[djh4000]

Hi all, I'm in the market for a new 50 inch or thereabouts TV. I currently own a Hitachi PD9700 (42 Inch) and to be honest its been and still is a very good TV. Unfortunatley, like everyone else who has this hobby, I have a severe case of upgrade-itis !

I originally looked at the Pioneer 5090, but my more sensible side kicked in due to the recent price hikes and I can't honestly justify 2 grand on a new telly.

Therefore, my options are 1) New Panasonic 50G10 (£1299) 2) LG50PS8000 (£1100) or 3) LG 50PQ6000 (£799).

Now I know the last option is only 720p, but as I sit 12ft from the screen I'm not sure if this is a big issue with blu-ray etc, and more importantly I could save myself a few hundred quid.

I haven't really seen any reviews for the LG's, but I did see one in Richer Sounds and I have to say was impressed with the PQ6000.

I've seen the Panasonic too, and whilst its very good, shop displays are never very good when trying to purchase a new piece of kit.

Therefore I'm looking for anyone who may be in a similar position to me (ie. cash burning a hole in your pocket) who may have a bit more experience of these TVs (or an alternative) who could help steer me in the right direction.

I don't think there is a bad TV in the bunch I've picked but £500 quid is a big difference (totally ignoring the Pioner now) and I want to sure of my new purchase. Many thanks to anyone that can help.........before I move onto the next big purchase.

[bladedripper]

Id go with the panny every day,lgs look nice but have a bad rep with image retention.

[djh4000]

I'd heard the LG's were supposed to be much better with IR these days. Must admit, in the 2.5 years I've had the Hitachi, I've never seen IR once and its used for hours each day, some of which is gaming sessions of 3+ hours. I'm honestly not sure if IR is all hype and rumour, but thanks for your input all the same.

[rOAdeh]

If you're looking at the HD ready LG why not consider the Panny X10 series? Just as cheap and plenty of people with excellent recommendations on here

[rewerb]

Originally Posted by djh4000

Therefore, my options are 1) New Panasonic 50G10 (£1299) 2) LG50PS8000 (£1100) or 3) LG 50PQ6000 (£799).

Now I know the last option is only 720p, but as I sit 12ft from the screen I'm not sure if this is a big issue with blu-ray etc, and more importantly I could save myself a few hundred quid.

So consider the Panny P50X10, £766 at Lasky's.

[tvbox]

Originally Posted by rOAdeh

If you're looking at the HD ready LG why not consider the Panny X10 series? Just as cheap and plenty of people with excellent recommendations on here

yeah, i agree too. It's a great tv. Perfect for your viewing distance and does well with SD and HD

[Monarch]

What are your uses going to be? The Panasonic G10 clearly has the upper hand if you're watching blu-ray movies (NeoPDP panel, not because of 1080p) but if you're just watching SD TV then there's no point in getting it, it's about as good as the X10 for SD TV, the X10 is, in my opinion about as good (deffinitely not better) as the LG, but the LG still does suffer from IR, although you wont get anything too bad, even a 3 hour session wont give you too much grief (it will wash away). Discount the PS8000, the PQ6000 is the same but doesn't have THX certification and isn't 1080p, which you don't need as such, and you might as well get the Panasonic G10.

If you wanted to consider the PQ6000 or the X10 then both are very good, I (personally) rate the LG just above because of slightly better motion and a better "low quality picture quatlity" when watching old shows or low bit rate broadcasts, if you know what I mean (the X10 is an entry level set anyway), but if IR is a concern then the Panasonic is the way to go

[hopthepond]

Tesco are selling off the Panasonic TH50PX8 for £699!!!

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by hopthepond

Tesco are selling off the Panasonic TH50PX8 for £699!!!

Both the LG and panasonic plasmas mentioned are well worth the extra £100

[E9 Smooth]

Originally Posted by djh4000

Hi all, I'm in the market for a new 50 inch or thereabouts TV. I currently own a Hitachi PD9700 (42 Inch) and to be honest its been and still is a very good TV. Unfortunatley, like everyone else who has this hobby, I have a severe case of upgrade-itis !

