Panasonic Plasma or Samsung LED?
Discussion
I think this has probably been asked before (search is unhelpful), but Im buying a new TV for my lounge - I watch movies (Bluray), some TV, lots of iplayer/netflix and play a reasonable amount of PS3.
I am torn between the Panasonic TX-P42GT50B plasma (£999) and the Samsung s8000 LED (£1149).
I always preferred the picture on a plasma, and it is slightly bigger (42 is a perfect size, but 40 isnt far off that really), but they give off a ton of heat. The Samsung seems like it would be much easier to hang on the wall without pulling plasterboard down and building a frame (stud walls, with no studs) and the pictures seem a lot less artificial than they used to (which was why I liked the plasma picture).
Any preference between them? I'll never use the voice/motion control on the samsung btw.
I am torn between the Panasonic TX-P42GT50B plasma (£999) and the Samsung s8000 LED (£1149).
I always preferred the picture on a plasma, and it is slightly bigger (42 is a perfect size, but 40 isnt far off that really), but they give off a ton of heat. The Samsung seems like it would be much easier to hang on the wall without pulling plasterboard down and building a frame (stud walls, with no studs) and the pictures seem a lot less artificial than they used to (which was why I liked the plasma picture).
Any preference between them? I'll never use the voice/motion control on the samsung btw.
Recently bought a Panasonic 42ST50 and I'm very pleased with it. I have it mounted on a plasterboard wall and it's fine. I did however make sure that I bought a mount that could span two uprights (I forget what they're called!) to provide strength.
I screwed the mount into the wood so it's not the plasterboard that's supporting the TV.
I looked at the Samsung LED TVs and I preferred the Plasma, especially when correctly setup at home.
I screwed the mount into the wood so it's not the plasterboard that's supporting the TV.
I looked at the Samsung LED TVs and I preferred the Plasma, especially when correctly setup at home.
I've had both.
When I bought my first Panasonic plasma (Series 5, IIRC), it was streets ahead of anything else on the market.
A couple of years ago, I was looking to upgrade and, after viewing the wall of TVs at Currys, Comet, et al, and trying various BluRays, I went for the Samsung UN46C8000 46" backlit LED.
There's no denying that the picture on the Samsung is simply stunning, although it did take a bit of fiddling to make it look a little less 'real'. I've also got a fairly decent upscaling AV-amp which helps non-HD channels.
Have since been able to compare the Samsung to Panasonic's (and other's) latest plasmas and, despite being a Panny advocate for many years, the Samsung wins hands-down on picture quality.
Best advice is to nip along to your local electrical superstore, try a few (with DVDs selected to test the TVs ie Men in Black, Monsters Inc, Avatar, etc) and see which looks best to you.
If you did opt for one of the modern LED units, you should also look at getting a decent soundbar or, ideally, a full surround system - the speakers on these superslim TVs tend to be very poor.
When I bought my first Panasonic plasma (Series 5, IIRC), it was streets ahead of anything else on the market.
A couple of years ago, I was looking to upgrade and, after viewing the wall of TVs at Currys, Comet, et al, and trying various BluRays, I went for the Samsung UN46C8000 46" backlit LED.
There's no denying that the picture on the Samsung is simply stunning, although it did take a bit of fiddling to make it look a little less 'real'. I've also got a fairly decent upscaling AV-amp which helps non-HD channels.
Have since been able to compare the Samsung to Panasonic's (and other's) latest plasmas and, despite being a Panny advocate for many years, the Samsung wins hands-down on picture quality.
Best advice is to nip along to your local electrical superstore, try a few (with DVDs selected to test the TVs ie Men in Black, Monsters Inc, Avatar, etc) and see which looks best to you.
If you did opt for one of the modern LED units, you should also look at getting a decent soundbar or, ideally, a full surround system - the speakers on these superslim TVs tend to be very poor.
What bothers me with LCD/LED is the dynamic range. You always have to choose between the highlights or shadows being clipped, in some cases badly clipped. Plasmas don't do that, you don't lose detail at either end. Motion is far superior too.
