Plasma or LED?
15 January 2013, 01:30 PM
#1
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Plasma or LED?
After a new tv. Currently have a 42" Panasonic Plasma.
Looking at either a 50" smart Plasma or smart LED.
Looking around curry's and almost all tv's on display are LED. Are Plasma's old tech now?
Not bothered about 3d as it makes me sick. LED's are light while Plasma's are heavy with higher running costs, which doesn't really bother me either.
What are people buying and why?
Looking at either a 50" smart Plasma or smart LED.
Looking around curry's and almost all tv's on display are LED. Are Plasma's old tech now?
Not bothered about 3d as it makes me sick. LED's are light while Plasma's are heavy with higher running costs, which doesn't really bother me either.
What are people buying and why?
15 January 2013, 01:44 PM
#2
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well if it was me id probably go for one of them new mega funky Samsungs, not out yet mind but coming
" Simply register your details to be among the first to know when you can get your hands on the new Samsung F8000 Smart LED TV. Samsung will email you with all the latest information as it happens, including where to get one. New for 2013, the F8000 is Samsung’s first Smart LED TV with a quad core processor. It combines spectacular design with the latest technology to provide the finest viewing experience. With a thinner profile and bezel under a quarter of an inch, this breathtaking TV seems to simply float in the air.
Panasonic or Sammy would be my Choice, I,ll admit both of mine are Panni Plasma and been fine for years and years. get the super thin bezel one, with Smart technology
" Simply register your details to be among the first to know when you can get your hands on the new Samsung F8000 Smart LED TV. Samsung will email you with all the latest information as it happens, including where to get one. New for 2013, the F8000 is Samsung’s first Smart LED TV with a quad core processor. It combines spectacular design with the latest technology to provide the finest viewing experience. With a thinner profile and bezel under a quarter of an inch, this breathtaking TV seems to simply float in the air.
Panasonic or Sammy would be my Choice, I,ll admit both of mine are Panni Plasma and been fine for years and years. get the super thin bezel one, with Smart technology
15 January 2013, 01:48 PM
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To me it comes down to, "Do you like watching space movies in the dark and want your space to be black and see every star?" Or does black level bother you?
Many edge lit LEDs seem to have worse black peformance than my four year old CFL backlit LCD, but some cheaper plasmas aren't that black either.
Some say the the backlit LED sets have excellent contrast, but they are still based on dimming dark areas.
Maybe all are a stopgap until genuine LED - ie OLED rather than just LED edge- or back-lights?
Many edge lit LEDs seem to have worse black peformance than my four year old CFL backlit LCD, but some cheaper plasmas aren't that black either.
Some say the the backlit LED sets have excellent contrast, but they are still based on dimming dark areas.
Maybe all are a stopgap until genuine LED - ie OLED rather than just LED edge- or back-lights?
15 January 2013, 01:49 PM
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I have got a 55" plasma HD Panasonic, sound and picture is out of this world
I looked at LED ones,but led 50+" were very expensive and out of my budget,this one i finally bought was from Comet ,just before they closed and it cost me £499
Just need to buy a surround system now!
I looked at LED ones,but led 50+" were very expensive and out of my budget,this one i finally bought was from Comet ,just before they closed and it cost me £499
Just need to buy a surround system now!
15 January 2013, 01:57 PM
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I have a 42" Phillips plasma since at the time (over 6 years ago) the LCDs generally wern't as good for watching sport on. Reviews were good (for £600 TVs) and its been great. Problem is I've now got a vertical line of dead pixels so its time for change.
Like the OP I couldn't care less about weight, energy consumption, - nor do I mind about bezel width, even sound since I have a separate setup for that.
Best VFM 1080 2d 42" for watching fast moving sport is what I'm after - up to £600
Like the OP I couldn't care less about weight, energy consumption, - nor do I mind about bezel width, even sound since I have a separate setup for that.
Best VFM 1080 2d 42" for watching fast moving sport is what I'm after - up to £600
15 January 2013, 02:09 PM
#7
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I have got a 55" plasma HD Panasonic, sound and picture is out of this world
I looked at LED ones,but led 50+" were very expensive and out of my budget,this one i finally bought was from Comet ,just before they closed and it cost me £499
Just need to buy a surround system now!
I looked at LED ones,but led 50+" were very expensive and out of my budget,this one i finally bought was from Comet ,just before they closed and it cost me £499
Just need to buy a surround system now!
http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.c...ar?pp=96&pp=96
as the wife doesn't want wires everywhere and its fine, gives me lots of HDMI also.
That's being said, I do have in my cellar Playroom, a full 7.1 Pioneer Amp with REL subs with 1million wires.
the sound bars are very good mind and save fafing with Wires, the B&W one or the new BOSE one are mega
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15 January 2013, 02:57 PM
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So Plasma's are still good then?
