Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater which TV would you get

And this means....?

I think you are saying that the primary colors on any modern TV are only approximations. But the LCD and LED sure appear to have better color resolutions than the plasmas.

That's the problem, the display is not supposed to over-saturate the colors. The person doing the mastering picks how bright a red is supposed to look. A display which uses a more "red" red is not showing the picture as intended.

I looked at my TV to get the model number. It is a Panasonic (Plasma), model # TC-54PS14

Regarding the reviews and green tints, I can verify that mine has no such tint. I perform all my own display calibrations. I use an i1-Pro meter and Calman V4 calibration software. When I calibrated this TV, I did not have to enter the service menu to change the color gamut, gamma or grey scale. Both were close enough right out of the box for my tastes. Slightly oversaturated colors, but I tend to prefer them oversaturated anyways. There was no green tint and keep in mind that this was a measured reading from a reputably good, entry level $1000 meter, and not opinion based. The picture is extremely good on this TV. It also does a very good job at de-interlacing and up-scaling. I use a DVDO Edge for this set up for video source switching instead of an AVR. I have played around a bit with the video going through the Edge and straight into the TV. The video with the Edge doing the processing is slightly better, but you have to really look for the differences.

As I said before, I paid about a grand for this TV at Costco. If you have a Costco close by, I suggest you go TV shopping there. They also carry the Samsung LED units there if you prefer LCD.

I'm not finding much in the way of reviews for this TV. It also looks to be perhaps a 2 year old model that probably isn't sold any more. 30k:1 contrast ratio which seems to point to an OK but subpar black level to todays standards. It's an S14 and not an S1 or S2.

That's native contrast ratio. No LCD gets anywhere near that. With Panasonic's almost-off blacks in dynamic mode, the contrast ratio approaches infinity.

But I never go by the dynamic ratio, manufacturers play too many games there. I want to know what the panel can do on its own. If a little more can be pulled out, fine, but I don't expect to ever get near the specs on the box with real world viewing.

Funny you should mention this model. I seen on Futureshop webpage its on sale for $1299. I did a search on it last night and only found one customer review who thought it was an older S1 model. I called our closet Futureshop (Medicine Hat) about an hour away and of couse they do not have this in stock. You mention Costco had it on for $1000? How long ago was this? Their webpage does not show this model. You say extremely good picture? Is this too say its not excellent? Are you happy with your purchase? How long have you had it?

Best Buy has the 50" Pany G20 on sale for 1100 dollars and is probably the best plasma they have in the store for under 2k. It's 5 mil to 1 contrast ratio and THX certified which truly only means you dont need to calibrate the tv. I am picking one up on Saturday but already own a 50" s2

Unfortunaly Im in Canada and the G20 is just under $2000 here. I see on your Sig line you own the S2. How do you like it? Did you find a difference in picture quality between the S2 and the G20 your going to pick up?

It's hard for me to say because i don't have the G20 in the house yet and i try not to judge by what i see in the stores due to all the variables out of my control but just the fact that its 5 million to one and thx certified tells me its worth the 200 dollar price jump (899 vs 1099). I used to be sold on LCD and especially LED but truthfully i wouldn't pay 500 dollars for one after owning plasma and the research i did showed Pany being #1 in the plasma world. The S2 will make a fine TV and i have mine in a room that gets lots of sunlight and the glare is not distracting though that depends on placement as well.

It has a damn fine picture. I bought it about two months ago. Yes, I'm quite happy. For sports, I will not consider anything but plasma or DLP. I am qite sensitive to motion blur.

I did not buy it on-line. I just walking in the store, looked at this TV, a few of the LED / LCD's, and bought this one. They still have them in stock as of last week.

I do not work for Panasonic. I just gave you an option to consider, as you seam concerned over price. Buy whatever you wish. My feelings will not get hurt. Good luck.