Upgrading from LCD to Plasma

[giosipiano]

Hi guys, I'm another forum member about to replace my LCD with a Plasma.

My current TV is a 37" LG LCD (720p / 60Hz / 15,000:1 CR), and the Plasma I'm going to buy is a 42" Panasonic TX-P42G30B (1080p / 600Hz SFD / 5,000,000:1 CR)

Blu-Ray looks pristine compared to Freeview, but as I usually watch in a dark room, the picture is crippled by the LCD's blacks (which are in fact grey). The very poor motion handling doesn't help as well .

I haven't had the chance to see any TV playing back true 1080p Blu-Ray content because the electronics stores near me don't show any proper demo material - they'd rather show low-quality SD content from an antenna feed . I've been to about 7 different stores and they all refused when I asked them if I could see some REAL High-Def from a Blu-Ray Disc.

So before I buy the G30, I would really like to hear your opinions on the kind of step-up in picture quality I can expect from the Plasma, bearing in mind I've never had the opportunity to watch Blu-Ray on any other display apart from my 720p/60Hz LCD. Your views will be very much appreciated.

Thank you all in advance.

[Sonny]

That's d#¿£ they won't hook a BD player to it! I wouldn't buy from them (it's probably the only place to buy for you?).

You can expect a WORLD of difference from that LG to the Panasonic. Those two TVs are not even on the same planet! You won't even remember those motion resolution issues a week after watching the panny. Oh and the "grey" blacks....? Thing of the past my amigo. sit back and enjoy....

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

I also upgraded from lcd to plasma just a few weeks ago. I went from a 32" Sharp Aquos to a 42" Panasonic TC-P42U2. The picture quality is a whole different story!

[giosipiano]

Originally Posted by Sonny

That's d#¿£ they won't hook a BD player to it! I wouldn't buy from them (it's probably the only place to buy for you?).

I tried plenty of different stores (Currys, Richersounds, Comet, local stores etc) and none of them can be bothered to hook up a BD player - even when I bring in my own demo material

BTW thanks for the replies

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by giosipiano

I tried plenty of different stores (Currys, Richersounds, Comet, local stores etc) and none of them can be bothered to hook up a BD player - even when I bring in my own demo material

BTW thanks for the replies

That's terrible....it really is. You think they would be MORE than happy to show you what a display can do?!?!?! That's a shame, all those different places & nobody "helped" you (that's what they are there for!!!). What's the deal with the employees??? Reminds me of a time in the early 80's when I went with my grandfather to buy a car. We pull up everyone looks at us in a rusted out old dodge, all the sales people saw us and looked the other way... After an hour or so, a new sales person came into work & asked if we were being helped, my grandfather said "we are now" & bought four cars (cash). You should of seen the faces of the sales people that passed us by. You just never know. I'd get rid of everyone who passed you by & hire people that care & enjoy having a job...

[ewsjr]

Yea, you will be more than pleasantly surprised with the increase in PQ AND the way better angle of view. I have an ISF calibrated (I highly recommend getting this done) 65" Panasonic plasma in my HT and everyone is floored when they watch a movie for the first time. I did have a very nice 65" Toshiba RPTV (still looks amazing in my brother's living room) which many feel has the best PQ of any display type. But I am truly amazed at how great things look on the plasma. I just bought a 42" Panasonic ST30 plasma for my living room and it, too, looks fantastic even without the calibration. My only advice would be sure to check the size you buy. If you can afford bigger, do it. You will thank yourself in the long run.

[kris achar]

Originally Posted by giosipiano

I tried plenty of different stores (Currys, Richersounds, Comet, local stores etc) and none of them can be bothered to hook up a BD player - even when I bring in my own demo material

BTW thanks for the replies

Though i live in asia,the condition is the same with sale men in tv stores,they refused to give any HD demo on the plasma line up.So i had to go to panasonic brand shop and had to select a model from their product line up.
Since most of the online forum on plasma tv's recommend Japanese technology i preferred this brand.And i purchased 50inches panny v series i.e non 3D model.It does not have PIP,THX,& infinate black pro.Rest of the features are all their like 1080p/24 frames etc.

And here are few stills of that baby ! And i love its picture quality period !









