Hey nerds, I've got money in the budget for a new set for football season and I'll be making an addition to the living room before the Bama game. We're in an apartment and I've done the measurements for how various sizes would fit, and it looks like a 50" is out of the question. Something in the 40-43" range would be ideal, I might be able to swing a 46" as well.

I know well that the standard rec is Panasonic plasmas but in the size I need there's only one 1080p set I can find, the TC-P42S60 that may or may not be available at Sears. That's actually the only 1080p plasma at that size that I can find period, although Samsung and LG make several 720p plasmas in that range. For the size of set I'm getting a 720p screen might be acceptable.

If I start looking at LCD sets there's a ridiculous number available in both 1080p and 720p. I'd like to get something I can pick up locally at Best Buy or the like which still leaves a whole lot of options. Not really worried about wifi/smart tv functions as I've got an AppleTV that will handle Netflix and related services.

Any recommendations or ideas? Thanks.


[This message has been edited by fig96 (edited 8/25/2013 10:52p).]

For some reason some here think the Panasonic plasmas are clearly better than others. That simply isn't true. The best Panasonic TVs are incrementally better than others, but the difference is not much.

Panasonic's current super TV, the ZT50, has slightly better black levels than Samsung's F8500. But the Samsung has 50% more brightness (brightest plasma on the market by far), and similar color accuracy. The Samsung might be a better set for most people, and is $1000 cheaper.

(as per newest issue of Sound and Vision magazine; review not on their website yet).

[This message has been edited by SpicewoodAg (edited 8/26/2013 8:59a).]

Thanks Spicewood.

My issue at this point isn't really about buying a Panny, it's whether I want to go with a 720p plasma or a 1080p LCD.

Did some research last night and I can't find ANY 1080p plasmas under 50" other than the one Panasonic I posted (and that one doesn't seem to be available anymore). 1080p LCDs in that size range are growing on trees.

I just bought a 46" samsung smart TV at best buy on sale for like $880.

It replaced a TV that was struck by lightning.

Really pleased with it.

Although I prefer the picture of plasma TVs, there is nothing wrong with going LCD. If you go LCD, I would strongly suggest you choose an LED model with local dimming. That gives you the best chance to get good black levels.

720p is not really an issue for most people unless they watch close to the TV, which might be more likely in an apartment.


[This message has been edited by SpicewoodAg (edited 8/26/2013 9:46a).]

Right, we're looking at about 9' as the farthest distance from the tv so I'm thinking 1080p might be the best bet.

Looks like most sets available locally are Samsung and LG, a few Sony's as well but they seem generally overpriced. LG seems to offer some 42" models that Samsung doesn't and that's probably the perfect size, time to do some research. If anyone has any recommended models fire away.

Thanks guys.



[This message has been edited by fig96 (edited 8/26/2013 10:51a).]

According to the chart at the link below, 1080p becomes valuable on a 45 inch set at 9 feet.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/720p-vs-1080p-can-you-tell-the-difference-between-hdtv-resolutions/

So I'd probably choose a 1080p set.

I would look at Sony first, even at a higher price. Then I'd look at Samsung. Remember that TVs in the showroom usually have unrealistically bright pictures and often have screwed up settings. Get the remote, reset the picture to "home" or something similar, and set to defaults for everything else. At least start there.

what's your budget?

Gotcha, 1080p it is, thanks. The only Sony models that seem competitively priced are 60hz models, while there's a lot of LGs and Samsungs at 120hz in the same range.

Budget-wise I'm looking at no more than $700, I'd like to keep it closer to $600 if possible.

What's the Nerdery's take on the 60 vs 120hz Soap Opera effect? Is that still an issue with new tvs?

I got the Panasonic 42st30 back in 2011 (1080p/600hz) and it has been outstanding.

I would not buy a 60Hz set. I think the soap opera effect is seen with 240 Hz, not 120 Hz.

Jethro, that's exactly what I'd like to get and 1080p plasmas in that size just aren't available anymore.

jay, my understanding is that the "smooth motion" features can be turned off on most sets including the higher refresh ones, most new sets now that I'm seeing are 120hz. Very open to correction on that if I'm wrong though.

how funny. how far we've come on tv's that 40"+ is seen as a "smaller" tv.

I bought a 32" Sony "flat" Trinitron when I first got out of school that was absolutely state of the art and seemed massive at the time. And that cost more than double what I'm going to spend on this set

Yeah my dad had a 36" Sony Wega that we thought was hot ****.

Just got a 42 inch LG Led for the bedroom from best buy for like 400 bucks. It is only 60 hz and I was worried about it but it actually seems really nice. I might like it more than my 1200 dollar 47 inch 120 hz LG tv. My only complaint about this TV was that it only had one HDMI input.

I don't remember the model and I'm not at home to look. I have two LG TV's and I really love them so far. LG seems to have some really good deals on some of their TV's.

If the "soap opera" effect has to do with things moving quickly or weirdly on screen, I don't notice it on the 60 hz with the automotion turned off. That is something I have only ever noticed with the automotion crap that I loath.

Both were 1080p, and i think the 120 hz version of my Tv might of been 600ish dollars.

