I'm 99% sold on Plasma... - Blu-ray Forum

BorrowedTime · 04-16-2008, 03:19 AM

There are some great posts here, especially in the stickied threads. Very informative.

In the LCD vs. Plasma thread, I had stated that I was looking to buy a new HDTV in the next month or so, and at the time I was leaning heavily towards an LCD. After reading some of the other threads, and thanks in particular to MaleManGuy, I started to look closely at what Plasmas had to offer. I'm really liking what Panasonic has to offer, and following the aforementioned MaleManGuy's advice, I took particular interest in the PZ800 series. Unfortunately, PZ800s are a wee bit outside of the price range that I was looking at, and I believe I've found my new TV in the TH42PZ80. For some strange reason the PZ85s aren't available in Canada, so I haven't really looked at them, and since I'm on a budget I wasn't sure I want to pay S&H, plus any duties/additional taxes to import one from the US.

I am curious about one thing (maybe I really don't want to know, as it may trigger some more humming and hawing, but...) how much will I miss the native 24p on the 800s vs the 3:2 pulldown 24p offered on the 80? Is there a really big difference? Is "jutter" (is that the right terminology?) as prominent on plasmas as it is on LCD?

Regardless, I'm 99% sure about the TH42PZ80 and will likely to be purchasing mine in the next 3 weeks. Thank you everyone, for the information and advice.

P.S. I'm so excited about this, that all I could think about at work the last couple of days was this TV. Hopefully, the Flames will still be in the playoffs 3 weeks from now...

Blu Haze · 04-16-2008, 03:24 AM

I would get a Samsung.

mr peepers · 04-16-2008, 03:47 AM

pioneer or panasonic for plasma.

ive been rockin a plasma for awhile now and i absolutely love it. lcd's have their perks, but so do plasmas, and to me, the plasma's perks strike my fancy a lot more than lcds.

rock the panny. you'll love it.

the end.

hagar852 · 04-16-2008, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu Haze

I would get a Samsung.

+1 I have the FP-T5084 and it has been great so far..

BorrowedTime · 04-16-2008, 04:22 AM

There was nothing from Samsung in the size (40"-42"), in the price range (sub $2000), and with the features I was looking for that I liked. For TV's in the same size range, there really wasn't another 1080p HDTV that I felt outperformed the Panasonic TH42PZ80. As far as Plasmas themselves went, the pixel shift technology was a big selling point as I play a lot of video games. As for LCD's the 120Hz 1080p TVs in the size I was looking for simply cost too much.

+$800 for motion control...

turboLAZER · 04-16-2008, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BorrowedTime

There was nothing from Samsung in the size (40"-42"), in the price range (sub $2000), and with the features I was looking for that I liked. For TV's in the same size range, there really wasn't another 1080p HDTV that I felt outperformed the Panasonic TH42PZ80. As far as Plasmas themselves went, the pixel shift technology was a big selling point as I play a lot of video games. As for LCD's the 120Hz 1080p TVs in the size I was looking for simply cost too much.

+$800 for motion control...

I think you're making the correct informed decisions, and try not to be influenced by people on this forum who try to talk you out of buying a certain TV that they clearly haven't even seen in person

thanksmrceo · 04-16-2008, 04:56 AM

You never can go wrong with a panny. One word of advice though with this set, make sure you calibrate in when you get it. The manufacture settings are terrible for this set right out of the box.

PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD · 04-16-2008, 05:01 AM

Panny FTW! Dont let those Samsung guy change ur decision. Panny devote 99% resourse into the plasma unlike Samsung. They are more interest playing with their 120hz LCD than make a plasma. Their blu-ray player speak for themself already so did their dual format player.

Blinkman987 · 04-16-2008, 05:12 AM

Samsung, Pioneer, and Panasonics have always been known for excellent plasmas. As long as your specific set rates well overall, you really can't go wrong with either company.

DepTii · 04-16-2008, 07:48 AM

I actually made the same change a month or two ago. Was first looking at the XBR4 series, then I learned about plasmas and all the better picture quality for usually less cost. However, I'm determined to get the 800 series now more than ever, as I've read that 24p is one of those things that once you have it, you'll never want to leave it. Not sure what your price range is (I might've missed it even), but I hear that once the 800 series comes out, it'll drop quick in price. I'm looking at the 46" or 50" model myself.

LadyKiller989 · 04-16-2008, 08:30 AM

I prefer Plasma over LCD any day of the week... Go for it.

knastu · 04-16-2008, 09:27 AM

I've got the same decision so any input would be a help. I've got a Panny 32LX52 LCD which is great for Blu-ray but suffers a lot on lower bitrate SD stuff from Sky (a lot of smearing). It has kind of put me off LCD so I was leaning toward the 42PZ85.