And by the way if you can afford bigger sizes,then i would recommend nothing less than 50 inches,Since after buying and installing my tv,i felt 55 or even 60 inches would have been better.Since the picture quality does not deteriorate due to increase in panel size as i initially feared.And watching HD content is fentastiic.

Love,
kris.

[giosipiano]

Originally Posted by Sonny

That's terrible....it really is. You think they would be MORE than happy to show you what a display can do?!?!?! That's a shame, all those different places & nobody "helped" you (that's what they are there for!!!). What's the deal with the employees??? Reminds me of a time in the early 80's when I went with my grandfather to buy a car. We pull up everyone looks at us in a rusted out old dodge, all the sales people saw us and looked the other way... After an hour or so, a new sales person came into work & asked if we were being helped, my grandfather said "we are now" & bought four cars (cash). You should of seen the faces of the sales people that passed us by. You just never know. I'd get rid of everyone who passed you by & hire people that care & enjoy having a job...

Most of the 'assistants' I've seen either can't be bothered, or don't know what their talking about (sometimes a bit of both lol). For example, last week I was in Richersounds and overheard a customer with an assistant looking at a Sharp LED TV. The store was displaying a BBC News feed (which is NOT available in HD). The customer asked the assistant if what he was watching was 'HD', to which the assistant replied "yes" . Instant 'facepalm', and I almost walked out. But unfortunately this seems to be the case with most of the major retailers

Great story BTW

Originally Posted by ewsjr

Yea, you will be more than pleasantly surprised with the increase in PQ AND the way better angle of view. I have an ISF calibrated (I highly recommend getting this done) 65" Panasonic plasma in my HT and everyone is floored when they watch a movie for the first time. I did have a very nice 65" Toshiba RPTV (still looks amazing in my brother's living room) which many feel has the best PQ of any display type. But I am truly amazed at how great things look on the plasma. I just bought a 42" Panasonic ST30 plasma for my living room and it, too, looks fantastic even without the calibration. My only advice would be sure to check the size you buy. If you can afford bigger, do it. You will thank yourself in the long run.

Unfortunately 42" is the absolute largest for the room I have it in because of all the furniture .

But thanks for the advice

[Cooley]

I have nothing to add to above kind advices. My input is when you get to the showrooms and the salesperson shows you LCD LED this and that, stay firm with plasma and don't be swayed.

The color is more vibrant from LED alright, but the problem (at least to me) is it is too sharp - ironic that its strength is my dealbreaker. To elaborate, I once saw Avatar Blu-Ray on a top LED TV demo, it is VERY sharp, so sharp that you can tell when the Princess and Jake Sully were flying with their Banshees, the whole flying imageries were pasted by CGI technique onto the Hallelujah Mountain background. It virtually discounted the entertainment.

Plasma blends them much more naturally.

That said, you may want to contemplate 3D plasma to make it 'future-proof', at least for a while...who knows, there would be 4k 3D plasma and LED some time later.

[giosipiano]

Originally Posted by Cooley

I have nothing to add to above kind advices. My input is when you get to the showrooms and the salesperson shows you LCD LED this and that, stay firm with plasma and don't be swayed.

The color is more vibrant from LED alright, but the problem (at least to me) is it is too sharp - ironic that its strength is my dealbreaker. To elaborate, I once saw Avatar Blu-Ray on a top LED TV demo, it is VERY sharp, so sharp that you can tell when the Princess and Jake Sully were flying with their Banshees, the whole flying imageries were pasted by CGI technique onto the Hallelujah Mountain background. It virtually discounted the entertainment.

Plasma blends them much more naturally.

That said, you may want to contemplate 3D plasma to make it 'future-proof', at least for a while...who knows, there would be 4k 3D plasma and LED some time later.

Thanks for the reply

Completely agree about the LCD/LED TVs - the image has a kind of 'fake' look to it, which a lot of people actually like. I'm going for Plasma because I'm after a more realistic/film-like image. Although I have an LCD at the moment, I've turned the contrast & backlight right down, and turned off all the so-called 'enhancements'.

With regards to 3D, I'm just not interested in it. I've seen plenty of 3D demo's (mainly Avatar) but haven't been all that impressed to be honest. And apart from that it hurts my eyes .

[giosipiano]

Finally decided to go with the Panasonic VT20.

Ordered it today, and will be picking it up tomorrow from Richer Sounds.

Can't wait to watch Blade Runner....

Thanks everyone for your input