Plasma vs. Latest Samsung LCD panels with 15000:1 contrast ratio

Does anyone know if the new Samsung panels are as good as plasma or are the better now?

I'm thinking about getting a SAMSUNG LNT5265.

And BTW, where is the best place to get this? Amazon?

Any information about this would be most appreciated.

Thanks.
Andrew

Everything I have seen says the new LCD's are better than ever, but PDP's will still take them on accuracy of colors and the ability to produce deep blacks. The backlight is on all the time in an LCD, thus limiting their performance in this area.
All that said, I fear for the PDP, and it's ability to stay the course for the long term - due to misconceptions and innuendo slanted against the technology, and fed to the masses.

Actually, I've yet to see ANY technology produce a better black than my Samsung LCD... I know this flies with "theory" but I trust my own eyes more than theories!

I AM very anxiously awaiting shipments of the 81 series Samsung LCDs, these have LED backlights and according to their specs, CAN be selectively turned on and off... i.e. in the same picture, some of the LEDs can be turned off, reduced in intensity. Aside from LEDs as light source, this is very brand new technology... my only question is exactly how much control does the user have.

Actually, I've yet to see ANY technology produce a better black than my Samsung LCD... I know this flies with "theory" but I trust my own eyes more than theories!

I AM very anxiously awaiting shipments of the 81 series Samsung LCDs, these have LED backlights and according to their specs, CAN be selectively turned on and off... i.e. in the same picture, some of the LEDs can be turned off, reduced in intensity. Aside from LEDs as light source, this is very brand new technology... my only question is exactly how much control does the user have.
Your Samsung may indeed have deeper blacks than some plasmas. Hometheater Mag calibrated a Pioneer Pro FH1 and a Sony XBR2, the XBR2 had a better measured black level and better measured contrast ratios both full-on/full-off and ANSI.

I think that most of us - after we get our set home, LCD or PDP, set up to the environment we are used to - it is the best. I feel the same way about my 42" LG PDP.

You may have an exception there, for sure. Congrats.

I just bought the new LNT4665 and it is amazing...It even has a feature where you turn the backlite off!!!!

First off, Contrast ratio "claims" are like football bats.....totally worthless. Numerous test bench results have proven that ALL of the mfgs way over-state their CR numbers. Even my Panny which has industry leading "real" contrast and wicked black levels only measures out in the real world at like 2,100 to 1. Panny claims 10,000:1. yeah right! So, Samsung can claim 15,000:1 all day long but it will NOT be reflected in real tests. As for black levels, the Panny measures at .0012 foot-lamberts which is VERY black. If an XBR Sony measured better than that then good for them I guess.

Secondly, black levels and black level detail are different things. Ive seen LCDs, like my own Sharp 32" show a pretty "deep" black in a darker room with the backlight turned down. However, it does NOT render detail in that black as well as the Plasma, not even close really. This where the biggest differences are from what I can see. There are certain scenes in movies that really show this off. Just find a scene with good lighting and a very black object with some detail, like Chancellor Palpatine in Attack of the Clones when hes talking to other Senate members early in the movie. His robe has a lot of detail in it. With LCD, you get a good black but it lacks the intricate detail in the black like the plasma shows. Thats just one example, there are others.

Hey whatever though, buy what you like..... just dont buy solely on anyones claimed contrast numbers, whether its a plasma or an LCD.

;)

i have compared different LCD at CC the other day and did notice SAMSUNG black are lot better than Sharp and others it was the same feed going to all sets, plasmas have best black levels but very few sets look good in dark scenes in plasmas (pioneer and fujitsu are best in dark scenes), LCD are closing the gap in black levels and viewing angles this is why plasma prices are on the decline as compared to LCDs, plasma consume more power, heavier as compared to LCDs, in well lit room plasma could be a real problem. i experienced it first hand luckily a buddy of mine bought my plasma and i replaced it with LCD.