Newbie looking for help with plasma purchase...

[HC22]

I have reviewed a number of posts in the forum and am thrilled by the comprehensive help that the forum veterans have provided new members. I am hoping I can get a similar response.

I am looking to buy a large (58" likely) plasma for use in my home (replacing an older Sony Vega 60" RP LCD). I have been looking around and from what I have seen I am gravitating towards to 2010 TCP58VT25. I love the picture and how well it stands up in well lit rooms. I was almost ready to buy and then I came across two potential hurdles;

1. Originally, I was not interested in the 3D aspect of the TV but now that I have seen it I am quite impressed. I may watch some 3D TV after all. However, I realize that this TV is not capable of upconverting from 2d to 3d. I can't decide if this is an issue or not. I know some others do but I don't like the 2d pictures as well on those sets (Sony, Samsung). Does anyone have a point of view on how good or how useful this upconversion is? Do you use it?

2. There seems to be a lot of talk about the black levels over time on this TV. I get the point but I am not sure how much of an issue this could be. Would I even notice? If someone could put this in perspective that would be appreciated.

Finally, given the above I am debating if I buy this TV now (as there is a good deal currently as they clear out the 2010s) or wait for the 2011 version. I have heard the black issue is resolved/improved in the 2011 and that it MAY come with an upconvert feature (does anyone know if this is the case).

Lots of questions I know but if anyone can help me with this I would GREATLY appreciate it.

Thanks. HC22.

[AlienTech]

Waiting for the "perfect" answer to your needs means you will wait forever There will always be something newer, bigger and better, at some point you have to pull the trigger and live with your decision, unless you have an unlimited budget.

Not great advice, I know but it's something we all have to come to grips with as part of our hobby/obsession

[Suave]

Sorry for not responding to your questions eariler HC22 - we've been working like crazy this past week preparing the latest issue of the mag.

I'm glad to hear that you've decided to go with a high quality plasma TV - the Panasonic TCP58VT25 is an excellent choice. This TV is capable of producing a very accurate picture and 3D content looks fantastic on it (much better than on any LCD TV).

1. Originally, I was not interested in the 3D aspect of the TV but now that I have seen it I am quite impressed. I may watch some 3D TV after all. However, I realize that this TV is not capable of upconverting from 2d to 3d. I can't decide if this is an issue or not. I know some others do but I don't like the 2d pictures as well on those sets (Sony, Samsung). Does anyone have a point of view on how good or how useful this upconversion is? Do you use it?

I own one of the Samsung 3D plasma TVs and really enjoy its 3D capability - especially for animated movies and video games. This TV does offer 2d to 3d up conversion but I find it to be a gimmick more than anything else - this feature makes content look pretty unrealistic and makes it kind of annoying to watch anything for a longer period of time. I personally don't use it all and I don't think that it should influence your TV buying decision.

2. There seems to be a lot of talk about the black levels over time on this TV. I get the point but I am not sure how much of an issue this could be. Would I even notice? If someone could put this in perspective that would be appreciated.

It is incredibly important for a TV to produce as deep of a black level as possible. The ability to display a really deep black allows a TV to display details in dark parts of the picture which are often concealed by lesser TVs and produce much richer, truer to life colours in general . Yes, you should definitely notice the advantages that deep blacks offer Think of watching a movie with a scene that happens at night or in a dark room. Deep blacks, and hence a higher contrast ratio, will allow you to see all the details in the shadows which other TVs may not show. Deeper blacks also allow TVs to display a wider range of colours, therefore everything on the screen will look more lifelike.

Let us know your impressions of the picture when you make the purchase!

[HC22]

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I did move forward with the Panasonic 58" TV and got a great deal on it (given the new model is on its way). I will not set up the new system until my current TV is sold and moved out but as soon as I get it up an running I will post my comments about the TV. I am excited to see what should be a huge difference versus my 60" Sony Grand Wega LCD RP TV.

Cheers. HC22.

[Suave]

Congrats on the new TV HC22! You should see a very significant improvement in the picture quality going from the Sony LCD to the Panasonic plasma I look forward to reading your impressions once you've got the new TV set up.