Going to buy a new TV to play games. Should I get a plasma, LCD, something else?

I want the TV to be about 50 inches and I will mostly use it to play games. I've read up on the stickied thread and I've done some research myself, but most of the articles are dated by a few years. This is what I know.

Plasmas have deeper blacks and better viewing angles. Most susceptible to burn in. LCDs do not have blacks as deep, have poorer viewing angles, and are immune to burn in.

I play games mostly on the weekends, but when I do play it can be for up to 4 hours in one sitting. I've heard about the break in period for plasmas (100 hours or so right?), but if I'm just playing games I don't want HUD elements burned into the TV. I'm not too concerned about the price for the size I want, I just want the best picture quality. Has the technology changed so that any of the things I've read are no longer true?

I want the TV to be about 50 inches and I will mostly use it to play games. I've read up on the stickied thread and I've done some research myself, but most of the articles are dated by a few years. This is what I know.

Plasmas have deeper blacks and better viewing angles. Most susceptible to burn in. LCDs do not have blacks as deep, have poorer viewing angles, and are immune to burn in.

I play games mostly on the weekends, but when I do play it can be for up to 4 hours in one sitting. I've heard about the break in period for plasmas (100 hours or so right?), but if I'm just playing games I don't want HUD elements burned into the TV. I'm not too concerned about the price for the size I want, I just want the best picture quality. Has the technology changed so that any of the things I've read are no longer true?

slick_gio

LCDs are not immune to burn in. Our last one had the HUD from Madden NFL 10 burned into it. Maybe it was just image retention but I don't think that lasts for 6 months.

Burn in isn't as serious of a problem as it used to be. Back around 2007ish the problem was reduced a lot. You really only get it if you leave the TV on full blasted settings with a static image on it for a long time. 4 hours isn't enough to cause burn in. Plasma still has the best picture quality and will remain so for awhile. Generally it's cheaper to buy a plasma than a LCD/LED of equal size.

Burn-in is no longer an issue, and Image retention might appear for the first little bit of the break in. As for a TV I would go with a Panasonic VT25 if price isn't too big of an issue. Its the second best picture you can get out of a TV. Its also said to be the best 3DTV on the market. Image retention should not even be noticed on this TV as it is the top of the line Panasonic.

$2039.99 - Panasonic VT25 50inch:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-P50VT25-50-inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B003NA1AGM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290289636&sr=8-2

If you want the best picture quality go with a LED TV.Nick3306

LEDs are just brighter LCDs. Plasmas have the best PQ.

If you want the best picture quality go with a LED TV.Nick3306

I'll be looking into plasmas then.

I'll be looking into plasmas then.

slick_gio

Make sure it's Panasonic. Their plasmas are the best TV you can buy...well not really. Pioneer Kuros can be found on ebay and such still new.

Burn-in is no longer an issue, and Image retention might appear for the first little bit of the break in. As for a TV I would go with a Panasonic VT25 if price isn't too big of an issue. Its the second best picture you can get out of a TV. Its also said to be the best 3DTV on the market. Image retention should not even be noticed on this TV as it is the top of the line Panasonic.

$2039.99 - Panasonic VT25 50inch:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-P50VT25-50-inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B003NA1AGM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290289636&sr=8-2

NVIDIATI

I just recently picked up this model and i'm enjoying it alot so far.

I am still on the break in period, so no games on it yet. I have watched a couple of 3D blu-rays and they are pretty amazing. I still have yet to calibrate the t.v. but it comes with a THX mode that is good enough till break in is done.

It has an amazing 2d picture and is the best reveiwed t.v. on CNET(reliable tech reveiw site).

The 3D picture is this best I have seen on any t.v. yet.

So of course I recommend plasma,I have not had much time with my TC-P50VT25 so take the advice or not.

P.S. Panasonic is getting EXCLUSIVE rights to Avatar 3D Blu-ray,cherry on top I guess. The movie is going for over $500 on ebay right now and you get the movie for free with the purchase of a Panny Viera 3D t.v.

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

Burn-in is no longer an issue, and Image retention might appear for the first little bit of the break in. As for a TV I would go with a Panasonic VT25 if price isn't too big of an issue. Its the second best picture you can get out of a TV. Its also said to be the best 3DTV on the market. Image retention should not even be noticed on this TV as it is the top of the line Panasonic.

