Don't tell the wife but i'm tempted to upgrade the TV

[PJ S]

gbbird said:

....I would think that if your TV is to be hooked up to your PC/Media centre, a 1080p LCD might be the better option over plasma.
.....

Why would LCD be better than Plasma due to a PC/MC being connected?
There's a very good reason Panasonic gets mentioned more than any other brand, and Plasma over LCD, because they are now de facto in Pioneer's absence, who became the de facto when Fujitsu left the scene.
Panasonic have been the only manufacturer to properly invest in Plasma, which they and the consumer, have reaped the rewards because of.
Yes there are some LCD's getting very close to them, but they still suffer the inherent LCD motion resolution flaw, even if being a bit nit-picky.

[gbbird]

PJ S said:

gbbird said:

....I would think that if your TV is to be hooked up to your PC/Media centre, a 1080p LCD might be the better option over plasma.
.....

Why would LCD be better than Plasma due to a PC/MC being connected?
There's a very good reason Panasonic gets mentioned more than any other brand, and Plasma over LCD, because they are now de facto in Pioneer's absence, who became the de facto when Fujitsu left the scene.
Panasonic have been the only manufacturer to properly invest in Plasma, which they and the consumer, have reaped the rewards because of.
Yes there are some LCD's getting very close to them, but they still suffer the inherent LCD motion resolution flaw, even if being a bit nit-picky.

I base my statement on the premise that, should the TV be part-used as a PC type monitor, then there is the likelihood that it will display a significant amount of static images, which i understand can cause IR with plasmas moreso than with LCD. One must also take note that LCD is primarily the choice for all desktop PC monitors and other static image uses (eg message display monitors).

My personal opinion on LCD and Plasma is based on what i read and listen to from a number of sources and more importantly what i experience in my own home and the homes of friends. I do not work in the AV business nor do i particualry care for the minute detail of it all - I am very much a consumer (albeit I like to think a reasonably informed one) yet in many ways i think this helps to give a more balanced, non technical and more practical view on things. There are pros and cons for both, and perhaps if all other external factors are equal and optimal (eg lighting, positioning, no window glare, surroundings, other AV sources) then Plasma may well come out on top for pure movie viewing. But in the case of the regular individual who wants a good TV in their lounge for regular use via a plethora of sources, the above factors are not always optimal, hence a large Panny plasma is not always going to be the most suitable, most sensible or indeed the most cost effective option for them.

Edited by gbbird on Thursday 17th December 09:26

[parapaul]

gbbird said:

PJ S said:

gbbird said:

....I would think that if your TV is to be hooked up to your PC/Media centre, a 1080p LCD might be the better option over plasma.
.....

Why would LCD be better than Plasma due to a PC/MC being connected?
There's a very good reason Panasonic gets mentioned more than any other brand, and Plasma over LCD, because they are now de facto in Pioneer's absence, who became the de facto when Fujitsu left the scene.
Panasonic have been the only manufacturer to properly invest in Plasma, which they and the consumer, have reaped the rewards because of.
Yes there are some LCD's getting very close to them, but they still suffer the inherent LCD motion resolution flaw, even if being a bit nit-picky.

I base my statement on the premise that, should the TV be part-used as a PC type monitor, then there is the likelihood that it will display a significant amount of static images, which i understand can cause IR with plasmas moreso than with LCD. One must also take note that LCD is primarily the choice for all desktop PC monitors and other static image uses (eg message display monitors).

My personal opinion on LCD and Plasma is based on what i read and listen to from a number of sources and more importantly what i experience in my own home and the homes of friends. I do not work in the AV business nor do i particualry care for the minute detail of it all - I am very much a consumer (albeit I like to think a reasonably informed one) yet in many ways i think this helps to give a more balanced, non technical and more practical view on things. There are pros and cons for both, and perhaps if all other external factors are equal and optimal (eg lighting, positioning, no window glare, surroundings, other AV sources) then Plasma may well come out on top for pure movie viewing. But in the case of the regular individual who wants a good TV in their lounge for regular use via a plethora of sources, the above factors are not always optimal, hence a large Panny plasma is not always going to be the most suitable, most sensible or indeed the most cost effective option for them.

Edited by gbbird on Thursday 17th December 09:26

Good post!

[pmanson]

Stopped in at Richer Sounds on my lunch break and spoke to a very helpful member of staff in the MK branch.

Since I went in last time I've measured the distance between the sofa and the TV at 3m. His thoughts were to go for a 42" over the 50" or maybe even a 37".

Going to go in my with my dvd player and a couple of dvds on Sunday and have a look at a couple of sets. One option is to hang fire on the Blu-Ray player and just get a new TV or just pick up a Blu-Ray player and then have a look for a TV sometime in the New Year.

We'll have to see what passes the wife test!

[pmanson]

Guys,

Popped into a few shops yesterday with the intention of buying myself a Blu-Ray player and to try and see if I could have a good look at some of the Panasonic TVs...

We've currently got a Toshiba 32WL66 mounted on the wall being fed by a Virgin V+, Media PC and Pioneer DVD Player via an Onkyo 605 Amp.

Viewing distance is 3m and we're thinking about either a 42G10/G15 on an LG 50PS3000.

