First HDTV Purchase Help!

Hello. I'm buying my first HDTV and at first I was interested in a plasma but I think my activities better suits me for an lcd =(.


1. How far away will you be from the display when watching it?
6-8 feet

2. What TV will it be replacing
27 inch tube

3. What will you be watching on it (i.e. 1/3 movies, 1/3 TV shows, 1/6 Sports, 1/6 gaming console, etc)

1/3 gaming, 1/3 pc streaming, 1/3 movies, 1/4 sports, 1/6 tv shows.

4. Will a computer be connected to use the display as a monitor? If so, what percent of the time?
Yes. But only for streaming video. Often but not 24/7. Not replacing my pc monitor.

5. Will you be getting a Blu-ray player to watch movies and will you be getting any HD service from cable/sat, or will you just be watching SD programming, and upscaling SD DVD player?
Blu-ray and HD service.

6. Are you looking for the best in class display, the best bargain display, or best bang for the buck in the middle display?
best bang for my buck. but willing to explore options

7. What is the room lighting situation? (i.e. can you control the lighting? Can you use light blocking blinds, etc to control it?)

Easily controlled. Can be light or dark i have full control.

8. What is your budget range?
Hm. $800-$1000. Will go up or down if needed.

9. Will people be watching at multiple viewing angles or just usually one person sitting directly in the center?
Just me.

10. When will most viewing be done on the display (i.e. Daytime or after sunset)?
Both, more so after sunset.

A 42-52" display is the size you should be looking at IMO. If the distance is closer to 8' them 50-52" is best but 42-46" if really only 6' away.

Everything points to plasma being the better choice except the video streaming with a computer. If when you stream it is full screen with no static payer or other elements on the screen then a plasma will be fine.

Hope this helps! & welcome to the forum! :hithere:

A 42-52" display is the size you should be looking at IMO. If the distance is closer to 8' them 50-52" is best but 42-46" if really only 6' away.

Everything points to plasma being the better choice except the video streaming with a computer. If when you stream it is full screen with no static payer or other elements on the screen then a plasma will be fine.

Hope this helps! & welcome to the forum! :hithere:


Thanks =). I was hoping so, and yes strictly video at full screen mostly. No desktop icons, windows, etc.

Then if it is full screen and no static images plasma would likely be your best choice IMO. I own 2 LCDs, 1 DLP, & 1 Panasonic plasma and the plasma easily outperfroms the others and i have yet to find anyone that likes my other HDTVs as much as the plasma out of over 40+ people so far.

Forum searching I came across the G10, S1, and V10 lines, but V10's 42inch's aren't available in USA =(. Their 24fps for blu-ray was needed. Also I came across this quote

The G10 has only a 48Hz refresh rate, for videophiles like me that's seems a little low. I game at 75Hz on my gaming LCD, 48Hz just wouldn't be as smooth as 96Hz.


Not trying to put him on the spot, but gaming is important in the decision. So higher Hz = smoother gaming?

Gaming would be done at 60Hz (Fps) as it is not a film. ;)

The 48Hz for the G10/G15 is ONLY for when watching movies. Another thing for gaming is that plasma pixel response times are over 1000x faster than even the 240Hz LCD screens so anything more than 60Hz is not needed.

Alrighty, sounds good! Last issue would be the 24fps for g10 & g15s since 42inch v10s aren't sold here. That's messed up =\.

Before about 2 years ago, you simply had to "live" with 3:2 pulldown for all film playback and my set does not offer anything else and I still love it. Most people do not even notice the judder effect with 3:2 pulldown when playing film so this is not as big an issue as some make it seem IMO. We have lived with it for well over a decade now and no one noticed then. :D ;)

IMO, the things that are cons to LCD are much worse than this con on plasmas. Things like:

1. Poorer black levels where in home lighting with the lights dim for movie time they only showing dark gray instead of black like plasmas unless you get a local dimming LED backlit model at usually more than twice the cost of a good plasma.

2. The much poorer viewing angles with ALL LCDs whereas nearly all LCDs begin to look washed out moving as little as 1 or 2 seat widths to the side of center.

3. The poorer fast motion resolution because plasma at 60Hz refresh rate is over 1000x times faster than even the 240Hz LCD.

For a lot of computer monitor use or for use in a very bright room where the lighting cannot be controlled with blinds, etc then LCD is the better choice, but that does not seem to be the case for you.

Hope this helps!

I notice that my blacks and colors fade when not directly in front of my Samsung LCD which is why I wish I had gone plasma! Since I'm the only one viewing I can live with it, but my blacks are not as black as I would like them to be! I'm 9-10 feet from my 52" LCD and feel that's just the right viewing distance for me, 46" was not big enough.

So if I stick with the panasonic plasma. Is this the type of flickering I'd encounter with blu-ray or gaming.

Can't post links but if you go to DamianB78's youtube page you'll see g10 video flickering. I'm just being extra cautious before making a purchase.

So if I stick with the panasonic plasma. Is this the type of flickering I'd encounter with blu-ray or gaming.

Can't post links but if you go to DamianB78's youtube page you'll see g10 video flickering. I'm just being extra cautious before making a purchase.

No not while gaming, film flicker effects people differently only while watching film/Blu-ray movies since they are recorded at 24 frames per second. If you can see the film flicker then use the 60Hz option instead, the Panny V10 eliminates film flicker completely but cost twice as much!

Oh. Thanks. But why even add a 48-Hz refresh option if its unwatchable and flawed? I read the UK's G10's and G15's have 96 Hz . USA got screwed , specially with v10 non availability in 42 inch.

I understand Panasonic is a reliable company but this not cool.

Oh. Thanks. But why even add a 48-Hz refresh option if its unwatchable and flawed? I read the UK's G10's and G15's have 96 Hz . USA got screwed , specially with v10 non availability in 42 inch.

I understand Panasonic is a reliable company but this not cool.

As I understand it the G10s weren't even suppose to have any 1080p/24p playback options, maybe it was a last minute decision.

UK versions do. I sent Panasonic an email and waiting on their response. Also can someone suggest an LCD that would be a good fit so I could compare the two. I would say though that plasma prices are a lot better.