$2039.99 - Panasonic VT25 50inch:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-P50VT25-50-inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B003NA1AGM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290289636&sr=8-2

MR-COOL18

I just recently picked up this model and i'm enjoying it alot so far.

I am still on the break in period, so no games on it yet. I have watched a couple of 3D blu-rays and they are pretty amazing. I still have yet to calibrate the t.v. but it comes with a THX mode that is good enough till break in is done.

It has an amazing 2d picture and is the best reveiwed t.v. on CNET(reliable tech reveiw site).

The 3D picture is this best I have seen on any t.v. yet.

So of course I recommend plasma,I have not had much time with my TC-P50VT25 so take the advice or not.

P.S. Panasonic is getting EXCLUSIVE rights to Avatar 3D Blu-ray,cherry on top I guess. The movie is going for over $500 on ebay right now and you get the movie for free with the purchase of a Panny Viera 3D t.v.

[QUOTE="MR-COOL18"]

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

Burn-in is no longer an issue, and Image retention might appear for the first little bit of the break in. As for a TV I would go with a Panasonic VT25 if price isn't too big of an issue. Its the second best picture you can get out of a TV. Its also said to be the best 3DTV on the market. Image retention should not even be noticed on this TV as it is the top of the line Panasonic.

$2039.99 - Panasonic VT25 50inch:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-P50VT25-50-inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B003NA1AGM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290289636&sr=8-2

NVIDIATI

I just recently picked up this model and i'm enjoying it alot so far.

I am still on the break in period, so no games on it yet. I have watched a couple of 3D blu-rays and they are pretty amazing. I still have yet to calibrate the t.v. but it comes with a THX mode that is good enough till break in is done.

It has an amazing 2d picture and is the best reveiwed t.v. on CNET(reliable tech reveiw site).

The 3D picture is this best I have seen on any t.v. yet.

So of course I recommend plasma,I have not had much time with my TC-P50VT25 so take the advice or not.

P.S. Panasonic is getting EXCLUSIVE rights to Avatar 3D Blu-ray,cherry on top I guess. The movie is going for over $500 on ebay right now and you get the movie for free with the purchase of a Panny Viera 3D t.v.

Yup i'm lovin it...hehe..no but I am really enjoying this tv and could not be happier with it. I honestly thought it was the best reveiwed HDTV on cnet. Out of curiosity which one is the best reveiwed,just for the future knowledge.

Thanks

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

[QUOTE="MR-COOL18"]

I just recently picked up this model and i'm enjoying it alot so far.

I am still on the break in period, so no games on it yet. I have watched a couple of 3D blu-rays andtheyare pretty amazing. I still have yet to calibrate the t.v. but it comes with a THX mode that is good enough till break in is done.

It has an amazing 2d picture and is the best reveiwed t.v. on CNET(reliable tech reveiw site).

The 3D picture is this best I have seen on any t.v. yet.

So of course I recommend plasma,I have not had much time with my TC-P50VT25 so take the advice or not.

P.S. Panasonic is getting EXCLUSIVE rights to Avatar 3D Blu-ray,cherry on top I guess. The movie is going for over $500 on ebay right now andyouget the movie for free with the purchase of a Panny Viera 3D t.v.

MR-COOL18

Yup i'm lovin it...hehe..no but I am really enjoying this tv andcouldnot be happier with it. I honestly thought it was the best reveiwed HDTV on cnet. Out of curiosity which one is the best reveiwed,just for the future knowledge.

Thanks

"Current reference display: As of September 2008, CNET uses the Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD, on long-term loan from the manufacturer, as the primary reference display for color and black level performance."

[QUOTE="MR-COOL18"]

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"] 2nd best ;) but I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it. Its a great TV.

NVIDIATI

Yup i'm lovin it...hehe..no but I am really enjoying this tv andcouldnot be happier with it. I honestly thought it was the best reveiwed HDTV on cnet. Out of curiosity which one is the best reveiwed,just for the future knowledge.

Thanks

"Current reference display: As of September 2008, CNET uses the Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD, on long-term loan from the manufacturer, as the primary reference display for color and black level performance."

Oh ok,well lucky you. Glad you found one before they quit manufacturing them. I can't even imagine a better picture than what I currently own. It must be a site to behold. If you wouldn't mind posting some pics of it in action,that would be great.

