Huge Plasma question...

[bmccord]

Hey all, I am going to pull the trigger on my 60” LG 60PC1D but something popped into my head. My local NFM has a couple left on sale for 2700 or 2800 bucks and for a 60”, that is pretty stellar for a unit will good reviews. Here is the dilemma. I could by two 50” 720p Samsung plasmas or almost 3 42” units for about the same price. Crap, is that extra 10” worth it? I will be doing 90% of the viewing from my sectional at 12’ away. I am starting to second guess myself. Help quick. Haha. Also, to head off any questions. I do not want a rear projection. I need the bright, wide viewing angle. Thanks.

Also, would it be ok to lay the box on its side (basically laying the TV on its back) for the ride home? I have a Tahoe and the box is too tall to stand up straight. I have seen people lay them on their face when installing a wall mount but I am just wanting to make sure.

 

[Adam]

Honestly, only you will know what screen size is large enough for you. I sit about the same distance away, and I originally thought that a 42" would be just perfect. I'm now thinking that a 50" would be a better choice. I believe that Greg Gable moved up to a 73" (rear projection) because he wanted something even bigger.

60" would be too big for me, I think, but it might be just right for you.

 

[jonnythan]

I view my 50" plasma from about 9 feet away.

It felt huge for a month. Then it felt normal for two months. Ever since, it's felt kinda small.

As for laying it on its back... it's more likely to get damaged that way. Do it at your own risk. Personally, I'd spend the $30 and rent a truck for the evening.

 

[bmccord]

Thanks. I was wondering. As for your 50", is it 720 or 1080?

Side question: I have about 500 standard definition DVD's. I know SD cable looks pretty bad but will they look decent when upconverted onto such a large TV? They look fine on my 50" sony but I just want to make sure they will not look like crap on a 60". Thanks.

 

[MDS]

At 12', 42" - 46" will likely be too small.

There are all kinds of rules of thumb for screen size vs viewing distance but it basically comes down to 1.5x the diagonal as the minimum viewing distance if the source is HD and up to 3x for SD so as to minimize the graininess of viewing a low resolution blown up to a large size.

A few months ago, I asked the members for their screen size vs viewing distance and whether they were happy with it. The result was that the majority sit about 2x - 2.5 x away from the screen and that number does match most of the online calculators I've seen.

I will be 11' away and changed my mind from 46" to 52". I'll know if that is the right decision by Thanksgiving as that is the date I've set for actually buying an LCD TV.

 

[jonnythan]

Thanks. I was wondering. As for your 50", is it 720 or 1080?

Side question: I have about 500 standard definition DVD's. I know SD cable looks pretty bad but will they look decent when upconverted onto such a large TV? They look fine on my 50" sony but I just want to make sure they will not look like crap on a 60". Thanks.

My 50" plasma is 720p. It looks fantastic at 9 feet.

Upconverted DVDs look absolutely fantastic. The PQ approaches quality HD material. Night and day difference between SD cable and upconverted DVD.

 

[bmccord]

perfect. That's all I needed. Now just trying to justify the extra $1500 for an extra ten inches...

 

[jonnythan]

Don't think of it as 10 inches. Think of it as 44% more viewing area.

Of course.. if your wife has a problem with it, ask her if 10 inches "isn't enough."

 

[bmccord]

Oh the spouse approval factor is not an issue anymore...

 

[jonnythan]

44% more viewing area is HUGE.

The 60 is about 9 inches wider and 5 inches taller. Much, much bigger screen.

If you can afford it, do it. You will *not* regret it.

 

[bmccord]

That solves that then. Thanks everyone.

 

[annunaki]

What about doing a Panasonic? They seem to be much better rated from what I have seen. The TH58PZ750U would be a great unit. I know it is a 58" but the difference is very small. You should be able to pick it up for about $3,999.00 or so from a local retailer. I know it is more than the LG but it is a great TV. Panasonic is well known for their quality plasma displays, not to mention their service capabilities for them should they ever be necessary. I have heard it on good accord from industry insiders that there will most likely be significant reductions in price on all flat panels for Black Friday. Potentially even deeper discounts closer to christmas.

In the end, good luck and I wish you the best on your purchase whatever it may be.

 

[agarwalro]

It felt huge for a month. Then it felt normal for two months. Ever since, it's felt kinda small.

Feel the same way about my 50" 720 native from 8'.

Of course.. if your wife has a problem with it, ask her if 10 inches "isn't enough."

ROTL. Had a good laugh on this one.

 

[WmAx]

I would not consider a plasma by any one besides Panasonic and Pioneer at this time. They have a proven track record for reliability, quality and out of warranty service. Almost all other brands are disposable; they have no serious after warranty service and/or parts available. And seriously, the only plasma brand television that is going to objectively exceed the visual quality of one of the modern Panasonics is a modern Pioneer(at a significant cost increase for a slight visual quality increase).

-Chris

 

[bmccord]

To late, it will be here tomorrow morning. Thanks everyone. I have never actually owned a plasma before. I assume the 'specific break-in settings' are in the instruction manual? I keep hearing that there is a 100 hour period before you can crank it up. Thanks.

 

[jonnythan]

The LG plasmas are pretty good. I wouldn't worry about it.

IMO "break-in" is a crock. Calibrate properly with Avia or similar and forget about it.

 

[bmccord]

Good deal. Speaking of deals, got it brand new in box for 2599.99 so I am not too worried. I bought the 3 year plan on it just in case (only 250) so I did not get hurt.

 

[pcefrog]

plasma problems

i own a 52" Samsung plasma.. love it ....but one thing people need to know about plasmas..is SCREEN BURN..
i was told you cant play video games on plasmas as stuff like the logo and score etc ..stuff that just sits on the screen and doesn t move ..will wreck your tv....i dont play video games on my tv...(call of duty on my pc).
BUT... i was also told that you cant have anything on your screen for a long time or youll also get screen burn...i have 12 HD channels and watch alot of DVDs so i didnt think i would have a problem...wrong...my teen age daughters watch a lot of MTV....guess what? MTV is not in HD. so the picture does not fill the whole screen, which a lot of channels dont...so now i have lines that are constantly on the sides , you can see them watching somthing with a white or black back ground...very annoying ...and no i cant get them to not watch mtv six hours a day.
dont know if i can get a new tv with my warrenty or if the tv is fixable.

 

[gus6464]

i own a 52" Samsung plasma.. love it ....but one thing people need to know about plasmas..is SCREEN BURN..
i was told you cant play video games on plasmas as stuff like the logo and score etc ..stuff that just sits on the screen and doesn t move ..will wreck your tv....i dont play video games on my tv...(call of duty on my pc).
BUT... i was also told that you cant have anything on your screen for a long time or youll also get screen burn...i have 12 HD channels and watch alot of DVDs so i didnt think i would have a problem...wrong...my teen age daughters watch a lot of MTV....guess what? MTV is not in HD. so the picture does not fill the whole screen, which a lot of channels dont...so now i have lines that are constantly on the sides , you can see them watching somthing with a white or black back ground...very annoying ...and no i cant get them to not watch mtv six hours a day.
dont know if i can get a new tv with my warrenty or if the tv is fixable.

I just got a 720 Panasonic TX75U plasma and I am loving it. Returned a 42" 1080p lcd to get it. The PQ of the plasma in SD is a lot better than the LCD and at the 10ft distance I sit I cannot tell the difference between the lcd and the plasma.

I also played Folklore and some NCAA 2008 on the ps3 for over 6 hours this weekend and the screen didn't have any burn in where the life bar is on folklore and the core bar is on ncaa.