma tv's, but they also cost the most.

Pioneer's black level on their more expensive units is simply the best and will allow you to get a stunningly real picture once professionally calibrated.

The Panny models are pretty good as well, but a notch below in terms of pic quality and usually connectivity options.

Only you can decide if saving anywhere from a few hundred to a thousand dollars by choosing Panny over Pioneer is the right choice.

At 9' away, I would still get a 1080p set, especially if you are the type to keep a display for a long time.

At your budget, you will have no problems affording a 1080p set.

George

zybar · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 03:03 pm »

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 11 Nov 2007, 03:02 pm

Thanks for the replies. I will start reading reviews. I will be buying in December.

Something else I have to consider is whether to use the HDMI input or not. When I had the 42" installed last year, I had a component input only hooked up and that's what I've been using. Am I better off using HDMI? I believe the answer is 'yes'.

YES!! YES!! YES!!

George

JoshK · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 03:07 pm »

Quote from: zybar on 11 Nov 2007, 03:03 pm

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 11 Nov 2007, 03:02 pm
Thanks for the replies. I will start reading reviews. I will be buying in December.

Something else I have to consider is whether to use the HDMI input or not. When I had the 42" installed last year, I had a component input only hooked up and that's what I've been using. Am I better off using HDMI? I believe the answer is 'yes'.

YES!! YES!! YES!!

George

Agreed.

JoshK · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 03:11 pm »

P.S. if you decide to go for a panny (although George makes good points to look to the pioneer), check with your work to see if they participate in an EPP. My work does, and that is how I got my 58". I also preordered the new, yet to be released bluray player through the EPP. Its a pretty good discount. (EPP = employee purchase program).

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 03:14 pm »

If you want to get an idea on pricing, features, etc...

Check over at www.visualapex.com

Their prices are way better than the "box" stores.

I have purchased pj's and plasmas from them and every time it has been a positive and issue free transaction.

George

ctviggen · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 03:16 pm »

Quote from: zybar on 11 Nov 2007, 03:03 pm

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 11 Nov 2007, 03:02 pm
Thanks for the replies. I will start reading reviews. I will be buying in December.

Something else I have to consider is whether to use the HDMI input or not. When I had the 42" installed last year, I had a component input only hooked up and that's what I've been using. Am I better off using HDMI? I believe the answer is 'yes'.

YES!! YES!! YES!!

George

I've had a problem with HDMI. My cable box will not mate with my HDTV for some reason via HDMI/DVI, so I've given up and went back to component. I've figured out a couple probable causes for this, but I really don't have the time to spend on my cable company's 800 number; it's easier for me just to hook up component cables. My DVD player doesn't have the same problem and HDMI/DVI works fine.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 05:12 pm »

Also you should consider reliability. Panasonic and Samsung seem to have decent if not stellar reliability reputation. When I visited a member to a listening session, he commented upon his 1.5 year Pioneer acting up. Maybe just one individual unit but it is something you need to research, especially if it will be a pricey purchase. When tubed TVs rules, reliability was something that was not ever questioned. TV=fridges reliability wise.

kmmd · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 09:21 pm »

Hello,

Here is a link to the avsforum's plasma TV forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=167
I've spent quite a bit of time there before deciding on the plasma that I purchased.

I also agree with George's recommendations above. The new Pioneer 8G Kuro plasmas have the best black levels and picture currently. They are quite costly, but if you can spare a few hundred more, then you should be able to purchase their best 50-inch model in the Elite PRO-110FD. As you read through the various threads on avs, you'll be able to figure out what people are paying for their sets. You'll also be able to spot the dealers and shoot them a PM. If you need help, shoot me a PM.

Enjoy,
Ken

zybar · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Nov 2007, 09:31 pm »

Quote from: kmmd on 11 Nov 2007, 09:21 pm

Hello,

Here is a link to the avsforum's plasma TV forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=167
I've spent quite a bit of time there before deciding on the plasma that I purchased.

I also agree with George's recommendations above. The new Pioneer 8G Kuro plasmas have the best black levels and picture currently. They are quite costly, but if you can spare a few hundred more, then you should be able to purchase their best 50-inch model in the Elite PRO-110FD. As you read through the various threads on avs, you'll be able to figure out what people are paying for their sets. You'll also be able to spot the dealers and shoot them a PM. If you need help, shoot me a PM.

Enjoy,
Ken

The Pioneer PDP-5010FD ($3450) will run you about a cool grand over the excellent Pioneer "Kuro" PDP-5080HD ($2450).

Either is a great choice.

George