plasma vs.led: Is the panasonic vt plasma 55 inches better than the Sony LED XBR, or is the reverse true?
515901
You really have to see both side by side at a dealer. I can't think of a better answer. My answer is the VT is better because it's more versatile. The VT has inky blacks, great off angle viewing (more practical in a wider room or a room with viewers at different angles), and great motion and "pop". However, if you need a "bright" TV, LED/LCD is the way to go -- this is better for a room that's inundated with light, many windows, lots of daytime viewing. The plasma motion vs. sony XBR motion is another -- have to see it. I prefer plasma. Technically speaking in terms of black levels, the Sony with its local dimming feature will produce better blacks than the VT30, this has been measured by 3rd party people on the 'net.
1684590
Increase the backlight of the plasma if you want to compare them at similar levels of brightness. Consider what you will be watching (b750 handles standard definition DVD's and programing better), is sharper, and can be brighter for well lit rooms whereas the plasma will have more natural flow of high speed motion, better blacks when your lights are down, and "picture quality". Really, I find that "picture quality" is "signal quality" of the program you are watching and how well your machine can display it. LCD's have less blurring than before, plasmas have less burn in and ghosting, and to be dead honest with you- most of us are not videophiles and will not see the difference. I bought the b750 on sale and its very good and playing high definition and standard definition. I am particularly happy with it because most things I watch are NOT blue ray and the TV does an overall good job handling that media. It also looks nice which is a plus. Best of luck...
1855104
I have not been in the TV market for over a year. Since I first wrote the review, I switched over to top-of-the-line plasma technology. The picture on the Samsung 64" that I purchased is FAR superior to the Elite, and at a much lower price point. While plasma is said to be the older, dying technology, I have discovered that LED's with 'local dimming' simply can not match what plasmas can still do. I wish that I had discovered that sooner, as the Samsung is far less expensive.
1259429
Overall "brightness" is about the only perk of an LCD set. You would not even notice that a plasma is "dimmer" once you got it home and plugged it up. The best way to experience the overall quality of an HDTV is in a dark room. A dark room is where Plasma shows its real beauty and LCD shows its ugly side. The issues with LCD technology like bad viewing angles, ghosting, flashlighting, clouding etc. were enough to send me to plasma.
742379
Is that even useful? 37" seems like a really nice size (I'd love something bigger than 32", but 40" seems like it's pushing it). Really I'd *LOVE* an LED backlight and would pay for it, but since those seem to be virtually nonexistant at the moment in these sizes, Sony's best 37" seems like a nice choice.
2020709
Plasmas are becoming outdated. The LED nodes produce more light and a better picture. I play xbox and watch HD movies. This TV is awesome! It is very clear and easy to setup. My dad has the same TV and he loves it more than I do.
165402
I loved every second of my tv before I sold it, the thing that sucks with plasma is day light but at night it's crazy clear and looks like an lcd/led picture quality..... I bought the TV BC I'm a gamer, if u really want that crystal quality then tbh save that 8 Hundo spend another 5 and get the new 4k, plasma they stopped making this year it's a dead TV market finally, plasma a also tend to buzz more but there was nothing bad about the TV at all I bought it for 650 at best buy
969388
yeah... thats the edge lit LED. These sets have been discontinued by Samsung and a rumoured 9 series is on its way. Either way, if you go the LED route, it should have local dimming, like Samsungs 8500. There are also a few LGs and I believe a SONY that has it. But probably all future LED sets that come out will use this tech. so you will just have to play the waiting game. but i'm sure the cost will be higher. i think this plasma would be "good enough" (a relative term as this set is probably better than 98% of the sets out there!). and a heck of a lot cheaper!
1371392
Honestly, these comparisons depend on the taste of each one of us. A few years ago I had plasma TV from Sony, after it came time to buy the new Sony's xbr and now I'm preferring the new more expensive models from Samsung.
