Samsung 8 LED or Panny V10 (or G15) Plasma?
Discussion
I have a bit of a dilemma.
I need a new tv for the lounge, and like the look of the Samsung 8 LED or Panny V10 (or G15) Plasma? Biggest screen we can go for is 40/42.
Sources will be freeview, V+ (with their 2 HD channels
) and maybe PS3.
Not to bothered about sound, as I have a Sony HT-IS100.
Any first had experience with either of these?
(I also have a dedicated cinema/games room with a Pio 508, and B&W system, but the 50" is to big for the lounge)
I need a new tv for the lounge, and like the look of the Samsung 8 LED or Panny V10 (or G15) Plasma? Biggest screen we can go for is 40/42.
Sources will be freeview, V+ (with their 2 HD channels
) and maybe PS3.Not to bothered about sound, as I have a Sony HT-IS100.
Any first had experience with either of these?
(I also have a dedicated cinema/games room with a Pio 508, and B&W system, but the 50" is to big for the lounge)
!I ordered (From Derestrictor - Cheers!) the V10 and the matching 205 home cinema thingy for my in-laws, and I have to say what you get for not a lot of money is bloody good.
As I was setting it up for them I put on a copy of The Empire Strikes back using the THX setting on the TV and you could *almost* convince yourself that it was a high def film the picture quality is that good. I was really really impressed.
The only negative I could *see* was that the standard def picture from freeview is s
t, but then don't all HD LCDs and Plasmas suffer from this problem?
As I was setting it up for them I put on a copy of The Empire Strikes back using the THX setting on the TV and you could *almost* convince yourself that it was a high def film the picture quality is that good. I was really really impressed.
The only negative I could *see* was that the standard def picture from freeview is s
t, but then don't all HD LCDs and Plasmas suffer from this problem?Im in a similar situation at the moment looking at either the 42" G10/15 plasma or the 40" LE40B650/750 Samsung LCD, and although a lot of people seem to automatically recommend plasma over LCD, there's one area thats bugging me with the current range of full HD PDP Panasonic panels which is preventing me from committing to the Panny, and that's SD freeview performance. The reason I say this is because most of the reviews of the Panasonic say the SD performance isnt great, and there seem to be quite a few unhappy owners on AVForums etc ( here), with some saying the older models were significantly better at this than the new PDPs.
Its all very well having great HD performance and brilliant blacks when watching HD films etc, but at the end of the day 95% of our viewing is via Sky SD or freeview, so Im rather concerned about the SD performance. This is the main reason Im still thinking of the Samsung LCD because its meant to have one of the better SD upscalers and most people seem to be quite happy with its SD (and HD) performance.
Obviously a decent demonstration is the best way for me to compare but I havent had time to do this yet, so in the meantime can anyone comment on the relative merits of the freeview SD performance on the two platforms?
Its all very well having great HD performance and brilliant blacks when watching HD films etc, but at the end of the day 95% of our viewing is via Sky SD or freeview, so Im rather concerned about the SD performance. This is the main reason Im still thinking of the Samsung LCD because its meant to have one of the better SD upscalers and most people seem to be quite happy with its SD (and HD) performance.
Obviously a decent demonstration is the best way for me to compare but I havent had time to do this yet, so in the meantime can anyone comment on the relative merits of the freeview SD performance on the two platforms?
Plus the massive BLING factor of being super thin! I think you need to go and look at some on display someware, ive looked at many displays over the years and usually they dont live upto their tech spec and often you get better picture per buck out of the supposedly 'lesser' displays.
I've got the Panny 42" V10 - can't say SD pictures cause any great problems at all. Th Sky box is set to auto send the format, so I'm not forcing to 1080i. All seems fine to me. Likewise the freeview and freesat stuff perfectly acceptable IMHO.
Chuck a decent Blu-ray at it and it rocks. (I've followed the set up guidelines on AVforums).
Chuck a decent Blu-ray at it and it rocks. (I've followed the set up guidelines on AVforums).
I was looking at various TVs today (although it was in a typically badly setup shop <cough>Comet<cough>)and I think I'm leaning to the 46" G10/15 myself. As it will mostly be used for SD TV and very occasional Freesat BBC/ITV HD I'm more concerned with the SD quality, once it's been properly setup (I'll calibrate it myself as I have the gear and software). I'm not fussed about BluRay performance as I have a projector for films.
I'm wondering how a 46" G10/15 might compare to my current setup (which I'm trying to simplify) which is using my DVD/HDD recorder as a 576i source for Freeview, then fed into a Lumagen HDQ video processor for upscaling/deinterlacing to 1080/50p? This arrangement is noticably better than using the built in Digital tuner in my Sony 40W2000 LCD TV (which is calibrated).