Size is a bit of an issue so I've also been looking at the Toshiba 40XF355. I'm assuming that they'll both be fine for HD (with the Panny being better on blacks) but which one will be better for the SD?

supersix4 · 04-16-2008, 09:29 AM

yeah id go with panny or in my case pioneer im probly biased since we own the pro150fd

Ectoplasm · 04-16-2008, 09:33 AM

There are downfalls to both. The LCDs can have clouds in the blacks. My plasma has other issues.

My LG Plasma buzzed a lot when I first got it. I live on the side of a mountain (well, a big hill, really) but it isn't high enough that it should be an issue. They had to change out my entire internals before the buzz went away.

The only things I hate about my plasma are mainly LG issues, and that the model I have seems to have issues with HDMI at 1080i. Other than that, I hate games which have a white logo on the screen in the same place (EA Sports) because LG models seem to have a big problem with image retention. I also watch a ton of movies with subs, because my wife does not speak English as a first langauge, and I'm worried about what that's going to do to my screen over time.

richteer · 04-16-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BorrowedTime

There are some great posts here, especially in the stickied threads. Very informative.

In the LCD vs. Plasma thread, I had stated that I was looking to buy a new HDTV in the next month or so, and at the time I was leaning heavily towards an LCD. After reading some of the other threads, and thanks in particular to MaleManGuy, I started to look closely at what Plasmas had to offer. I'm really liking what Panasonic has to offer, and following the aforementioned MaleManGuy's advice, I took particular interest in the PZ800 series. Unfortunately, PZ800s are a wee bit outside of the price range that I was looking at, and I believe I've found my new TV in the TH42PZ80. For some strange reason the PZ85s aren't available in Canada, so I haven't really looked at them, and since I'm on a budget I wasn't sure I want to pay S&H, plus any duties/additional taxes to import one from the US.

Jeff (MaleManGuy) is a great guy, and knows what he's talking about--unless he contradicts me of course! :-) The Panasonics are very nice, and I'm pretty sure I saw the PZ85 in Futureshop last Saturday. Might be worth you checking again...

savage1984 · 04-16-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thanksmrceo

You never can go wrong with a panny. One word of advice though with this set, make sure you calibrate in when you get it. The manufacture settings are terrible for this set right out of the box.

I would actually calibrate, professionally anyways after the 100 hrs burn-in period.

Jonty · 04-16-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savage1984

I would actually calibrate, professionally anyways after the 100 hrs burn-in period.

Unless I am mistaken, the 100 hrs burn-in period is done for us in Canada by Panasonic. (At least that's what it says on the box

)

Sad Turtle · 04-16-2008, 03:18 PM

Panasonic Plasmas all the way man you are making a wise decision trust me.

RIPSeanTaylor21 · 04-16-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hagar852

+1 I have the FP-T5084 and it has been great so far..

So Do I, its great tv espicially once calibrated

dobyblue · 04-16-2008, 03:31 PM

OP - depending on where you are, take a trip to the US to pick it up. You'll probably save lots of money.

The 85 will give you better contrast and PC inputs. Most of the people I know who've gone across the border recently haven't even paid tax on TV's and other appliances they've brought back, they've just been waved through.

With the current exchange rate, it's WELL worth it.

PS - congrats on choosing plasma, the ultimate display technology.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonty

Unless I am mistaken, the 100 hrs burn-in period is done for us in Canada by Panasonic. (At least that's what it says on the box

)

Really? I didn't know this. Can you take a pic of that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by richteer

I'm pretty sure I saw the PZ85 in Futureshop last Saturday. Might be worth you checking again...

Wow that's fast, they're not even up on PC.ca yet. We're normally about 2 months slower than the US. Cost for me on a DMP-BD30 is still CDN$480.

04-16-2008, 03:19 AM	#1
BorrowedTime Senior Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Calgary, Alberta, Canada	I'm 99% sold on Plasma... There are some great posts here, especially in the stickied threads. Very informative. In the LCD vs. Plasma thread, I had stated that I was looking to buy a new HDTV in the next month or so, and at the time I was leaning heavily towards an LCD. After reading some of the other threads, and thanks in particular to MaleManGuy, I started to look closely at what Plasmas had to offer. I'm really liking what Panasonic has to offer, and following the aforementioned MaleManGuy's advice, I took particular interest in the PZ800 series. Unfortunately, PZ800s are a wee bit outside of the price range that I was looking at, and I believe I've found my new TV in the TH42PZ80. For some strange reason the PZ85s aren't available in Canada, so I haven't really looked at them, and since I'm on a budget I wasn't sure I want to pay S&H, plus any duties/additional taxes to import one from the US. I am curious about one thing (maybe I really don't want to know, as it may trigger some more humming and hawing, but...) how much will I miss the native 24p on the 800s vs the 3:2 pulldown 24p offered on the 80? Is there a really big difference? Is "jutter" (is that the right terminology?) as prominent on plasmas as it is on LCD? Regardless, I'm 99% sure about the TH42PZ80 and will likely to be purchasing mine in the next 3 weeks. Thank you everyone, for the information and advice. P.S. I'm so excited about this, that all I could think about at work the last couple of days was this TV. Hopefully, the Flames will still be in the playoffs 3 weeks from now...