I just don't want to buy an Escort (plasma) when the new Focus (LED) has just come out.
My current Plasma is good, but does look bulky next to the LED tv's. Though picture quality is much more important to me than how thin the tv is.
I just don't want to buy an Escort (plasma) when the new Focus (LED) has just come out.
My current Plasma is good, but does look bulky next to the LED tv's. Though picture quality is much more important to me than how thin the tv is.
15 January 2013, 04:21 PM
#11
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yeah there the cheaper panels, I have the 42 version, as I couldn't afford the V series.
But if you can stretch another 500 then id go V series, Pioneer Panels I think too, which are the best.
Great Tvs though, one thing I didn't like on my Panni was the media interface was ****, Samsungs is a bit better. and that new 1 I pasted up top, has a quad core processor
But if you can stretch another 500 then id go V series, Pioneer Panels I think too, which are the best.
Great Tvs though, one thing I didn't like on my Panni was the media interface was ****, Samsungs is a bit better. and that new 1 I pasted up top, has a quad core processor
15 January 2013, 05:22 PM
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TX-P50ST50B an excellent choice. I have one and it is excellent.
Don't really use the smart features though, what with ps3, xbox and sky.
However I couldn't believe how much thinner it was than my old TXP50X10B
Didn't think they could do a plasma that thin!
Don't really use the smart features though, what with ps3, xbox and sky.
However I couldn't believe how much thinner it was than my old TXP50X10B
Didn't think they could do a plasma that thin!
15 January 2013, 05:49 PM
#13
I've recently bought an LED TV, also have a Samsung plasma and 2 Samsung LCD's in the house....IMO the LED wins hands down for picture quality, when watching a HD TV program the picture quality is simply stunning. The other plus for me is the thinness of the set.
I did read a few and articles before deciding on a new TV and from what I read LED was the way to go.
I did read a few and articles before deciding on a new TV and from what I read LED was the way to go.
Last edited by jayallen; 15 January 2013 at 05:50 PM.
16 January 2013, 03:26 PM
#15
Ive just got a new 50" Panasonic smart TV plasma and the blacks are stunning
looked at led etc and they just dont cut it
I upgraded from a 46" LCD which was ok but the plasma is much better not to mention the motion features for football etc
Active 3d (full HD 3d) not that watered down passive one
ive no complaints apart from I cant get the ARC working with my onkyo 609 amp some weird issue where when the amp is switched on it turns the inbuilt digital signal off
also try and buy from John lewis as you get 5 year warrenty plus they price match and give you 28 days after care price match so if you find the same tv cheaper they refund you
looked at led etc and they just dont cut it
I upgraded from a 46" LCD which was ok but the plasma is much better not to mention the motion features for football etc
Active 3d (full HD 3d) not that watered down passive one
ive no complaints apart from I cant get the ARC working with my onkyo 609 amp some weird issue where when the amp is switched on it turns the inbuilt digital signal off
also try and buy from John lewis as you get 5 year warrenty plus they price match and give you 28 days after care price match so if you find the same tv cheaper they refund you
16 January 2013, 04:15 PM
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We have a 2011 50" Panasonic TX-30VT50B plasma and it's absolutely fantastic. I tried a Toshiba 46" LED set immediately before it and sent it back as the picture was rubbish in any position other than directly in front of the screen.
You can still get them here:
However, I'd agree with John Lewis as the place to buy if you can. Their service is first rate.
I wouldn't touch an LED set now, plasma is still king in my book.
You can still get them here:
However, I'd agree with John Lewis as the place to buy if you can. Their service is first rate.
I wouldn't touch an LED set now, plasma is still king in my book.
Last edited by Osimabu; 16 January 2013 at 04:16 PM.
16 January 2013, 07:13 PM
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I have both,
The Plasma is Hd ready, and the LED is full HD,
in terms of blackness, both are to be fair pretty much the same !
The plasm give a more softer CRT look to skin tones, whereas the LED can make things look bit sharp/ clinical.
That said the LED has THX settings which improve things no end
The LED has a small amount of dirty screen effect. only noticiable on white areas under slow panning, however its not on all tv's and watching a film you never see it. (its normal crap SD terrestrial that shows it up)
The source material also has a big influence on the look of the picture
Mart
The Plasma is Hd ready, and the LED is full HD,
in terms of blackness, both are to be fair pretty much the same !
The plasm give a more softer CRT look to skin tones, whereas the LED can make things look bit sharp/ clinical.
That said the LED has THX settings which improve things no end
The LED has a small amount of dirty screen effect. only noticiable on white areas under slow panning, however its not on all tv's and watching a film you never see it. (its normal crap SD terrestrial that shows it up)
The source material also has a big influence on the look of the picture
Mart
16 January 2013, 07:42 PM
#20
The only LCD that compares to Plasma is a matrix backlit panel (or full array LED).
