Sharp or Panasonic

BrettT1
BrettT1 Posts: 560
edited January 2008 in Electronics
The wife and I need a new tv for the bedroom. I'm looking at a panasonic 42" plasma 720p and a sharp 42" lcd 1080p at cc.:confused:

Suggestions and comments appreciated.

Thanks.

Brett
Post edited by BrettT1 on
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Comments

  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited January 2008
    Depends on what sources youre connecting to it. 1080p if the price is right of course.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • olilugo
    olilugo Posts: 405
    edited January 2008
    I would also go with 1080p and I like pananonic more than I like sharp.
    Current HT setup
    Mains: B&W 804s
    Center: Polk CSi5
    Surround: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Velodyne DLS-3750R
    Receiver: Pioneer SC-07
    Amplifier: Sunfire TGA5200
    TV: Sony KDS60A2020
    DBP: Sony DBP-S350
    CDP: Pioneer DV-48AV
    Interconnect cables: SignalCable analog II
    speaker cables: SignalCable Ultra Speaker Cables Bi-wire
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  • mhartman29
    mhartman29 Posts: 257
    edited January 2008
    Panny makes great plasmas, and I hear good things about Sharp's lcds. On a 42" you aren't going to be able to see the difference between 720p and 1080p. Is lighting (glare) an issue for you? Obviously, it depends upon the model, but if glare isn't an issue I think the plasmas have a better picture. If glare is a concern you may be better off with the lcd.

    Just my $.02.
    Emotiva LMC pre/pro
    Emotiva LPA amp
    Fronts LSI15
    Center LSIC
    Rears LSI7s
    Dual MFW-15s
    Oppo 980H
    Signal Analog II ICs
    Signal Ultra speaker cables
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited January 2008
    mhartman29 wrote: »
    Panny makes great plasmas, and I hear good things about Sharp's lcds. On a 42" you aren't going to be able to see the difference between 720p and 1080p. Is lighting (glare) an issue for you? Obviously, it depends upon the model, but if glare isn't an issue I think the plasmas have a better picture. If glare is a concern you may be better off with the lcd.

    Just my $.02.

    +1 I concur...
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,215
    edited January 2008
    I have read lots on Sharps LCD abd having a banding issue. I too was looking between the Panny plasma and Aquos LCD. both 42". Panny is in the house and I wouldn't trade. Love that TV
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  • gonzalr
    gonzalr Posts: 92
    edited January 2008
    If you like panasonic, please check tweeter. They will run a 3 day sale for a 42" plasma (1080p - TH42PZ77U) and free panasonic blu-ray player plus the 5 free blu-ray movies. I think that would be a great deal.
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  • BrettT1
    BrettT1 Posts: 560
    edited January 2008
    Thanks for the replys.

    The panasonic is $1200, the sharp is $1600. I'm leaning towards the panasonic. Glare is not an issue - mostly nighttime viewing. The sharp comes with a bluray player for $400 more.

    One more question... I don't play video games much at all. Is there much of a burn in problem with the plasmas? I do watch espn sometimes.

    Thanks again.

    Brett
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  • polktiger
    polktiger Posts: 556
    edited January 2008
    BrettT1 - I went with a Sharp Aquos (the "D64" version) in your situation, and have been very happy. On the burn in, some people say there is a problem, some say it is bogus, on a TV I didn't want to chance it. My worry was in the bedroom my wife and I will commonly fall asleep watching a DVD, wake up 4 hrs later and it has the menu screen showing (as the movie has run though all the credits, etc) since that is a static image I didn't want to take the chance. The Plasma may be a better screen, but I certainly feel that my Sharp is good enough for me. I think it looks great, it technically may not be the best, but I had no buyer's remorse after dropping that much money for a TV.

    Also, which Bluray player. There are a lot of thread on this board about Bluray 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, etc. I don't know if it makes a difference to you, but with the different versions of bluray players, I don't know if I would get that excited about it. (I have a PS3, but view the bluray player as an added bonus, when Bluray/HD DVD gets settled completely, I might look at getting a standalone player, but for now the PS3 will take care of it. Note - I just keep a set of cables upstairs and downstairs and move the PS3 with me.)
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited January 2008
    No problem with the burn-in here on the Panny 50".
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited January 2008
    Brett: Just so you know, you can get the Sharp bundle(42d64u and BR-DVD) for ~$1,500 after taxes. Check slickdeals.net for details. I got it and if you need a AAA coupon number, PM me. I did Best Buy's deal last week and then price matched it to CC and ended up sepndin $1450 for a 1080p24 capable 42" Sharp Aquos with the Sharp BD player and 10 free movies.

    I would stay at 1080P if at all possible.
    OR you could do the following (from slickdeals):
    Dell Home has Sharp Aquos LC42D64U 42" 1080p LCD TV with Aquos BluRay player on sale for $1400 with free shipping. User your Dell Preferred Account to make it $1358. Lowest on PriceGrabber for TV alone is $1359. Thanks ElDorito

    To get an additional 3% off using your Dell Preferred Account (DPA):

    During checkout, select Credit Card as method of payment
    Click "Change Payment Type"
    Click "Choose" link under Credit/Debit Card
    Under "Save 3% with Dell Preferred Account! (Discount applied at Final Checkout)" click "Click Here to Take Advantage of this Offer" link
    Click "Choose" under "I already have a Dell Preferred Account" if you have one, or sign up for a new one if you don't
    Checkout, enjoy your 3% savings
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • jtgranby
    jtgranby Posts: 887
    edited January 2008
    Try this deal. I think it's better than CC.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_6168422_4?ie=UTF8&docId=1000185671&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=gp-center-9&pf_rd_r=0D25BS4QG9CKEHZMWJBA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=346322601&pf_rd_i=1065836