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04-16-2008, 03:24 AM	#2
Blu Haze Expert Member Member since:Mar 2008	I would get a Samsung.

04-16-2008, 03:47 AM	#3
mr peepers Senior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Minnesota Blu-ray collection:2	pioneer or panasonic for plasma. ive been rockin a plasma for awhile now and i absolutely love it. lcd's have their perks, but so do plasmas, and to me, the plasma's perks strike my fancy a lot more than lcds. rock the panny. you'll love it. the end.

04-16-2008, 04:22 AM	#5
BorrowedTime Senior Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Calgary, Alberta, Canada	There was nothing from Samsung in the size (40"-42"), in the price range (sub $2000), and with the features I was looking for that I liked. For TV's in the same size range, there really wasn't another 1080p HDTV that I felt outperformed the Panasonic TH42PZ80. As far as Plasmas themselves went, the pixel shift technology was a big selling point as I play a lot of video games. As for LCD's the 120Hz 1080p TVs in the size I was looking for simply cost too much. +$800 for motion control...

04-16-2008, 04:56 AM	#7
thanksmrceo Member Member since:Sep 2007	You never can go wrong with a panny. One word of advice though with this set, make sure you calibrate in when you get it. The manufacture settings are terrible for this set right out of the box.

04-16-2008, 05:01 AM	#8
PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA, USA	Panny FTW! Dont let those Samsung guy change ur decision. Panny devote 99% resourse into the plasma unlike Samsung. They are more interest playing with their 120hz LCD than make a plasma. Their blu-ray player speak for themself already so did their dual format player.

04-16-2008, 05:12 AM	#9
Blinkman987 Banned Member since:Mar 2008	Samsung, Pioneer, and Panasonics have always been known for excellent plasmas. As long as your specific set rates well overall, you really can't go wrong with either company.

04-16-2008, 07:48 AM	#10
DepTii Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Blu-ray collection:154 Blu-ray reviews:26 Trading Score:3	I actually made the same change a month or two ago. Was first looking at the XBR4 series, then I learned about plasmas and all the better picture quality for usually less cost. However, I'm determined to get the 800 series now more than ever, as I've read that 24p is one of those things that once you have it, you'll never want to leave it. Not sure what your price range is (I might've missed it even), but I hear that once the 800 series comes out, it'll drop quick in price. I'm looking at the 46" or 50" model myself.

04-16-2008, 08:30 AM	#11
LadyKiller989 Member Member since:Apr 2008 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:399 DVD collection:6	I prefer Plasma over LCD any day of the week... Go for it.

04-16-2008, 09:27 AM	#12
knastu New Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Manchester, UK	I've got the same decision so any input would be a help. I've got a Panny 32LX52 LCD which is great for Blu-ray but suffers a lot on lower bitrate SD stuff from Sky (a lot of smearing). It has kind of put me off LCD so I was leaning toward the 42PZ85. Size is a bit of an issue so I've also been looking at the Toshiba 40XF355. I'm assuming that they'll both be fine for HD (with the Panny being better on blacks) but which one will be better for the SD?

04-16-2008, 09:29 AM	#13
supersix4 Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Blu-ray collection:572 Blu-ray reviews: 53 Trading Score:3	yeah id go with panny or in my case pioneer im probly biased since we own the pro150fd

04-16-2008, 09:33 AM	#14
Ectoplasm Active Member Member since:Mar 2008 Blu-ray reviews:9 Trading Score:12	There are downfalls to both. The LCDs can have clouds in the blacks. My plasma has other issues. My LG Plasma buzzed a lot when I first got it. I live on the side of a mountain (well, a big hill, really) but it isn't high enough that it should be an issue. They had to change out my entire internals before the buzz went away. The only things I hate about my plasma are mainly LG issues, and that the model I have seems to have issues with HDMI at 1080i. Other than that, I hate games which have a white logo on the screen in the same place (EA Sports) because LG models seem to have a big problem with image retention. I also watch a ton of movies with subs, because my wife does not speak English as a first langauge, and I'm worried about what that's going to do to my screen over time.

04-16-2008, 03:18 PM	#18
Sad Turtle Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:New Jersey 4K collection:512 Blu-ray collection:1019	Panasonic Plasmas all the way man you are making a wise decision trust me.

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