I'm ready to buy!

[DeepSeaDan]

Good readership,

I've decided to go for a "Panny" , a 50"......but WHICH ONE!

Do I go all the way for a 1080? I can afford it, though I've considered going 730 & spending the savings on audio upgrading.

Suggestions please, oh learned ones!

Gracias,
DSD

 

[Jack Hammer]

Good readership,

I've decided to go for a "Panny" , a 50"......but WHICH ONE!

Do I go all the way for a 1080? I can afford it, though I've considered going 730 & spending the savings on audio upgrading.

Suggestions please, oh learned ones!

Gracias,
DSD

There is a lot of info about viewing distances, etc to consider...
... personally I'd get a 1080p set, they've really become much more standard than the 720 sets, and the price difference isn't too bad any more.

As for audio upgrading, are you not happy with your current setup or are you looking to add to it?

Jack

 

[DeepSeaDan]

I've got...

...about 10'-11' from the main seating area, in a basement with almost no direct natural light sources to contend with; wall mounted.

I've yet to buy the surround system, though I've pretty well decided on an Infinity TSS 4000 system of speakers & the top of the line Harmon-Kardon receiver ( both available thru Direct Buy, of which I am a member - great savings available there, but the selection of hi-fi is sadly quite limited ).

Thanks for your assistance!

DSD

 

[Exit]

I have got a 720P set and I wish I had 1080P. When I go through the stores I see displays that are much more lifelike and detailed than mine. I think I would go for the 1080P now and delay the other purchases a little if you have to save more money. The 1080P set will allow you to sit closer if you want to and will be have a little more sharper image unless you sit back quite aways. As was mentioned there are charts for seating distance versus display resolution which you can use as a reference as to whether you will see any inprovement in display resolution for the distance you sit from the set. I also recommend 61" as a display size as it is about the biggest size available (in DLP anyway) that is still reasonably priced. There is nothing like a big screen.

 

[DeepSeaDan]

Thanks Exit...

...Does Panny make a 61"? I fear that screen size cost would blow my audio budget clear out of the water. Audio is pretty important to me thus I may have to limit the screen size to 50" for now.

On the issue of cabling, it appears from my reading on this site that the cabling included with the components is inadequate & an upgrade purchase from somewhere like Blue Jeans or Monoprice is in order. I plan to have a receiver, DVD player & a PS3 initially. I plan to purchase 12g. speaker wire & an HDMI cable. What other cabling should I consider at this time?

Thanks agin'!

DSD

 

[trnqk7]

I'm not saying I would turn down a 60" tv is someone gave one to me, but my 50" is still quite "large" even from a viewing distance of about 12-15'. I've no complaints. But go 1080p if you can swing it-it's a gorgeous sight to behold

 

[mudrummer99]

...Does Panny make a 61"? I fear that screen size cost would blow my audio budget clear out of the water. Audio is pretty important to me thus I may have to limit the screen size to 50" for now.

On the issue of cabling, it appears from my reading on this site that the cabling included with the components is inadequate & an upgrade purchase from somewhere like Blue Jeans or Monoprice is in order. I plan to have a receiver, DVD player & a PS3 initially. I plan to purchase 12g. speaker wire & an HDMI cable. What other cabling should I consider at this time?

Thanks agin'!

DSD

Panny doesn't make a 61", but they do make a 58". It's normal, not on sale price is $4500 at BB. It is a 1080p of course and a beautiful television all in all. If you do go with the 50", most definitely go with the 1080p, usually I'm very heavy into the "it's overkill in most situations" argument, but we have the 80u and the 85u (720 and 1080) set up right next to each other receiving the same 720p signal, and the 85 seems to look better to my eyes. This maybe just differences from set to set within each series so take that for what it is worth as well. Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[Duffinator]

Get a 1080P set and you will never have to second guess yourself. While at some distances you may not be able to tell a difference if you plan on getting a 1080P BD player you will want to see the full resolution of it so get the 1080P capable set. Two years from now they probably won't even make 720P sets over 40". As for size get the largest set you can afford. I have NEVER heard of someone complain that their TV was too large. Right now onecall has a great price on the Panny 58".

 

[Biggiesized]

I don't even think they'll be making many 720p plasmas next year. Pioneer is through with them and most of Panasonic's 1080p models are already very affordable.

Some smaller players like Vizio might still go 720p though.

 

[Pyrrho]

...about 10'-11' from the main seating area, in a basement with almost no direct natural light sources to contend with; wall mounted.

I've yet to buy the surround system, though I've pretty well decided on an Infinity TSS 4000 system of speakers & the top of the line Harmon-Kardon receiver ( both available thru Direct Buy, of which I am a member - great savings available there, but the selection of hi-fi is sadly quite limited ).

Thanks for your assistance!

DSD

Take a look at:

http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html

And the full article:

http://www.carltonbale.com/2006/11/1080p-does-matter/

Or the same information in a somewhat easier to read chart:

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/0602_tech_talk2_large.jpg

At a distance of 10 feet, you will not see the difference between 720p and 1080p unless the screen is larger than 50". And this is assuming you have an actual 1080p source; upconverted lesser sources will make less difference. And it is also assuming you have 20/20 vision; if your vision is worse, it will need to be even bigger for you to see any difference. With a 50" TV at 10', it is impossible for a human with 20/20 vision (or worse) to see any difference at all between 720p and 1080p.

Now, of course, one must also consider other qualities of a TV, as resolution tells you nothing about color accuracy or any other such things. This is why, for example, in reviews by people who pay attention to such things, sometimes a 720p set is rated more highly than a 1080p set. Of course, if the 1080p set is better in such ways, then it would look better.

So, if the only difference between the two sets is 720p vs. 1080p, and if they are both 50", and if you will always be viewing it at 10 feet or more, then buying the more expensive one gets you absolutely nothing for your money. In which case, it would be much smarter to buy the less expensive one and spend the extra on things that do matter, like better speakers. Or, invest the saved money wisely, and then you will be one of the first to own an OLED set for your next TV, after they "perfect" them.

But if you like to throw your money away for nothing, but want to be able to brag to all your friends that you have "full HD" 1080p, go ahead and waste your money that way.

 

[Jack Hammer]

The trouble I always have with using the seating distance as your choice for resolution is that it assumes you will never move the tv to a different room or ever sit closer than 'X' feet.

You mentioned that audio is more important than video to you. In that case I would take care of the speakers first, then work on getting the tv. See what you have left in the budget.

As mentioned, just because one tv is 1080p doesn't automatically mean it has a better picture than a 720p set. There are other factors involved.

Jack

 

[unreal.freak]

Ive recently viewed the Panasonic 50" plasma with a PS3 as the signal. Ive never seen a better picture to be honest. The price is very reasonable and I dont see how you could go wrong with that set. Good luck with your choice.


Peace,
Tommy

 

[alrudy55]

which panny

s and v has an article . Maxing out the resoulution i think is the title. try and look it up. It will be a help, basically it says at some distance and screen size the eyes cant tell the difference. Good Luck

 

[DeepSeaDan]

It's done....!

1080 on order - thanks to all for your input.

DSD