You seem to know your stuff,it's always nice to meet a fellow tv enthusiast.

Thanks.

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

[QUOTE="MR-COOL18"]

Yup i'm lovin it...hehe..no but I am really enjoying this tv andcouldnot be happier with it. I honestly thought it was the best reveiwed HDTV on cnet. Out of curiosity which one is the best reveiwed,just for the future knowledge.

Thanks

MR-COOL18

"Current reference display:As of September 2008, CNET uses the Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD, on long-term loan from the manufacturer, as the primary reference display for color and black level performance."

Oh ok,well lucky you. Glad you found one before they quit manufacturing them. I can't even imagine a better picture than what I currently own. It must be a site to behold. If you wouldn't mind posting some pics of it in action,that would be great.

You seem to know your stuff,it's always nice to meet a fellow tv enthusiast.

Thanks.

*The movie is Passchendaele. Also if I recall I was watching it on Pure mode.

I want the TV to be about 50 inches and I will mostly use it to play games. I've read up on the stickied thread and I've done some research myself, but most of the articles are dated by a few years. This is what I know.

Plasmas have deeper blacks and better viewing angles. Most susceptible to burn in. LCDs do not have blacks as deep, have poorer viewing angles, and are immune to burn in.

I play games mostly on the weekends, but when I do play it can be for up to 4 hours in one sitting. I've heard about the break in period for plasmas (100 hours or so right?), but if I'm just playing games I don't want HUD elements burned into the TV. I'm not too concerned about the price for the size I want, I just want the best picture quality. Has the technology changed so that any of the things I've read are no longer true?

slick_gio

What is your budget? Honestly, at this point in time if I were you, I'd wait for a nice 3Dtv package deal--especially with Black Friday coming up. I've heard nothing but good things about the few 3D PS3 games, and Eurogamer raved about the 3D mode in Need For Speed:HP for the pc, so much so that they claimed it was hard to go back to playing in 2D.

That's my plan for my next tv. Originally I was going to get something small, but decided to save the cash and make a worthy upgrade.

[QUOTE="MR-COOL18"]

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"] 9th Generation Pioneer Elite Kuro: PRO-111FD/PRO-101FD/PRO-151FD/PRO-141FD, they reviewed the 111FD. The TV launched in 2008 and still holds its title till this day. CNET also uses the Elite Kuro as their reference TV, so pretty much what a TV should look like. Though Pioneer stopped manufacturing the Kuro brand I was lucky enough to pick up one of the 111FD a year back. Fortunately, all of the staff working on the Kuro along with Pioneer's patents has gone to Panasonic. So expect Panasonic's 2011 top of the line to be something big.

"Current reference display:As of September 2008, CNET uses the Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD, on long-term loan from the manufacturer, as the primary reference display for color and black level performance."

NVIDIATI

Oh ok,well lucky you. Glad you found one before they quit manufacturing them. I can't even imagine a better picture than what I currently own. It must be a site to behold. If you wouldn't mind posting some pics of it in action,that would be great.

You seem to know your stuff,it's always nice to meet a fellow tv enthusiast.

Thanks.

*The movie is Passchendaele. Also if I recall I was watching it on Pure mode.

That picture is stunning, I hope when I get the chance to calibrate my tv it looks as great as that.

Also no rush on the pics,I can tell your tv will look great already.

looking forward to seeing more.

Plasma -- better contrast, better color, less input lag, better for motion. Needs break in period of 100 hours (and until that point, image retention and burn in can be a problem if it's not done right). Also, since plasmas aren't as bright as LCDs, they use a glossy screen which can reflect light in your room (the AR filter can make a difference, but you are still better off with controlled lighting).

LCD -- better brightness, sharpness, and resistance to reflections (the brightness of the units allow LCDs to use matte screens which are fairly resistant to reflections). LCDs generally don't display motion as well as plasmas, have a narrow viewing angle, and more input lag.

Plasma -- better contrast, better color, less input lag, better for motion. Needs break in period of 100 hours (and until that point, image retention and burn in can be a problem if it's not done right). Also, since plasmas aren't as bright as LCDs, they use a glossy screen which can reflect light in your room (the AR filter can make a difference, but you are still better off with controlled lighting).

