School me on current TV tech and recommend a display please

[timmay8612]

I love my circa 2010 42" Panny Plasma. The picture is wonderful.However the nature of this hobby is that when a CRT TV upstairs blows up, I contemplate moving it upstairs and purchase a larger TV for the theater space. My seating in the so called theater space is about 10-12 feet off the wall, so I really need to go as large as possible, however I can't imagine spending more than a grand. I'd love to have a 60-65".

My father-in-law has a 65" Sharp in his basement. I HATE it. Everything looks like a soap opera, the motion is just weird. Not sure how to describe it, its like the frame rate is jacked on everything he watches. This sure doesn't happen on mine.

I'd like to have another plasma. I don't know anything about LED. Most LCD panels i've looked at seem washed out, but maybe I'm spoiled. I don't need a smart TV, 3d, or more than 2 HDMI ports since my playstation and AVR are really my only sources. I'd love some suggestions.

As always, thanks in advance. I've learned a ton from you guys. Finally got the 5.1 set up in the new house!

 

[lsiberian]

LEDs are simply LCDs backlit with LEDs. It's really the only option now. Properly calibrated I'd imagine they aren't too bad, but then again I don't own a TV. Maybe you can find a used Kuro.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The effect you are seeing at your in-law's place is caused by CFI (Creative Frame Interpolation). CFI can be turned off completely in the menu system, and you should do so if you are contemplating a LCD display. Sharp, Samsung, Sony, etc. are all using some version of CFI on their products and all sharpen and deblur motion (bad) which creates a very unnatural effect if it is used to strongly. Most of the displays offer various settings that allow you to adjust just how much CFI is used. Sometimes a light layer of CFI makes the image look better, while other times it is just best to leave it completely off.

Still, right now, plasmas rule the roost in terms of image quality. With Panasonic getting out of the plasma game, you still may be able to find something from them... probably not at a reasonable price though.

At about $1,000, this is likely what I would do a lot of research on:
Amazon.com: Samsung PN60F5500 60-Inch 1080p 600Hz 3D Smart Plasma HDTV: Electronics

 

[panteragstk]

If you can find one the new Panasonic plasmas are as good as it gets. Samsung is equally good as well. LCD's have frame interpolation that attempts to compensate for the lack of quick response on TV LCD (LED) panels. It is horrible. Plasma TV's have it to, but turn it off and the picture looks good. LCD's can look good, but it needs to be a good one (Samsung). Calibration is pretty important.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Still, right now, plasmas rule the roost in terms of image quality. With Panasonic getting out of the LCD game, you still may be able to find something from them... probably not at a reasonable price though.

Err, not LCD. Panasonic will stop making new Plasma TVs

 

[BMXTRIX]

Err, not LCD. Panasonic will stop making new Plasma TVs

That's what I said!

(Wait? What? Whatdaya mean I edited my post?).. errrr.....

 

[timmay8612]

Thanks for the suggestions and replies so far. Everything I'm reading, it sounds like I'd still rather go with a plasma rather than fight the "features" of my TV to try and be happy with the picture and eliminate soap opera effect. For the sake of argument and having a variety of displays to consider in my budget, what do you think of this one? Samsung 51" Class 5034" Diag. Plasma 1080p 600Hz HDTV PN51F5300AFXZA - Best Buy

FWIW I like the initial first glance at BMXTRIX's suggestion above.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I think that TV is okay, it's a step down from my recommendation and perfect for a 8' viewing distance.

Are you sitting at 8'?

No?

Then get the bigger TV. Seriously, you've been living with a TV that's been small for years. Just dish out the cash and stop feeling like you want to upgrade the day you buy a brand new display. There really is nothing worse than KNOWING you are buying the wrong product, and buying it anyway. Instead, get the budget for a bigger TV which still has solid quality.

