Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

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  • Gyron
    Fear my small avatar
    • Jan 2004
    • 6358

    Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

    Ok Guys, I'm thinking of Buying this TV, I'm not sure I understand all the technology or what I should be looking at on the specs. What do you think of this one?

    http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...se=&lang=en-US
    Vizio VP50
    50" Plasma HDTV

    Resolution: 1365 x 768
    Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1
    3 HDMI Inputs

    $1,199.99





    The VIZIO VP50 20A HDTV Widescreen 50-in* Plasma TV offers a HDTV display capability at 720P and 1080i and now 3 HDMI w/HDCP High Definition Television inputs allowing you to enjoy High Definition content in either format. This product offers a high 1,300 cd/m2 Brightness at a 1365 x 768 native resolution, and an unprecedented 15,000:1 max Contrast Ratio. Using VCV (VIZIO Color Vision), this Plasma TV can display 6,144 shades of gray in 1.07 Billion colors for a brilliant, colorful picture.

    Features:
    • Screen Size: 50” Diagonal
    • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
    • Resolution: 1365 x 768 (Native)
    • Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1 (typical)
    • Brightness: 1,500 cd/m2 (typical)
    • Viewable Angle: 178 degrees (horizontal and vertical)
    • HDTV Compatibility: 720p
    • Signal Compatibility: 480i (SDTV), 480P (EDTV), 720P (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV)
    • Tuner: Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM
    • Progressive Scan Video
    • Picture-in-Picture (PIP)
    • Picture-outside-Picture (POP)
    • Weight: 120 lbs (with stand), 108 lbs (without stand)
    • Dimensions: 48.8” W x 34.2” H x 12.2” D (w/ Stand), 48.8” W x 33.5” H x 3.9” D (w/ out Stand)

    Inputs/ Outputs:
    • HDMI with HDCP plus Stereo Audio: x3
    • RGB PC plus Stereo Audio: x1
    • Component YPbPr: x2
    • Composite Video: x2
    • S-Video plus Stereo Audio: x1
    • SPDIF Digital Optical Audio: 1x (out)
    • Stereo Analog Audio: 1x (out)
  • Hicks
    Member
    • Jun 2004
    • 53117

    #2
    Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

    Give it to me.

    Comment

    • BoomBaby31
      Member
      • Feb 2006
      • 1945

      #3
      Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

      Very nice, I have one pretty similar. I take it this is your first HDTV. When I bought mine, everyone that would walk in my room I'd say "Hey, Look how clear my T.V is" (jokingly being annoying) I promise you will be doing the same thing. I absolutely LOVE watching Boxing and MMA on my T.V. Almost better then going to the actual fights.

      Comment

      • Kstat
        Rebound King
        • Jan 2004
        • 34207

        #4
        Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

        1. plasma is inferior to LCD

        2. If you're going to go all the way on a TV, get one with 1080p. It will pay off later.

        It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

        Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
        Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
        NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004

        Comment

        • Gyron
          Fear my small avatar
          • Jan 2004
          • 6358

          #5
          Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

          This will be my first HDTV. My brother has the exact same TV, just got it 2 weeks ago, but he didn't do any research, he just went in and bought it. I wanted to be a little more careful.

          I was hoping Bball or someone would get on with all their technical knowledge and tell me if this particualr brand or model was good or sucked or whatever.

          I got a nice rebate coming back from my Costco American Express that I use for work travel expenses, and it will cut about $400 of the price, so I thought with Taxes and everything coming back this might be a good time to finally take the plunge.

          That and once my wife saw my brothers TV she was spoiled and convinced we needed one that size too......I had to laugh since I'm usually the one drooling over these types of technology....

          Comment

          • Gyron
            Fear my small avatar
            • Jan 2004
            • 6358

            #6
            Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

            What are the differences between Plasma and LCD? I'm not sure I understand the differences? Are the LCD's more expensive? Do they last longer or something?

            Comment

            • Kstat
              Rebound King
              • Jan 2004
              • 34207

              #7
              Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

              Originally posted by Gyron
              What are the differences between Plasma and LCD? I'm not sure I understand the differences? Are the LCD's more expensive? Do they last longer or something?
              All of the above, but you will find deals if you look hard enough.

              I just don't trust plasma TVs. Never have, never will. Long term, an LCD is a better buy.

              Plasmas will go downhill much more rapidly than LCDs. They will look better right out of the box, though. They're brighter and more colorful. That said, they aren't as sharp, and you have burn-in problems.
              Last edited by Kstat; 02-22-2008, 06:08 PM.

