I read an article in my local paper a few weeks ago that RPTVs have a better picutre than Plasma TVs. No one can argue that Plasma TVs are a better choice if you are limited with space. However, how about picture quality? I have plenty of room and I am not limited when it comes to space; should I go with a Plasms TV or a RPTV?
plasma, although having a very clean and crisp image for DVD and HDTV does not reproduce the sutelness of colors and shading that CRT sets can. Also, to me anyway, the HDTV image on plasma seemed flat, it lacked depth in color and actual outline, maybe it is just me but i think HDTV looks better on a really good CRT compared to plasma. a lot of articles i have read in magazines tneds to agree with this point of view.
You guys have not looked at the lates model plasma diaplsy from Panasonic, Fujitsu, and Pioneer. There high resolution 50" panels blow away RPTVs, with excellent black levels and color. Its like looking thru a window even under bright conditions and at any angle, compared to a RPTV. I know one guy who had an expensive Zenith 9" gun RPTV (the highest resolution) and replaced it with a new Fujitsu 50" plasma because he could see it had much higher picture quality, even with analog NTSC video. The Fujitsu's scaling and de-interlacing electronics was superior.
It has been my experience that LCD just isn't there, yet. They can't seem to reproduce a good black, only a dark grey, and they sometimes have trouble with keeping up to a 60Hz refresh rate. Just my opinion and I am sure there are others who would disagree. If you are looking stricly at PQ I wouldn't really consider LCD right now, though.
I came across the same decision to make. My negative feeling to plasma was price. rptv's negative feeling was size and, more so, the picture changes if you move off center. I ultimately decided to spend some more and bought the 50 fujitsu. The deciding factor was a side by side comparison with rptv , plasma no doubt has a better picture.
All fixed pixel digital displays have an artifact that is often times percieved as a more clear or sharper picture. This is due to the individual pixels which create a false sense of sharpenss due to the defined barriers of such a device. Direct view CRT falls into this category as well. To provide the same Kell factor of projection CRT actually requires a pixel count 2-3 times higher than the target format. There is much talk of 4000X2000 LcOS on the horizon.
Ultimately there is nothing quite like a plasma. One of the most expensive and yet hottest display products that continues to sell because it is the only display you can hang on the wall. It is total scifi mania and decorators love them. It is not videophile yet but keeps getting better. Pixel count could end up being the biggest limitation.
The new LcOS based Toshiba will certainly be an exciting product that meets 1920X1080 but is still an RPTV. Ultimatley Projection CRT remains king for yet another year but I do predict it's days are numbered. GLV, a new display technology on the horizon, has the potential to actually mimic the mechanical qualitys of CRT and could radically change the videophile display market. Getting the pixel count higher on current technology is also working against our old friend the CRT. It's just a matter of time.
But, cutting to the chase am I to assume that it's better to buy a top of the line RPTV (I was thinking Toshiba) for now, and wait another couple of years to buy the latest Plasma TV at that time?
The first tells who manufactures the glass for different plasmas. the second compares 50"panasonic pioneer and fujitsu plasma. the last compares monitors of different sizes and technologies .
OK- I hate to do this, but Im still not sure which plasma is the best: the Pioneer PDP-5030HD or the Panasonic PT50PD3P (or even 50PHD5UY or 50PHD3U).
BLACK LEVELS
As far as I can tell, Panasonic has the best record for generating great black levels- though I havent herad anyone disparaging the Pioneer either.
RESOLUTION
The Panasonics are 1366 x 768, whereas the Pioneer is 1280 x 768. Does this make any difference at all re HD signals?
PRICE
The two cost about the same, with the Pioneer being about 250$ cheaper.
EYEBALL TEST
The Panasonic (PT50) looked fantastic!! It seemed sharper than the Pioneer, although the Pioneer looked pretty darn good and was displaying only a menu from a DVD- so it was hard to tell.
The Pioneer though looked better stylistically.
TECH
The Pioneer has an outboard media reciever. Dont know if this matters at all, though it seemed like it would be easier to hook up computers, etc... with a reciever.
BURN-IN
Anyone know anything about burn-in on these two or any other plasma? The Panasonic I was looking at in the store had some permanent burn-in damage- looked like a menu of some sort was just left on for a really long time. Can I avoid this by not leaving static source on long?
Thanks for any and all comments- you guys have been a lot of help so far. I plan on buying one of the two in the next couple of days (Ive been TV-less for the last month since moving!!)
The information posted on most web sites about who makes plasma for which brand names is out of date in many cases and misleading to boot. Go to a store that shows both the Fujitsu 50" and the panasonic 50" and look at the difference. The processor that drives the display is what makes one fixed pixel display look better than another. There are some cases where a badge is the only difference but that is not always the case. Example: Samsung does not build the 63" fujitsu but they do manufacture the glass substrate to Fujitsu specs and Fujitsu can accept or reject the panels as they QC each one. The frame, processor etc. are all Fujitsu.
As far as the debate over RPTV vs. Plasma vs. LCD- If your eye says it looks better and the unit fits your physical and financial constraints who cares what the "experts" have to say about which one YOU should own.
1. My understanding is that while Plasmas can reproduce a full range of colors (millions of colors), LCD's cannot .. they have a limited range.
2. Due to the current limitations of the technology, DLP RPTV's have problems displaying action that crosses the screen. For example if a race car moves from one side of the screen to the other it will not do so smoothly but will tend to make small jerky jumps across the screen. Front projector DLP's do not suffer from this limitation.
3. Hitachi's plasma screens are built by Fujitsu.
One thing I am fairly certain of ... LG now owns Zenith. LG sets are sold around the world as LG, but in the USA are still sold as Zenith. I have noticed that LG now sponsors HDTV broadcasts ... not Zenith.
Sam
I was all set to buy a Panasonic 50PHD5UY because I thought it was the best at the time. I also had space limitations. After coming to this forum I ended up buying a DLP. I have never regretted it. Just my two cents worth.
1. My understanding is that while Plasmas can reproduce a full range of colors (millions of colors), LCD's cannot .. they have a limited range.
I don't where that came from but have never heard this.
2. Due to the current limitations of the technology, DLP RPTV's have problems displaying action that crosses the screen. For example if a race car moves from one side of the screen to the other it will not do so smoothly but will tend to make small jerky jumps across the screen. Front projector DLP's do not suffer from this limitation.
Never heard of that either. Front or rear does not make any difference.
am I to assume that it's better to buy a top of the line RPTV (I was thinking Toshiba) for now, and wait another couple of years to buy the latest Plasma TV at that time?