[Ron1n]

So, long story short, I have Verizon's warranty plan that they'll repair/replace anything that's connected to their equipment (TVs, PCs, etc) with a $75 deductible (costs $10/month). I'm now in a position where they're going to replace my 4 year old 52" rear projection LCD (think DLP, only older).

I've been given 3 options:

Sony KDL52S5100
Philips 52PFL3704D/F7
Samsung LN52B550


I've pretty much already ruled out the Philips, and I'm torn between the other 2. By all accounts, it seems the Samsung is the better choice, but I wanted to get some other opinions (I'll be honest..I do prefer Sony products).

I want to make the decision today, so feedback would be appreciated....hoping to get this before this weekend.

[OlivaresAnthony]

Everytime I've asked people they seem to like samsungs more than any other brand...

[McMuffin]

Samsung!!! Iv'e had a Samsung 40" Lcd in my room for 2 years and it's simply AWESOME!!

[mwscircle]

samsung...

[lambtron]

Go with the Samsung, you won't be disappointed.

[Ron1n]

Done and done.

Emailed them and told them that's what I wanted.

[Kroy]

so you went with the samsung?

[stimpy]

Unless some drastic changes happen - I won't have anything but a Samsung brand TV.
________
Motor Company

[Spec 1]

Samsung makes great products. I'm a fan.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by stimpy

Unless some drastic changes happen - I won't have anything but a Samsung brand TV.

It's amazing how that company turned their brand around. 5-10 years ago, Samsung was the walmart of electronics. Will we be recommending Hyundai's over BMW in 10 years?

[bolinp78]

Brand to brand, I would go Samsung over Sony for an LCD every time.

before everyone wets their pants with samsung fanboi'ism, I would say that as far as plasmas go, you can't beat Panasonic.

[Ron1n]

Originally Posted by Kroy

so you went with the samsung?

I did.

Originally Posted by radiantm3

It's amazing how that company turned their brand around. 5-10 years ago, Samsung was the walmart of electronics. Will we be recommending Hyundai's over BMW in 10 years?

I had 3 Elantras before I bought my Passat. I never had an issue with any of them, and bought them because I enjoyed them. Hyundai is nothing like they used to be, and really should be considered a contender anymore (the Genesis Sedan and Coupe are amazing in their own rights, considering what Hyundai used to be).

Originally Posted by bolinp78

Brand to brand, I would go Samsung over Sony for an LCD every time.

before everyone wets their pants with samsung fanboi'ism, I would say that as far as plasmas go, you can't beat Panasonic.

Pity they're out of the plasma business now. Plasmas are a thing of the past, unfortunately, but there is nothing out there that's readily available in the consumer market that gives a better picture.

[SantaPimp27]

How are plasma's a thing of the past? Plasma's are far superior to LCDs.

And pioneer is out of the plasma business not Panasonic lol. All of pioneer's engineers also transferred over to panasonic when they got shut down. They also sold the technology that went into the kuro.

And samsung has a long history of poor customer service.

[808six]

PANASONIC ftw i bought my 42 plasma in way back in 2004 when they costed a ridiculous 3.5g's.... no problems to this day...im kinda waiting for it to crap out so i can get smthng with new technology, but it just wont die!

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by SantaPimp27

How are plasma's a thing of the past? Plasma's are far superior to LCDs.

And pioneer is out of the plasma business not Panasonic lol. All of pioneer's engineers also transferred over to panasonic when they got shut down. They also sold the technology that went into the kuro.

I've heard of how good Pioneer's plasmas were but never seen them in person. That is until I checked out my buddy's Kuro plasma (by Pioneer for those that don't know) and was BLOWN AWAY!! Holy cow the black level was soooo deep and the colors were great!! I'm not sure why they got out of the plasma segment though. The only thing I can think of is the cost (2 or 3 times a "consumer" plasma from Samsung and Panasonic).