ALL edge lit LCDs are inferior....and most are edge lit, be it LED or CFL.
Find me a matrix/array lit panel with decent motion interpolation processing and you'd have a winner, but most have one or the other, not both (Philips used to have decent processing, not sure about these days, Samsung and LG's motion processing is terrible.).
ALL edge lit LCDs are inferior....and most are edge lit, be it LED or CFL.
Find me a matrix/array lit panel with decent motion interpolation processing and you'd have a winner, but most have one or the other, not both (Philips used to have decent processing, not sure about these days, Samsung and LG's motion processing is terrible.).
Last edited by ALi-B; 16 January 2013 at 07:50 PM.
16 January 2013, 07:49 PM
#21
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As for not seeing high end tv, I installed the Panasonic tv system and tv's in Nottingham
i probably see a lot more high end tv's than you think
Last edited by Ant; 16 January 2013 at 08:13 PM.
16 January 2013, 08:00 PM
#23
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The only LCD that compares to Plasma is a matrix backlit panel (or full array LED).
ALL edge lit LCDs are inferior....and most are edge lit, be it LED or CFL.
Find me a matrix/array lit panel with decent motion interpolation processing and you'd have a winner, but most have one or the other, not both (Philips used to have decent processing, not sure about these days, Samsung and LG's motion processing is terrible.).
ALL edge lit LCDs are inferior....and most are edge lit, be it LED or CFL.
Find me a matrix/array lit panel with decent motion interpolation processing and you'd have a winner, but most have one or the other, not both (Philips used to have decent processing, not sure about these days, Samsung and LG's motion processing is terrible.).
Never once have i heard a customer go on about motion interpolation processing
16 January 2013, 08:08 PM
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16 January 2013, 08:16 PM
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if your looking for the best, then its plasma, especially if you expect anyone to enjoy a movie from anywhere other than head on.
Last edited by Evolution Stu; 16 January 2013 at 08:18 PM.
16 January 2013, 08:22 PM
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Perhaps you have read about LCD's being tiring to watch, and commonly, to game on, compared to plasma. Motion interpolation is why.
16 January 2013, 08:28 PM
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Yes I have. I recently went out with a budget to buy pretty much whatever I wanted and after various weeks of trolling the web and shops and doing some real world demo's at AV specialists (Not currys) where you can take your own movies and sit with a few brews trying stuff out I opted for the Panasonic VT.
if your looking for the best, then its plasma, especially if you expect anyone to enjoy a movie from anywhere other than head on.
if your looking for the best, then its plasma, especially if you expect anyone to enjoy a movie from anywhere other than head on.
That's your opinion on the PQ, but to flat out deny led backlit is not even close to plasma quality then you're wrong.
16 January 2013, 08:32 PM
#29
Ok lets spout out a few lamens terms for the dimwits 
: The "soap opera effect" and "motion judder".What prevented me buying Flat panel TVs originally was early plasmas had motion blur whilst LCDs had motion judder, and those with processing looked like they were showing something being played at 1.2x speed. I didn't have this issue with our old CRT (which had motion interpolation), so found what was on offer unacceptable. The definition and contrast/brightness was superior, but the motion wasn't. So I then reaserched the causes of this in aim to get what I wanted.
It took me years, yes, years to find a replacement TV that was up to the job of providing silky realistic picture motion without flicker, judder or having movement that could be compared to an episode of the Benny Hill show. Combined with good blacks across the entire screen area without blooming or bleeding. Even then its not perfect as I have to endure the black levels floating about (used to give the TV a better advertised contrast ratio) and the noise of the power supply
Of course the majority of what is on the market is probably there because the average consumer doesn't know sh*t. They just buy what is bright, blingy and ultra-thin for a cheapest price.
I have the same problem with my PC monitors after "drowngrading" from a 1200x1600@120hz CRT to a 1680x1050@60hz LCD and wondering why text wouldn't scroll smoothly anymore, its annoying as hell. Can you get a 1600line @120hz LCD/LED monitor? Nope they don't exist....I'm still waiting, hopefully the emergence of 4K 3D TVs may eventually address this.
Most people (not everyone, but alot) on AV forums don't know sh*t either, thats why I rarely if ever go on there.
Last edited by ALi-B; 16 January 2013 at 08:38 PM.
16 January 2013, 08:32 PM
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They come into their own in certain circumstances and wipe the floor with Plasma. Daylight or brightly lit rooms for a start. (Like most shops you buy them in funnilly enough)
But If you want to get home from work, sit down and enjoy a good movie with lots of darkness in it, lets say, "Batman, the dark knight" and you want to shut the curtains, wind up the 9.1 system and sit in total darkness, with people sat not only off centre, but also to the sides of you, name me one LCD that will even come close to the VT50 Panasonic?
That's your opinion on the PQ,
Last edited by Evolution Stu; 16 January 2013 at 08:34 PM.