time to upgrade the TV

[wayliff]

After 7 or so years, the time has come to upgrade the JVC 32" CRT.

I've bee already doing a bit of research and I seem to have settled between these two models.

UN50EH6000 and UN50ES6100.

I've read a comparison in avs forum and it seems like these two TVs are the same except for some bells and whistles on the 6100 series.
(Smart TV, Wi-fi, swiveling and perhaps others I forget right now).
Price favors the first one since it is missing some stuff.

My budget is ~$1k but willing to stretch it a bit.

Does anybody here have any input on these models?
Or perhaps even a different suggestion. I don't care about 3D nor about apps. I will probably have an HTPC hooked up to it and will be using apps, if needed, from a windows 7 pc.

I appreciate any pointers. Thanks!

 

[dookulooku]

If you can stretch your budget a bit, Panasonic ST50 would be the best choice for a TV if you value picture quality over everything else. However, I do have some reservations about using a plasma as a computer monitor, despite owning a VT50 myself.

 

[wayliff]

If you can stretch your budget a bit, Panasonic ST50 would be the best choice for a TV if you value picture quality over everything else. However, I do have some reservations about using a plasma as a computer monitor, despite owning a VT50 myself.

Thanks for the info.
It does sound like it is a fantastic TV.
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/panasonic-st50-the-best-tv/

I will need to see if I can see one on the floor of a retailer so I can look at it.
It does have features I don't need\want like 3D or apps.

 

[donfm]

The Panasonic plasmas are a solid choice for picture quality and better blacks. You will find the ST and the VT series highly rated. The VT has a better quality panel is all. Only downside is plasmas use more power and many say generate more heat but that may not be an issue for you. Also the Panasonics can be found on sale many times.

 

[wayliff]

The Panasonic plasmas are a solid choice for picture quality and better blacks. You will find the ST and the VT series highly rated. The VT has a better quality panel is all. Only downside is plasmas use more power and many say generate more heat but that may not be an issue for you. Also the Panasonics can be found on sale many times.

Thanks for the input.

Do you, or anyone else, have experience using Plasma TVs as computer monitors or paired with an HTPC?
I am referring to potential issues with plasma technology. I am interested in experiences as I have already done some research on the internet and have found many prefer not to use plasmas paired with a PC due to possible burn-in.

I intend to use the HTPC as the media content player as opposed to having different and separate units. So it is possible I'll be using 50% as TV and 50% as a PC monitor.

 

[iLL_Skillz]

I have some relevant experience to share. I currently have an ST30 (last year's ST50 equivalent), which I use to watch cable tv (via DVR) and also connected to my PC, which I use to watch movies and tv shows, as well as some light internet browsing from the couch.

I am like you, not interested in 3D or apps and stuff like that. Bottom line, the picture on the ST30 was noticeably better than any LCD in its price range. Regardless of other features, right now the price/PQ ratio favors plasma.

Of course there can be tradeoffs. As far as heat, mine is 50" and the effect is negligible, although power consumtion is higher.

Whether image retention will be a problem will depend on how you use it. In my case, I've only seen image retention on the first day I got it, when it still had the (bright) factory settings. Once I adjusted the settings (using calibration settings from the internet) I haven't seen any image retention.

Using the TV as a monitor is not an issue, per se. It depends on what you are doing when using it as a monitor. If you are just watching movies/videos, no problem. If you are using it as a desktop, or any application where static images will remain on screen for hours at a time on a regular basis, it may cause issues.

I play games, watch movies with black bars for 2-3 hours, and periodically browse the internet, and I don't have any issues.

 

[wayliff]

I have some relevant experience to share. I currently have an ST30 (last year's ST50 equivalent), which I use to watch cable tv (via DVR) and also connected to my PC, which I use to watch movies and tv shows, as well as some light internet browsing from the couch.

I am like you, not interested in 3D or apps and stuff like that. Bottom line, the picture on the ST30 was noticeably better than any LCD in its price range. Regardless of other features, right now the price/PQ ratio favors plasma.

Of course there can be tradeoffs. As far as heat, mine is 50" and the effect is negligible, although power consumtion is higher.

Whether image retention will be a problem will depend on how you use it. In my case, I've only seen image retention on the first day I got it, when it still had the (bright) factory settings. Once I adjusted the settings (using calibration settings from the internet) I haven't seen any image retention.

Using the TV as a monitor is not an issue, per se. It depends on what you are doing when using it as a monitor. If you are just watching movies/videos, no problem. If you are using it as a desktop, or any application where static images will remain on screen for hours at a time on a regular basis, it may cause issues.

I play games, watch movies with black bars for 2-3 hours, and periodically browse the internet, and I don't have any issues.

Thanks for your input!

It seems like power consumption is either equal or higher than that of a CRT. At least in my case since I'll be going from 32" to 50". That will be something to consider even if not much.

I am planning on going to Sears and checking out the floor models...compare with plasma.

Thanks again to all and if you have more tips\experiences...please keep them coming. Much appreciated.

 

[dookulooku]

Thanks for your input!

It seems like power consumption is either equal or higher than that of a CRT. At least in my case since I'll be going from 32" to 50". That will be something to consider even if not much.

I am planning on going to Sears and checking out the floor models...compare with plasma.

Thanks again to all and if you have more tips\experiences...please keep them coming. Much appreciated.