LCD -- better brightness, sharpness, and resistance to reflections (the brightness of the units allow LCDs to use matte screens which are fairly resistant to reflections). LCDs generally don't display motion as well as plasmas, have a narrow viewing angle, and more input lag.

psychobrew

To be specific: Panasonic - VIERA / 50"/ 1080p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV

[QUOTE="psychobrew"]

Plasma -- better contrast, better color, less input lag, better for motion. Needs break in period of 100 hours (and until that point, image retention and burn in can be a problem if it's not done right). Also, since plasmas aren't as bright as LCDs, they use a glossy screen which can reflect light in your room (the AR filter can make a difference, but you are still better off with controlled lighting).

LCD -- better brightness, sharpness, and resistance to reflections (the brightness of the units allow LCDs to use matte screens which are fairly resistant to reflections). LCDs generally don't display motion as well as plasmas, have a narrow viewing angle, and more input lag.

slick_gio

To be specific: Panasonic - VIERA / 50"/ 1080p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV

Have fun camping outside Best Buy on turkey day :P

[QUOTE="psychobrew"]

Plasma -- better contrast, better color, less input lag, better for motion. Needs break in period of 100 hours (and until that point, image retention and burn in can be a problem if it's not done right). Also, since plasmas aren't as bright as LCDs, they use a glossy screen which can reflect light in your room (the AR filter can make a difference, but you are still better off with controlled lighting).

LCD -- better brightness, sharpness, and resistance to reflections (the brightness of the units allow LCDs to use matte screens which are fairly resistant to reflections). LCDs generally don't display motion as well as plasmas, have a narrow viewing angle, and more input lag.

slick_gio

To be specific: Panasonic - VIERA / 50"/ 1080p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV

Yeah, I'm really stuck between the Panasonic 50 inch S2 series and the 50 inch G25 series. From everything I've read, the G25 is more of a videophile's TV, but I'm not sure I care enough to spend the extra $200. Also, I hear the 3:2 pull down on both of these models are useless, but I have no idea what that is or why I should care.

In any case, make sure you break the plasma in properly. There's a set of images you can find on AVSForum.com that you're supposed to display for 100 - 120 hours with certain display settings to break the TV in.

So after finding out that Best Buy will only have 8 units of the 50 inch U2 Plasma, I did some looking on the amazon comparison and found something interesting. Apparently the S2 Plasmas have 1080 lines, but the TV I was going to get only has 900. I did some more searching online and found this post where someone else was asking to compare the two. "Apparently the Panasonic U2 series has only 900 moving picture lines on it's screen. Meaning although this HDTV is advertised as full 1080p, it actually comes up 180 lines short with what could be referred to as "900p." Also, the U2 series does not boast NeoPDP technology like the S2 series does. What this means is that on the S2 model, the black's are darker and the whites are brighter, creating more vivid color images over the U2 model. The S2 even consumes a bit less power than the U2. I guess everyone who purchased the U2 model didn't do all of their homework.. Skip U2 series and go with the S2 model everyone, they are pretty much the same price too!" So here is my predicament. A line is already forming at Best Buy and that 50 inch plasma is right smack on the front of their Black Friday ad. Chances are a lot of people want the TV. Best Buy is only going to have 8 units. Chances are slim I'm going to pick up that $699.99 TV. So Amazon has the Panasonic TC-P46S2 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (S2) for $771.18 and I can order that right now. Should I try to get the one I originally wanted that's a bit bigger and cheaper or should I just get the 46 inch now that seems better, a bit smaller, but more expensive?slick_gio

The U2 series has full 1080p on still-images, but 900p moving resolution. Try to tell the difference. Three staff members on CNET could not come to a consistent conclusion about differences in moving resolution when watching actual video content (not test patterns): http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10020262-1.html. But, it also doesn't have the picture quality improvements on the S2 series.

I must say I'm biased, because I'm leaning toward a Panasonic 42" S2 Plasma. Get the 46" S2 series. There are only 8 units so it would really suck to wait in line overnight, in the cold, and still not get the deal. Also, the 50" U2 is not really cheaper if you factor sales tax and eletronics waste fee (if applicable). I don't think 4" will make so much of a difference, especially since the S2 series is an upgrade over the U2 series. Quality over quantity. And you don't have to wait hopelessly in line.