Any installers/professionals that have seen what a Lumagen can do for SD and are familiar with the G15/10 care to comment? Am I destined to keep the HDQ in circuit even if I change my TV?
I'm wondering how a 46" G10/15 might compare to my current setup (which I'm trying to simplify) which is using my DVD/HDD recorder as a 576i source for Freeview, then fed into a Lumagen HDQ video processor for upscaling/deinterlacing to 1080/50p? This arrangement is noticably better than using the built in Digital tuner in my Sony 40W2000 LCD TV (which is calibrated).
Any installers/professionals that have seen what a Lumagen can do for SD and are familiar with the G15/10 care to comment? Am I destined to keep the HDQ in circuit even if I change my TV?
Done some reading up and found lots of stuff, typically negative (like you do on the internet as no one posts to say how good their TV is 
). Black levels that raise as the panel ages, posterisation and flickering on SD sources to mention some.
It's a shame it's hard to find a shop that even makes an effort to set these TVs up anything like properly to make a judgement myself (like most Sonys are in 'Vivid' mode, that looks nothing like mine one it was calibrated in 'Custom mode'). I suppose some of these 'issues' could be resolved using my Lumagen to feed it an upscaled image, but that's partly defeating the object of me trying to simplify my setup.
Having said all this, I've often seen it written that LCD TVs are poor with SD, especially full HD ones like my current one, yet I find mine quite acceptable really now it's calibrated (just want an excuse to upgrade really as this one's going into the kitchen/family room).
). Black levels that raise as the panel ages, posterisation and flickering on SD sources to mention some. It's a shame it's hard to find a shop that even makes an effort to set these TVs up anything like properly to make a judgement myself (like most Sonys are in 'Vivid' mode, that looks nothing like mine one it was calibrated in 'Custom mode'). I suppose some of these 'issues' could be resolved using my Lumagen to feed it an upscaled image, but that's partly defeating the object of me trying to simplify my setup.
Having said all this, I've often seen it written that LCD TVs are poor with SD, especially full HD ones like my current one, yet I find mine quite acceptable really now it's calibrated (just want an excuse to upgrade really as this one's going into the kitchen/family room).
The only slight issue with UK Panny's is the lack of user control over the Gamma setting - something the EU sets get.
In order to calibrate properly you'll need an engineer's remote to access it, unless the regular remote needs a specific button sequence to get into it, which I'm not aware of.
To that end, I'd offer if you ventured toward the V10, with the THX mode, you might be happy enough with that.
As for the Lumagen - makes sense, since it'll be expected to have a superior algorithm to the TV's in-built one, to upscale and de-interlace the signal. Mind you, the DVDR should be outputting on Component (or HDMI if it has one) at 576p, directly into the TV, and with only scaling to do, and from your viewing distance, would you see much difference over the Lumagen.
On the larger projection screen, yes, but on a 46" direct view panel from what....10-12'?......I'd hazard a guess and say it's got to be pretty marginal.
In order to calibrate properly you'll need an engineer's remote to access it, unless the regular remote needs a specific button sequence to get into it, which I'm not aware of.
To that end, I'd offer if you ventured toward the V10, with the THX mode, you might be happy enough with that.
As for the Lumagen - makes sense, since it'll be expected to have a superior algorithm to the TV's in-built one, to upscale and de-interlace the signal. Mind you, the DVDR should be outputting on Component (or HDMI if it has one) at 576p, directly into the TV, and with only scaling to do, and from your viewing distance, would you see much difference over the Lumagen.
On the larger projection screen, yes, but on a 46" direct view panel from what....10-12'?......I'd hazard a guess and say it's got to be pretty marginal.
Edited by PJ S on Monday 30th November 10:52
Thanks PJS. I've set the DVDR to output at 576i via HDMI so that I can deinterlace externally (there is an option to output 576p if I wanted). The difference is noticable between the TV direct and using this setup even at 12' viewing distance.
I hadn't realised about the lack of controls for calibration (though of course the Lumagen would allow better control if I keep it in circuit). However, I think it's the old story of looking up anything on the internet will find bad news, like my existing TV is supposed to suffer from 'clouding', yet mine doesn't (maybe as I don't have the backlight cranked up to maximum?).
Also looks like they don't do a 46" V10, which is my prefered size, so maybe I'll have to stick with the G15. Maybe I could program my Harmony remote with the engineer's menu if it's available (like another service remote I've got installed for my DVDR).
I hadn't realised about the lack of controls for calibration (though of course the Lumagen would allow better control if I keep it in circuit). However, I think it's the old story of looking up anything on the internet will find bad news, like my existing TV is supposed to suffer from 'clouding', yet mine doesn't (maybe as I don't have the backlight cranked up to maximum?).