I originally looked at the Pioneer 5090, but my more sensible side kicked in due to the recent price hikes and I can't honestly justify 2 grand on a new telly.

Therefore, my options are 1) New Panasonic 50G10 (£1299) 2) LG50PS8000 (£1100) or 3) LG 50PQ6000 (£799).

Now I know the last option is only 720p, but as I sit 12ft from the screen I'm not sure if this is a big issue with blu-ray etc, and more importantly I could save myself a few hundred quid.

I haven't really seen any reviews for the LG's, but I did see one in Richer Sounds and I have to say was impressed with the PQ6000.

I've seen the Panasonic too, and whilst its very good, shop displays are never very good when trying to purchase a new piece of kit.

Therefore I'm looking for anyone who may be in a similar position to me (ie. cash burning a hole in your pocket) who may have a bit more experience of these TVs (or an alternative) who could help steer me in the right direction.

I don't think there is a bad TV in the bunch I've picked but £500 quid is a big difference (totally ignoring the Pioner now) and I want to sure of my new purchase. Many thanks to anyone that can help.........before I move onto the next big purchase.

This a no brainer, out of the tv's you've mentioned, if you have the cash to the G10 get that. If you have more than enough cash and you are not looking to purchase until next month get the V10.

But if you've won the lottery and you want to spend big and want something bigger than 50" but small than 55" because of your veiwing distance and space, get the Z1 its ONLY £4200 and its in a 54".

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by E9 Smooth

This a no brainer, out of the tv's you've mentioned, if you have the cash to the G10 get that

As I said, if there is a lot of HD content, especially movies (upscaled DVDs count) but if the only use is SD, and the OP just wants it to watch TV then there is nothing to justify it, the G10 has no advantage over the X10 or PQ6000 apart from its potential if you were to move into HD, which is where the price is justified

[E9 Smooth]

Originally Posted by Monarch08

As I said, if there is a lot of HD content, especially movies (upscaled DVDs count) but if the only use is SD, and the OP just wants it to watch TV then there is nothing to justify it, the G10 has no advantage over the X10 or PQ6000 apart from its potential if you were to move into HD, which is where the price is justified

I must agree your point is right to an extent. But you cannot go and buy a tv just for today, you have to think about tommorow and the future. The G10 advantages over the X10 excluding 1080p resolution.

G10 against X10:

• Better blacks
• Shades of Gradation are better
• Buit in freesat, so your ready to get free HD channels (two at the moment, but maybe more in the future. Bourght seperate RRP 149.99 average)
• 600hz
• Dolby Digital Out (Dolby Digital Plus)
• Neo PDP (im gussing its more energy effiecient?)
• Watch HD videos and Pictures via SD card slot, whereas the X10 only does pictures.
• More future proof
• A little less ugly than the X10

IMO

[pwood]

OP you might want to wait until supplies of the new LG PS models come out as the pricing and features are very attractive. I have started a thread here. Too few long term reviews to confirm if IR has improved over the prev screens yet though.

The Panasonic G10 is a popular recommendation on here but its far from perfect in a number of areas, read the AVreview and see if you can live with them given the price.

[E9 Smooth]

Originally Posted by pwood

OP you might want to wait until supplies of the new LG PS models come out as the pricing and features are very attractive. I have started a thread here. Too few long term reviews to confirm if IR has improved over the prev screens yet though.

The Panasonic G10 is a popular recommendation on here but its far from perfect in a number of areas, read the AVreview and see if you can live with them given the price.

What are these, the blacks might not be black as the 5090 or 500, but they are very very good. The deinterlacing and upscalling might not be fantastic but are better than most and previous models. It must be a fact that of all the tv's available at the moment, the G10 is in the top 4 and is the cheapest in term of very hight quality.

[djh4000]

Thanks all for your feedback.

I must admit I'm just as confused now as I was before as to what I should buy.

