Videophiles?

[hchytd]

I realize this site is mostly about sound, but as I create my A/V room, in addition to the receiver and surround speakers it is equally vital for me to get the best visual bang for my buck.

More specifically, I am in the market for a 50' plasma HDTV and have been hard-pressed to find many good resources, consumer feedback comparing the brands and units. Currently, I am leaning toward a Panasonic industrial model (since best picture for my dollar is of highest priority), however, I'd love to get more feedback.

Any advice out there?

Thanx in advance,

-Tiffany

 

[agarwalro]

You are on the right track by looking at industrial models. They are significantly lower priced than the equivalent consumer models and may offer better picture quality too, but only after calibration.

I have not been looking to upgrade my current TV, so I cannot comment on brands or models.

 

[BMXTRIX]

There actually seems to be a trend heading away from that. Where Pioneer used to use the same cards in their Elite lines as they did in their commercial products, they have now turned away from that as well, you will find that Panasonic 50" plasmas have more color depth in their home products than they do in the 8uk series of plasmas.

This indicates, that while the glass may be the same and come off the same assembly line, the actual video cards and graphical capabilities of these cards are now being heavily optimized for home theater use and that people will get more benefit out of actually buying the home theater model instead of the commercial model for hundreds less.

Add to that, the commercial model won't have features such as an internal ATSC tuner, CableCard, speakers, etc. This may not matter to some, but how about the HDMI port? That typically isn't there either. So, you pay a bit more (couple hundred) to add the HDMI port to the display.

I don't consider home theater products of the same caliber over priced - I believe they charge you appropriately for the extra features they are adding.

I personally am looking forward to when 2-way cable cards are finally out and you have a DVR built into your 50" plasma (or 42"?) and can have full Tivo functionality, yet all the simplicity of just turning on the tv and watching it when you want with zero external boxes.

 

[Vancouver]

I realize this site is mostly about sound, but as I create my A/V room, in addition to the receiver and surround speakers it is equally vital for me to get the best visual bang for my buck.

More specifically, I am in the market for a 50' plasma HDTV and have been hard-pressed to find many good resources, consumer feedback comparing the brands and units. Currently, I am leaning toward a Panasonic industrial model (since best picture for my dollar is of highest priority), however, I'd love to get more feedback.

Any advice out there?

Thanx in advance,

-Tiffany

Im very concerned with picture quality and when I get my next plasma (currently I have a Panasonic) there are some things that would be a must to me. First I would only get a plasma which will accept its native resolution and then I would get a good extern processor. If I were you I would look at Fujitsu.

Pioneer, Fujitsu and Bang & Olufson (glass made by panasonic) have the best plasmas on the mark right now.

 

[ruadmaa]

Also Check

I realize this site is mostly about sound, but as I create my A/V room, in addition to the receiver and surround speakers it is equally vital for me to get the best visual bang for my buck.

More specifically, I am in the market for a 50' plasma HDTV and have been hard-pressed to find many good resources, consumer feedback comparing the brands and units. Currently, I am leaning toward a Panasonic industrial model (since best picture for my dollar is of highest priority), however, I'd love to get more feedback.

Any advice out there?

Thanx in advance,

-Tiffany

For the most video information around (or at least an awful lot of it) check out: www.hdtvoice.com That is a site dedicated solely to video and may be able to help you a bit more.

 

[mfabien]

For the most video information around (or at least an awful lot of it) check out: www.hdtvoice.com That is a site dedicated solely to video and may be able to help you a bit more.

But moderation is not always... "kind".