How much has LCD/Plasma improved in 2 years?

clockworks999 · 24-08-2008, 20:12

I've had a Samsung LE40R51 40" LCD for coming on 3 years now, IIRC. Cost me about £1800, and has given good service.

Now I've got a Blu-ray player (PS3) and will be getting Sky HD or Freesat HD (when the HD PVR arrives), so maybe it's time to think about a new telly.
Are new TVs noticeably better than my Samsung?

Thinking of maybe going up a size or 2 - any recommendations?

I'd go for Panasonic, but I've got bad memories of the operating logic of old Panny CRTs - almost impossible to set up input switching with a Harmony universal remote. Do they use sensible switching controls these days?

skinj · 25-08-2008, 11:21

Quality on both LCD and Plasma has gone up dramatically over the last couple of years, probably more so on LCD. Panasonic do now have a much better AV switching system than they did 2 years ago. The old system was fine when there was only 1-2 inputs but with upto 9 on the new sets they altered the input selection to match the Menu system.

Nigel Goodwin · 25-08-2008, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinj

Panasonic do now have a much better AV switching system than they did 2 years ago.

Interesting you should say that, I've installed Sky HD on a number of Panasonic sets and they were completely weird!.

Every other make I've installed on works in a fairly similar obvious fashion, but Panasonic were just completely different to every other set out there.

skinj · 25-08-2008, 12:20

Whats weird? You press AV then use the control axis to select the input you want. A couple of years back they used the colour buttons to choose the input and that was a pain.
Having looked at a 40u3000 manual they seem to work in exactly the same way!!

The only difference is that on the Sony remote you press the button with the symbol instead of AV and then after using the axis control to choose you press a button marked + in the middle of the axis button which Panasonic call OK.

Nigel Goodwin · 25-08-2008, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinj

A couple of years back they used the colour buttons to choose the input and that was a pain..

That's the ones I'm talking about!

skinj · 25-08-2008, 12:43

The 7xx and 8xx series have the newer system. Agreed that the old system was poor though!

jasonmymail · 25-08-2008, 13:28

I have PX80 with a Harmony One - faultless even in macro mode.

clockworks999 · 25-08-2008, 13:58

Good to know that Panasonic have improved their switching.
Just been looking at the high street prices, and Panasonic don't seem to make LCD TVs over 37" - is that correct? Not keen on buying Plasma.

Looking at Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, etc., the sheer number of similar models is bewildering - each manufacturer seems to offer several models in each screen size.

daveac · 25-08-2008, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockworks999

I've had a Samsung LE40R51 40" LCD for coming on 3 years now, IIRC. Cost me about £1800, and has given good service.

Are new TVs noticeably better than my Samsung?

Thinking of maybe going up a size or 2 - any recommendations?

Well in many ways - Yes!

Price - nearly half what is was for similar spec.

HD ready - now morely to be Full HD for over 40in screens ie. 1920x1080

HDMI sockets - now 3 are common with profile 1.3 and support for 'Deep Colour' when it arrives.

Big TVs now thinner and often with 100Hz and other fancy enhancments.

Also many TV's have narrower bezzles - meaning a 'new' 42in with be no bigger than your 40in

Downside? Often TV seem built down to a price rather than up to a quality if you know what I mean.

Size to pick? Well I have a great Toshiba Z Series (42Z3030) 42in - but now discontinued - or I'd recomend it.

At 42in for SD stuff you need to be about 8 to 10 feet away - but with HD you can sit 6 to 8 feet away.

I still think that big LCD TVs need HD picture to make them worth having.

By the way the newest Panasonic is the only TV with builtin FreeSat. (BBC HD and ITV1 HD)

I've put plenty of screen captures up on my PhotoBucket Site, from SD, DVD, HD TV, Demo discs & Blu-Ray:-

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...00/avpictures/

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...0/avpictures2/

Here are 3 direct links to pictures:-

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...=luxemore3.jpg

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...t=gworld03.jpg

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...fromabove3.jpg

Cheers, daveac

linkinpark875 · 25-08-2008, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveac

Well in many ways - Yes!