              It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

              Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
              Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
              NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004

              Comment

              • sweabs

                #8
                Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

                My parents have had a plasma for over 2 years now - over 50 inches.

                I have an LCD.

                The plasma looks better. The difference isn't too huge, but enough to notice (in my opinion). I consider it a treat to come home and get to watch the plasma. It's just a better picture. Of course, you have to take care of it and make sure you don't do anything stupid (still images for long periods of time, putting the lighting up on full when you first buy, etc.), but if you want the best picture I'd go with plasma.

                Comment

                • Kstat
                  Rebound King
                  • Jan 2004
                  • 34207

                  #9
                  Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

                  Agreed, they do look better right out of the box. But I'd think a $1000+ investment would take into account long-term value.

                  It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

                  Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
                  Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
                  NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004

                  Comment

                  • sweabs

                    #10
                    Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

                    Originally posted by Kstat
                    Agreed, they do look better right out of the box. But I'd think a $1000+ investment would take into account long-term value.
                    How long-term are we talking? Like I said, my parents' plasma is over 2 years old now and still looks like it did when they bought it.

                    Comment

                    • Kstat
                      Rebound King
                      • Jan 2004
                      • 34207

                      #11
                      Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

                      Originally posted by rcarey
                      How long-term are we talking? Like I said, my parents' plasma is over 2 years old now and still looks like it did when they bought it.
                      Most LCDs have 2-3 times the lifespan of plasmas.

                      Even the best Plasmas have a half-life of 30,000 hours. The colorful brightness goes down considerably with constant use.

                      The very worst LCDs will go 60,000. It's a more durable piece of equipment.
                      Last edited by Kstat; 02-22-2008, 07:14 PM.

                      It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

                      Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
                      Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
                      NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004

                      Comment

                      • aero
                        Never Give Up
                        • Jun 2006
                        • 2341

                        #12
                        Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

                        Ive got a 32' LCD Vizio i got it in may. Havent had a single problem with it at all. LCD is the way to go. stay away from plasma!
                        If you havin' depth problems, I feel bad for you son; I got 99 problems but a bench ain't one! - Hicks
                        [/center]
                        @thatguyjoe84

                        Comment

                        • Kegboy
                          How are you here?
                          • Jan 2004
                          • 12997

                          #13
                          Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

                          How much TV do you watch Kstat? At 5 hours a day, every day, 30,000 hours equates to over 16 years. And on newer plasmas burn-in's not nearly the problem it used to be.
                          Come to the Dark Side -- There's cookies!

                          Comment

                          • Bball
                            Jimmy did what Jimmy did
                            • Jan 2004
                            • 26904

                            #14
                            Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

                            While Vizio has gotten high marks (that I've seen) for their LCD's, I did read a review of a Vizio Plasma that they gave lower marks.

                            I'll see if I can find that review later and link you to it. I can't remember if it was model specific or just a plasma issue across the board with Vizio.

                            -Bball
                            Nuntius was right for a while. I was wrong for a while. But ultimately I was right and Frank Vogel has been let go.

                            ------

                            "A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, that’s teamwork."

                            -John Wooden

                            Comment

                            • Bball
                              Jimmy did what Jimmy did
                              • Jan 2004
                              • 26904

                              #15
                              Re: Ok, I'm biting the bullet and buying a Plasma

                              Here is an older review of a Vizio plasma:


                              If nothing else, this gives you some problems to look for and see if you notice them or if they matter to you.

                              I'll see if I can sniff out something more recent and from an educated owner/reviewer. You can ALWAYS find reviews of this stuff from people who bought their first HD set and got it because it was inexpensive and so grabbed it with no research. Then you really have to cull thru the reviews because most will have nothing but awesome reviews because it blows away the 27" 20 year old Sanyo that it replaced. So their frame of reference on telling you how great it is isn't always the best.

                              Then you'll also have a few reviews slamming the product because, being their first HD set, they don't understand what they are doing as far as source material goes. So they'll be watching SD and don't really see the difference from their old set, or even say it looks worse (not realizing a barely passable picture on a 19" TV is going to look awful blown up to 50" on their new set). They won't be watching DVD's thru the component or HDMI connections... Their cable box will feed the TV thru the RF connector... They won't even have a Hidef package from the cable or satellite provider....etc..

                              -Bball
                              Nuntius was right for a while. I was wrong for a while. But ultimately I was right and Frank Vogel has been let go.

                              ------

                              "A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, that’s teamwork."

                              -John Wooden

                              Comment

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