Anyone know about the 50" Goodmans Plasma Argos have on offer?

Giblets · 30-07-2005, 23:58

Just saw this today for £2K minus a penny and thought it looked excellent value for a high def. (OK, it has the resolution at least, at 1366x768 but may lack HDMI, I think it has DVI though) panel but obviously quality, particularly of the scaling of PAL 576 line stuff is going to be the most important thing to me. Anyone seen any reviews or tried this panel out?

Thanks in advance for any info, good or bad.

alternate · 31-07-2005, 16:05

I might be a snob but I would hesitate to spend £2k on a Goodmans.

That said, I would not spend £2k on any plasma atm - what with the technology still sorting itself out.

Jarrak · 31-07-2005, 17:25

Another poster asked a similar question a month or so ago in this thread but he was interested in the 42" plasma.

£2000 for a HD resolution 50" is very cheap so make no mistake you are not getting state of the art technology so make sure you demo the unit before buying or at least have a no quibble returns policy.

I would recommend a standalone scaler to feed this or anyother 50" plasma, expensive yes but far superior to the internal processing especially when upscaling broadcast sources to HD resolutions.

If SD broadcast quality is the most important thing then perhaps the lower resolution plasmas are a better buy since if you are interested in HD then the lack of HDMI (or even component as the Argos website doesn't mention it) will be a problem.

Giblets · 31-07-2005, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrak

£2000 for a HD resolution 50" is very cheap so make no mistake you are not getting state of the art technology so make sure you demo the unit before buying or at least have a no quibble returns policy.

I would recommend a standalone scaler to feed this or anyother 50" plasma, expensive yes but far superior to the internal processing especially when upscaling broadcast sources to HD resolutions.

If SD broadcast quality is the most important thing then perhaps the lower resolution plasmas are a better buy since if you are interested in HD then the lack of HDMI (or even component as the Argos website doesn't mention it) will be a problem.

OK, I agree to some extent with what you say - Goodmans is a known cheapy make, but then it is about half the price of other 50" plasmas! I have to say though that I wouldn't consider 480 line plasmas for PAL!

My take is that you need more pixels, not less, otherwise you are definitely going to lose detail - by definition (no pun intended). Have you seen the attrocious job 480 line screens make of PAL? I'm not talking about Currys shared UHF signals - they are all, without exception, diabolical. The 42" version of the Goodmans plasma is 480 line - this one isn't - which is why I am considering it, having been quite impressed with the LCD 1366x768 offerings as far as rescaling PAL is concerned (I'm also considering one of those).

I'm not ruling out HD, I just want to make sure that my current Freeview PVR will display well on the TV I get so I don't immediately have to adopt Sky HD when it comes out (at, no doubt, huge cost). I realise that this screen is slightly inferior to that extent, not having HDMI (it definitely has DVI though)... you pays your money, etc. I am slightly drifting towards a smaller Samsung LCD which I just saw a gob-smacking HD demo on!

The reason for my question is that I have not found a single review or forum posting about this TV on the web... anywhere! I'd like to read a bit more about it before trying one out via Argos' no quibble, collect it for free 14-day offer.

Jarrak · 31-07-2005, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giblets

I have to say though that I wouldn't consider 480 line plasmas for PAL!

My take is that you need more pixels, not less, otherwise you are definitely going to lose detail - by definition (no pun intended). Have you seen the attrocious job 480 line screens make of PAL? The 42" version of the Goodmans plasma is 480 line - this one isn't - which is why I am considering it, having been quite impressed with the LCD 1366x768 offerings as far as rescaling PAL is concerned (I'm also considering one of those).

I'm not ruling out HD, I just want to make sure that my current Freeview PVR will display well on the TV I get so I don't immediately have to adopt Sky HD when it comes out (at, no doubt, huge cost). I realise that this screen is slightly inferior to that extent, not having HDMI (it definitely has DVI though)... you pays your money, etc. I am slightly drifting towards a smaller Samsung LCD which I just saw a gob-smacking HD demo on!

