Looking for a new TV...

[Jack Hammer]

...My place got broke into a the end of September and among the casualties was my 52" LCD TV (Samsung LNT5271F). So now I'm looking for a replacement. I'm thinking Plasma since I can get a better picture for less money (which is pretty tight at the moment) and have maybe a grand to spend. I'd really like a Panasonic tcp--g10 but they haven't fallen into my affordable range yet and I'm open to ideas and suggestions.

A few things that are very important to me are decent black levels, no motion blur, and overall picture clarity, I can live with less than perfect color correctness. LCD's are out for now due to the way I see pictures, on LCD's I always see the jerky motion (yes, even with high refresh rates) as if I'm seeing each frame, especially on pans and fast action scenes (used to drive me nuts even with my last tv). All suggestions are welcome. What do you think the best TV for me is?

 

[just-some-guy]

see sig.

thats kinda funny. yesterday i got a email of my mitsu, its on craigslist. i called the guy. he said his place got broke into, and was looking for a replacement. would that be you ?

 

[Jack Hammer]

see sig.

thats kinda funny. yesterday i got a email of my mitsu, its on craigslist. i called the guy. he said his place got broke into, and was looking for a replacement. would that be you ?

Sorry, not me. Hate to hear it's happened to others. About the largest I can fit in my tiny place is a 54", so I'm really looking for something like a 50" plasma. I was gonna grab the tcp50s1 at Amazon for $897, but they sold out (I really want a g10). Any ideas suggestions?

 

[jostenmeat]

Sorry, not me. Hate to hear it's happened to others. About the largest I can fit in my tiny place is a 54", so I'm really looking for something like a 50" plasma. I was gonna grab the tcp50s1 at Amazon for $897, but they sold out (I really want a g10).

Yeah, my close friend was burglarized last winter, and there was a secondary attempt a number of months later. I'm sorry for you, what a terrible thing. I even started a thread about trying to hunt the burlgars down, because we had an outside lead, but it was complicated. Anyways, between friends, we replaced her business class PJ, and her family helped replace a few other things. I am planning on giving my trusty BD30 to her upon arrival of the BD60, thanks to the deal Adam posted.

Any ideas suggestions?

You're already looking at what you should be. Stay on course. May I ask what it is about the G10, very specifically, that you prefer over the S1?

 

[Jack Hammer]

...You're already looking at what you should be. Stay on course. May I ask what it is about the G10, very specifically, that you prefer over the S1?

Initially it was because it had a higher rating in the reviews I saw, cnet etc, but mainly because I won't be able to afford a pro calibration and could get by with just using the THX setting and because I can connect my laptop to it. I've been looking at the 720p X1 model as its more in line with what I can afford at the moment, but I'd really prefer 1080p (I sit 7' from screen and have better than normal vision).

 

[jostenmeat]

but I'd really prefer 1080p (I sit 7' from screen and have better than normal vision).

You're in a tough spot, no doubt. I absolutely concur with getting 1080p if you are 7 ft away with better than 20/20. For 6.5 ft is right about exactly where full benefit of 1080 is had with 20/20 vision on a 50". IOW, I vote S1 over the X1. The G10 is a nice TV, and I definitely understand the desire to at least check out THX mode. Perhaps you can visit a store, and ask them to put it on THX. Be aware it will be a lot dimmer than the other mega scorch mode TVs.

Now, if color accuracy is not that important as you mentioned, then THX mode with extra pic controls otherwise might not be worth paying for in your position. Resolution, definitely.

Look for the SM offsets recommendation PDF that I've posted here a few times. 7 pages, well written, for the S1.

I think for now, either sit still and wait until you can afford what you truly want (G10) or that some crazy sale happens (keep paying attn to Adam's posts, and maybe join forces with STRONGBADF1), or if you are less patient, I'm going to vote for the S1.

Regarding motion resolution, there will always be some sort of blur. Then consider that all of the TVs you look at apply 3:2. However, motion resolution is best on plasma for sure. The LCDs can match Panasonic, but only if FI is engaged for this spec. Pioneer blows them all out of the water, almost doubling Panasonic in this regard.

 

[Adam]

...thanks to the deal Adam posted.

I still feel bad that I didn't see the other deal and that you didn't get those other two movies. However, I bet that you'll be happy with that player!

I'll keep my eyes out for a 50" S1 and G10 deal.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Best Buy has the 50" S1 on sale through tomorrow (Monday) for $897.99. I may go pick that one up unless I see a better deal in the morning somewhere.

