Panasonic TX42G10 Vs Samsung LE40B650
Discussion
So I'm after a 40-42 inch TV and have narrowed it down to these two - one plasma and one LCD.
The screen will be used predominantly for watching Freeview and possibly games consoles so I want a good blend of HD and SD capability, with SD being the more important if a choice has to be made. Performance in high ambient light conditions is of particular importance.
The Panasonic is about 100 quid more expensive.
Which and why?
The screen will be used predominantly for watching Freeview and possibly games consoles so I want a good blend of HD and SD capability, with SD being the more important if a choice has to be made. Performance in high ambient light conditions is of particular importance.
The Panasonic is about 100 quid more expensive.
Which and why?
easy............the Panasonic wins on every level here's a few reasons
1 Better blacks
2 better motion handling
3 better build quality
4 better SD picture
5 better colours
6 better HD picture
7 Has Freesat HD built in
8 Longer panel life
9 Has 5 year warranty if bought in the dealers shop
10 Just better
I'm sure Plotloss will get a bit more technical but the Samsung is just glossy dross
1 Better blacks
2 better motion handling
3 better build quality
4 better SD picture
5 better colours
6 better HD picture
7 Has Freesat HD built in
8 Longer panel life
9 Has 5 year warranty if bought in the dealers shop
10 Just better
I'm sure Plotloss will get a bit more technical but the Samsung is just glossy dross
Samsungs of the past have suffered with major image retention issues, this one didnt seem to bad but personally when i turn of the sky TV guide i would rather it dissapear than it hang around in the dark scenes until halfway through the next program.
As for panel life im sure the manufacturers data syas the pana lasts longer, in practice though we had alot more panasonics in with a line down the screen (premature failure)than the samsungs (but that is commenting on previous models, its impossible to say how these new models would fair)
As for panel life im sure the manufacturers data syas the pana lasts longer, in practice though we had alot more panasonics in with a line down the screen (premature failure)than the samsungs (but that is commenting on previous models, its impossible to say how these new models would fair)
I find that motion is better on the Samsung - the Panasonic suffers from significant phosphor trails, especially on SD.
The Plasma obviously has better black level performance but in high ambient light conditions I can't actually see any difference. The LCD is, however, a bit brighter.
The Samsung seems to suffer a lot less from unpleasant reflections (the set will sit almost opposite a north-facing window which I have no intention of blacking out for normal use so there will be little direct sunlight but significant diffuse light levels).
HD picture, I'd agree that the Panasonic is a bit better but I don't own a single HD source so for the moment I don't really care.
Both have 5 year warranties.
Both have received extremely good reviews from just about everyone.
Image quality and (external) build quality wise, there is nothing much between them to my eye. The Samsung's case looks nicer (the Panasonic is rather dull looking) but I don't really care. The Samsung has a better feature set and is lighter (which is an advantage when it comes to wall-mounting it.
So I guess for me the big questions are.
1) Which will be more reliable - it has to last at least ten years - and why?
2) Which will suffer from screen burn first - I've seen it on both Plasmas and LCDs before when they have been used on consoles and neither looks pretty.
3) Which will manage up-scaling of really bad quality low definition sources best? I'm talking about low bit-rate 320x200 kind of thing.
ETA: The black levels on the Samsung, while not quite as good as the Panasonic, are actually quite remarkable. I think they're better than any of Samsung's own plasma screens, and certainly better than any other LCD I've ever seen.
The Plasma obviously has better black level performance but in high ambient light conditions I can't actually see any difference. The LCD is, however, a bit brighter.
The Samsung seems to suffer a lot less from unpleasant reflections (the set will sit almost opposite a north-facing window which I have no intention of blacking out for normal use so there will be little direct sunlight but significant diffuse light levels).
HD picture, I'd agree that the Panasonic is a bit better but I don't own a single HD source so for the moment I don't really care.
Both have 5 year warranties.
Both have received extremely good reviews from just about everyone.
Image quality and (external) build quality wise, there is nothing much between them to my eye. The Samsung's case looks nicer (the Panasonic is rather dull looking) but I don't really care. The Samsung has a better feature set and is lighter (which is an advantage when it comes to wall-mounting it.
So I guess for me the big questions are.