Currently most of the stuff I watch is SD through a humax or upscaled SD through a Denon 2910. I do have a PS3 and a few blu-ray discs, hence the mention of 1080p. However as I'm over 12ft away I was unsure if I'd see the benefit of 1080p other than in my mind

Form a piece of furniture perspective I do like the look of the LG's, but I was unsure if the screen would prove to be too reflective. I also like the increased feature count and the fact that you can adjust the picture details more readily than the panasonic (I demo'd the G10 and was shcoked at how few picture controls there were, even my hitachi allows you to adjust everything including the kitchen sink !)

Decisions, decisions ............

[xit2050]

LG = Goldstar

My 2 cents.

[pwood]

Originally Posted by E9 Smooth

What are these, the blacks might not be black as the 5090 or 500, but they are very very good. The deinterlacing and upscalling might not be fantastic but are better than most and previous models. It must be a fact that of all the tv's available at the moment, the G10 is in the top 4 and is the cheapest in term of very hight quality.

I agree the G10 is at the top of the sensible price range Plasma screens. However not being able to adjust the picture fully without invalidating the warranty when the Euro models can be, is taking the **** out of UK customers.

Panasonic used to be excellent at SD but the G10 seems to have taken a step backward. The issues I refer to apart from BUZZ which yet again seems more pronounced on Pannys than some other makes from the ones in the shops I have managed to see/hear anyway.

[djh4000]

Must admit, I couldn't hear any buzzing when I listened to the set on display in John Lewis, but admittedly there was a lot of background noise which could mask this.

One thing that does annoy me about the G10 is the lack of user control, especially as you say, when compared to the European version. The one thing I liked about the Pioneers (and some LCD's) , was the 3D effect which I think is caused by the higher gamma setting. Unfortunatley it looks like the Panasonic is fixed and I can't re-create that truly stand-out image.

[E9 Smooth]

Originally Posted by djh4000

...The one thing I liked about the Pioneers (and some LCD's) , was the 3D effect which I think is caused by the higher gamma setting. Unfortunatley it looks like the Panasonic is fixed and I can't re-create that truly stand-out image.

I see this with almost all the plasma's, its the LCD's that have a really flat image even the LED backlit ones.

[E9 Smooth]

Originally Posted by djh4000

Thanks all for your feedback.


Currently most of the stuff I watch is SD through a humax or upscaled SD through a Denon 2910. I do have a PS3 and a few blu-ray discs, hence the mention of 1080p. However as I'm over 12ft away I was unsure if I'd see the benefit of 1080p other than in my mind

Ok but when your gaming dont you sit closer? I could necer sit that far away from the tv. As I mentioned earlier your paying more not just for the 1080p. The LG should be a decent tv if they sort out the image retention issues, I dont want to judge them on previous errors, plus this year they have improved on their sound a lot.

If you want to splash the cash the LG 60PS7000 is around £1900. It looks really good and would be good for your viewing distance.

[djh4000]

No, I sit in the same chair whether watching films or playing games. I have perfect eyesight or so I've been told so I'm fine with that viewing distance.

Must admit, I have tended to see the 3D effect more with LCD's than I have with plasma, but then that could be more to do with poor shop setup rather than the TV's ability. (I've always been slightly biased in favour of plasma due to poor motion and viewing angle associated with LCD, but things could have moved on a lot)

I just want to be certain I'm getting a good set that is excellent with SD, excellent with HD, excellent for Gaming and costs less than a Pioneer ( I know I don't want much )

[E9 Smooth]

Originally Posted by djh4000

No, I sit in the same chair whether watching films or playing games. I have perfect eyesight or so I've been told so I'm fine with that viewing distance.