The guy I spoke to at Panasonic recommended the 42G10 over the 42G15 with either the DMPBD60 or DMPBD80 (depending on whether or not the Onkyo 605 can cope with the HD Audio feeds?). The reason for going for the G10 over the G15 was because I have a Media PC so wouldn't make sure of the additional features in the G15.

The LG 50PS3000 is another contender that I've thought about and I got my first chance to view one yesterday (and it was side by side with a 50G10) in John Lewis.

They were showing football on BBC HD and although I couldn't view the screens from the viewing distance we would use (due to the layout of the shop) I thought the picture on the LG was better! It seemed to cope with the motion of the players running around much better than the Panasonic. The grass was more detailed as well.

Being subjective for a second the 50G10 could have been set up badly/using a poor feed/too close for viewing (the 42S10/42X10/42G15 when viewed from the same distance looked great).

My wife and I are going to pop in at lunchtime to see what passes the wife test in regards to the size of TV, with a view to making a purchase on the 27th December (probably with Der).

So my questions/queries for you guys & gals:

1. With a viewing distance of 3m would be better the 42G10 or the 50PS3000 (TV is actually mounted above the sofa).

2. Does anyone have experience with running a Media PC through either set?

3. Regarding the audio side of things - will the DMPBD60 work well with the Onkyo 605?


Many thanks,
Phill

[dave_s13]

gbbird said:

.............
I base my statement on the premise that, should the TV be part-used as a PC type monitor, then there is the likelihood that it will display a significant amount of static images, which i understand can cause IR with plasmas moreso than with LCD........

I've been using a Panny Plasma (42") hooked up to a HTPC for 2 years and there's not a hint of IR.

I think this really is a myth. You would have to leave the image on the TV for days to have any significant image retention. Even then you would have to disable the TV's inbuilt protection against this happening. So, not an issue.

I also have an LCD in the bedroom, bought on a whim with no research...mistake. I'd not buy another. They look great with a quality HD feed but not a patch on a plasma when it comes to SD "normal" telly.

All very subjective though..

Edited by dave_s13 on Monday 21st December 20:51

[R60EST]

I've got the 50" Lg plasma , it's a really good TV , and not that expensive in relation to it's competitors. I have only had an SD feed until recently and have been more than happy

Last week I went for a £99 Grundig Freesat HD box and it's taken on a whole new dimension . Really , treat yourself you won't regret it. And when was the last time a woman was satisfied with something smaller........

[pmanson]

R60EST said:

I've got the 50" Lg plasma , it's a really good TV , and not that expensive in relation to it's competitors. I have only had an SD feed until recently and have been more than happy

Last week I went for a £99 Grundig Freesat HD box and it's taken on a whole new dimension . Really , treat yourself you won't regret it. And when was the last time a woman was satisfied with something smaller........

I went to RS with the intention of picking one up last night... then I couldn't remember the PIN on my credit card (I rarely use it). Doh!

[gbbird]

pmanson said:

R60EST said:

I've got the 50" Lg plasma , it's a really good TV , and not that expensive in relation to it's competitors. I have only had an SD feed until recently and have been more than happy

Last week I went for a £99 Grundig Freesat HD box and it's taken on a whole new dimension . Really , treat yourself you won't regret it. And when was the last time a woman was satisfied with something smaller........

I went to RS with the intention of picking one up last night... then I couldn't remember the PIN on my credit card (I rarely use it). Doh!

You clearly do not use your credit card often enough my friend

[pmanson]

gbbird said:

pmanson said:

R60EST said:

I've got the 50" Lg plasma , it's a really good TV , and not that expensive in relation to it's competitors. I have only had an SD feed until recently and have been more than happy

Last week I went for a £99 Grundig Freesat HD box and it's taken on a whole new dimension . Really , treat yourself you won't regret it. And when was the last time a woman was satisfied with something smaller........

I went to RS with the intention of picking one up last night... then I couldn't remember the PIN on my credit card (I rarely use it). Doh!

You clearly do not use your credit card often enough my friend

Santa came early in our house this year...

The Toshiba 32WL66 has been replaced by a 50" LG 50PS3000 and the Pioneer DVD Player changed to an LG BR360.



Slightly larger than the old one!


Upgrading the Media Centre to Windows 7:


Need to adjust the TV on the bracket (the tv needs moving slightly to the right) and then reinstall the centre speaker:



Thanks to Greg for giving me a helping hand with the bracket/lifting!

[gbbird]

Looks very nice mate - even better in the flesh

g

[GingerMunky]

LocoBlade said:

Ive not had chance to try much HD other than BBC HD via Freesat, but having just upgraded from a 28" widescreen CRT to a 42G10 and watching from a similar distance, I think for the vast majority of my viewing (Sky SD), a 42" is fine.

I know the purists will baulk at that and say you need at least a 60" from 10-12ft and obviously for HD the bigger the better, but IMHO anything bigger would likely mean having to put up with slightly degraded SD picture quality, because if I sit a lot closer I do start to notice the limitations in SD picture quality especially when the transmission bitrate isnt so I suspect the same would occur on a bigger screen, but from a greater distance.

Edited by LocoBlade on Tuesday 15th December 14:18

I think you can definitely notice the difference on a 37-42" screen. I site in front of a monitor all day with sharpe resolution, when I watch my LG42" at home SD always looks muddy. The main distraction with SD though if the MPEG decoded artifacts, which are far less visible in HD on any size sreen.