[bolinp78]

Originally Posted by Ron1n

Pity they're out of the plasma business now. Plasmas are a thing of the past, unfortunately, but there is nothing out there that's readily available in the consumer market that gives a better picture.

plasmas are not a thing of the past. If the average life span and consumer use of a TV was around 10-15 years, then I might possibly say that you are somewhat correct.

The only aspects in which an LCD is superior to a plasma is in bright light conditions when glare is a factor, any time you are displaying a computer image, and LCDs do not use as much energy to operate. Other than that, plasmas have LCDs beat on all fronts.

To say that they are a thing of the past is like saying that cars that run on gasoline are a thing of the past.

[Memphis1]

Samsung FTMFW!


good choice

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by bolinp78

To say that they are a thing of the past is like saying that cars that run on gasoline are a thing of the past.

They still run on gasoline?!?! Whhhaaaaaa!?!?!

But yeah LCD tvs are also lighter than plasmas. Other than that, you can't go wrong with plasmas (especially, ESPECIALLY if you watch sports).

[SantaPimp27]

Originally Posted by 808six

PANASONIC ftw i bought my 42 plasma in way back in 2004 when they costed a ridiculous 3.5g's.... no problems to this day...im kinda waiting for it to crap out so i can get smthng with new technology, but it just wont die!

Our first flat screen was a pioneer elite. we got it about 10 years ago. it was a 768p model and it cost 10-12 grand. Still running to this day, just in another room.

Originally Posted by BMW E90

I've heard of how good Pioneer's plasmas were but never seen them in person. That is until I checked out my buddy's Kuro plasma (by Pioneer for those that don't know) and was BLOWN AWAY!! Holy cow the black level was soooo deep and the colors were great!! I'm not sure why they got out of the plasma segment though. The only thing I can think of is the cost (2 or 3 times a "consumer" plasma from Samsung and Panasonic).

pioneer plasma's were amazing displays. And yes, they shut down because they were not selling enough tv's. most certainly because of the price tag that they put on them.

some of the kuro's technology should show up in the Panny plasma's coming in the next couple months, and next year the panny lineup will be full of the kuro tech.

Originally Posted by bolinp78

plasmas are not a thing of the past. If the average life span and consumer use of a TV was around 10-15 years, then I might possibly say that you are somewhat correct.

The only aspects in which an LCD is superior to a plasma is in bright light conditions when glare is a factor, any time you are displaying a computer image, and LCDs do not use as much energy to operate. Other than that, plasmas have LCDs beat on all fronts.

To say that they are a thing of the past is like saying that cars that run on gasoline are a thing of the past.

Plasma's have longer lifespans that LCD's anyways. The new panny plasma's are rated at 100,000 hours. thats over 11 years if you leave it on 24/7 lol

and you seem very informed on plasma's which is a relief because most people have heard the myths and aren't willing to give them a shot

[Ron1n]

Originally Posted by bolinp78

plasmas are not a thing of the past. If the average life span and consumer use of a TV was around 10-15 years, then I might possibly say that you are somewhat correct.

The only aspects in which an LCD is superior to a plasma is in bright light conditions when glare is a factor, any time you are displaying a computer image, and LCDs do not use as much energy to operate. Other than that, plasmas have LCDs beat on all fronts.

To say that they are a thing of the past is like saying that cars that run on gasoline are a thing of the past.

It's a thing of the past when they are no longer being made by quality vendors. There are no more manufacturers of quality plasmas (Pioneer, specifically, who was the ipso facto reference for plasma televisions) anymore. It is a dead business. A simple tracking of technology and business will tell you this. Panasonic's panels do not compare in any way, shape, or form.

I'll be the first to admit that there's no better picture quality than a Plasma screen. But the inherent deficiencies and risks that comes with these displays makes this akin to BetaMax. It was a great idea, had some great positives, but the negatives outweighed the positives.

If you buy a Plasma now, you're asking for trouble, plain and simple...and you're working on antiquated technology. Wait for OLED to drop in price...that is where you should invest your money (give it about 2 years).

