HDTV Suggestions

[cobra_kai]

ST50 and GT50 are very similar. The GT50 adds some thx picture modes, one additional hdmi input, a faster processor for the smart tv crap, and a few other items. Details here: http://www.avsforum.com/t/1403635/official-panasonic-gt50-series-discussion-thread-no-street-price-talk#post_21865487

Bottom line you get essentially the same picture quality so unless you need one of the features the GT adds you might as well stick with the ST and save a few hundred bucks. Or get a bigger one with the savings

[Voltron]

I think it goes (top to bottom)

How did Fitz get into this discussion?

[n_maher]

Wife insinuated last night that if a new TV were to arrive prior to a new kitchen that balls would be stomped... or something like.  Hence, no new TV for Nate.  For now.  Until I can find another avenue for it to arrive without pain.  I did play with a Smart TV (Samsung I think) last night and it's pretty damn cool tech in my book.  And jebus, the 50st50 is $999...

[recstar24]

Yeah the 50st50 is staring me in the face. Love technology, for exact same price when i got my g25 I'd be getting a way better tv (and the g25 is a nice set as is).

[Dusty Chalk]

Or you could get a JVC D-ILA, then you could set it up on as large or as small a screen as you like. My friend the home theater buff who has the best setup I've ever seen has one.

[VPI]

Wife insinuated last night that if a new TV were to arrive prior to a new kitchen that balls would be stomped... or something like.  Hence, no new TV for Nate.  For now.  Until I can find another avenue for it to arrive without pain.  I did play with a Smart TV (Samsung I think) last night and it's pretty damn cool tech in my book.  And jebus, the 50st50 is $999...

It is unfortunately a terrible TV.  I cannot stand my 9000 series Samsung.

[The Monkey]

What about on the smaller end.  What's a decent bedroom TV?  Trying to figure out size/price.  I wouldn't need something big.  But what's not big these days that's readily available and doesn't suck?

[Dusty Chalk]

I'm partial enough to Sony that that's what I bought for myself.

[HeadphoneAddict]

Does this look like a good budget Panasonic 55" 3D plasma for $1200?

http://gizmodo.com/5964094/panasonic-st50-plasma-television-review-good-picture-great-value

[grawk]

That is the one that's been recommended several times.

[swt61]

But what's not big these days that's readily available and doesn't suck?

Damn! I was just about to say "me", until that last part.

Seriously though, it seems as though a decent 40" is priced so close to anything smaller, that why wouldn't you just go 40", even in a bedroom?

[The Monkey]

Does this look like a good budget Panasonic 55" 3D plasma for $1200?

http://gizmodo.com/5964094/panasonic-st50-plasma-television-review-good-picture-great-value

 

 

That is the one that's been recommended several times.

 

 

Yup, that's pretty much considered the sweet spot in Panny's lineup in terms of bang-for-the-buck.  It uses a lot of the tech in the better (but pricier) GT and VT models. 

[Dusty Chalk]

Or even smaller -- I have my 40" main TV in my bedroom right now, and it's pretty overwhelming. Need to move it back out into the main area (with some sort of way to prevent kitty from knocking it over), and if I get anything for the bedroom, I'll get something smaller, like a 32".

That said -- there are problems. A lot of the companies I like stopped making 240Hzers in this size, I had to go back a generation to get what I want.

[cutestory]

Or you could get a JVC D-ILA, then you could set it up on as large or as small a screen as you like. My friend the home theater buff who has the best setup I've ever seen has one.

 

+1

 

I have one of these (the JVC RS-25 on a 106" screen), and that shit is bananas. It does require a dedicated room, though.

[naamanf]

+1

 

I have one of these (the JVC RS-25 on a 106" screen), and that shit is bananas. It does require a dedicated room, though.

+2

Sony HW30ES with 100" here. Like looking through a giant window with good HD content.

[T-Bird]

Rule number 8. You can't go wrong with a Panasonic Viera Plasma

[emelius]

still making due with my Kuro Elite Signature Series:)...

[recstar24]

Quiet you...

[The Monkey]

Is 60hz a deal-breaker on a smallish LCD TV for a bedroom?

[Dusty Chalk]

Not at all -- I'd rather have a decent TV with 60Hz, than some mediocre model with 120Hz or whatever.  You will be lucky if you can see the difference.  If you're concerned, go to a store and compare side-by-side.  Size is irrelevant, so much as content (action, sports, esp. high-res).

[blessingx]

Hell, some people turn off 120 if they have they option.

[jwzhan]

With these high refresh rate, everything looks very artificial, because there is much less blur caused by TV itself. It took me a very long time to get use to. I have a 60Hz Sony LCD TV and a 600Hz Samsung Plasma,I don't really see much difference between the two in terms of refresh rate. The Samsung might have better resolution and less motion blur when things are moving absurdly fast, but that can be a result of many other things than the refresh rate.

[cobra_kai]

Plasma refresh rates really can't be compared to LCD refresh rates. The only reason plasmas say that 600 Hz BS is to compete with the LCDs that keep upping their advertised refresh rate. For plasmas it refers to the subfield drive, or really how fast each individual pixel is being excited which is a requirement of plasma technology due to rapid decay of light from each pixel. This post here explains things much better than I can: http://www.hdtvtalk.com/threads/15597-What-does-600Hz-Sub-Field-Drive-mean

[jwzhan]

thanks for the article. I knew the whole refresh rate thing is just to feed the ever growing demand of "better" products. I was just saying that even compared with the "superior" and faster plasma, 60Hz LCD is more than enough to me.

[Dusty Chalk]

With these high refresh rate, everything looks very artificial, because there is much less blur caused by TV itself.

Actually, it can look very artificial, but doesn't necessarily have to.  It depends on the algorithm used to generate the data between the two actual frames.  Some are better than others.  It's analogous to upsampling.  Just a minor quibble -- otherwise everything that's been said are all good points.