I took the HDTV plunge!

SpeedDMN · 12-28-2007, 02:23 PM

Like I said in a few threads by now. I am so sick of Nvidia's and Intel's run around that I decided to get something I would probably get more out of anyway. May I present..

Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Flat-panel TV reviews - CNET Reviews

I got it for $2,233 with shipping from Amazon. I have an Amazon CC plus it was a reasonable price compared to some (rare for Amazon). There were others that were a little cheaper, but then they wanted mail in rebates blah blah. All the reviews have been awesome on this set. I especially like the "best HDTV we have ever reviewed" comments and not just from Cnet. We will see, I have the spent over 2 grand shakes right now. Think I will pour a drink

TQ · 12-28-2007, 02:30 PM

Sweet. We're about to take that plunge ourselves, just on a smaller scale as our home theater room isn't very large.
Mrs. TQ and I are looking at this: AQUOS widescreen lcd television | LC-37D62U

SpeedDMN · 12-28-2007, 02:41 PM

I am mainly going by reviews on the one I bought (yet to receive of course). I had a nice LCD at my disposal for a while (Sony Bravia) and where nice it doesn't have the brilliance of the plasmas IMHO. Also, at the time a 1080P plasma was wayyy out of my pay grade. $7000 for starters. LCD's do have a better rep for reliability, but I am going for awesome this week. This woman I am with may have actually got me a job too today so kinda a mixed bag

P.S. This one is actually MINE so cannot be taken away because of some argument or something lol

*polonyc2* · 12-28-2007, 02:59 PM

welcome to the HDTV club!!

nice set...are you using the HDMI output?...I see your set only has 1 HDMI output...are you planning on getting an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player in the future?...or even a PS3?...if so I would have gotten a set with more HDMI outputs...how do the standard (non-HD) channels look on your set?...are you planning on getting it calibrated? (I paid $200 for a professional calibration and although it does look better I don't think it was worth $200)

I bought my first HDTV set 13 months ago and couldn't be happier...mine is a Samsung 50' DLP/1080p...I only wish my cable provider would add more HD channels...I only have 21 HD channels and only 4 of those channels were added this past year (TBS-HD, ESPN2-HD, SportsNet New York HD and My9-HD)

help with new HDTV purchase

*SRTDodge05* · 12-28-2007, 03:16 PM

My HDTV only has 2 hdmi ports im going to look around for a hub or something to add a few more ports.

ctal · 12-28-2007, 03:35 PM

Congrats, SpeedDmn, and in advance to TQ too. Nice way to begin the new year. Looks like both sets generally get excellent user reviews, at Amazon and elsewhere.

Polony -- Both sets they mentioned look like they have two hdmi inputs (not outputs), actually. Maybe what you were looking at was incorrect or misleading.

Our TV room is smallish (viewing distance is about 7 feet). Two years ago I bought a Sony KD30XS955, one of the last and possibly the best hdtv crt set of its screen size (30" 16:9) ever made. We've been really happy with it. I wasn't even tempted to use my Avia calibration dvd, much less get a pro calibration, because it just looked perfect out of the box (once I turned off the "vivid" effect, actually).

Enjoy!
-- Al

SpeedDMN · 12-28-2007, 04:14 PM

Actually it has 2 HDMI ports. I would have prefered 3 but that should do. I guess one will go for the cable box and the other for my laptop. When I get a HD player (I want dual format just spent out right now) I will either play switch with the lappy or figure something else out by then.

TQ · 12-28-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

nice set...are you using the HDMI output?...I see your set only has 1 HDMI output...are you planning on getting an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player in the future?...or even a PS3?...if so I would have gotten a set with more HDMI outputs...

Wouldn't the separate power/integrated amp be responsible for routing signal? In a case such as this all one would need is a single HDMI input on the TV to receive signal from the amp. Assuming the amp has one HDMI output for the TV it then becomes a matter of how many HDMI inputs on the amp you have. The number of outputs on the TV then becomes moot.

This is the amp we use in our theater room: Marantz America | SR8001 THX Select2 Surround Receiver

fvbounty · 12-28-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQ

Wouldn't the separate power/integrated amp be responsible for routing signal? In a case such as this all one would need is a single HDMI input on the TV to receive signal from the amp. Assuming the amp has one HDMI output for the TV it then becomes a matter of how many HDMI inputs on the amp you have. The number of outputs on the TV then becomes moot.

This is the amp we use in our theater room: Marantz America | SR8001 THX Select2 Surround Receiver

Very nice....

TQ · 12-28-2007, 06:59 PM

Thanks...it should finally get to show its stuff when we get the Sharp Aquos. It's already demonstrated its audio capabilities.

