Is Panasonic Plasma G25 worth the extra cost over the S2

[zerocool84]

Is the Panasonic Plasma G25 series worth the extra cost over the S2 series? The only real big difference I see is the "infinite blacks" on the G25 compared to Dynamic: 2,000,000:1 on the S2. Would that even be a noticeable difference? Also VIERA Cast which I could care less about as I have a PS3/PC for streaming stuff to my tv and some USB/PC/Ethernet inputs on the G25 which I also don't care about either. Right now I have a CRT HDTV which obviously looks awesome but is only 1080i and is getting old as it will sometimes not turn on or will turn itself off but the picture is obviously excellent but small at 27".

Here's a link to Amazon and they have a chart that shows the differences between all the models:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036VO70Y

 

[poofyhairguy]

The THX setting is the biggest difference I know of.

http://reviews.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-tcp50s2-review.html

http://reviews.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/panasonic-plasma-tv/panasonic-tcp50g25.html

 

[jtvang125]

I remember someone on here complaining that the picture on his S2 wasn't that great. Another member read somewhere else that this was a common problem with the S2 models. I can't verify if this is true so you'll want to do some research.

I think the G series also had more picture controls than the S series as well. This may be a moot point if you get the set professionally calibrated though.

 

[Rhoxed]

I own an S1 and love it, i also own an old 30" phillips CRT HDTV 1080i. The plasma beats it in every respect, especially when hooking up to a PC.

 

[Bullhonkie]

I've been trying to figure out the same thing over the past two weeks. It's a little harder for me though because I'm trying to decide between a 50" G25 or 54" S2 at an 8ft seating distance, so size is an additional variable.

I feel like I've read every review there is for both sets and I've gone through their entire respective threads on AVSforum and I still don't really have a good idea of which way to go.

 

[JackBurton]

The G25 is worth it over the S2 and the VT is worth it over the G25. Depends on how much performance and picture quality you want to sacrifice.

The G25 has THX mode which is a valuable feature and adds quite a bit to its picture quality.

The VT has 96Hz mode (compared to 60Hz on the G series) and no reported rise in black levels like you have with the G25.

So you then have to ask yourself, is the S2's PQ good enough for you? If so, go for it.

 

[Emulex]

give us a grade of your subjective opinion 1-100 on picture (screw all the extra nettv,viersacast,etc) of those and the latter kuro's.

That would be helpful man.

IF you want you can throw in my old westinghouse 42W2 - it's a beast for its price @ time.$1499 5 years ago.

 

[Narmer]

Is the Panasonic Plasma G25 series worth the extra cost over the S2 series? The only real big difference I see is the "infinite blacks" on the G25 compared to Dynamic: 2,000,000:1 on the S2. Would that even be a noticeable difference? Also VIERA Cast which I could care less about as I have a PS3/PC for streaming stuff to my tv and some USB/PC/Ethernet inputs on the G25 which I also don't care about either. Right now I have a CRT HDTV which obviously looks awesome but is only 1080i and is getting old as it will sometimes not turn on or will turn itself off but the picture is obviously excellent but small at 27".

Here's a link to Amazon and they have a chart that shows the differences between all the models:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036VO70Y

Wow, I was wondering the EXACT same thing as I also have a 34" CRT HDTV I was looking to get rid of. Right now, I'm waiting for Black Friday to see if the 50" G25 will go below $1K.

EDIT: For those who have televisions with a Netflix app, how do you transfer audio back to your receiver? Is there an DA-out from the TV?

EDIT2: Nevermind, I see there is a DA-out.

 

[Anubis]

Wow, I was wondering the EXACT same thing as I also have a 34" CRT HDTV I was looking to get rid of. Right now, I'm waiting for Black Friday to see if the 50" G25 will go below $1K.

EDIT: For those who have televisions with a Netflix app, how do you transfer audio back to your receiver? Is there an HDMI-out from the TV?

optical out, only passes 2 channel audio

 

[IndyColtsFan]

The G25 is worth it over the S2 and the VT is worth it over the G25. Depends on how much performance and picture quality you want to sacrifice.

The VT25, at the same size, is roughly $1300 more than the G25 IIRC. That price jump was just too much for me to justify. If it would've been $500 or $600, I probably would've gone for the VT25 but I just couldn't justify $1300 unfortunately.

The G25 has THX mode which is a valuable feature and adds quite a bit to its picture quality.

THX mode looks AWESOME. I can't believe how good movies look when used with it.

 

[Anubis]

The VT25, at the same size, is roughly $1300 more than the G25 IIRC. That price jump was just too much for me to justify. If it would've been $500 or $600, I probably would've gone for the VT25 but I just couldn't justify $1300 unfortunately.

What really sucks is that a TV exists at exactly that price point. (between the G and VT series) its the plain V series. uses the VT panel but no 3D

however not sold in the US

 

[Narmer]

optical out, only passes 2 channel audio

Thanks. That sucks if Netflix ever goes beyond stereo.

 

[thegimp03]

Wow, I was wondering the EXACT same thing as I also have a 34" CRT HDTV I was looking to get rid of. Right now, I'm waiting for Black Friday to see if the 50" G25 will go below $1K.

EDIT: For those who have televisions with a Netflix app, how do you transfer audio back to your receiver? Is there an DA-out from the TV?

EDIT2: Nevermind, I see there is a DA-out.

I have been watching the prices over the last few weeks and spotted the 50" G25 on Amazon for $999. It is really close right now at $1,025. No tax either.

Would be sweet to be able to pick up in a b&m store for less than $1k, but here I'd have to add almost $100 for tax.

 

[Narmer]

I have been watching the prices over the last few weeks and spotted the 50" G25 on Amazon for $999. It is really close right now at $1,025. No tax either.

Would be sweet to be able to pick up in a b&m store for less than $1k, but here I'd have to add almost $100 for tax.

Unfortunately, I have to pay tax. I am using this site:

http://notripe.com/itemlookup_amazon.php?cmd=lookup&p_uid=B003924UCK

 

[zerocool84]

The G25 is worth it over the S2 and the VT is worth it over the G25. Depends on how much performance and picture quality you want to sacrifice.

The G25 has THX mode which is a valuable feature and adds quite a bit to its picture quality.

The VT has 96Hz mode (compared to 60Hz on the G series) and no reported rise in black levels like you have with the G25.

So you then have to ask yourself, is the S2's PQ good enough for you? If so, go for it.

Ahh so the G series has problems playing 1080p24 then right? I thought the G series has a 48Hz mode for that?

 

[Anubis]

Ahh so the G series has problems playing 1080p24 then right? I thought the G series has a 48Hz mode for that?

the G series has 3:2 pulldown mode works fine for me

flickers like hell when set to 60. 48 with pull down is fine

 

[Anubis]

^^ that might be backwards

 

[Bullhonkie]

^^ that might be backwards

Yeah everything I've read says the 48hz mode on the G20/25 introduces flicker to the point of being pretty much unwatchable. Leaving it in normal 60hz mode would use the set's 3:2 pulldown. 24fps content seems to do pretty well with that, or at least as well as 3:2 pulldown can do. Judder is still present but you probably have to really go looking for it in a slow panning scene or be super sensitive to it to notice.

 

[Anubis]

yea i knew i had that backwards, 60hz with 3:2 looks fine for me, there is some slight jitter but you really have to pay attention to see it

 

[Bullhonkie]

Just pulled the trigger on a 50" G25 from Amazon for $993. It was between that or a 54" S2 for ~150 more. In the end I guess I value image quality more. I didn't want to get the S2 and end up wondering how much better the picture could've/would've looked.