Out of interest, this seems like a lot of money for only a 40/42. Are you sitting very close ? If not, you'll miss out on most HD detail.
Out of interest, this seems like a lot of money for only a 40/42. Are you sitting very close ? If not, you'll miss out on most HD detail.
I'd also factor the 3d technology used in each - especially if you're going to use blueray...
Both Samsung & Panasonic (not exclusively I believe) use active 3d which IMHO is to put it politely is naff and gives me a headache.
I'm not a major 3d fan, but I'd rather have a passive set over an active set any day...
But as said above get a good demo of both...
I'm looking at either a 42" LG or a Philips ambilight myself.
Simes.
Both Samsung & Panasonic (not exclusively I believe) use active 3d which IMHO is to put it politely is naff and gives me a headache.
I'm not a major 3d fan, but I'd rather have a passive set over an active set any day...
But as said above get a good demo of both...
I'm looking at either a 42" LG or a Philips ambilight myself.
Simes.
nickfrog said:
What bothers me with LCD/LED is the dynamic range. You always have to choose between the highlights or shadows being clipped, in some cases badly clipped. Plasmas don't do that, you don't lose detail at either end. Motion is far superior too.
Out of interest, this seems like a lot of money for only a 40/42. Are you sitting very close ? If not, you'll miss out on most HD detail.
Yeah, pretty close - 2.5m at a guess. Out of interest, this seems like a lot of money for only a 40/42. Are you sitting very close ? If not, you'll miss out on most HD detail.
SS2. said:
I've had both.
When I bought my first Panasonic plasma (Series 5, IIRC), it was streets ahead of anything else on the market.
A couple of years ago, I was looking to upgrade and, after viewing the wall of TVs at Currys, Comet, et al, and trying various BluRays, I went for the Samsung UN46C8000 46" backlit LED.
There's no denying that the picture on the Samsung is simply stunning, although it did take a bit of fiddling to make it look a little less 'real'. I've also got a fairly decent upscaling AV-amp which helps non-HD channels.
Have since been able to compare the Samsung to Panasonic's (and other's) latest plasmas and, despite being a Panny advocate for many years, the Samsung wins hands-down on picture quality.
Best advice is to nip along to your local electrical superstore, try a few (with DVDs selected to test the TVs ie Men in Black, Monsters Inc, Avatar, etc) and see which looks best to you.
If you did opt for one of the modern LED units, you should also look at getting a decent soundbar or, ideally, a full surround system - the speakers on these superslim TVs tend to be very poor.
Agreed, we moved from a Panny Plasma to the Samsung ES6540, one of the best things we ever did. The F1 in HD looks incredibleWhen I bought my first Panasonic plasma (Series 5, IIRC), it was streets ahead of anything else on the market.
A couple of years ago, I was looking to upgrade and, after viewing the wall of TVs at Currys, Comet, et al, and trying various BluRays, I went for the Samsung UN46C8000 46" backlit LED.
There's no denying that the picture on the Samsung is simply stunning, although it did take a bit of fiddling to make it look a little less 'real'. I've also got a fairly decent upscaling AV-amp which helps non-HD channels.
Have since been able to compare the Samsung to Panasonic's (and other's) latest plasmas and, despite being a Panny advocate for many years, the Samsung wins hands-down on picture quality.
Best advice is to nip along to your local electrical superstore, try a few (with DVDs selected to test the TVs ie Men in Black, Monsters Inc, Avatar, etc) and see which looks best to you.
If you did opt for one of the modern LED units, you should also look at getting a decent soundbar or, ideally, a full surround system - the speakers on these superslim TVs tend to be very poor.
Maxf said:
Yeah, pretty close - 2.5m at a guess.
This is a very good guide for distance vs size vs resolution. http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html2.5m / 8.5ft to a 40/42 is actually quite far if you want to enjoy full 1080p / Bluray detail, but would be OK for HD broadcast.
I would aim for a 50 really on that budget, space allowing.
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