Help me buy a plasma tv

[Aristide Massaccesi]

Hi all, I'm planning to upgrade my tv. I've owned a 42" Sony Bravia LCD for over two years, but now I want something bigger and badder. I've already decided to get a plasma.

Now, I've been eying a specific model, but I'd like some advice from those in the know. I've been looking at the Panasonic TX-P55VT30E. It's 55", which would be just about right for my home theater room. Is this considered a good model? Feel free to suggest a better tv in my price range, which is up to 3500 bucks.

Another question I have: The Panasonic TX-P55VT30E has a feature called "600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro". What is this? Does this create the terrible looking smooth 'soap opera' effect? Can I turn it off?

Any help will be much appreciated!

[My_Two_Cents]

The VT30 is Panasonic's top of the line plasma, so you will NOT be disappointed and won't find one better. The 600Hz subfield drive is pretty much marketing hype to battle the 120/240Hz hype. Plasmas refresh at 60Hz native (in the US). The subfield drive flashes the pixels 10 times per per Hz, which is where the 600Hz comes from. Panasonic does claim this technology helps their sets achieve 1080 lines of motion resolution, so it may not all be "hype". The VT30 also has a motion smoothing feature (interpolation), but it's a separate feature, and is best left in the OFF mode.

[Aristide Massaccesi]

Thank you Ricshoe, that's very helpful!

[Bigdog]

I will say i have loved my gt series panny so far, the vt is even better so imo you cant go wrong.

[Steve]

I recently upgraded to the 55" ST30 which is two steps down from the VT30. I've been very happy with it so far so I can't imagine you being disappointed with the flagship model.

[Aristide Massaccesi]

Thanks, looks like I can buy with confidence.

[Aristide Massaccesi]

I just purchased this tv, I'm gonna lock myself up in my home theater room for a week when it has arrived!

[kris achar]

Originally Posted by Aristide Massaccesi

I just purchased this tv, I'm gonna lock myself up in my home theater room for a week when it has arrived!

Congratulations and wish you happy viewing for many years to come....

Love,
kris.

[Adam.C]

Originally Posted by Aristide Massaccesi

I just purchased this tv, I'm gonna lock myself up in my home theater room for a week when it has arrived!

You made an excellent purchase. Enjoy!

[Aristide Massaccesi]

Thanks.

[Gempulse]

Let us know what you think of it when it has arrived.

[Aristide Massaccesi]

I will, I expect it to arrive somewhere next week.

[Snarl]

My TC-P55GT30 Rocks, you'll love the TX-P55VT30E

[Aristide Massaccesi]

So, I've been enjoying this tv for a couple of weeks now. It generates wonderful picture quality, colors are intense and blacks are... like a black hole or a dark matter nebula. Love it, an insane improvement from my Sony Bravia LCD. The first thing I watched were some of the IMAX scenes from "The Dark Knight". I used these scenes to properly calibrate my tv.

The only complaint I have about this elite plasma is the loud buzzing noise it makes when there are high contrast images on the screen. I've read that it's a common problem with plasma's. I've put some thick cloth on the wall behind the tv to absorb the noise, it helps but it is still noticeable. I'll be adding more absorbing material to attempt to render the noise harmless.

Beside the buzzing problem I can heartily recommend this marvellous piece of technology.

[Steve]

That's interesting. I haven't heard mine buzzing. I also didn't know it was a common problem with plasmas.

[MrFattBill]

All of my plasmas have had a small amount of buzzing, only audible when standing right beside them. Both of my Samsung LCD's had a terrible buzzing problem that was noticeable from distance with no sound on, this was related to the backlight.

My mother actually came out yesterday and we went and bought her a new 42ST30 to replace the old Samsung I had given to her a few years back, lol.

Bill

[Steve]

My first plasma (Samsung) had a buzzing problem when I first got it, but that particular problem was limited to that specific model of TV.

[sedwards424]

Here's a great article as well from Crutchfield with LCD vs Plasma comparisons, pros-cons, and descriptions of the three flat-panel technologies on the market right now [plasma, LCD-flourescent backlit, LCD-LED backlit].

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-TpBC5zs...flatpanel.html

Have recently heard some chatter about yellow being added to the classic RGB mix as well but haven't had a chance to do any research yet on it yet.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by sedwards424

Have recently heard some chatter about yellow being added to the classic RGB mix as well but haven't had a chance to do any research yet on it yet.

You're welcome to research yourself, but I'll save you the trouble; it's all marketing BS. I wish I'd saved the links and articles I've read, but you'll find them if you look.

[secondhand1]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

You're welcome to research yourself, but I'll save you the trouble; it's all marketing BS. I wish I'd saved the links and articles I've read, but you'll find them if you look.

On the new Elites, the pixel enhancement is disabled in the THX setting. Even they know it's bullshit