Buying a TV in the next week or two, need input.

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
stay away from Vizio.

Go with Samsung or Panasonic full HD LCD if your room is bright.
If not, you can consider plasmas, but then I'd go with Panasonic only.


The panel inside is what matters, not the plaque on the plastic housing.

 

[greenjp]

Originally Posted By: RamFan
It's going to be in the living room of my apartment for the next year, about 10 feet from the couch. After I graduate from college who knows what my living arrangement will be like.

No contest, get the bigger Samsung plasma unless you have a lighting situation that will make reflections problematic. The theoretical benefits of 1080p over 720p at that viewing distance are nothing compared to the huge increase in screen area the larger set provides. That, and plasma screens just have a nicer picture IMO. Also consider a Panasonic.

jeff

 

[97tbird]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: 97tbird
stay away from Vizio.

Go with Samsung or Panasonic full HD LCD if your room is bright.
If not, you can consider plasmas, but then I'd go with Panasonic only.


The panel inside is what matters, not the plaque on the plastic housing.


Yeah the panel matters - that's what I meant with above - do you think Vizio and Panasonic have the exact same panel?
And not only the panel but the software/electronics/processing also contribute to picture quality.
Please don't tell me that those characteristics are the same in a Vizio and a Samsung/Panasonic.

 

[Cutehumor]

My sister has two vizios, 32 and 46inch. I have a 32 vizio about 3 yrs old still going strong. My in laws have three vizios. no failures so far. knock on wood.

 

[tenderloin]

Good TV info

TV reviews Mid to High End but good discussion

 

[D189379]

I'd get the larger plasma. I have a 4 year old 1080P 50" Samsung and haven't had any issues. I can count on one hand the number of full 1080P programs I've watched.

TV, Netflix, and video games are rarely full 1080P.

 

[97tbird]

But blu rays always are

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
But blu rays always are

What would watching Blu Ray on 720p be like? Would it simply be less precise than 1080p or are there other negatives?

 

[greenjp]

It'll be fine. I have a Bluray player connected to my 2007 model year 720p 50" Panasonic plasma and it looks great. The TV will simply downscale the image to fit its resolution, no "other negatives".

Putting aside the relative merits of LCD vs plasma, I cannot reiterate enough that at your 10' viewing distance the benefits of 1080p on a ~40" screen are largely theoretical, while the benefits of an extra ~8" or so of screen size will be hugely apparent every time you watch the set. Get the bigger one.

jeff

 

[GrtArtiste]

Originally Posted By: greenjp
It'll be fine. I have a Bluray player connected to my 2007 model year 720p 50" Panasonic plasma and it looks great. The TV will simply downscale the image to fit its resolution, no "other negatives".

Putting aside the relative merits of LCD vs plasma, I cannot reiterate enough that at your 10' viewing distance the benefits of 1080p on a ~40" screen are largely theoretical, while the benefits of an extra ~8" or so of screen size will be hugely apparent every time you watch the set. Get the bigger one.

jeff


+1 My 32 in 720p is fine for the bedroom, but I'm very glad we got a 46 1080p for the living room. If ever the budget allows, I'll go even bigger next time.

 

[Anthony]

Even with Bluray the difference is minimal if you are sitting over 10ft away. I have a 09 Panasonic 50 inch 1080P.

The main reason I went with the 1080P model was this particular TV being higher up the line than Panasonics own 720P model offered a better panel as well as other feature ,and more controls to enhance the picture.

My friend who has a 2007 Panasonic 50 inch 720p, his TV is what convinced me to check out a Panasonic plasma. Blurays and HD content still look great on 720P sets.