You mention Panasonic (I have a 50G25 in my bedroom & love it) as having superior quality but have you read this?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1167339 . Or this?
http://hometheater.about.com/b/2010/03/06/panasonic-sued-over-plasma-black-level-issue.htm
There are several detailed threads at AVS as well as quite a few articles from respected sources detailing what’s been deemed as a bit of a scandal. Panasonic came up with a kind of goofy answer to explain why they “purposefully” have their TVs do this, but come on. Add to that the fact that it’s now been reported that they fixed these displays for models moving forward so that the change is less noticeable and, to me, it sounds like an admission of guilt. I think what Panasonic was doing was setting things up to have their TVs setting be at “A” while in a showroom or at a review to show a better perceived & measurable, deeper picture only to have their TVs gradually change black level performance to “B, C, then D” real world levels after being in someone’s home over a period of time, possibly increasing durability?
While the Panasonic issues aren’t an example of a TV “breaking” I would certainly say that it’s a showing of how a brand of TV’s superior performance doesn’t hold up as advertised. Which begs the question: Knowing & comparing what the long term in-home picture quality would be on a showroom floor, would someone buy the Panasonic sets to begin with? Who knows, but Panasonic obviously felt the need to sway opinions.
This reminds me of how different companies (ahem, Sony anyone?) would fudge their receiver wattage ratings in order to show bigger numbers, however in real world usage there was no way the amp inside could realistically do what the fact sheets said.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure he knows about it, as it's been talked a lot about at various forums, AH being no exception. FWIW, I would pretty much only consider a Panny plasma myself if I was to buy my first flat panel (never have).
The above is definitely a major goof though. I guess depending on the model, it's either the rising MLL or the floating blacks.
But on the topic of reliability, anyone and their mother knows when a set isn't working anymore. I would say only 1 out of a 1000 would know that their MLL has risen. I can hardly think of anyone who does all of the following: 1) watches with all lights off 2) actually even calibrated their set to begin with 3) let alone have it on cinema/film/THX mode.
Not an excuse, and I know you've already distinguished the difference between "quality" and "reliability".
I've seen my friend's 65V10 a couple/few times now. No, he had no idea how to enable 24p in his system, nor had a clue that various NR settings were engaged, and he never watches anything with the lights off. The set looks fantastic, and even if the MLL was to rise, I want to know what LCD out there can beat it in terms of not only MLL, but shadow detail, motion resolution, color accuracy, etc, you know being overall superior, but at ~65" for ~$2500. Needless to say, I think it looks fantastic for the money, whatever the MLL might be measured atm.
My other friend landed a 50S2 for $680. I'd like to know what LCD, or plasma for that matter, out there can beat it at that size and price.
And for the worst case scenario of the rising MLL,
one day it will be just perfect again, though that would likely be years from the date of purchase. After all, that was the original intent, wasn't it?
