42" LCD or Plasma recomendations

[Operandi]

I'm more of an (DIY) audio guy and don’t really have time to follow all the specific TV releases. Basically I’m looking for 42” screen for movies primarily but I do watch some TV shows (Walking Dead, Luther, ect.), and football but really I’m most concerned about film. I don’t really foresee any gamming as I do that on the PC but I suppose its not impossible.

Right now I’m looking at Panasonic VIERA TC-P42S30 plasma as I hear plasma delivers more film like motion and better black levels than LED LCD. I’m open to other suggestions but the P42S30 represents the price range I’m looking at.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004M8SBOS/...730_pe_epc_dt3

 

[JAG87]

You've already done a big chunk of good homework if you've ended up with a Panasonic Plasma as your decision. It's indeed the best kind of TV you can buy right now by far.

But try to get the ST30, as it has 1080 lines of motion resolution and the NeoPlasma panel. The one you are looking at has 900 lines and no NeoPlasma. For a few dollars more you can get a much better TV.

 

[Operandi]

Well this all started when I got a LED LCD Viera for my grandparents (free shipping with Amazon Prime and all), pretty impressive display.

I had just assumed the ST30 was the set with 3D which I don't care about, I wasn't aware that the panels are that different. Seems like thats the way to go.

 

[Operandi]

Alright, so I'm probably gona pull the trigger on the 42" ST30 pretty soon unless chimes in and tries to stop me.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIER...5617291&sr=1-1

Any other suggestions?

 

[pederson_76]

As long as the room its going in isn't super bright, the plasma will be sweet

 

[dafoomie]

I'm considering a purchase of an open box Panasonic P42S30, I know the ST30 is a step up but its ~$580 vs ~$500. Is it worth that difference in price? $500 was already kind of a stretch.

I know there's some difference with the glare filter (or lack of one) but its not a bright room anyway.

 

[Operandi]

Well I went with the 42" ST30 from the Amazon Warehouse. The TV was listed in "good" condition meaning there would probably something cosmetically wrong with the bezel and/or stand and there was a pretty good scrap on the stand. No big deal, the rest of the panel was flawless looking despite the pretty bad packing from the Amazon Warehouse.

The picture though has some issues. One its darker which I was expecting but its also very soft and almost fuzzy on all inputs and even just the on screen menus, not nearly as sharp as my old 32 LG 720P LCD. Its not that noticeable on moving content but on the desktop of my HTPC and the menus its pretty obvious at any reasonable distance, and I have to think this is affecting the sharpness of HD content as well. There also almost seems to be a flicker, almost like a old CRT monitor set at 60hz refresh rate.

This my first hands on experience with a "good" plasma, I assume this isn't normal?

 

[JAG87]

Nope, that doesn't sound normal at all.

Why did you not get a brand new one?

 

[Chess]

I am a big fan of the Viera's... people either hate them or love them...

 

[Operandi]

Didn't think so, TV will be going back.

Just trying to save money. I've had nothing but good luck with the Amazon Warehouse thus far, though from now on I'll probably stick to "like new".

 

[quest55720]

Well I went with the 42" ST30 from the Amazon Warehouse. The TV was listed in "good" condition meaning there would probably something cosmetically wrong with the bezel and/or stand and there was a pretty good scrap on the stand. No big deal, the rest of the panel was flawless looking despite the pretty bad packing from the Amazon Warehouse.

The picture though has some issues. One its darker which I was expecting but its also very soft and almost fuzzy on all inputs and even just the on screen menus, not nearly as sharp as my old 32 LG 720P LCD. Its not that noticeable on moving content but on the desktop of my HTPC and the menus its pretty obvious at any reasonable distance, and I have to think this is affecting the sharpness of HD content as well. There also almost seems to be a flicker, almost like a old CRT monitor set at 60hz refresh rate.

This my first hands on experience with a "good" plasma, I assume this isn't normal?

Some of that is normal some is not. On a static desktop you are noticing the pixel orbiter. It moves the picture 1 pixel over so often to prevent burn in.

On blue ray or there high level content the picture should be great. You get used to the picture being not so bright after a while. I would check out avs forum for settings to dial in the set. That should help get the most out of picture with out a profesional calibration.

I am with plasma until there is another TV tech that deals with viewing angles better. I have a smaller odd shaped living room. I have people who are in lots of off viewing angles. All TV tech has draw backs I can live with plasma's better than LCD. Maybe in 5 year OLED will get to a reasonable price level for 60 inch.

 

[Operandi]

Yeah I kinda forgot about the pixel orbiting technology but I don’t think that’s it. The best way I can describe it is a real light version of the analog fuzz you got over a less than perfect analog over the air TV signal.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I have the p50st30 and it looked considerably sharper than my old LCD even before I messed with the picture settings. I used the spears &, munsil calibration blu ray and it now looks better than any tv I've seen in anyone's home. Yours should perform just as well mine.

Have you tried resetting the picture settings on all modes to default? Perhaps the previous owners left some funky picture settings on it before sending it to amazon. Btw the picture settings do affect the appearance of the setting menus, though I can't imagine which one might make the picture that fuzzy.

 

[Operandi]

Yeah, I think its just plain defective, probably the main image processor since its always there.

I've already arranged for to have the TV picked up and sent back. And actually I think I’m going to go with something a bit smaller and probably cheaper. This thing was pretty tight where I was trying to put it and a size smaller would be a better fit.

When I have more room I’ll probably get a 47”+ (maybe OLED??) and use whatever I get now as secondary bedroom TV.

 

[x26]

I have the p50st30 and it looked considerably sharper than my old LCD even before I messed with the picture settings. I used the spears &, munsil calibration blu ray and it now looks better than any tv I've seen in anyone's home. Yours should perform just as well mine.

Have you tried resetting the picture settings on all modes to default? Perhaps the previous owners left some funky picture settings on it before sending it to amazon. Btw the picture settings do affect the appearance of the setting menus, though I can't imagine which one might make the picture that fuzzy.

Plus 1--I have the same and did not even calibrate other than change the thingy to "Cinema--I am absolutely Thrilled!!

 

[Unmoosical]

The 55" is cheaper than the 42" right now on Amazon....
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-TC-P50ST30-50-Inch-Plasma/dp/B004MME77O/ref=pd_rhf_sc_p_t_1

Just sayin.