165163
It makes all this video says : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R2GdD94jTo It doesn't improve the color ( It depends what kind of tv you have . I think a Plasma is better than any other technology ( except : OLED ) if we talk about color gamut . The Seiki cable Works better in a 4k Tv ( just don't forget to set your BD in 1080 p and cable box in 720 p ) . Otherwise it won't work and it could turn the screen bluish from time to time . Salu2
974046
I did. I was debating between 8500 and VT60 and decided for the latter. They are both excellent TVs. I think for some reason Samsung appeared to be a bit more colorful and brighter than Panasonic. I think its because of their calibration and proprietary enhancer..However, I heard some quality issues with other Samsung models, especially with LCDs on other forums and went with the VT60 instead. It was a 50-49 decision making..However, for a bright room, I regret buying the Plasma because of the reflections. Given the specs, quad core etc. and browsing experience, I should've gone for Samsung but again Panasonic is king for plasma and my other Panasonic is still with no issues after 8 years.. I did. I was debating between 8500 and VT60 and decided for the latter. They are both excellent TVs. I think for some reason Samsung appeared to be a bit more colorful and brighter than Panasonic. I think its because of their calibration and proprietary enhancer..However, I heard some quality issues with other Samsung models, especially with LCDs on other forums and went with the VT60 instead. It was a 50-49 decision making..However, for a bright room, I regret buying the Plasma because of the reflections. Given the specs, quad core etc. and browsing experience, I should've gone for Samsung... » Read More I did. I was debating between 8500 and VT60 and decided for the latter. They are both excellent TVs. I think for some reason Samsung appeared to be a bit more colorful and brighter than Panasonic. I think its because of their calibration and proprietary enhancer..However, I heard some quality issues with other Samsung models, especially with LCDs on other forums and went with the VT60 instead. It was a 50-49 decision making..However, for a bright room, I regret buying the Plasma because of the reflections. Given the specs, quad core etc. and browsing experience, I should've gone for Samsung but again Panasonic is king for plasma and my other Panasonic is still with no issues after 8 years.. « Show Less
1720451
Hello I own the p50st30 and am an avid gamer, and I also ran the slides as well for the first 100 hours, I wouldn't even say that is necessary, but I am overly cautious when it comes to expensive toys and investments. Burn-in was a problem with some plasmas in the early 2000's after hours and hours of static images being displayed, but technology has advanced so much and panasonic has especially made an effort to fix this that I wouldn't even think twice about burn in. My friend owns a 2008 panasonic plasma and a few times he will see residual images faintly from long gaming sessions that dissapear instantly when he turns it back on or changes the screen, it also had some white slides that came with the tv settings that could be run to eliminate any apparent "burn in". Plasma offer much better picture quality at a much better value than led or lcd, it is too bad that soo many people have been scared off by burn-in stories from early generations of plasmas, they are truly excellent tvs. I would definately stick with the st30 over an LCD you wont regret it.
956713
@E.Binfet is correct. At 2 feet you can see it, but from 4-5 feet you won't notice it at all. We watch TV from 8-10 feet away and the picture is incredible... definitely superior to my 5-year old mid tier Panasonic plasma.Don't let the Pentile display keep you from getting a solid-performing plasma at an incredible price! It's a non-issue...
1962347
I have the LNT5265F and I love it love it love it! A friend has a Pana Plasma. I don't think Plasma has come far enough yet. Plasma has the potential to be better than LCD, but not yet. Go with the Samsung. I have 3 Samsungs 52", and 2 40" and they are all great.
1159187
My new 50" S30 is not as bright as the 3 year old 42" (720p) Panasonic plasma it replaced. The picture quality, however, is much better than the old plasma. It took me a couple of weeks to get used to it, but now it doesn't bother me (installed in my basement, little natural light) And keep in mind no plasma will be as bright as a LCD HDTV.
1930302
I only see the TH-42PZ8OU for $1100 at Sears - maybe it's different in the store itself.I went all out and got the 46' 1080p plasma for $1050 on Amazon last week. Now THAT was a good deal.
2278831
For Dark/Theater room=Plasma For viewing with significant ambient light= LED For 3D on those particular sets, this becomes even more important. I tried a similar Active 3d Panasonic Plasma in a room (even with curtains drawn) against a passive 3d set (Vizio, but similar technology). Though the passive cuts resolution down, the brightness made a world of difference. As much as I love Panasonic Plasma sets, it was simply too dark for watching during the day, especially with active 3d glasses.