The reason for my question is that I have not found a single review or forum posting about this TV on the web... anywhere! I'd like to read a bit more about it before trying one out via Argos' no quibble, collect it for free 14-day offer.

I agree, I would rather have too much resolution than not enough but there are plenty of people who post positive experiences with a 852*480 panel (42" and below) when viewing good quality PAL sources.
Just a suggestion though but remember a poorly upscaled broadcast will look terrible on a 50" high res panel which is one of the reasons a standalone scaler is recommended

As for the Goodmans a DVI input by itself is not enough to ensure future HD compatability, it needs to have HDCP as well as supporting 50hz input (and many don't).

Worth noting that Sharp have an upcoming LCD that matches the PAL spec perfectly unlike every other flat panel on the market.

Reviews of the smaller Goodmans say it all really and I suspect the larger panels are sourced from the same manufacturers older out of date stock which is being dumped on the market.
Worth going to the Plasma forum at AVforums. I couldn't find a reference but you could post yourself and at least find where the panel was sourced from and then reviews of other brands which use the same.

Ragnarok · 31-07-2005, 22:28

umm, not looked too far, ever hear of DLP rear projection which knock the socks off plasmas and LCD's, HD ready and all.

http://www.robertsons-online.co.uk/g...s.asp?P=117804

same again but 50"

http://www.robertsons-online.co.uk/g...s.asp?P=117803

russellelly · 31-07-2005, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragnarok

umm, not looked too far, ever hear of DLP rear projection which knock the socks off plasmas and LCD's, HD ready and all.

http://www.robertsons-online.co.uk/g...s.asp?P=117804

same again but 50"

http://www.robertsons-online.co.uk/g...s.asp?P=117803

I'd buy a Samsung DLP over a Goodmans plasma any day of the week. OK, you can't wall mount, but other than that it's reasonably slim and the picture quality is genuinely excellent, even on SD (I've seen trhe 50" plasma showing football on Freeview and was amazed at the quality, given how poor I've seen football on other displays).

30-07-2005, 23:58	#1
Giblets Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southampton, UK Posts: 53	Anyone know about the 50" Goodmans Plasma Argos have on offer? Just saw this today for £2K minus a penny and thought it looked excellent value for a high def. (OK, it has the resolution at least, at 1366x768 but may lack HDMI, I think it has DVI though) panel but obviously quality, particularly of the scaling of PAL 576 line stuff is going to be the most important thing to me. Anyone seen any reviews or tried this panel out? Thanks in advance for any info, good or bad.

31-07-2005, 16:05	#2
alternate Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 7,928	I might be a snob but I would hesitate to spend £2k on a Goodmans. That said, I would not spend £2k on any plasma atm - what with the technology still sorting itself out.

31-07-2005, 17:25	#3
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Another poster asked a similar question a month or so ago in this thread but he was interested in the 42" plasma. £2000 for a HD resolution 50" is very cheap so make no mistake you are not getting state of the art technology so make sure you demo the unit before buying or at least have a no quibble returns policy. I would recommend a standalone scaler to feed this or anyother 50" plasma, expensive yes but far superior to the internal processing especially when upscaling broadcast sources to HD resolutions. If SD broadcast quality is the most important thing then perhaps the lower resolution plasmas are a better buy since if you are interested in HD then the lack of HDMI (or even component as the Argos website doesn't mention it) will be a problem.

