New plasma

[thughes]

I just bought the 58" Panasonic VT25. I am very pleased with it. A bonus is that it now includes a copy of Avatar 3D.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by thughes

I just bought the 58" Panasonic VT25. I am very pleased with it. A bonus is that it now includes a copy of Avatar 3D.

I have the 65" VT25 and have been very happy so far. Panasonic makes some nice Plasma's.

[rnrmf1971]

I'm a plasma fan, too. My Pioneer plasma, although 4 years + now (maybe only 3?), still looks great with hi def content and dvd's.

The first new plasmas to catch my eye in awhile are the new LG's.

They are THX approved, 3D, etc...
60" and 50" available:

LG INFINIA 60PX950 3D Televisions - LG Electronics US

LG 3D INFINIA 50PX950 Televisions -LG Electronics US

I haven't read any significant reviews yet, but they are worth a look.

[prepress]

There was news (and controversy) around Panasonic black levels rising over time. I don't remember whether this latest generation has that solved. Something to watch out for.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by prepress

There was news (and controversy) around Panasonic black levels rising over time. I don't remember whether this latest generation has that solved. Something to watch out for.

The last reviews I saw stated that since the Pioneer units are no longer made the Panasonic's present the best black levels out there. But I guess that is like audio, everyone has their preferences.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by Still-One

The last reviews is saw stated that since the Pioneer units are no longer made the Panasonic's present the best black levels out there. But I guess that is like audio, everyone has their preferences.

If I haven't recycled the magazine, I think I have a Home Theater with an article containing some measurements. Maybe I'll dare to look for it and see what it says.

I saw one of the latest Panasonics side-by-side with the latest Samsung. Both looked good, both were ISF-calibrated. Panasonic does have great black levels, probably the best after Pioneer, but the rising black level-thing is inherent in the design, supposedly. The question was how fast that happens, if it's still an issue.

[thughes]

I have the 65" VT25

The 65" wouldn't fit in the space I had for; otherwise I would have gone there.

think I have a Home Theater with an article containing some measurements.

Basically, it says they tried the new ones for about 2700 hours and saw little to no change.

[TommyC]

Originally Posted by prepress

There was news (and controversy) around Panasonic black levels rising over time. I don't remember whether this latest generation has that solved. Something to watch out for.

The rising black level is still present in the 2010 Panasonic plasma. Hopefully it'll get resolved in the 2011 model, but don't hold your breath. I don't think most consumers care or notice the rise.

[JBT]

Panasonics are wonderful. I have 3 of them!! Love the old Pioneer's but they're pretty hard to find now.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by thughes

Basically, it says they tried the new ones for about 2700 hours and saw little to no change.

The gist was whether the change that was measured would be significant over the time involved (the rough equivalent of 2 years at 4 hours of viewing daily). If it happened while watching a mostly black/dark screen, perhaps. This was just one sample of course; no guarantee others will measure the same. But still, the TV is good.