TV

[AverageJoe]

hey i have a 62" inch rear projection LCD. and now i realize that i have to buy the $300 replacement bulb every year. = fustrating

so im in the market for a New TV, im looking at the LG 60" 1080p Plasma HDTV** 60PS11 for $2499,  or the Samsung 58" 1080p Plasma HDTV** PN58A550 for $2699, theres not  much review on these sets ,  so i NEED peoples thought/opinions on this .

here is a list of things that are important in Order :

Picture Quality ( main concern )

Black Levels    ( my Hitachi had really poor blacks)

Features        

HDMI Ports      ( my old LCD only had 2 )

Maintenance    ( old tv, bulb had to be replaced every year for $300 ! )

Brand              ( i know sammy is the better brand, but is it that much better then the LG?

size                ( only 2 inch diff, old tv was 62' )

price               ( only $200 diff, so no big deal )

.....considering these factors, which is the better buy, and why

AND is there much difference between these  "lower end 58' - 60' plasmas"  compared to  the 60' plasmas that cost $3000+ ?

thanks

....Any thoughts?

Message Edited by AverageJoe on 06-15-2009 10:07 AM

[idiotcanuck]

The first thing that strikes me is that the A550 is last years model, a good TV still, but 1 year behind. The PS11 is brand spanking new, weeks old.

You can get this years models (58B540, 58B530) Samsung close to that and I would look at them too, if you go Sammy.

I only have eyeball assesments of the PS11 but from what I've seen, I like the PQ. Color accuracy and signal processing look good out of the box. Black level is good, and similar on both.

What is your room like, lighting wise, and what are you going to connect to the new display, video sources? and an audio system of any kind?

[jimaa66]

my question is this:

who sold you the bill of goods on telling you your tv needs a new bulb every two years?

that is a joke, and quite frankly, is not true.

do you realize how many lcd tv's are out there right now? and do you realize how many people would have been upset over this issue, and the backlash that it would have created if this were in fact true? lcd's would have been off the market for at least 2 years now if this were true.

i think you need to get a little professional advice. i think you need to consult with some high end shops in the city, and perhaps have them come to your home to prove to you that you do not need a new bulb every 12 months.

depending on how often your set is on, i would guess that a new bulb will be required every 4 to 5 years, not every 12 months.

call the company that your tv is from (hitachi?). tell them you have to replace the bulb every 12 months. i am sure they will have plenty of facts and figures to dispute this claim.

there is no way on this earth that everyone out there who buys an lcd tv is needing to replace the bulb every 12 months. plenty of audio and videophiles that will swear buy lcd technology, and will prove to you -with scientific measurements- that this claim is false.

[AverageJoe]

yea, well i have a Rear projection HD LCD, ( ie not the ones u can hang on the wall) its like 12 inchs deep. and yes,  i called hitachi and they said, the bulb should be replaced every 4-5 years, BUT so far, the bulb "fuzed" 2 times in the past 2 years, so  it had to get replaced, i think thats why tv companys stop making rear projection LCDs.

its sucks, but im SOL.

so yea, i heard  the new LG 60' is a basic model, and not too sure about the realiability issues,

Samsung seems like a better brand, and a better track record,

but feature wise, and clearity/ black levels, which is better?

[LuvinHD]

I just received my 60ps11 and love it. Color and black level  is great and the sound is good. And only $1999. I had a 65 inch hp dlp. So far I am very pleased. Now to get it calibrated.

Message Edited by LuvinHD on 06-23-2009 08:43 PM

[idiotcanuck]

Personally I think Samsung and LG are about the same in regard to reliability. Panasonic I think is still the leader, in that aspect by far, IMO.

The PS11 doesn't have a THX mode, if that's important to you. It does have two ISF modes for calibration settings, though.

Which Samsung Plasma's? The B550 series doesn't have THX either.

[LuvinHD]

its my second day and I am luvin it.Especially at 1999.99

what more can you ask for 60`` 1080p 600hrtz clean look and under 2k

[Sinner_G]

Ive had my LG 60 for 2 weeks now, bought mine at (competitor). originally had a 55 inch lg lcd but returned it to (competitor) as soon as I saw the 60 plasma for a better price, having 2 children under 2 I prefer the durability of the glass front plasma screen over the soft flexible screen of an LCD, my overall personal preference goes to Plasma as well I think the pic is way nicer than LCD. I find myself constantly playing with the colour features for almost every different movie I watch or digital cable station, this 60PS11 has a GREAT amount of Easy to use colour adjustments this is a plus for me!   has 3 HDMI inputs one being an easy access one right on the side, along with a USB port for an MP3 player or Digital Camera. I gove this TV 2 thumbs up, and even bought a matching LG 5.1 DVD Surround sysytem to go with it, the edge of the TV looks really sleek, and the internal speakers are facing down so they are not visible from the front of the TV.  This TV has changed the way my Family and I watch movies! Bluray is incredible and my Gaming experience is Top Notch! LG 60 no question!

Message Edited by Julez on 10-07-2009 01:22 PM