31-07-2005, 19:20	#4
Giblets Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southampton, UK Posts: 53	Quote: Originally Posted by Jarrak £2000 for a HD resolution 50" is very cheap so make no mistake you are not getting state of the art technology so make sure you demo the unit before buying or at least have a no quibble returns policy. I would recommend a standalone scaler to feed this or anyother 50" plasma, expensive yes but far superior to the internal processing especially when upscaling broadcast sources to HD resolutions. If SD broadcast quality is the most important thing then perhaps the lower resolution plasmas are a better buy since if you are interested in HD then the lack of HDMI (or even component as the Argos website doesn't mention it) will be a problem. OK, I agree to some extent with what you say - Goodmans is a known cheapy make, but then it is about half the price of other 50" plasmas! I have to say though that I wouldn't consider 480 line plasmas for PAL! My take is that you need more pixels, not less, otherwise you are definitely going to lose detail - by definition (no pun intended). Have you seen the attrocious job 480 line screens make of PAL? I'm not talking about Currys shared UHF signals - they are all, without exception, diabolical. The 42" version of the Goodmans plasma is 480 line - this one isn't - which is why I am considering it, having been quite impressed with the LCD 1366x768 offerings as far as rescaling PAL is concerned (I'm also considering one of those). I'm not ruling out HD, I just want to make sure that my current Freeview PVR will display well on the TV I get so I don't immediately have to adopt Sky HD when it comes out (at, no doubt, huge cost). I realise that this screen is slightly inferior to that extent, not having HDMI (it definitely has DVI though)... you pays your money, etc. I am slightly drifting towards a smaller Samsung LCD which I just saw a gob-smacking HD demo on! The reason for my question is that I have not found a single review or forum posting about this TV on the web... anywhere! I'd like to read a bit more about it before trying one out via Argos' no quibble, collect it for free 14-day offer.

31-07-2005, 22:21	#5
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by Giblets I have to say though that I wouldn't consider 480 line plasmas for PAL! My take is that you need more pixels, not less, otherwise you are definitely going to lose detail - by definition (no pun intended). Have you seen the attrocious job 480 line screens make of PAL? The 42" version of the Goodmans plasma is 480 line - this one isn't - which is why I am considering it, having been quite impressed with the LCD 1366x768 offerings as far as rescaling PAL is concerned (I'm also considering one of those). I'm not ruling out HD, I just want to make sure that my current Freeview PVR will display well on the TV I get so I don't immediately have to adopt Sky HD when it comes out (at, no doubt, huge cost). I realise that this screen is slightly inferior to that extent, not having HDMI (it definitely has DVI though)... you pays your money, etc. I am slightly drifting towards a smaller Samsung LCD which I just saw a gob-smacking HD demo on! The reason for my question is that I have not found a single review or forum posting about this TV on the web... anywhere! I'd like to read a bit more about it before trying one out via Argos' no quibble, collect it for free 14-day offer. I agree, I would rather have too much resolution than not enough but there are plenty of people who post positive experiences with a 852*480 panel (42" and below) when viewing good quality PAL sources. Just a suggestion though but remember a poorly upscaled broadcast will look terrible on a 50" high res panel which is one of the reasons a standalone scaler is recommended As for the Goodmans a DVI input by itself is not enough to ensure future HD compatability, it needs to have HDCP as well as supporting 50hz input (and many don't). Worth noting that Sharp have an upcoming LCD that matches the PAL spec perfectly unlike every other flat panel on the market. Reviews of the smaller Goodmans say it all really and I suspect the larger panels are sourced from the same manufacturers older out of date stock which is being dumped on the market. Worth going to the Plasma forum at AVforums. I couldn't find a reference but you could post yourself and at least find where the panel was sourced from and then reviews of other brands which use the same.

31-07-2005, 22:28	#6
Ragnarok Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: too close to Hell, Londonistan Posts: 4,570	umm, not looked too far, ever hear of DLP rear projection which knock the socks off plasmas and LCD's, HD ready and all. http://www.robertsons-online.co.uk/g...s.asp?P=117804 same again but 50" http://www.robertsons-online.co.uk/g...s.asp?P=117803

31-07-2005, 22:32	#7
russellelly Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 10,720	Quote: Originally Posted by Ragnarok umm, not looked too far, ever hear of DLP rear projection which knock the socks off plasmas and LCD's, HD ready and all. http://www.robertsons-online.co.uk/g...s.asp?P=117804 same again but 50" http://www.robertsons-online.co.uk/g...s.asp?P=117803 I'd buy a Samsung DLP over a Goodmans plasma any day of the week. OK, you can't wall mount, but other than that it's reasonably slim and the picture quality is genuinely excellent, even on SD (I've seen trhe 50" plasma showing football on Freeview and was amazed at the quality, given how poor I've seen football on other displays).

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Anyone know about the 50" Goodmans Plasma Argos have on offer?