    Jim
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,215
    edited January 2008
    polktiger wrote: »
    My worry was in the bedroom my wife and I will commonly fall asleep watching a DVD, wake up 4 hrs later and it has the menu screen showing (as the movie has run though all the credits, etc) since that is a static image I didn't want to take the chance.
    you could set the timer on the TV. problem solved
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  • avguytx
    avguytx Posts: 1,628
    edited January 2008
    The company I work for distributes both Panasonic and Sharp. I think I'd have to lean towards the Panasonic plasma myself.
    Richard? Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it........................Spanky?.................................Sinner.
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  • mhartman29
    mhartman29 Posts: 257
    edited January 2008
    Brett, what models are you considering?
    Emotiva LMC pre/pro
    Emotiva LPA amp
    Fronts LSI15
    Center LSIC
    Rears LSI7s
    Dual MFW-15s
    Oppo 980H
    Signal Analog II ICs
    Signal Ultra speaker cables
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited January 2008
    jtgranby wrote: »
    Try this deal. I think it's better than CC.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_6168422_4?ie=UTF8&docId=1000185671&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=gp-center-9&pf_rd_r=0D25BS4QG9CKEHZMWJBA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=346322601&pf_rd_i=1065836

    Jim

    "Estimated ship date for this item: February 15, 2008 - March 12, 2008"

    Edit: But the combo price is terrific, so I bought the 58" model. I can be patient. :-)
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  • polktiger
    polktiger Posts: 556
    edited January 2008
    Willow wrote: »
    you could set the timer on the TV. problem solved

    True, but since I really couldn't tell the difference between the Aquos and the Plasmas, I figured why not go the idiot proof route becuase knowing me I would forget to set the timer one night. Why even take the risk (if you are like me and don't notice a difference.)
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  • jtgranby
    jtgranby Posts: 887
    edited January 2008
    BlueMDPicker wrote: »
    "Estimated ship date for this item: February 15, 2008 - March 12, 2008"

    Edit: But the combo price is terrific, so I bought the 58" model. I can be patient. :-)


    Let me know when Movie night is:D

    Jim
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,215
    edited January 2008
    polktiger wrote: »
    True, but since I really couldn't tell the difference between the Aquos and the Plasmas, I figured why not go the idiot proof route becuase knowing me I would forget to set the timer one night. Why even take the risk (if you are like me and don't notice a difference.)

    Can't argue that! Enjoy your new TV and be sure to calibrate it.
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  • BrettT1
    BrettT1 Posts: 560
    edited January 2008
    So I picked up the 42" panasonic plasma for the bedroom. The samsung 50" dlp is in the living room. How do you calibrate these to get the best possible picture? I also need another hdmi cable - are the high dollar ones that much better than a cheap one?:confused:

    Brett
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,215
    edited January 2008
    BrettT1 wrote: »
    So I picked up the 42" panasonic plasma for the bedroom. The samsung 50" dlp is in the living room. How do you calibrate these to get the best possible picture? I also need another hdmi cable - are the high dollar ones that much better than a cheap one?:confused:

    Brett

    you can use either AVIA OR DVE, if you don't have those you can use the THX calibration on lots of movies, like Nemo.
    Only you can tell if the extra $$ on the cable will make a difference.
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  • polktiger
    polktiger Posts: 556
    edited January 2008
    BrettT1 wrote: »
    So I picked up the 42" panasonic plasma for the bedroom. The samsung 50" dlp is in the living room. How do you calibrate these to get the best possible picture? I also need another hdmi cable - are the high dollar ones that much better than a cheap one?:confused:

    Brett

    I got the AVIA disk, I am still working on the calibration. It is taking me a while to figure out all the adjustments on the TV menus.

    On the cable. Some will swear high end HDMIs make a difference. I got mine from Bluejeans cable (their cheap Tartan model) since my run was about 5 feet. On their website they claim their test show no difference in runs under 10 feet between the high dollar cables and the cheap cables. Since they have a vested interest in getting me to pay for the high dollar ones for my short runs, but they suggested I go cheap (way less than $10 each) I went cheap. Don't know if I am missing anything or not, but the picture with the cheapies looks good to me.
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  • vonnie123
    vonnie123 Posts: 326
    edited January 2008
    Brand repair on Panasonic was rated the best by Consumer reports. Considering the cost of repairs and replacement, their reliability is key to me.
    [
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,312
    edited January 2008
    I can tell you about both.

    I own a 45 inch Sharp Lcd and it looks good running HD. It sucks **** on Xbox360 and DVD regular. HD DVD looks pretty good. Regular cable looks horrible even more so then on other sets. It's just about unwatchable, to me it is but my wife doesn't mind it. She thinks it's cool that I hung it on the wall and she can watch tv laying in bed.

    Now with all the lights on you can still see a pretty good picture (when HD is only Only) .
    For the amount this tv costs, I think it sucks ****. some HD looks Incredible some not so good.

    The Panasonic is very nice. There 77u series are better then there 1080p sets. I think there 700 and 750 sets suck. there 50 60 77 series which are only 1080i are way better. The 1080p sets are blurry, the 1080i sets are crystal clear. I would replace my Sharp with a Panasonic 77u allday.

    Now the Panasonic hold no candle to the Sony's. The Sharps can't even hold Sony's Jock. If you want a LCD, just buy a Sony. They are the best in the bussiness and for many good reasons. Even the 3000 series regular are awesome. Hell but if you can pull it off, go for the xbr5. They are the only LCD that can be compared to the Pioneer Elites. They not as nice but dollar to dollar they are.

    Good luck man
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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