1) Which will be more reliable - it has to last at least ten years - and why?
2) Which will suffer from screen burn first - I've seen it on both Plasmas and LCDs before when they have been used on consoles and neither looks pretty.
3) Which will manage up-scaling of really bad quality low definition sources best? I'm talking about low bit-rate 320x200 kind of thing.
ETA: The black levels on the Samsung, while not quite as good as the Panasonic, are actually quite remarkable. I think they're better than any of Samsung's own plasma screens, and certainly better than any other LCD I've ever seen.
Edited by kambites on Monday 18th May 08:18
headcase said:
Samsungs of the past have suffered with major image retention issues, this one didnt seem to bad but personally when i turn of the sky TV guide i would rather it dissapear than it hang around in the dark scenes until halfway through the next program.
Samsung Plasmas do, but do their LCDs? Unless things have changed in the last few years, Samsung make the majority of LCD panels for just about every major manufacturer so I can't believe they're that bad. kambites said:
I find that motion is better on the Samsung - the Panasonic suffers from significant phosphor trails, especially on SD.
The black levels on the Samsung, while not quite as good as the Panasonic, are actually quite remarkable. I think they're better than any of Samsung's own plasma screens, and certainly better than any other LCD I've ever seen.
With all processing neutralised the motion processing on the plamsa is far better.The black levels on the Samsung, while not quite as good as the Panasonic, are actually quite remarkable. I think they're better than any of Samsung's own plasma screens, and certainly better than any other LCD I've ever seen.
I have yet to see any motion based scenarios where the G10 series are not at least hot on the heels of the old Pioner 8 series 42" units.
Re black levels, JVC's DR1 series whips it comprehensively, existing as the supreme LCD chassis bar none.
It is quite staggering what an unlimited marketing budget can achieve...
kambites said:
headcase said:
Samsungs of the past have suffered with major image retention issues, this one didnt seem to bad but personally when i turn of the sky TV guide i would rather it dissapear than it hang around in the dark scenes until halfway through the next program.
Samsung Plasmas do, but do their LCDs? Unless things have changed in the last few years, Samsung make the majority of LCD panels for just about every major manufacturer so I can't believe they're that bad. 
)Samsung make LCD panels for other brands (sony for example) but ive not seen a samsung plasma panel in anything other than a samsung.
I do actually rate the samsung (LED)LCD as being quite good, im not too sure what i would get if i were in the market, currently i am put off the panasonic as i know first hand of panasonics premature failure rate and the LED certainly has the bling factor.
If you have no HD devices though, the LED only offers 1 scart connector via an adapter so for you its connectivity wouldnt be wonderfull.
Edited by headcase on Monday 18th May 09:08
headcase said:
kambites said:
headcase said:
Samsungs of the past have suffered with major image retention issues, this one didnt seem to bad but personally when i turn of the sky TV guide i would rather it dissapear than it hang around in the dark scenes until halfway through the next program.
Samsung Plasmas do, but do their LCDs? Unless things have changed in the last few years, Samsung make the majority of LCD panels for just about every major manufacturer so I can't believe they're that bad. Samsung make LCD panels for other brands (sony for example) but ive not seen a samsung plasma panel in anything other than a samsung.
I do actually rate the samsung LCD as being quite good, im not too sure what i would get if i were in the market, currently i am put off the panasonic as i know first hand of panasonics premature failure rate.
headcase said:
...im not too sure what i would get if i were in the market, currently i am put off the panasonic as i know first hand of panasonics premature failure rate and the LED certainly has the bling factor.
Hmmm...a rate I'm not aware of.However, like many, I am all too aware of the general rise of chav tat within society.
the Panasonic suffers from significant phosphor trails, especially on SD.
I've not seen any trace, nor has it been reported by any customers of phosphor
trails on the Panasonic set it used to be a problem 2-3 generations ago but
on the G series sets i've seen no such issue.
I can only think that when you've seen the phenomenon the set in question was
probably in it's Dynamic mode,
........
I've not seen any trace, nor has it been reported by any customers of phosphor
trails on the Panasonic set it used to be a problem 2-3 generations ago but
on the G series sets i've seen no such issue.
I can only think that when you've seen the phenomenon the set in question was
probably in it's Dynamic mode,
........
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff