720p Plasma vs 1080p LED LCD

rockadanny · « **on:** 21 Jan 2011, 10:30 pm »

A comparison search because I've found each 46" TV within my budget (720p Plasma at low end of budget $499, 1080p LED at high end $999). I have to say I do not like standard LCD picture (too flat, one-dimensional, cartoonish looking to my eyes), but do like LED. Not interested in Blu-Ray or 3-D; room is always rather dark; off-center viewing is required; 46" is largest I can accomodate; approx. 12' distance is main seating, further on occasion.

Quality (sharpness, color, depth of image) near same?
Since not interested in Blu-Ray, is 720p vs. 1080p an issue?

Freo-1 · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 10:37 pm »

I prefer plasma TV's. I own a Pioneer Kuro, and love it.

As far as what you are asking, 720P/1080I is probably good enough. The broadcast industry is not using 1080P, and will not for some time to come. Some of Direct TV pay per view is 1080P, but for most use, not a big issue.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 10:44 pm »

Based on similar specs last year (I don't do blue ray) I bought a 42 Panny Plasma 720p.

Very happy.

My brother has a 55 LCD 1080p. He is very happy too! He does have a PS3, so he wanted the full capabilities.

chip · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 11:04 pm »

In your situation and you don't see yourself getting a blu ray setup anytime soon opt for the 720p.

Have you looked at the Panny Plasmas?

rockadanny · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 11:10 pm »

Yes. The two models I am looking at are Panasonic Viera Plasma vs. Sony Bravia LED.

ajzepp · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 11:15 pm »

At a seating distance of 12', you won't be able to even tell the difference between 720 and 1080 on a 46" screen.

Zero · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 11:28 pm »

Save your money and go with the 720P Panasonic plasma. Why? Here are a few reasons....

A) A 1080p set will only yield a gain in performance if you watch blurays, or if you play Xbox or PS3 - none of which you'll be doing. Also, while 1080p content will soon begin to hit High Def broadcasts, it will be quite awhile until this kind of resolution becomes commonplace.

B) Plasma's typically look a lot better than LCD/LED TV's when playing back regular cable and DVD's. This is mostly due to plasmas being less sensitive about playing content at/near their native resolution.

C) If you watch sports and action flicks, the plasma will be hands down the better TV. Like the tube TV's of yore, plasmas are instantaneous in their speed. The only time you'll see them 'lag' is if the signal sucks.

D) If you get your TV calibrated, the color accuracy of that Panasonic should rival and even surpass most LCD/LED TV's on the market at and under the $1000 USD mark.

E) 720p screens tend to look better on cable and regular DVD's.

F) You're going to be saving lots of money for a TV that is the most appropriate for your use. Talk about a win/win.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Jan 2011, 08:29 pm »

In addition to everything else already mentioned, plasma is also better for off-axis viewing and performs at its best in darker rooms.

rockadanny · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Jan 2011, 02:06 am »

Thanks to all contributors.

To add to my room attributes, it is relatively dark all the time.
So, all things considered, I pulled the trigger today and got the 46" Panasonic Viera Plasma from Best Buy, with the ISF calibration service. TV was $499 (BB was $529 but they matched Sears latest sale price) and calibration is on special this week for only $150. Seemed like the best match for my room and me. Also ordered a couple of HDMI (FE) cables from BlueJeansCable (one for cable box and one for DVD player). Now just have to wait for TV to ship to the store and pick it up, burn it in for 100-200 hrs, get it calibrated, and enjoy. Oh, and get a new Comcast cable box as well, for HDTV.
New TV, cables, and cable box. Wow, feel like I've finally joined the 20th century. Wait, you mean its no longer ...

OK, what's next, an i-Pod? Oy.

bummrush · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Jan 2011, 03:03 am »

Yoo are going to be enjoying some really nice tv congrats

MaxieGodde · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 05:15 am »

I just don't get it. In viewing both Plasma TV's & LED TV's in showrooms every plasma unit simply looks "bland" lacking color & contrast in compairison to LED units. I for myself like the more vivid look of the LED units. Never owning either, what is the fastination with the "blackness levels" I keep hearing that plasma's offer.

cujobob · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 08:07 am »

LEDs only advantage that I've seen is brightness. At first, it can seem like the better TV because everything 'pops' at you...but picture quality wise, plasmas are unbelievable. Plasmas are also cheaper to purchase because LEDs have a marketing advantage at the moment. Showroom TVs are never close to calibrated. In both standard and hi def, I much prefer Plasmas...though would love the vividness of an LED, as well.