Edit: Decided to not be lazy and find a link
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/LG+-+42%26%2334%3B+Class+(41-9/10%26%2334%3B+Diag.)+-+LED+-+1080p+-+60Hz+-+HDTV/1036749.p?id=1219045510262&skuId=1036749

Also, in my own personal opinion, I think the cheaper 600hz 720p plasmas in this size range look like garbage when I went TV browsing in the stores.



[This message has been edited by tv1113 (edited 8/26/2013 3:49p).]

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Yeah my dad had a 36" Sony Wega that we thought was hot ****.

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That was it, the Wega, I'd blanked on the name. And hey, at the time it was pretty amazing.

Thanks for the info tv, I'll definitely check out that LG. Good info on the lower end plasmas as well, I want to take a look at them in person and see how the quality differs.

yeah, the picture was pretty impressive at the time.

Stay away from Smart Tvs. They are slow and cumbersome. And they cost much more.* Also, go LED and no lower than 120hz, unless all you do is watch movies.

Of the high quality brands, Samsung seems to be putting out the best deals in that size range. LG, too.

*If forced to, I'd actually pay MORE to avoid a smart tv. Their processors are just weak.





[This message has been edited by OD (edited 8/27/2013 7:16a).]

Here is a decent deal from Walmart. 40" Samsung for $497:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Samsung-5000-Series-UN40F5000AFXZA-40-1080p-120Hz-LED-1.9-ultra-slim-HDTV/26934861

Smart TV's are indeed a waste of money. I would of had to pay 100 more for the same TV just because of that junk.

quote:

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Stay away from Smart Tvs. They are slow and cumbersome. And they cost much more.* Also, go LED and no lower than 120hz, unless all you do is watch movies.

Of the high quality brands, Samsung seems to be putting out the best deals in that size range. LG, too.

*If forced to, I'd actually pay MORE to avoid a smart tv. Their processors are just weak.

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Agreed and I'll be avoiding smart TVs if at all possible, I'd much rather let my AppleTV handle all that (or possibly a PS4 or Xbox One soon).

Thanks for the heads up on that model OD, I'll check it out. Planning to do some looking in stores this week then make my purchase in a week or two here.

fig, I've had that exact model for about six months, and I couldn't be more pleased.

BcoBq2004, admittedly, I've only tried one smart TV (took it back and exchanged for the Samsung). It was the Vizio 3D model, and as I said above, using the smart features was a pain in the ass compared to my PS3 or even my Wii.

[This message has been edited by OD (edited 8/27/2013 9:53a).]

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Eco Sensor

Measures the intensity of the light in the room and automatically adjusts the brightness of the image on the TV, for more intelligent energy management.

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I have a computer monitor that does this, and it's super annoying. Have you had any issues with the screen not being bright enough if the room is dark?

Eco sensors suck in every application they're used. My phone has that option, and I hate it. I obviously disabled it.

Never buy a product that has an eco sensor that is not possible to disable.

[This message has been edited by OD (edited 8/27/2013 9:55a).]

It will soon be difficult to find a good tv without the smart features. Smart features have nothing to do with picture quality - so it is not an advantage to avoid the smart features if you can't get the same picture quality without them.

Streaming TV is much easier to use with a Roku or similar device.

I am looking to buy also. About the previous statement about the plasma not looking good in the store...I read plasmas don't like bright lights, which most showrooms are. And, that if you are thinking about getting a plasma it is better to take it home to check its quality in the actual room you will have it in. Can anyone confirm?

Plasma TVs often look dark in a store - especially if an LED or LCD set is next to it. It is easy to see why so many buyers say "wow that picture is so much brighter!" when looking a the LED TV.

Then they take it home and find their eyes get tired of the intensely bright picture some of these TVs have, especially with out of box settings. Their pictures to me seem like the visual equivalent of being shouted at.

Because plasmas just don't put out as much light as LCD/LED, they don't do as well in bright rooms. My living room has two 5.5'x5.5' windows on the side, and all the light from the front door and adjacent kitchen. My Samsung plasma is wall mounted, set back a bit in a two foot deep floor to ceiling alcove. If I want to seriously watch something in the middle of the day I use the blinds on the windows to reduce the light. But even in the day with the blinds open I find the picture bright enough. With less light the picture is superb.

Just updating as promised, I did end up getting a new set before Bama v A&M this past weekend.

After looking at sets in store with Mrs fig and doing lots of measuring in the living room, she bought into the idea of going with a 50". Ended up with a Panasonic TC-P50S60, very nice 50" 1080p plasma that looks fantastic, and it was on sale at Best Buy for $649 (same price as amazon) which was tough to pass on.

Need to do some more formal calibration, but found some settings online and did a quick initial tweak and it looks great, watched Oblivion on blu-ray and the quality is outstanding.

Very happy with the purchase so far, would highly recommend it.

I started looking at outdoor flat panels.
They are pricey.
It would be kept dry and mounted on a wall on a big back porch.

I see where I can get a 50" seceptor for $400. Comparted to a $3,000 SUNBRIGHT I am thinking how long does the $400 job last? 3 years? I can buy several before I even get close to the expense of the Sunbright.

Any advice? Thank you.