Best Flat screen for 2010

TheVoiceless · #1 10-05-2010, 12:53 PM

Hey TB,

I want to pick your collective mind to help me choose a new TV. Here is what I am looking for, 42" to 50something inch, wall mountable, HD, with a decent amount of inputs.

I'm completely lost between the different choices in TV's these days. Between LCD,LED, Plasma, 3DTV , that TV with the fourth color, the TV with built in apps. I am not sure what the best TV to buy would be. I plan on keeping for at least 10 years I hope. So I would like something that won't burn out and won't be outdated.

So to all my Techie bass players, what would you buy?

**Eric Perry** · #2 10-05-2010, 04:57 PM

I have an LG 50PK550. It's a lower end set in comparisons to some, but it's got an absolutely great pic. It's 50" plasma, 1080p, and very thin, with a nice thin bezel around the screen.

For a lower-priced set ($1,200 when I got it) it compares favorably to my brother's Kuro Elite. The black levels are not as deep, but other than that they are very, very similar in terms of picture quality. Mark's Kuro was 3x as much, too!

I think that 4th color thing is nothing more than marketing. I think Plasmas (generally speaking) have better black levels than LCDs. LCDs are definitely better if you plan on gaming though, as Plasmas can have issues with burn-in and image retention. LEDs are rail thin, but again, my LG set is just over an inch thick. Very comparable to the LED sets. The 3D sets I've seen did not impress me at all, plus you've gotta wear the silly glasses. The apps are kinda cool, I guess.. But only if they are apps that interest you. You def. want 1080p, the highest (current) resolution. If you go LCD, you want 120Hz or higher refresh rate. Avoid the 60's at all cost!

MJ5150 · #3 10-05-2010, 05:14 PM

For me, AVS Forum is the "TalkBass" of home theater. Here is a link directly to Display Devices.

It is everything you want to know, including reviews.

-Mike

**Eric Perry** · #4 10-05-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

For me, AVS Forum is the "TalkBass" of home theater. Here is a link directly to Display Devices.

It is everything you want to know, including reviews.

-Mike

Good call, Mike. That's a GREAT site!!!

**Eric Perry** · #5 10-05-2010, 05:17 PM

Here's my living room with the LG unit on the wall, for reference...

MJ5150 · #6 10-05-2010, 05:19 PM

Nice bro. Did you run the wires, or were they already there for you?

Is that a speaker above the bass? Nice base trim too.

-Mike

**Eric Perry** · #7 10-05-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Nice bro. Did you run the wires, or were they already there for you?

Is that a speaker above the bass? Nice base trim too.

-Mike

Thanks, man. I ran the wires. Was a massive PITA, as that's an insulated outside wall. Took hours to run them!

That is a speaker above the bass. Polk Audio speakers, all wall mounted (5.1) except the center, which is a Polk CS10, with the wires behind the moldings. The bass trim is the cheap addition to the room, as it's an SX!

buzzbass · #8 10-06-2010, 09:12 AM

Just bought a 52" Panasonic Viera Plasma that I'm quite pleased with.

TheVoiceless · #9 10-06-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

For me, AVS Forum is the "TalkBass" of home theater. Here is a link directly to Display Devices.

It is everything you want to know, including reviews.

-Mike

I will take a look, Thanks!!

TheVoiceless · #10 10-06-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Perry

I have an LG 50PK550. It's a lower end set in comparisons to some, but it's got an absolutely great pic. It's 50" plasma, 1080p, and very thin, with a nice thin bezel around the screen.

For a lower-priced set ($1,200 when I got it) it compares favorably to my brother's Kuro Elite. The black levels are not as deep, but other than that they are very, very similar in terms of picture quality. Mark's Kuro was 3x as much, too!

I think that 4th color thing is nothing more than marketing. I think Plasmas (generally speaking) have better black levels than LCDs. LCDs are definitely better if you plan on gaming though, as Plasmas can have issues with burn-in and image retention. LEDs are rail thin, but again, my LG set is just over an inch thick. Very comparable to the LED sets. The 3D sets I've seen did not impress me at all, plus you've gotta wear the silly glasses. The apps are kinda cool, I guess.. But only if they are apps that interest you. You def. want 1080p, the highest (current) resolution. If you go LCD, you want 120Hz or higher refresh rate. Avoid the 60's at all cost!

I like the LG companies products so that is defiantly a candidate. I was thinking of purchasing a PS3 at the same time as a TV, so some gaming would be involved. But I don't spend hours playing, and may decide to keep my gaming on my PC.

I have heard people suggest LCD's over Plasma's based on the image burning and also screen life. But I am open to suggestions.

Thanks for the detailed reply and photo!!!

Strat-Mangler · #11 10-06-2010, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

For me, AVS Forum is the "TalkBass" of home theater. Here is a link directly to Display Devices.

It is everything you want to know, including reviews.

-Mike

Agreed. Fantastic source of info.