I waited long enough on a Plasma....

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Chris Meutsch

Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
3,519
Location
Cincinnati
....and I've received the manna from heaven. After the Super Bowl, Amazon dropped the price on my 50" plasma $100. So, today I finally got it, a Blu-Ray, the HDMI cables, and the TV mount, for $893 grand total. Amazing! Yes, the TV is a brand-new model. All this stuff replaces a 36" Sony glass tube from 1997 (Make me an offer) and the subsequent other electronics. A big day.
 
Sweet, Plasmas have the best pictures. They kick butt on all but 240mz lcd's which are 4-5 times the price and they are: "just as good as a plasma". They try to sell you with; "they use a lot less electricity". They need to use a lot less to make up the additional $1,500 or so in the price... Then they tell you need the extended waranty since they are so new. I asked the guy, what about for the plasmas, he said no need, they've been making them so long, they' re practically bulletproof. Use it in good health! I hope the old one goes to someone who needs it.
 
Last edited:
Unless you count the fact that plasmas suffer pixel burn in and degrade over time as the phosphors burn out from usage, stuff LCD's don't suffer from. But since I know someone will chuck at me that they "fixed that" well...no, they didn't, do your research. Plasma TV's have a limited lifespan so enjoy it for now.
 
It's a Panasonic. So is the Blu-Ray. Plasma's do still suffer from burn-in, but at a rate so low only bars that don't turn off their TV's EVER over the 100k hours encounter. I can't wait. And perhaps I should also get a plasma cutter as well!
 
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Unless you count the fact that plasmas suffer pixel burn in and degrade over time as the phosphors burn out from usage, stuff LCD's don't suffer from. But since I know someone will chuck at me that they "fixed that" well...no, they didn't, do your research. Plasma TV's have a limited lifespan so enjoy it for now.
"Limited lifespan" is relative, and for most people extends beyond the practical life of the product. The HDMI ports on an LCD/LED will be just as obsolete as the ones on a plasma when the next interface comes out. In the meantime, the plasma owner gets to enjoy a better picture. And yes, perceived picture quality is subjective.
 
I just got my first new TV in a decade, a 42" Insignia (best buy house brand) plasma for $399. that was about the most I was willing to spend considering how much TV I watch.
 
Originally Posted By: mpvue
I just got my first new TV in a decade, a 42" Insignia (best buy house brand) plasma for $399. that was about the most I was willing to spend considering how much TV I watch.
You win, that's a great deal. At least on the TV portion of my purchase.
 
I got a 60" Sharp LED LCD for $999, and it came with a $150 Blu Ray player for free. Beat that! Seriously though, enjoy! This LCD is the first TV we bought since 1997, replaced our 27" in the living room.
 
Originally Posted By: fsdork
[quote=tommygunn]"Limited lifespan" is relative, and for most people extends beyond the practical life of the product. The HDMI ports on an LCD/LED will be just as obsolete as the ones on a plasma when the next interface comes out.
Our 5-6 year old Panasonic plasma TV's HDMI ports are still perfectly fine, but the black levels are terrible. There are no blacks left really, just greys. Let's hope plasma technology has improved since then or else we will not be buying another one.
 
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Unless you count the fact that plasmas suffer pixel burn in and degrade over time as the phosphors burn out from usage, stuff LCD's don't suffer from. But since I know someone will chuck at me that they "fixed that" well...no, they didn't, do your research. Plasma TV's have a limited lifespan so enjoy it for now.
Yes they did. I have 2 plasmas. One is 7 years old and the other is 3. The first had a rated life of 200,000 hours, the 3 year old has a 300,000 hour life expectancy. Both tv's are operating as new. No problem with viewing angles either. Many of my friends are real video fanatics and all have Plasmas. NONE have any problems and the oldest 10 year old 42" was just given to a needy friend as the owner purchased a 3d 50" class tv. Burn in etc. Was like the synthetic oil rots your seals. Stories. So 20 years ago.
 
Last edited:
You must've gotten a bad one, that stinx. My Viera has the blackest blacks of almost any other flat screen I have ever seen. My 7 year old Polaroid NEVER was the blackest and hasn't changed any so far. We won that one in a radio contest and couldnt afford an upgrade to a Panasonic or Sony when we got it. It's still pluggin away...
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Our 5-6 year old Panasonic plasma TV's HDMI ports are still perfectly fine, but the black levels are terrible. There are no blacks left really, just greys. Let's hope plasma technology has improved since then or else we will not be buying another one.
Brightness = black level; Contrast = white level. If these are both set too high, your blacks will be greys. If that doesn't help, it can be further adjusted in the service menu.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
It's a Panasonic. So is the Blu-Ray. Plasma's do still suffer from burn-in, but at a rate so low only bars that don't turn off their TV's EVER over the 100k hours encounter. I can't wait. And perhaps I should also get a plasma cutter as well!
Panny makes the best plasma sets, and IMO has the best PQ in the business. Especially as you move up the line, the color quality gets quite spectacular. And no sweet spots like with LCD; it looks great from everywhere. We've a Panny TH-50PZ800U with THX color calibration that is the best TV we've ever owned, and that includes quite a few Trinitrons over the years. Plasma burn in is hardly a factor anymore. Unless you are extremely abusive during the first 100 hours, you have to make a dedicated effort to harm one. The phosphor technology has come a long way. Enjoy your new Panny.
 
Originally Posted By: sleddriver
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Our 5-6 year old Panasonic plasma TV's HDMI ports are still perfectly fine, but the black levels are terrible. There are no blacks left really, just greys. Let's hope plasma technology has improved since then or else we will not be buying another one.
Brightness = black level; Contrast = white level. If these are both set too high, your blacks will be greys. If that doesn't help, it can be further adjusted in the service menu.
My settings have been exactly the same over the years. The degrading black levels is a well known issue with Panny plasmas from that era. http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

1
  • Locked
What do you have for a home theater setup?
2
Replies
33
Views
6K
DriveHard
T
  • Locked
65" TV buying considerations and a few options..
2
Replies
20
Views
8K
Ranger1
T
  • Locked
How do I pick a reciever? Tips?
2 3
Replies
41
Views
12K
MCompact
C
  • Locked
Getting a new TV...What do i look for?
2 3 4
Replies
66
Views
25K
occupant
T
  • Locked
The insanity of HDMI cable prices
2 3
Replies
47
Views
14K
T-Keith
Top