Plasma TV love

[Digger]

Ignoring the "Digital is Digital" discussion . . . what cable did you get if you don't mind me asking?

[rottenegg]

Digger said:

Ignoring the "Digital is Digital" discussion . . . what cable did you get if you don't mind me asking?

Haha

I'm sorry to say I bought it from Apple's website as they recommended it for Dolby Vision and ultra HDR Pretty sure it's this one - https://www.belkin.com/uk/8k-ultra-high-speed-hdmi...

I was using a 99p cable from Amazon previously I mean, it worked, but as soon as I connected up the new cable, the Apple TV immediately asked if I wanted to switch to Dolby Vision, so I had been watching sub par content for 2 years, lol!!

[Biggles Flies Undone]

I've still got my Panny 65VT up on the wall in the living room and it is still a great TV. It has done tens of thousands of hours of Peppa Pig and other variations of kids tv over the years (along with the odd film) and it is still trucking along.

I've only seen one recent TV that matches up with it (and if I am honest, probably surpasses it) and that is the latest top line Panasonic OLED. Up until now, nothing else has managed to deal with movement as well imo.

I'll be very sad when it finally gives up the ghost, it has lasted through 13 years of solid use and was even quite useful as a radiator once when the boiler packed up unexpectedly during a cold snap. With the log burner, the TV and the amps on, it kept the living room nice and warm and the rest of the house got a decent flow of warmth too!

[conkerman]

I had a 50in VT20 and it was awesome.

Developed a fault (Pink square in top left of screen). on christmas eve. Dashed out and bought an OLED or 2, which are amazing.

[Wacky Racer]

Bought a Panasonic 42" Plasma sixteen years ago, £700.

Still going strong, never had a bit of trouble.

[Bonefish Blues]

Pioneer 42" in the kitchen and a Panasonic 58" in the study - got to have what, 30 or so years between them, maybe a little more.

[Cupramax]

Well that was good while it lasted, my Panny 50VT65 died yesterday , so on the hunt for a new one now, unfortunately I do t have the budget for an OLED currently so looking for a decent LED… my head is fried looking through all the specs of available Sony, Samsung, TCL and Hisense.

[Bonefish Blues]

I did that too. Then a Richer Sounds Bank Hol offer popped up for something I'd vaguely considered and it made my decision for me, at way lower cost (but lower resolution too)

[Mr Pointy]

Bonefish Blues said:

I did that too. Then a Richer Sounds Bank Hol offer popped up for something I'd vaguely considered and it made my decision for me, at way lower cost (but lower resolution too)

Sign up fo Richer Sounds VIP club as well - you get some good discounts.

[Bonefish Blues]

Mr Pointy said:

Bonefish Blues said:

I did that too. Then a Richer Sounds Bank Hol offer popped up for something I'd vaguely considered and it made my decision for me, at way lower cost (but lower resolution too)

Sign up for Richer Sounds VIP club as well - you get some good discounts.

Yep, that's how mine came through. Billion years warranty too.

[thetapeworm]

Panasonic TX-P42G20B here as my main TV, 14 years old I would think, still a decent picture, sound has always been lacklustre but I've always used external speakers.

I was in John Kewis yesterday eyeing up the 8J stuff in demo mode, as I do in Costco too, but until the plasma finally breaks I can really justify a jump to anything newer given the limited stuff we watch.

I guess the power usage is a thing but it provides useful heating in the living room at the opposite side to the radiator.

[TEKNOPUG]

Cupramax said:

Well that was good while it lasted, my Panny 50VT65 died yesterday , so on the hunt for a new one now, unfortunately I do t have the budget for an OLED currently so looking for a decent LED… my head is fried looking through all the specs of available Sony, Samsung, TCL and Hisense.

Budget? Do you have access to 4K material?

[richhead]

Ive just replaced a old sony plasma 48: with a oled Hisense cheapy 50", and the pic is much better, but it does very much depend on the source. Normal tv is worse, but 4k stuff is miles apart.

