Total newbie here. Hope this hasn't been addressed elsewhere.
I'm planning to buy my first HDTV for my living room. Ambient light varies. Initially, I wanted a DLP set, but even the newest generation seems to have problems with black levels and off-axis viewing.
Plasmas have really caught my eye, plus they're much thinner and easier to install in my particular application, which involves HD viewing of local broadcast, HBO, and watching movies on DVD.
I'm considering the Samsung HP-R5072, their newest 50" plasma. I'd appreciate any comments about Samsung plasmas in general and this generation if anyone knows about it. Plus, any other suggested plasmas to look at in this price range ($3k to $4K).
if viewing angle is your goal then CRT and LCD flat panel is worthy of your attention!
For Plasma just be forewarned about burn in problems and they are the most susceptible product with CRT being pretty reilient and of course LCD a DLP do not have this problem.
Is there any specific feedback on Samsung plasmas, per-se? Burn-in is an iissue, but LCD screens haven't gotten up to 50" AFAIK, or else they're REALLY expensive.
My main goal is full rich. accurate colors, deep blacks, and an enjoyable cinematic experience.
My main goal is full rich. accurate colors, deep blacks
Be careful of plasma... Per Joe Kane recently...
The future is all about education and making intelligent choices. Others will tell you about consumer trends. Plasma is it. Well, maybe someday in the future, but if you want a good image now, it doesn't yet come in a plasma.
If ya gotta go plasma then the best you can do is the Panny as suggested or their commercial, NOT consumer, models.
To reach your goal will really require an ISF calibrator who can assist you with the selection and also do the calibration. What is your zip code?
Why does Joe Kane feel that a good image does not come in a Plasma TV?
Is it because Plasma TVs are only 720P?
Just curious...........Richard it seems that you are always against someone getting a Plasma and I was wondering the reason for it. Is is mainly due to problems with calibration.......poor resolution or what?
Also you have mentioned in several posts about poor viewing angle with Plasma TVs. I do not understand that comment since all the Plasam TVs that I have looked at blow away RPTV,LCD and DLP with the plasma TV having a larger viewing angle by far.
Now to clarify my definition of a viewing angle it is being able to sit or stand at an angle and the picture not fade out meaning the picture is clear from wide angles(side to side and up and down). All Plasma TVs seem to have excellent viewing angles in my opinion.
BTW Richard: I am not trying to get into an arguement with you I am just trying to learn something so I can make an intelligent purchase on my next TV.
Of course I would love to have a 1080P Plasma but those are way too expensive right now but sometime in the future the price will come down.
Thanks again for the great information that you always provide.
If ya gotta go plasma then the best you can do is the Panny as suggested or their commercial, NOT consumer, models.
Sorry, when I first replied, I hadn't yet looked at the link. I will definitely check out the Panasonic in that review. I've just got to find someone in LA who carries it and has it on display.
Please tell me what you DO like in 50" that is affordable.
DLP sounded good until, looking at Samsung's newest and best, I noticed uneven illumination, narrow viewing angle, and blacks that looked more like dark gray.
Plasmas definitely appear more eye-catching and sexy, especially now that 50" versions can be had below $3.5k.
As for 720p, I'm no expert. But I can tell you from years as a serious photographer that resolution isn't all that important. In motion picture, I've had the fortune to see films in true 3-strip Cinerama, 70mm Super-Cinerama, and plain old 35mm, which although less sharp, looks just fine.
Now is a tough time to answer that question becuase every display seems to have some major flaw. You did not like the Sammy DLP. How about the Sony SXRD? Nieither are going to provide the viewing angles of a plasma or DV CRT.
Plasmas definitely appear more eye-catching and sexy, especially now that 50" versions can be had below $3.5k.
Then by all means go for it. ISF consultation and Calibration recommended!
Richard, as I thought about some of your comments, both here and elsewhere, it makes me interested to know what your "reference" is.
For me, it's probably the experience I get when I'm in a movie theater. But how technically perfect is that?
No matter how good, film projection is filled with imperfections. For instance, 35mm film is generally soft, and suffers from gate weave. Moreover, Dmax is limited due to screen reflections. Plus, there are master to release-print transfers that cause analog losses.
If your reference is the newest and best digital theater projection, that too has its faults. Certainly it's sharper and brighter, but skin tones look fake. Chromatic abberations creap in, and images have a false, "digitized" look to them.
If we could invent the best possible monitor for the home with the ideal viewing conditions, we'd still have problems. First, all satellite signals are compressed. DVDs aren't up to full resolution. And the best signal quality, over the air broadcast suffers from just plain, bad programming.
I think what Richard is referring to is accuracy - does it display the source accurately or does it add or remove things (artifacts)? Not how well the source was produced. I think this is best measured with test patterns and equipment where you have a known input.
And remember - accuracy and personal preference may be different. Some people may prefer an enhanced (not accurate) picture. True videophiles generally prefer accuracy with as few artifacts as possible.
If the reds are off a bit, I'll never know the difference. OTOH, if reds are blown out or out of gamut, then that's a problem. Otherwise, it's television, and all I care about is getting emotionally involved in whatever I'm watching.
My first reference is film. Certainly it is not perfect but in the right theater it can certainly be reference. For that I visit my IMAX theater.
As for film being soft that is a function of the camera work, directing and producing; what kind of art or look are they shooting for? Film can be very sharp or soft and so many other things which is why many have been sticking with film or trying to manipulate HD video into what film can do.
For me color reference comes from DVE and the superbit 5th Element as they are natural presentations, not artsy. There was a recent DVD review where I mentioned natural color and try to state that when I do find it as most movies do the art thing. WSR is a great resource for that kind of info. Comedies tend to do the natural look.
I try to rent 2 D-Theater movies a month to remind myself just how good it can be visually and sonically! Until HD-DVD or Bluray becomes a reality this is THE reference for HDTV capability! As for color and video accuracy it is art... The key as always is that you are watching the same presentation as the guy/gal that mastered it which is supposed to be signed off by one of the production team inferring the DVD is delivering the intended results of the artist(s). Mastering is another art form. WSR had a great column about that recently as well. So much dwells on perception but bear in mind it is the use of well established imaging science standards for the equipment that keeps all this in check for a consistent response.
Like all standards there are pitfalls. Contrast ratio being one of the big ones. Like audio there is not a reference point for many of these specs making their results dubious. For imaging science we are concerned with two numbers only. The contrast ratio of 100IRE compared to 0IRE when the display has been calibrated for the most accurate D65 response. Most of the numbers provided do not represent this definition using highly corrupted grayscale responses with improper black level or even going as far as calibrating for the brightest response without regard to color temperature and covering the lens or turning the display off. I smell an article here...
As an A/V reproduction engineer it all starts with meeting standards first and then viewing second as I already know if it does not meet the standards I won
You're correct. I shouldn't be here to debate, but just to learn how to make the right purchasing decisions. I'm going to track down a Panasonic commercial dealer and see that display you referenced above. My old Proton 27" is dying and I need something new, fast.