Price - nearly half what is was for similar spec.

HD ready - now morely to be Full HD for over 40in screens ie. 1920x1080

HDMI sockets - now 3 are common with profile 1.3 and support for 'Deep Colour' when it arrives.

Big TVs now thinner and often with 100Hz and other fancy enhancments.

Also many TV's have narrower bezzles - meaning a 'new' 42in with be no bigger than your 40in

Downside? Often TV seem built down to a price rather than up to a quality if you know what I mean.

Size to pick? Well I have a great Toshiba Z Series (42Z3030) 42in - but now discontinued - or I'd recomend it.

At 42in for SD stuff you need to be about 8 to 10 feet away - but with HD you can sit 6 to 8 feet away.

I still think that big LCD TVs need HD picture to make them worth having.

By the way the newest Panasonic is the only TV with builtin FreeSat. (BBC HD and ITV1 HD)

I've put plenty of screen captures up on my PhotoBucket Site, from SD, DVD, HD TV, Demo discs & Blu-Ray:-

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...00/avpictures/

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...0/avpictures2/

Here are 3 direct links to pictures:-

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...=luxemore3.jpg

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...t=gworld03.jpg

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...fromabove3.jpg

Cheers, daveac

What's the difference between LCD/Plasma and this new OLED?

Also Deep colour what's this all about? Will it mean you can watch Sky HD better on these alternative TV's?

Nigel Goodwin · 25-08-2008, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkinpark875

What's the difference between LCD/Plasma and this new OLED?

LCD/Plasma are tried and tested technology, and available!

It remains to be seen if OLED ever really sees the light of day, and if it's any better - claims are all very well, but they have been making such claims for far too many years now.

A few small sets may be available now, but it's been just so many years coming.

Quote:

Also Deep colour what's this all about? Will it mean you can watch Sky HD better on these alternative TV's?

Advertising bullsh*t basically.

skinj · 25-08-2008, 23:32

Not sky but maybe Blu-ray disc/players that support the format too.
Advertising bullsh*t wrapped up in actual specs and improvement in picture quality.

daveac · 26-08-2008, 01:48

Yes - for the moment 'Deep Colour' is just a possible 'future proof' type thing rather then any current use.

Some info here:-

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1975596,00.asp

And here:-

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-ente...lor-180393.php

Cheers, daveac

soulboy77 · 26-08-2008, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinj

Whats weird? You press AV then use the control axis to select the input you want. A couple of years back they used the colour buttons to choose the input and that was a pain.
Having looked at a 40u3000 manual they seem to work in exactly the same way!!

The only difference is that on the Sony remote you press the button with the symbol instead of AV and then after using the axis control to choose you press a button marked + in the middle of the axis button which Panasonic call OK.

You don't have to press the + button on a Sony. It will switch to the new AV input after a few seconds anyway.

skinj · 26-08-2008, 12:22

Yup, same on the Panasonic!!! If you press the AV repeatedly until the input you want is highlighted.

clockworks999 · 01-09-2008, 18:09

Had a look at the Panasonic TH-46ZP81B today (the Freesat model) and was impressed.

One concern - I'll be connecting a Mac Mini to it for browsing and viewing HD video and photos.
In the past, it was preferable on many TVs to use the VGA input rather than using DVI-HDMI. This TV won't do the full 1920 x 1080 via the VGA input - only goes up to 1280 x 1024 or 1366 x 768.

Will I get pixel-perfect mapping using DVI-HDMI on this TV?

There's a Sony TV (X series LCD) that can do 1920 x 1080 over VGA, but it's £300 more expensive.

clockworks999 · 11-09-2008, 00:24

Got my Panny '81B today, and I'm happy with the improvement. Only really tried it with Sky so far - picture is much more natural than my old Samsung, no digital artefacts or solarisation.

Also had a quick go at programming the Harmony, just copied the device codes, rather than setting activities. I can select all the AV inputs with a single button press, but can't switch between TV modes (analogue, DVB, Freesat).

