dmw3
Established Member
I recently decided to buy a new TV, from a 2007 Panasonic 42PZ70 plasma (full 1080). Back in 2007 the questions were relatively simply, what is the best TV for the size within a given budget. This was the beginning of the era of CRTs being swapped for HD ready or full HD flat screens with broadcasters fully on board the new format if not all were delivering it yet.
Now, the decisions are very different, it's not just a question of 4k or HDR or 1080, in fact decisions need to be based on a number of factors:
So my answers were:
It's stunning, the PQ is as good as my 42" Plasma on SD and better with a good HD broadcast signal, which is excellent seeing as our screen size has increased by 13". On Blu-ray and 1080p streaming content it ruddy sings, it's a pleasure. The blacks!!
Stuck on Bladerunner; the final cut BR last night and WOW. I saw a special premier screening of The Final Cut in 2007 on a specially calibrated HD screen in a Curzon, and it's the best PQ I have ever seen anywhere. Last night I got that same PQ in my front room
OLED has a clarity, that my Plasma didn't have. It also has something I haven't experienced since we traded in our high end CRT for the plasma, and I had honestly forgotten about, a picture that feels like you can reach into it ( I think it's something to do with the blacks). It definitely not soap opera affect popping which I hate, it's something else and it's a joy.
I have noticed a little bit of Black crush in exceptionally dark scenes but I haven't really adjusted the settings yet, just turned true motion off. The 910V has professional setting available easily via the menu so it just needs tweeking to my taste/room.
One tip from anyone moving from plasma to OLED, OLEDs are very light, my 32kg plasma sat on it's own, on it's stand like a tank, the OLED is a mere 15kg with it's stand and a moving cat could knock it to the floor. I have a very large bouncy English Bull terrier, so I modified a stand bracket to hold it in place. I think most LCDs are very light too, so you may need to think about securing any new TV in place.
apologies for the TL;DR
Now, the decisions are very different, it's not just a question of 4k or HDR or 1080, in fact decisions need to be based on a number of factors:
- Are you buying a TV or a multi-platform, multi-media monitor? Is your new screen going to be used for serious gaming or, as a PC monitor? Do you want a traditional TV for watching film or shows?
- If you want a TV rather than a monitor, what do you watch, what are your sources? Are you able or prepared to pay for the additional costs of 4K/HDR? Are you actually interested in the type of films and TV currently and, potentially available in 4K/HDR? Do you still watch SD content? How will your worse sources look as well as your best?
- What type of TV do you currently have Plasma or LCD? Does LCD motion and colour ( blacks) bother you? Do you need a TV that works well in the dark or in a brightly lit room?
- Budget and size, obvious always has been but you can now add, curved or flat just to confuse the issue.
- How old is your TV? Do you need to replace it now or in the very near future due to fear of it dying or, can you afford to wait until the whole format UHD thing settles?
So my answers were:
- TV, not console gamers, have two PCs for internet and gaming needs
- Watch SD and HD via SKY, Blu-ray and streaming services. My husband watches more SD than me, as he is a fan of classic British film, read black and white. For me it's stuff like, late night Young Ones on Gold (ah my teenage years) and the odd classic, re-watching Hill Street Blues via All4 at the moment, definitely not a quality source but it stands up as a quality show Not prepared to pay anymore money a month for our subscription services.
- Plasma, have real issues with LCD; motion, lack of blacks and the room is not brightly lit being a terrace front room that is out of the sun most of the day.
- Budget up to £1300 dependent on size/PQ, size 49" to 58"
- Almost 9 years old, coming to the end of it's life, no dead pixels or anything obvious but, the picture seemed to be fading.
It's stunning, the PQ is as good as my 42" Plasma on SD and better with a good HD broadcast signal, which is excellent seeing as our screen size has increased by 13". On Blu-ray and 1080p streaming content it ruddy sings, it's a pleasure. The blacks!!
Stuck on Bladerunner; the final cut BR last night and WOW. I saw a special premier screening of The Final Cut in 2007 on a specially calibrated HD screen in a Curzon, and it's the best PQ I have ever seen anywhere. Last night I got that same PQ in my front room
OLED has a clarity, that my Plasma didn't have. It also has something I haven't experienced since we traded in our high end CRT for the plasma, and I had honestly forgotten about, a picture that feels like you can reach into it ( I think it's something to do with the blacks). It definitely not soap opera affect popping which I hate, it's something else and it's a joy.
I have noticed a little bit of Black crush in exceptionally dark scenes but I haven't really adjusted the settings yet, just turned true motion off. The 910V has professional setting available easily via the menu so it just needs tweeking to my taste/room.
One tip from anyone moving from plasma to OLED, OLEDs are very light, my 32kg plasma sat on it's own, on it's stand like a tank, the OLED is a mere 15kg with it's stand and a moving cat could knock it to the floor. I have a very large bouncy English Bull terrier, so I modified a stand bracket to hold it in place. I think most LCDs are very light too, so you may need to think about securing any new TV in place.
apologies for the TL;DR