Plasmas should not be judged by how they look in the store, unless it's a place like Magnolia where they put them in a dimmed area. Default setting on 2012 Panasonic plasmas looks really dim (probably to save power), panel can actually get much brighter than the default setting.

ST50 and above models have a filter that does an excellent job at reducing glare (at least for a glossy panel).

Plasmas have excellent uniformity and viewing angles; walk around the display and notice how the image stays pretty much the same. Brightness and contrast suffers greatly on most LCDs.

Plasmas can create an audible buzz when displaying large areas of white.

The image on a plasma can appear "dirty" up close -- they use temporal dithering to produce many of the colors. This is normally impossible to see at normal viewing distances, and despite the use of dithering, color reproduction is excellent. Colors are lush and saturated, similar to what you'd get on a quality CRT projector.

 

[donfm]

Thanks for the input.

Do you, or anyone else, have experience using Plasma TVs as computer monitors or paired with an HTPC?
I am referring to potential issues with plasma technology. I am interested in experiences as I have already done some research on the internet and have found many prefer not to use plasmas paired with a PC due to possible burn-in.

I intend to use the HTPC as the media content player as opposed to having different and separate units. So it is possible I'll be using 50% as TV and 50% as a PC monitor.

Screen Burn is an issue inherent to plasma tv's. If you are going to use it as a PC monitor with a constant background I would suggest you don't get a plasma. As the other gentleman alluded there is also an issue on some plasmas with screen buzzing sounds. The reviews should tell you which ones.

 

[wayliff]

Thanks a lot for the input. All good stuff.
I was trying to not overthink this but it is definitely good to get some feedback from people that have the TVs or are more experienced.

I am going to create a list of Plasma vs LED and put some scores on everything I've found out about and see what comes out of it.

Unfortunately there's no Magnolia around the Tampa bay area of FL so I can't check that out...
I am stuck with Sears, Hhgreg or Worst Buy...for pre-viewing what I am buying.

I do appreciate all the assistance.

 

[Anubis]

HHgreg will be your best bet followed by worst buy. last time i was in a sears their TV selection was very limited and im not sure they even had plasmas. BB normally has plasmas but depending on your store may not have all the models unless it also has a Magnolia in it

however looking at hhgreg's website it seems they dont sell panasonic plasmas at all

 

[Mopetar]

Honestly, I wouldn't even bother looking at TVs in a store. Most of them aren't calibrated properly so you don't really get a good indication of how accurate the colors and blacks are. A lot of the sets just seem to have everything cranked up so that the image pops a little bit more compared to other sets.

If you do find a model that you like, I suggest trying to find if any review site measured color accuracy and what settings they used to get the best accuracy. I think CNET still posts the settings they use for any TVs that they review.

 

[wayliff]

Thanks to everyone for their input.

 

[donfm]

Used to be demoing a TV in a store was a joke. They usually had one satellite or OTA television station with all the other TV's split off that one crappy feed. Now in the digital age it's not such an issue. The digital feeds I've seen in most stores come off a blu ray or a digital recorder for the most part and are good enough to tell the difference between TV's. I certainly would not buy any TV sight unseen. The store feeds aren't perfect but they are pretty good these days. The bigger issue is the settings on the TV. They usually drive the contrast up to 100% to make the picture look sharp. Some of those new TV's you need sunglasses just to watch it in the store.

 

[wayliff]

ended up buying the UN50ES6100 @ hhgregg
It is awesome!

Now I'll do some searching about calibration.

Thanks to all!

 

[Dude111]

After 7 or so years, the time has come to upgrade the JVC 32" CRT.

I dont wanna step on your toes or make you angry but you should really should have tried to stick with a CRT. They are much better and always have been!

You can find good ones on Ebay,etc.... Why settle for that new garbage? (Yes i think its horrid those flat screen things)

CRT produces a MUCH BETTER PICTURE,more accurate colours,better sound,etc......

 

[Soundmanred]

I dont wanna step on your toes or make you angry but you should really try and stick with a CRT. They are much better and always have been!

You can find good ones on Ebay,etc.... Why settle for that new garbage? (Yes i think its horrid those flat screen things)

CRT produces a MUCH BETTER PICTURE,more accurate colours,better sound,etc......

Good luck finding a 50" CRT.
You almost had me believing you were serious until you said "better sound".
LOL. good one.

 

[Dude111]

Well i have heard there are some HD CRTs out there if you like HD..

 

[jtvang125]

IIRC 40" was the biggest HD crt you can get. You'll need 3 other people to help move it anywhere though.

 

[blackangst1]

Do you have room for a 73"? Personally, the biggest bang for the buck is DLP. Dell has a Mitsu 73" for $1099.

 

[wayliff]

ended up buying the UN50ES6100 @ hhgregg
It is awesome!

Now I'll do some searching about calibration.

Thanks to all!

I am going to be buying a blu-ray player soon.

Anyone know if there's a real advantange to using a samsung player with the samsung tv?

One thing that would be good is remote control consolidation if one of the devices can control the other.

I am not looking for anything too fancy. Up to $120 for right now.

 

[wayliff]

so far it looks like i'm leaning towards the Panasonic DMP-DBT220. Looks like it is very good.

 

[sdifox]

what is the layout of the room like?

 

[wayliff]

what is the layout of the room like?

I am thinking I should have created a new thread.
I already got the tv and now looking for a BR player.

Or is the room layout necessary for a BR player?