Originally Posted by SantaPimp27

and you seem very informed on plasma's which is a relief because most people have heard the myths and aren't willing to give them a shot

News flash: he's not. The company I work for is *in* the electronics business (TVs, Camcorders, Cameras, etc etc). I might know a thing or two about this.

The original reason I posted this is because I wanted to get a feel for what the community knew about TVs. I got my answer.

[SantaPimp27]

Originally Posted by Ron1n

It's a thing of the past when they are no longer being made by quality vendors. There are no more manufacturers of quality plasmas (Pioneer, specifically, who was the ipso facto reference for plasma televisions) anymore. It is a dead business. A simple tracking of technology and business will tell you this. Panasonic's panels do not compare in any way, shape, or form.

I'll be the first to admit that there's no better picture quality than a Plasma screen. But the inherent deficiencies and risks that comes with these displays makes this akin to BetaMax. It was a great idea, had some great positives, but the negatives outweighed the positives.

If you buy a Plasma now, you're asking for trouble, plain and simple...and you're working on antiquated technology. Wait for OLED to drop in price...that is where you should invest your money (give it about 2 years).



News flash: he's not. The company I work for is *in* the electronics business (TVs, Camcorders, Cameras, etc etc). I might know a thing or two about this.

The original reason I posted this is because I wanted to get a feel for what the community knew about TVs. I got my answer.

quality vendors? it gets no more quality than panasonic. there leaders in reliability and customer service. And since everyone here like's samsung so much, you'll be happy to know, there best tv's are plasma's.

I do not see any big time risks that come with plasma screens. For one, burn in is a thing of the past. it is almost impossible to burn a picture into a plasma these days.

Here are some reasons why plasma is hands down better than lcd.

1. In a room with average and/or low ambient light, plasma gives a much deeper black level which means more saturated colors and detail in the picture. Set up properly you will see a sharper and more 3-D looking image because plasma has more dynamic gray scale range (depth). More steps in tonal range as the difference between black and white is greater. A plasma TV is brighter than any CRT (tube) TV so the brightness issue many talk about is a moot point.

2. Plasma's have much better off axis viewing picture quality as opposed to LCD that degrades quickly when viewed from the side, above/below the screen.

3. Plasma delivers far better color accuracy as it can render deeper, richer colors and can blend tones better than LCDs and generates a larger color pallet.

4. Plasma TV's do not suffer from motion blur as they have 600 Hz sub-fields so the image can maintain its quality longer than LCDs which degrade immediately after being charged. (that is when the image signal is sent to the panel). The response time of a plasma display is measured in microseconds rather than milliseconds, that is at least 1000 times faster, hence another reason for no motion blur/smear.

5. In larger display sizes, plasma TV's cost less, sometimes much less yet still deliver a better picture for all of the above mentioned reasons.

6. Plasma TV's look more like your old CRT display rather than a computer monitor.

7. Plasma TV's have long life, most are rated at a 60,000 hour half life. Panasonic projects their plasma TV's will last at least 100,000 hours.

8. The myths surrounding plasma TV's like the gas has to be recharged, they have short lifespans, they are power hogs, they burn in easily and the like are just that, myths and are in fact not true at all.

9. Plasma TV's are much, much better for gaming due to the rapid response times, better color gamut, better back levels and shadow detail.


So there you have it – Plasma is superior in black levels, color saturation, shadow detail, screen uniformity, off axis viewing, motion resolution(full 1080), color depth, and in reproducing everything as it was intended to be seen.

And yes, OLED will take over as the #1 technology for TV's. But until that day comes, plasma will still be around and still be the best. I dont think we will see big, affordable OLED tv's for atleast another 4-5 years.

[Ron1n]

The argument wasn't whether Plasma was better, but thank you for derailing.

Regarding Panasonic, you are 100% off regarding their status in the Plasma community.

Feel free to Google that when you have a sec.