NIGHTFALL1970 · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 10:55 am »

Rockadanny,
condgrads on the TV. Thats the one I got. I spent hours comparing LCD, LED and plasma, and found that the plasma all looked much better than LCD. I thought that LED looked the worst. I felt like I was looking through a fish bowl. They seemed to have a "strobe effect".

zybar · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 03:54 pm »

Rockadanny,

Congrats on your purchase - FWIW, I think you made an excellent decision. All of the reasons people listed above are what making plasma a better choice.

I actually just purchased a 65" inch Panny (TC-P65VT30) and I am loving it! This replaced a 6 year old Sony SRXD rear projection TV. It's amazing how thin the Plasma TV's have become. My almost 10 year old 42" Panny plasma seems so thick and chunky by comparison.

George

ken · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 07:46 pm »

I just purchased my first plasma around Christmas, It was a Panny 42" 720p plasma for just $399.00 at B.J. and both my wife and myself love the picture. Glad to read that 1080p isn't really that big a deal at this point in time aside from blu ray as there are some pretty good deals on 50" 720p plasmas to be had. I read somewhere that you'll only start to realize the difference between 720 and 1080 with screens 50" + any truth to that? and does that only pertain to blu ray

Peter J · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 09:37 pm »

Quote from: rockadanny on 25 Jan 2011, 02:06 am

Oh, and get a new Comcast cable box as well, for HDTV.
New TV, cables, and cable box. Wow, feel like I've finally joined the 20th century. Wait, you mean its no longer ...

I did a similar update about 18 mos. ago, and only have one problem...HDTV has absolutely spoiled me! I never watch standard def on that system. DW has a standard TV in her office and that picture sucks by comparison. No issue for her, though, she says she can't tell the difference, which blows my mind

mark funk · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 10:07 pm »

I like plasma way better then LCD! It's like back in the 70s it was VHS or Bata. Bata is better but VHS won? Am I right?

zybar · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 10:45 pm »

Quote from: ken on 6 Mar 2012, 07:46 pm

I just purchased my first plasma around Christmas, It was a Panny 42" 720p plasma for just $399.00 at B.J. and both my wife and myself love the picture. Glad to read that 1080p isn't really that big a deal at this point in time aside from blu ray as there are some pretty good deals on 50" 720p plasmas to be had. I read somewhere that you'll only start to realize the difference between 720 and 1080 with screens 50" + any truth to that? and does that only pertain to blu ray

How much you notice the difference between 720P and 1080P depends on three factors:

1. Source material - you need 1080p sources (bluray, SAT/FIOS, etc...)
2. Size of the screen
3. Distance from the screen

The closer you sit to the screen, the more you will notice the difference. Also, the larger the screen, the more you will notice the difference.

So if you have a larger screen 50"+ and sit reasonably close, you can easily see the difference.

If you are like me and have a 110" screen, it is very obvious that there is a difference between 720P and 1080P.

George

John151 · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 10:52 pm »

Another Plasma fan here. However, LCD/LED have closed the gap considerably in recent years.

While I don't care what others prefer, I am annoyed by the huge amount of mis-information about Plasmas. We had a discussion at work recently as seveal people were going to get large screens for the super bowl. One person had indicated that if a Plasma is not level, all of the gas will run to one side. Another person stated that Plasmas are obsolete and you won't be able to get them fixed. Where do these people get this stuff?

django11 · « **Reply #19 on:** 2 Aug 2012, 03:07 am »

I was doing a little hang wringing trying to decide whether or not to go for one of the great deals on 720 p plasmas. This thread was the final thing I read before deciding on and heading out to get a 50inch 720 LG plasma for just south of 500$ Canadian.

The verdict: big, big wow. I could see pixelization at the store but not here at home. Probably the crummy source at the store. The picture is fantastic.