For what it's worth, Samsung has a 5300 series 60" display as well:
Amazon.com: Samsung PN60F5300 60-Inch 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV: Electronics

They also have it in 64" which is (if it were me) I would just save a few hundred bucks for and go ahead and get...
Amazon.com : Samsung PN64F5300 64-Inch 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV : Plasma Televisions : Electronics

It may pain you to spend over $1,000 on a 64" TV, but it's not like we are talking $2,500+ for the TV and 10 years ago it was a STEAL to get a 50" plasma television for $3,000.

 

[timmay8612]

I'm trying to think of a single reason why it would matter that the PN64F5300 only has 2 HDMI inputs. I run everything into my AVR and then to my TV with one cable anyway, why is this a big deal?

Even if I wasn't a cheapskate and got cable, I'd still have a cable box and do HDMI to my AVR. So I don't get it, why the fuss about number of ports on the display itself?

Other notes, I'm sure I'd be happier long term with a display more in the 60-65" range since my viewing distance is 10 feet with my stand, more like 11-12 if I wall mount.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'm trying to think of a single reason why it would matter that the PN64F5300 only has 2 HDMI inputs. I run everything into my AVR and then to my TV with one cable anyway, why is this a big deal?

Lots of people don't use an AVR so more HDMI inputs means more connections for their setups. For someone using an AVR with external HDMI switching then having two HDMI inputs means you have 100% more than you will ever need. Not even sure how many HDMI inputs my TV has but I think it is more than the ONE and only one I ever use I suppose.

I'm sure I'd be happier long term with a display more in the 60-65" range since my viewing distance is 10 feet with my stand, more like 11-12 if I wall mount.

You will be. In a dozen+ years of doing this it is the one constant I have had... People think they want one size, and they are wrong. They just are wrong. If you put an 80" TV on your wall, you would be used to the size in a week. Maybe less. It's simply astounding what you get used to, and if you were in a movie theater, from 12' away, the screen would be a 110" diagonal for 'center of theater' feel. That matches THX specifications for a comfortable viewing size and an appropriate size for most theaters. At 60" you would be 50" smaller than what THX recommends for movie viewing and comfort.

But, at the end of the day, the number one complaint people have about buying their TVs is that they wish they had bought a larger screen.

 

[xboxweasel]

...At about $1,000, this is likely what I would do a lot of research on:
Amazon.com: Samsung PN60F5500 60-Inch 1080p 600Hz 3D Smart Plasma HDTV: Electronics

I can't believe a 60" plasma TV is going for such a low price when I paid quite a bit more for a 65VT60.

 

[timmay8612]

FWIW I wound up buying the Samsung 60" in 5300 series at Costco for a killer deal. Huge manufacturers rebate plus a Super Bowl sale. Now I have a dilemma finding a mount. I have furniture with 4 pre-drilled holes in a rectangle 16" wide and 12.5" high. I'm having trouble finding a mount that matches this hole pattern. I checked monoprice first and they don't have one.

 

[Nestor]

If by "mount" you mean "wall mount", most mounts are adjustable.
I mounted my 63 inch plasma Samsung with a Sanus with no issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[connieflyer]

I also had a problem finding a good sturdy wall mount for my Panasonic vt60, finally decided to just let my wife hold it up against the wall, she is usually good for two hours before she has to put it down for refreshment, I think the vodka I put in her tea has helped immensely!

 

[kzaudiovideo]

I can't believe a 60" plasma TV is going for such a low price when I paid quite a bit more for a 65VT60.

That's a little cheaper, Have you compared the price of other brands with the same spec?

 

[xboxweasel]

That's a little cheaper, Have you compared the price of other brands with the same spec?

No. I did no such comparisons. I just went out and bought the Panny because of the high praise it was getting in all the reviews/shootouts. And how would one compare plasma displays? Many specs and/or features are given fancy names or numbers as a marketing manoeuver and can't be used to compare model A to model B because.

By the way, how is it that you are "a forum troll idiot that just begs for attention" and only have 22 posts?