SupDawg · 12-28-2007, 08:50 PM

I now have 2 HDTV's... Probably going to be adding a 3rd sometime this year (26" for bedroom)

I still absolutely love my 65" Mitsu...I cannot believe how much better the PQ is as compared to my 3 year old Panny RPLCD.

*polonyc2* · 12-28-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctal

Polony -- Both sets they mentioned look like they have two hdmi inputs (not outputs),

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedDMN

Actually it has 2 HDMI ports

my bad...the set does have 2 HDMI inputs...my set also has 2 but I wish it had 1 more (in case I decide to get a console)

fvbounty · 12-28-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

my bad...the set does have 2 HDMI inputs...my set also has 2 but I wish it had 1 more (in case I decide to get a console)

Your wish is my command....I have one and it works Great...

For only $24.70 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 2X1 Enhanced Powered HDMI Switcher w/ Remote | Auto/Powered HDMI Switch

*polonyc2* · 12-28-2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fvbounty

Your wish is my command....I have one and it works Great...

For only $24.70 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 2X1 Enhanced Powered HDMI Switcher w/ Remote | Auto/Powered HDMI Switch

thanks for the link...I bookmarked it for future reference if/when I need another HDMI input

does using the switcher degrade the signal at all?

fvbounty · 12-28-2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

thanks for the link...I bookmarked it for future reference if/when I need another HDMI input

does using the switcher degrade the signal at all?

Not that I can see, check out the the reviews also, the only place to buy cables of any kind, I found it from AVS forums!!!!!

12-28-2007, 02:23 PM	#1
SpeedDMN Silicon Avatar Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 2,927	I took the HDTV plunge! Like I said in a few threads by now. I am so sick of Nvidia's and Intel's run around that I decided to get something I would probably get more out of anyway. May I present.. Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Flat-panel TV reviews - CNET Reviews I got it for $2,233 with shipping from Amazon. I have an Amazon CC plus it was a reasonable price compared to some (rare for Amazon). There were others that were a little cheaper, but then they wanted mail in rebates blah blah. All the reviews have been awesome on this set. I especially like the "best HDTV we have ever reviewed" comments and not just from Cnet. We will see, I have the spent over 2 grand shakes right now. Think I will pour a drink __________________
(Offline)

12-28-2007, 02:30 PM	#2
TQ You gonna throw that? Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 8,442	Re: I took the HDTV plunge! Sweet. We're about to take that plunge ourselves, just on a smaller scale as our home theater room isn't very large. Mrs. TQ and I are looking at this: AQUOS widescreen lcd television \| LC-37D62U __________________ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me - Psalm 51:10 My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dogs already think I am... Daywalker Studio: Software: Adobe Audition 3.0/Pro Tools LE 7.4/Acid Pro 6.0/Multiple VST, DirectX and RTAS plugins/Kontakt 3 Sampler/Windows XP Professional PC Hardware: D975XBX2-504/E6600/4x2GB Mushkin XP2-6400/eVGA 800GTX/HP f1905 19" flat panel/Echo Audio Gina24 Sound Card/2 Maxtor 6B300SO's/1 Maxtor STM500AS/1 Western Digital WD2500JD/PleXwriter Premium/Plextor 716A/Samsung LightScribe DVD burner/Logitech Revolution MX/Antec P-180b/PPC&C Silencer 610/Zalman CNPS9500 HSF Recording Hardware: Mbox 2 Factory Pro/Mackie SR24.4VLZ Pro Console/M-Audio Axiom 25 MIDI Controller/Audio-Technica 4033a microphone/Symetrix 528E/PreSonus Eureka/Mackie MR8 active monitors Game Machine: Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6/E8400/4x2GB Mushkin XP2-8500/BFG GTX280/HP f2105 21" flat panel/Creative Labs X-Fi Elite Pro/Maxtor 6H500F0/Maxtor STM3320/Western Digital WD4000KD/Plextor 760A/Toshiba DVD-ROM/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec P-180/PPC&C Silencer 610/Ideazon Merc Stealth keyboard/Vista Business64 SP1
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12-28-2007, 02:41 PM	#3
SpeedDMN Silicon Avatar Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 2,927	Re: I took the HDTV plunge! I am mainly going by reviews on the one I bought (yet to receive of course). I had a nice LCD at my disposal for a while (Sony Bravia) and where nice it doesn't have the brilliance of the plasmas IMHO. Also, at the time a 1080P plasma was wayyy out of my pay grade. $7000 for starters. LCD's do have a better rep for reliability, but I am going for awesome this week. This woman I am with may have actually got me a job too today so kinda a mixed bag P.S. This one is actually MINE so cannot be taken away because of some argument or something lol __________________
(Offline)