[richhead]

richhead said:

Ive just replaced a old sony plasma 48: with a oled Hisense cheapy 50", and the pic is much better, but it does very much depend on the source. Normal tv is worse, but 4k stuff is miles apart.

Forgot to add, the old tv cost over a grand back in around 2008, new one cost 300 now.

[thetapeworm]

richhead said:

Ive just replaced a old sony plasma 48: with a oled Hisense cheapy 50", and the pic is much better, but it does very much depend on the source. Normal tv is worse, but 4k stuff is miles apart.

That's my worry - I often stand looking at the Hisense bargains in Costco as they run through a perfectly setup demo and marvel at the image but the reality of it is I'll be watching 20 year old episodes of Traffic Cops on the "5 Action" rerun channel more than I will the 4K content I don't even subscribe to currently.

[Cupramax]

TEKNOPUG said:

Cupramax said:

Well that was good while it lasted, my Panny 50VT65 died yesterday , so on the hunt for a new one now, unfortunately I do t have the budget for an OLED currently so looking for a decent LED… my head is fried looking through all the specs of available Sony, Samsung, TCL and Hisense.

Budget? Do you have access to 4K material?

Thanks, probably £750 at the absolute max. I’ve been down Currys earlier and was genuinely amazed at the picture on a TCL 55C805, for £650 it was bloody amazing. I don’t watch 4K content, most of what I watch is HD sport on a Sky box, F1 and football so motion handling is important, hence the plasma, and films I’ve downloaded but not bothered by 4K specifically, quite happy with Full HD

Edited by Cupramax on Sunday 29th September 23:07

[John Henry]

Reassuring to read I’m not the only person still running pioneer Plasma. Mine was a 43” and at the time, 2004, a What Hii Fi award winner. I paid £2700 for it at the time. It didn’t come with speakers and it’s connected to a media box. Entering its 21st year of service, which is pretty impressive.

[TEKNOPUG]

Cupramax said:

TEKNOPUG said:

Cupramax said:

Well that was good while it lasted, my Panny 50VT65 died yesterday , so on the hunt for a new one now, unfortunately I do t have the budget for an OLED currently so looking for a decent LED… my head is fried looking through all the specs of available Sony, Samsung, TCL and Hisense.

Budget? Do you have access to 4K material?

Thanks, probably £750 at the absolute max. I’ve been down Currys earlier and was genuinely amazed at the picture on a TCL 55C805, for £650 it was bloody amazing. I don’t watch 4K content, most of what I watch is HD sport on a Sky box, F1 and football so motion handling is important, hence the plasma, and films I’ve downloaded but not bothered by 4K specifically, quite happy with Full HD

Edited by Cupramax on Sunday 29th September 23:07

OLED is still the premier image technology, unless you need a really bright screen.

https://www.richersounds.com/tv-projectors/tvs-acc...

https://www.hughes.co.uk/tv-and-entertainment/tele...

https://www.johnlewis.com/browse/electricals/telev...

No one is bothered by 4K until they see a film / race / match in it, especially in HDR of even better, Dolby Vision....but every TV now is 4K compatible.

[Cupramax]

Thanks, I hadn’t seen the Panasonic MZ so will have a look at that one… yes I realise 4K will probably blow me away, but seeing as I don’t have anything that will currently view it I will have to explore once the new one arrives.

[TEKNOPUG]

Cupramax said:

Thanks, I hadn’t seen the Panasonic MZ so will have a look at that one… yes I realise 4K will probably blow me away, but seeing as I don’t have anything that will currently view it I will have to explore once the new one arrives.

As I say, every screen bar the very cheapest models will be 4K compatible. So it's somewhat moot as to whether you want it or not. I have had a Panny plasma for ~14 years and the motion handling for ball sports is really good. Probably better than my 2023 Philips OLED in HD. However, for everything else, the OLED is much better. And motion handling in 4K OLED is better than Plasma HD. And you can't buy a new Plasma anyway. OLED have a faster pixel response time than an LED, so motion handling will be better. Unless price is an issue (you want a massive screen for example) or you are watching day time telly on a sun-terrace, OLED should always be your first choice.