 

[Adam]

From everything that I've read, the S1 is a darn nice set. I have the 50" G10, and I'm under the impression that the performance is the same except that the G10 has the THX mode as an option. There's also the networking capability on the G10, and if you want that, then perhaps you should wait. I never use it and don't think it's worth waiting to get, personally. If they ever add Netflix, then I'll change my mind.

 

[Jack Hammer]

The main feature I like about the g10 is the pc connectivity. My old 52" was used as my primary monitor and I kinda miss it, though it's not a total deal breaker. I don't see myself using the networking much, but you never know it would be nice to have. As long as I can get a decent picture that isn't smudgy or choppy with panning and fast motion and has good black levels I'll be ok. I'm gonna think on it til tomorrow. I do appreciate the help so far.

 

[Adam]

Are you referring to the PC video input (VGA)? As a note, I connect my computer using an HDMI video input and it works great.

 

[Adam]

$900 on the 50" S1 is still the best that I see, but Sears once again has the 54" S1 for $1100. Pick it up in-store to save the delivery fee.

 

[jostenmeat]

The main feature I like about the g10 is the pc connectivity. My old 52" was used as my primary monitor and I kinda miss it, though it's not a total deal breaker. I don't see myself using the networking much, but you never know it would be nice to have. As long as I can get a decent picture that isn't smudgy or choppy with panning and fast motion and has good black levels I'll be ok. I'm gonna think on it til tomorrow. I do appreciate the help so far.

Just to put something in perspective, blur is a normal thing. Wave your hand in front of your face. Even rather slowly, will it be a blur. If you pause an action sequence, there is no motion anymore, but the still frame will still look like a blur. Sure, I understand the desire to not have any more blur than what the source intended, but I already think by going with plasma there is nothing more you can do about it.

I don't know how extraordinarily your videophile perceptions are, but you might consider a display that avoids 3:2 pulldown to be sure to completely avoid judder with film sources. OTOH, I bet if you ask most any of the S1/G10/G15 owners here, they don't notice the judder. With Panasonic, you'd have to step all the way up to the V10 to avoid 3:2 of BD/DVD.

With the above in mind, I give you the green light to bring home the S1 today.

 

[Adam]

With the above in mind, I give you the green light to bring home the S1 today.

We have a "go." Repeat. We have a "go."

This is not a drill.

 

[Adam]

Did you get the TV?!?

 

[Jack Hammer]

Well I ended up with the 50" S1 from Sears. It was a pain and I may never buy from them again and just opt for the simplicity of online instead. Short version is their price matching policy is as close to a bait and switch tactic as you can get without actually doing that. They finally relented after 2 hours and me talking with their manager and I picked it up at the Sears a few blocks from me instead of waiting til Saturday for a delivery from the BB across town (I don't drive). But they way they handled everything and the way their less than being up front left a realy bad taste in my mouth.

So far I just I haven't played with the settings much so I can't say much about the pq (other than the outa the box the settings suck a lot). I'm sure that'll improve after some tweaking. The motion is already smoother than my LCD was with panning and faster motion and that's just watching a little OTA tv. I'm gonna play with it tonight then leave a break in program running on it over night and tomorrow day. Then basically repeat for the next couple of weeks.

Again, I appreciate all the help offered here.

 

[jostenmeat]

Well I ended up with the 50" S1 from Sears. It was a pain and I may never buy from them again and just opt for the simplicity of online instead. Short version is their price matching policy is as close to a bait and switch tactic as you can get without actually doing that. They finally relented after 2 hours and me talking with their manager and I picked it up at the Sears a few blocks from me instead of waiting til Saturday for a delivery from the BB across town (I don't drive). But they way they handled everything and the way their less than being up front left a realy bad taste in my mouth.

While I am sorry for what you experienced, a serious PITA, unnecessarily, I do thank you for sharing your experiences. I will think twice before I send anyone to Sears for any particular deal.

So far I just I haven't played with the settings much so I can't say much about the pq (other than the outa the box the settings suck a lot). I'm sure that'll improve after some tweaking. The motion is already smoother than my LCD was with panning and faster motion and that's just watching a little OTA tv. I'm gonna play with it tonight then leave a break in program running on it over night and tomorrow day. Then basically repeat for the next couple of weeks.

Read this previous post of mine, which also has the aforementioned PDF with SM settings as done by, as far as I know, an interested consumer.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=634626&postcount=9

Again, I appreciate all the help offered here.

I'm glad we could help.