12-28-2007, 02:59 PM	#4
polonyc2 Helter Skelter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 7,454	welcome to the HDTV club!! nice set...are you using the HDMI output?...I see your set only has 1 HDMI output...are you planning on getting an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player in the future?...or even a PS3?...if so I would have gotten a set with more HDMI outputs...how do the standard (non-HD) channels look on your set?...are you planning on getting it calibrated? (I paid $200 for a professional calibration and although it does look better I don't think it was worth $200) I bought my first HDTV set 13 months ago and couldn't be happier...mine is a Samsung 50' DLP/1080p...I only wish my cable provider would add more HD channels...I only have 21 HD channels and only 4 of those channels were added this past year (TBS-HD, ESPN2-HD, SportsNet New York HD and My9-HD) help with new HDTV purchase __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** EVGA 8800GT Superclocked 512MB Intel E8400 * Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital RE2 500 GB WD5001ABYS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX620 AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Lite-On DVD-RW w/LightScribe LH-20A1L-06 * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP1 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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12-28-2007, 03:16 PM	#5
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	Re: I took the HDTV plunge! My HDTV only has 2 hdmi ports im going to look around for a hub or something to add a few more ports.
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12-28-2007, 03:35 PM	#6
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,314	Re: I took the HDTV plunge! Congrats, SpeedDmn, and in advance to TQ too. Nice way to begin the new year. Looks like both sets generally get excellent user reviews, at Amazon and elsewhere. Polony -- Both sets they mentioned look like they have two hdmi inputs (not outputs), actually. Maybe what you were looking at was incorrect or misleading. Our TV room is smallish (viewing distance is about 7 feet). Two years ago I bought a Sony KD30XS955, one of the last and possibly the best hdtv crt set of its screen size (30" 16:9) ever made. We've been really happy with it. I wasn't even tempted to use my Avia calibration dvd, much less get a pro calibration, because it just looked perfect out of the box (once I turned off the "vivid" effect, actually). Enjoy! -- Al
(Offline)

12-28-2007, 04:14 PM	#7
SpeedDMN Silicon Avatar Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 2,927	Re: I took the HDTV plunge! Actually it has 2 HDMI ports. I would have prefered 3 but that should do. I guess one will go for the cable box and the other for my laptop. When I get a HD player (I want dual format just spent out right now) I will either play switch with the lappy or figure something else out by then. __________________
(Offline)

12-28-2007, 06:59 PM	#10
TQ You gonna throw that? Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 8,442	Re: I took the HDTV plunge! Thanks...it should finally get to show its stuff when we get the Sharp Aquos. It's already demonstrated its audio capabilities. __________________ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me - Psalm 51:10 My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dogs already think I am... Daywalker Studio: Software: Adobe Audition 3.0/Pro Tools LE 7.4/Acid Pro 6.0/Multiple VST, DirectX and RTAS plugins/Kontakt 3 Sampler/Windows XP Professional PC Hardware: D975XBX2-504/E6600/4x2GB Mushkin XP2-6400/eVGA 800GTX/HP f1905 19" flat panel/Echo Audio Gina24 Sound Card/2 Maxtor 6B300SO's/1 Maxtor STM500AS/1 Western Digital WD2500JD/PleXwriter Premium/Plextor 716A/Samsung LightScribe DVD burner/Logitech Revolution MX/Antec P-180b/PPC&C Silencer 610/Zalman CNPS9500 HSF Recording Hardware: Mbox 2 Factory Pro/Mackie SR24.4VLZ Pro Console/M-Audio Axiom 25 MIDI Controller/Audio-Technica 4033a microphone/Symetrix 528E/PreSonus Eureka/Mackie MR8 active monitors Game Machine: Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6/E8400/4x2GB Mushkin XP2-8500/BFG GTX280/HP f2105 21" flat panel/Creative Labs X-Fi Elite Pro/Maxtor 6H500F0/Maxtor STM3320/Western Digital WD4000KD/Plextor 760A/Toshiba DVD-ROM/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec P-180/PPC&C Silencer 610/Ideazon Merc Stealth keyboard/Vista Business64 SP1
(Offline)

12-28-2007, 08:50 PM	#11
SupDawg Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,078	Re: I took the HDTV plunge! I now have 2 HDTV's... Probably going to be adding a 3rd sometime this year (26" for bedroom) I still absolutely love my 65" Mitsu...I cannot believe how much better the PQ is as compared to my 3 year old Panny RPLCD. __________________ The views expressed in this electronic dialogue are mine alone. "All physics are belong to me. " Kongo
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