24-08-2008, 20:12	#1
clockworks999 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 2,014	How much has LCD/Plasma improved in 2 years? I've had a Samsung LE40R51 40" LCD for coming on 3 years now, IIRC. Cost me about £1800, and has given good service. Now I've got a Blu-ray player (PS3) and will be getting Sky HD or Freesat HD (when the HD PVR arrives), so maybe it's time to think about a new telly. Are new TVs noticeably better than my Samsung? Thinking of maybe going up a size or 2 - any recommendations? I'd go for Panasonic, but I've got bad memories of the operating logic of old Panny CRTs - almost impossible to set up input switching with a Harmony universal remote. Do they use sensible switching controls these days?

25-08-2008, 11:21	#2
skinj Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,206	Quality on both LCD and Plasma has gone up dramatically over the last couple of years, probably more so on LCD. Panasonic do now have a much better AV switching system than they did 2 years ago. The old system was fine when there was only 1-2 inputs but with upto 9 on the new sets they altered the input selection to match the Menu system.

25-08-2008, 11:49	#3
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by skinj Panasonic do now have a much better AV switching system than they did 2 years ago. Interesting you should say that, I've installed Sky HD on a number of Panasonic sets and they were completely weird!. Every other make I've installed on works in a fairly similar obvious fashion, but Panasonic were just completely different to every other set out there.

25-08-2008, 12:20	#4
skinj Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,206	Whats weird? You press AV then use the control axis to select the input you want. A couple of years back they used the colour buttons to choose the input and that was a pain. Having looked at a 40u3000 manual they seem to work in exactly the same way!! The only difference is that on the Sony remote you press the button with the symbol instead of AV and then after using the axis control to choose you press a button marked + in the middle of the axis button which Panasonic call OK.

25-08-2008, 12:35	#5
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by skinj A couple of years back they used the colour buttons to choose the input and that was a pain.. That's the ones I'm talking about!

25-08-2008, 12:43	#6
skinj Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,206	The 7xx and 8xx series have the newer system. Agreed that the old system was poor though!

25-08-2008, 13:28	#7
jasonmymail Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 118	I have PX80 with a Harmony One - faultless even in macro mode.

25-08-2008, 13:58	#8
clockworks999 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 2,014	Good to know that Panasonic have improved their switching. Just been looking at the high street prices, and Panasonic don't seem to make LCD TVs over 37" - is that correct? Not keen on buying Plasma. Looking at Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, etc., the sheer number of similar models is bewildering - each manufacturer seems to offer several models in each screen size.

25-08-2008, 15:51	#9
daveac Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 466	Quote: Originally Posted by clockworks999 I've had a Samsung LE40R51 40" LCD for coming on 3 years now, IIRC. Cost me about £1800, and has given good service. Are new TVs noticeably better than my Samsung? Thinking of maybe going up a size or 2 - any recommendations? Well in many ways - Yes! Price - nearly half what is was for similar spec. HD ready - now morely to be Full HD for over 40in screens ie. 1920x1080 HDMI sockets - now 3 are common with profile 1.3 and support for 'Deep Colour' when it arrives. Big TVs now thinner and often with 100Hz and other fancy enhancments. Also many TV's have narrower bezzles - meaning a 'new' 42in with be no bigger than your 40in Downside? Often TV seem built down to a price rather than up to a quality if you know what I mean. Size to pick? Well I have a great Toshiba Z Series (42Z3030) 42in - but now discontinued - or I'd recomend it. At 42in for SD stuff you need to be about 8 to 10 feet away - but with HD you can sit 6 to 8 feet away. I still think that big LCD TVs need HD picture to make them worth having. By the way the newest Panasonic is the only TV with builtin FreeSat. (BBC HD and ITV1 HD) I've put plenty of screen captures up on my PhotoBucket Site, from SD, DVD, HD TV, Demo discs & Blu-Ray:- http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...00/avpictures/ http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...0/avpictures2/ Here are 3 direct links to pictures:- http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...=luxemore3.jpg http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...t=gworld03.jpg http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...fromabove3.jpg Cheers, daveac