Must admit, I have tended to see the 3D effect more with LCD's than I have with plasma, but then that could be more to do with poor shop setup rather than the TV's ability. (I've always been slightly biased in favour of plasma due to poor motion and viewing angle associated with LCD, but things could have moved on a lot)

I just want to be certain I'm getting a good set that is excellent with SD, excellent with HD, excellent for Gaming and costs less than a Pioneer ( I know I don't want much )

Is this out of your budget 60PS7000 , if not get this

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by djh4000

Must admit, I have tended to see the 3D effect more with LCD's than I have with plasma, but then that could be more to do with poor shop setup rather than the TV's ability. (I've always been slightly biased in favour of plasma due to poor motion and viewing angle associated with LCD, but things could have moved on a lot)

It's not necessarily the shops set up but it's because of the bright lights, the lights reflect around in the plasma cells and then come out again (basically) so the colours look washed out and blacks look grey (hence the flat picture), LCDs thrive in these conditions due to the brighter screens so they often look better in shops. Get an LCD in a house in regular 'evening lighting' and the colours will be too bright and the greyness of the blacks will really show through, shadow detail is also lost compared to the plasma.

If you plan to do a lot of blu-ray watching then the G10 would be a good option because of the better blacks etc...although it's not more energy efficient because it's 1080p (which uses more energy). The PS7000/8000 could be a good option, the 50PS8000 is currently being reviewed by the reviewers on this site so you can get an idea from that, wait for a few users to pop up on here/LG owners forum (on this site) too, it may well be worth a look.

If you plan to use this TV primarily for SD viewing (and if you either don't plan on going HD in a big way or will get a better TV when that time comes) then there is no need for the 1080p LG or Panasonic, go for one of the HD ready ones, the X10 and PQ6000 are both very good, my personal preference goes to the PQ6000 based on picture quality, but the X10 is better with IR, which may be a factor

[djh4000]

Originally Posted by E9 Smooth

Is this out of your budget 60PS7000 , if not get this

I think getting signoff from the wife on a 60 inch screen would be impossible

[djh4000]

Thanks for the feedback Monarch.

My gut feel is that I'll not get permission to change my TV again within the next couple of years (not without a divorce anyway), so I'm trying to future proof myself at the same time as getting a new larger screen.

I did orignally want the 50PS8000, but reviews I've seen have only been 4 star (I'm not convinced by magazine reviews, call me cynical, bit I think some of the publications give the more glamorous brands more kudos even when its not entirely deserved)

I may hold off and wait for this review as there is no ulterior motive and hence the review can be trusted more. (Note to Phil - please hurry with your review )

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by djh4000

I did orignally want the 50PS8000, but reviews I've seen have only been 4 star (I'm not convinced by magazine reviews, call me cynical, bit I think some of the publications give the more glamorous brands more kudos even when its not entirely deserved)

I don't trust mag reviews either, what hi-fi aren't very good at all, some of the reviews are spot on (in my opinion) but others are just plain wrong! Which? are even worse, with them basically the review is "is it a Panasonic?" if it is then it gets top marks, if it isn't but is a high spec Sony then it will get nearly top marks, if it's anything else then it will be average, even the Kuros are described as "not the best for the money"

[andyfoz]

about 18 months ago i bought an lgpf6095, at the time there was all sorts of reviews crying about hd quality on this set.

18 months on i still get a buzz out of watching hd quality on this screen!

sd material is also excellent, miles better than the 37lcd it replaced. no jerkiness or blockiness.

if i listened to the reviews on this set i would never have got it and what a shame that would have been its that good. and i paid 1800 for it back then, bargain.

i sit around 17 feet from this screen which is perfect, if you sit 12 feet from it i rekon youll be pressing your head back into the sofa trying to focus, but guess that depends on what type of eye sight you have.

this set does suffer IR, but even after all this time i can confirm that nothing has ever been permanent, search my name you want to no more.

so glad i didnt get the panny 50 incher at the time, everyone who comes into my living room, there jaw just hits the floor and then some swearing and positive comments.

so get it today!

[djh4000]

Too late, the forums did their magic on me and I was converted to the Pio 5090. I received the screen in the middle of last week and after some redecoration of the room, I eventually managed to get the thing up and running last night. Haven't had much chance to play, but I know the little one was suitably impressed with Cars on BluRay..........he couldn't take his eyes off the screen. Now looking forward to having a play myself and whilst it was certainly more expensive I know in my mind that I've bought the best I could. This way I'll not be disappointed wondering "what if" if I had bought one of the cheaper, albeit very capable screens.