Video Asylum

Posted by Harmonia (A) on April 22, 2003 at 09:55:38

In Reply to: Here's What Movies Look Like On A PLASMA - SCREEN SHOTS !!! posted by Rich H on April 18, 2003 at 21:42:25:

...I think they've come a LONG way. The first models, and many models that people saw in places like BB & CC were awful. The newer Panasonics, Pioneers, Fujistus, Hitachis and others look very good indeed, and some (like the first three) look excellent. These plasmas a lightyears ahead of the plasmas from 3 or 4 years ago. BTW, I caught your shots over on avsforum. Very nice. Got any of Dark City or FOTR?

I almost bought the Panny 42" ED model myself last fall. Three things stopped me: No DVI/HDCP; shadow detail on Dark City & LOTR; lastly, if I have room in the next house, I'd really like a 50". The black levels were not an issue...the contrast on the Pannies is excellent. The shadow detail was better on the Pioneers, the colors were very good, but the blacks were a bit too much on the grey side. (Fan noise too.) I think the model you bought is the best bang for the buck in fixed pixel display unless you're going with a FP.

I checked out the DLP and Grand Wega III LCDs too...I liked the plasmas better. The Samsung DLPs weren't good on SD and has a lot of bugs. The black levels and shadow detail on the Grand Wegas is improving, but not yet where I would buy one.

BTW, how do you display 4"3 material on your Panny? Zoom? Stretch? I have a lot of classic movies, and I hate stretch modes. I usually use the 14:9 mode on my 34" WS Philips.

I like plasmas a lot. I love the sharpness and depth of fixed pixel displays, and HD and DVDs look super on these screens. And yes, they are sexy. People used to tell me tube elctronics were no good too, but I didn't believe them.

Congrats on the Panny. Enjoy!