25-08-2008, 22:23	#10
linkinpark875 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 24,424	Quote: Originally Posted by daveac Well in many ways - Yes! Price - nearly half what is was for similar spec. HD ready - now morely to be Full HD for over 40in screens ie. 1920x1080 HDMI sockets - now 3 are common with profile 1.3 and support for 'Deep Colour' when it arrives. Big TVs now thinner and often with 100Hz and other fancy enhancments. Also many TV's have narrower bezzles - meaning a 'new' 42in with be no bigger than your 40in Downside? Often TV seem built down to a price rather than up to a quality if you know what I mean. Size to pick? Well I have a great Toshiba Z Series (42Z3030) 42in - but now discontinued - or I'd recomend it. At 42in for SD stuff you need to be about 8 to 10 feet away - but with HD you can sit 6 to 8 feet away. I still think that big LCD TVs need HD picture to make them worth having. By the way the newest Panasonic is the only TV with builtin FreeSat. (BBC HD and ITV1 HD) I've put plenty of screen captures up on my PhotoBucket Site, from SD, DVD, HD TV, Demo discs & Blu-Ray:- http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...00/avpictures/ http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...0/avpictures2/ Here are 3 direct links to pictures:- http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...=luxemore3.jpg http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...t=gworld03.jpg http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...fromabove3.jpg Cheers, daveac What's the difference between LCD/Plasma and this new OLED? Also Deep colour what's this all about? Will it mean you can watch Sky HD better on these alternative TV's?

25-08-2008, 22:37	#11
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by linkinpark875 What's the difference between LCD/Plasma and this new OLED? LCD/Plasma are tried and tested technology, and available! It remains to be seen if OLED ever really sees the light of day, and if it's any better - claims are all very well, but they have been making such claims for far too many years now. A few small sets may be available now, but it's been just so many years coming. Quote: Also Deep colour what's this all about? Will it mean you can watch Sky HD better on these alternative TV's? Advertising bullsh*t basically.

25-08-2008, 23:32	#12
skinj Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,206	Not sky but maybe Blu-ray disc/players that support the format too. Advertising bullsh*t wrapped up in actual specs and improvement in picture quality.

26-08-2008, 01:48	#13
daveac Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 466	Yes - for the moment 'Deep Colour' is just a possible 'future proof' type thing rather then any current use. Some info here:- http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1975596,00.asp And here:- http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-ente...lor-180393.php Cheers, daveac

26-08-2008, 11:29	#14
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	Quote: Originally Posted by skinj Whats weird? You press AV then use the control axis to select the input you want. A couple of years back they used the colour buttons to choose the input and that was a pain. Having looked at a 40u3000 manual they seem to work in exactly the same way!! The only difference is that on the Sony remote you press the button with the symbol instead of AV and then after using the axis control to choose you press a button marked + in the middle of the axis button which Panasonic call OK. You don't have to press the + button on a Sony. It will switch to the new AV input after a few seconds anyway.

26-08-2008, 12:22	#15
skinj Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,206	Yup, same on the Panasonic!!! If you press the AV repeatedly until the input you want is highlighted.

01-09-2008, 18:09	#16
clockworks999 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 2,014	Had a look at the Panasonic TH-46ZP81B today (the Freesat model) and was impressed. One concern - I'll be connecting a Mac Mini to it for browsing and viewing HD video and photos. In the past, it was preferable on many TVs to use the VGA input rather than using DVI-HDMI. This TV won't do the full 1920 x 1080 via the VGA input - only goes up to 1280 x 1024 or 1366 x 768. Will I get pixel-perfect mapping using DVI-HDMI on this TV? There's a Sony TV (X series LCD) that can do 1920 x 1080 over VGA, but it's £300 more expensive.

11-09-2008, 00:24	#17
clockworks999 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 2,014	Got my Panny '81B today, and I'm happy with the improvement. Only really tried it with Sky so far - picture is much more natural than my old Samsung, no digital artefacts or solarisation. Also had a quick go at programming the Harmony, just copied the device codes, rather than setting activities. I can select all the AV inputs with a single button press, but can't switch between TV modes (analogue, DVB, Freesat).

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How much has LCD/Plasma improved in 2 years?