Also looks like they don't do a 46" V10, which is my prefered size, so maybe I'll have to stick with the G15. Maybe I could program my Harmony remote with the engineer's menu if it's available (like another service remote I've got installed for my DVDR).
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Monday 30th November 08:10
OldSkoolRS said:
Thanks PJS. I've set the DVDR to output at 576i via HDMI so that I can deinterlace externally...
Good lad, native res and let the set's scaler do the legwork.Unless of course you're going through a Z series Yamaha amp in which case, if my resident Wizard is to be believed, "Anchor Bay can eat my shorts" which is an appropriate, colonial emphasis.
Despite over two decades preaching PQ to anyone who will listen, I have finally secured the last PDP-LX5090 in Christendom which will be Sprinting chez moi this very morn.
The sprogs can get stuffed because I'm taking over their Chaos Room and installing my wee oasis of cinematic rapture, albeit sub-THX, probably, for reasons of matrimonial peacekeeping, damnit.
I am genuinely, mildly excited.
OldSkoolRS said:
Thanks PJS. I've set the DVDR to output at 576i via HDMI so that I can deinterlace externally (there is an option to output 576p if I wanted). The difference is noticable between the TV direct and using this setup even at 12' viewing distance.
I hadn't realised about the lack of controls for calibration (though of course the Lumagen would allow better control if I keep it in circuit). However, I think it's the old story of looking up anything on the internet will find bad news, like my existing TV is supposed to suffer from 'clouding', yet mine doesn't (maybe as I don't have the backlight cranked up to maximum?).
Also looks like they don't do a 46" V10, which is my prefered size, so maybe I'll have to stick with the G15. Maybe I could program my Harmony remote with the engineer's menu if it's available (like another service remote I've got installed for my DVDR).
Are you sure you can't be tempted into a 50V10 then, seeing as there's no 46" version? Go on, you know you really want to! I hadn't realised about the lack of controls for calibration (though of course the Lumagen would allow better control if I keep it in circuit). However, I think it's the old story of looking up anything on the internet will find bad news, like my existing TV is supposed to suffer from 'clouding', yet mine doesn't (maybe as I don't have the backlight cranked up to maximum?).
Also looks like they don't do a 46" V10, which is my prefered size, so maybe I'll have to stick with the G15. Maybe I could program my Harmony remote with the engineer's menu if it's available (like another service remote I've got installed for my DVDR).
As for lack of calibration, it's only that one aspect that prevents the average individual from DIY calibration to the fullest. Granted the Gamma control is quite useful, but the Panny's default setting isn't so bad as to make adjusting with the provided controls, a wasted effort.
Some food for thought......
http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panasonic-tx-p42v10...
http://www.hometheatermag.com/flat-panels/panasoni... - US G10 sets have THX mode, not EU/UK ones.
http://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=s...
http://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=s...
PJ S said:
Are you sure you can't be tempted into a 50V10 then, seeing as there's no 46" version? Go on, you know you really want to!
As for lack of calibration, it's only that one aspect that prevents the average individual from DIY calibration to the fullest. Granted the Gamma control is quite useful, but the Panny's default setting isn't so bad as to make adjusting with the provided controls, a wasted effort.
Some food for thought......
http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panasonic-tx-p42v10...
http://www.hometheatermag.com/flat-panels/panasoni... - US G10 sets have THX mode, not EU/UK ones.
http://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=s...
http://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=s...
Thanks I'll have a read up of some of that. I don't really want a 50" as if I'm watching a film I've got 112" WIDE cinemascope screen to watch on. I just thought I'd rather upgrade the living room TV rather than just buy a basic one for the kitchen/family room, I'd move my current one in there. I'm looking for smoother movement and I'd expect any newer TV would have better blacks. As I'm at 40" already I though going to 42" would be too small difference to notice, but maybe that might be all I really need for day to day TV anyway, given that I'd never watch a BluRay on it anyway (execpt for maybe the kids).As for lack of calibration, it's only that one aspect that prevents the average individual from DIY calibration to the fullest. Granted the Gamma control is quite useful, but the Panny's default setting isn't so bad as to make adjusting with the provided controls, a wasted effort.
Some food for thought......
http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panasonic-tx-p42v10...
http://www.hometheatermag.com/flat-panels/panasoni... - US G10 sets have THX mode, not EU/UK ones.
http://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=s...
http://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=s...
I think re the calibration, I may as well just keep the Lumagen in the loop for when I'm watching a favourite series or some special event. A £1,400 (when new) VP is probably going to do a better job than the processor built into a £1,000 TV I suppose. It doesn't dound like I'll 'suffer' too much using the supplied controls to calibrate it as best I can for 'direct' viewing.
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff