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New tv?

Well it looks like the not so old Samsung 50 inch plasma is on its last legs. It has a blue vertical band running down the left side and repair folks are telling me it is likely the display panel which cost as much or more than a new TV to repair. So what are you folks liking these days as the best TV for home theater? This is a set up with an oppo 103 and NAD integrated amp and Sonus fabar toy towers. We are looking for a 55 inch set and are wondering if plasma is still the best way to go? As always thanks for any suggestions.
audiowoman
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I still have not seen the New topmodel of the Samsung Plasma. Maybe I will buy one this year. I still use the Samsung PS64D8000. 2 years ago this one was a lot more sharp and had a lot more light output compared to the VT30 of Panasonic. Last year model E8000 had a very low light output. A big mistake of Samsung. The thing I still don't like about the Panasonics is the material they use. It still looks cheep and plastico fantastico. Lastb year the output still was not a lot. This year this is a lot better. Samsung clames to have the best blacks and light output of a screen this year. Could become the new for me....
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I think I will order the Samsung PS64F8500 this week.....I took my decision....I will make a review over a few weeks.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
Why F8500 over ZT60?

- looks; on the wall it looks 3 times more expensive than a zt60. Material and shape are superior over Panasonic ZT60.

- Light output is superior. This part is a lot more important than the best black levels. This gives you much more quality and pleasure in watching tv during daytime. Why magzines and the internet tests do not talk about this.

White is the most difficult colour for plasma. White is a lot better at Samsung plasma.

Options; a lot more complete, many more features
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
http://www.electronichouse.com/article/samsung_and_panasonic_top_hdtv_shootout/

Many magazines and also internet review forget some very important parts which are more important than the things they test. For example the VT30 had a very irritating low light output. Watching during daytime irritated me very fast. I did not see any test who talked about this big flaw.
jjrenman
279 posts
 
IME, light output is only more important than black levels in a room where you can not control the ambient light. If that is the issue than LED's are even better as they do not have as a reflective screen surface as a plasma and are capable of even more light output.

Without excellent black levels as well as evenly spaced "shades of gray" a TV has no hope of accurately rendering a color image properly. Kuro's did both of these things better than other plasma's available at the time. Panasonic now owns the Kuro tech and has been integrating it into their plasma's over the last two years.
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