by Slideshow Bruce

Question: Samsung/Panasonic Plasma vs LG LCD?
I purchased a Samsung 50″ 1080p Plasma from Best Buy last year and it was amazing. I have a low lit basement and the picture quality was stunning. Unfortunately, I had a area that dimmed on the screen and best buy is unable to get the part, so now its time for a “Comparable Replacement”.

They gave me the following two options:

1. Panasonic 50″ Plasma 1080p (TC-P50S30) http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+50%22+Class+/+Plasma+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+HDTV/2120201.p?id=1218310004114&skuId=2120201&st=2120201&cp=1&lp=1

2. LG 55″ LCD 1080p (55LK520) – http://www.bestbuy.com/site/LG+-+55%22+Class+/+1080p+/+120Hz+/+LCD+HDTV/2138291.p?id=1218310762197&skuId=2138291&st=2138291&cp=1&lp=1

The LG is a lot more expensive and I love the increase in size, but it’s LCD. I’ve heard great things about Panasonics Plasma’s but I really hate the look of the border (I know that’s a really weird thing to take into account but it looks cheap). My old Sammy had the awesome glass border with uniform edge and looked beautiful on my wall.

We require a wide viewing angle as the seating is pretty close to the tv and extends to all angles. I know LCDs angles are not as good so this may be an issue. I also loved the true blacks and non “blockiness” of my Samsung Plasma during fast movements. Is the LCD technology better now that this is a non issue? It’s so hard to compare picture quality in the stores.

If I weren’t to go with either, I would get an $ 800 credit to apply to a different tv since the Panasonic’s more comparable to the Samsung. I could get a Samsung 51″ Plasma http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+51%26%2334%3B+Class+/+Plasma+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+HDTV/2584325.p?id=1218337329459&skuId=2584325 for that price, but it only has 2 HDMI connections which is a huge drawback since I currently have 4.

Tough decision. Would love the advice.

Answer:

Answer by Nathan
Since you previously owned a plasma and loved it, I think moving to an LCD will not be a good choice. You will most likely notice every ghosting and judder effect when looking at the inferior technology of LCD sets. Viewing angle is still a problem with LCD, as well as fast motion.

Panasonic is the current leader in the plasma pack, with near flawless fast motion pictures, unsurpassed picture response time, and best levels of black performance. I think you will be happier with the Panasonic plasma even despite it’s lame border (yes I agree they don’t look as sleek and sophisticated). You will probably end up totally ignoring it once you see the HD picture and incredible motion tracking.