Home Theater Mega Thread

[Vulcan]

I noticed in years past that TV prices went up before Xmas but there were some fine deals around boxing day. Sony seems to deep cut prices on theirs, as the new models will be coming out soon.

Personally I'd go with a Panasonic plasma though I like my Sony as well. My Panasonic plasma is a great TV.

[photon]

Agree on Sony, Samsung, and Sharp for LCDs.

[Brannigans Law]

My Sony that was discussed earlier in the thread, the KDL 900 or 905 is now 2199. Went back to the store and got 100 bucks off my tv refunded. Amazing Tv. If you want an LED tv and your range of size is 55-60", this tv is impossible to beat imo.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Does Plasma still need a dark room to really look nice?

Not nearly as muchso as the older versions. It certainly helps but they're okay in mid-light.

If you're interested feel free to drop by and have a look at my VT60 in the afternoon. I'll still go plasma over LCD 10 times out of 10...

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Thanks for the suggestions, really appreciate it.

Does Plasma still need a dark room to really look nice? Our living is really bright most of the time (west AND south facing windows), and I know plasmas in the past were better for more of a basement home theatre type of experience.

Table, man, I wouldn't really entertain plasma at this point.

LED offers a generally better image for less wattage, all things considered.

If you're in a south facing condo with no control over sunlight, then maybe plasma is for you, but otherwise, I don't know if you can go wrong with a major brand in LED at this point.

I've been doing the same avsforum non-buying as you lately, anticipating the death of my 4 year old, still functioning well, Sharp LCD.

I can recommend sharp as the only brand among several people I know not to fail.

[Table 5]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Part of me is shying away from Plasma as it's tech on the way out. Not sure if that should make a big difference though. They eat quiet a lot more energy as well don't they?

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

My Sony that was discussed earlier in the thread, the KDL 900 or 905 is now 2199. Went back to the store and got 100 bucks off my tv refunded. Amazing Tv. If you want an LED tv and your range of size is 55-60", this tv is impossible to beat imo.

That does look like a fantastic model... a friend of mine has one and he's always raving about it. By any chance did you look at the 802 in comparison? I'm not sure if the extra grand of the 900 is worth it...but I haven't seen them in person yet to compare.

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I've been doing the same avsforum non-buying as you lately, anticipating the death of my 4 year old, still functioning well, Sharp LCD.

I can recommend sharp as the only brand among several people I know not to fail.

It's kind of disappointing that TV's last this short of a time these days. I remember how the old CRT's could last you a couple of decades fairly easily.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

LED offers a generally better image for less wattage, all things considered.

[Deviaant]

For what it's worth I picked up a Samsung F8500 a couple of months ago and I could not be happier with it. It's a plasma and in my main living room I don't get much glare during mid day sun. That soap opera effect really bothered me on other tv sets but it's a non issue with my Samsung at all. It's a 3d tv but I've never used it as I have some eye issues. The touchpad remote is great it's got probably 12 buttons so it's very user friendly.

It's worth a look.

[red sky]

The soap opera effect can be turned off on all TVs I believe.

On another note, has anyone ever used one of these video processors:

http://darbeevision.com/darblet/

Looks pretty neat.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Part of me is shying away from Plasma as it's tech on the way out. Not sure if that should make a big difference though. They eat quiet a lot more energy as well don't they?

Nothing in tech holds it's value well nowadays with things moving so fast. Plasma being on the way out isn't a consideration for me. Unless you are using it 24/7 or any prolong period of time, the extra energy cost should minuscule.

If I'm in the market today I would seriously look at the Panasonic plasma. My last flat panel was a Pioneer Kuro from 2008, it's only 720p but I still cannot fine a good enough reason to replace it.

[OldDutch]

Table, my 2 cents.

- Even a mid-range plasma will outshine LED/LCD picture any day of the week. It is not opinion but science. LED's have a harder time reaching true black which is the measure of picture quality than plasma. Even a mid range Panasonic ST will outshine top level LED sets on picture. If picture quality is important, get a plasma.

- Yes plasma are more light sensitive. However, they have anti-glare built in to many sets. They are not as good by and large as LED in very bright rooms, but a bit of light should not hurt performance.

- Yes they use more power, but honestly the cost savings if on all the time is like $35-$50 a year. It's not insanely more.

To me Plasma are best for home theatre use (and people who have seen good Plasmas and therefore know better picture exists). LED are best for general TV watching. You can switch either technology, but really that is where they shine.

On the side, I would not worry about Plasma going out of production. Panasonic will be around for the life of that set if you need to warranty anything.

[darklord700]

Another pros for the plasma:

No need to worry about motion blur as refresh for plasma is almost instantaneous.
Burn in has almost be eliminated in the last gen plasma.
Cheaper than top of the line LCD but generally less in price.

Cons against plamsa:
For some reasons, plasma tech is not as sexy as LCD.
Heavier than LCD

[PsYcNeT]

I think we need to start a Plasma vs. LCD thunderdome thread.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

I think we need to start a Plasma vs. LCD thunderdome thread.

Nowadays at these low price levels, it's really hard to mess up whether you buy plasma and LCD.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by red sky

The soap opera effect can be turned off on all TVs I believe.

On another note, has anyone ever used one of these video processors:

http://darbeevision.com/darblet/

Looks pretty neat.

Looks like a sharpen filter and some contrast adjustments. Not sure how much I'd like that on a regular basis. Interesting though.

[Table 5]

Hmm, you guys have me thinking about plasma now. The Panasonic models do seem to get great reviews, although price wise they are also more expensive.

I would say 80% of what we watch is basic hd TV (and about 25% of that being hockey), 10% DVD/Blueray, and 10% Netflix. Does Plasma have any weird jutter or motion blur issues watching sports? I think that's kind of my priority, as I don't really care that much about how old reruns of Seinfeld look.

I'm still a little concerned about watching it in a brighter room (our living room is REALLY bright in the summer), but deeper darks should help with that.

[Deviaant]

No motion blur or degrigation of image at all. Seriously Samsung F8500 or the vt60 both are arguably the best plasmas on the market. The blacks look like ink

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Does Plasma have any weird jutter or motion blur issues watching sports? I think that's kind of my priority, as I don't really care that much about how old reruns of Seinfeld look.

I'm still a little concerned about watching it in a brighter room (our living room is REALLY bright in the summer), but deeper darks should help with that.

Plasma has almost instantaneous refresh rate, hence, motion blur is non existent in plasma. This is one strong argument buying plasma over lcd. All these 120 hz, super flow engine etc are not required in plasma but are there to overcome LCD's main shortcoming of slow refresh rate.

LCD will be better in a brighter room but generally watching anything in a bright room sucks.

[Burninator]

Table would there be light shining directly on the screen?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Burninator

Table would there be light shining directly on the screen?

At some points yes. We have curtains of course to control that a bit, but I also dont necessarily want to get rid of all available light just to watch TV.