Our main TV has thrown in the towel. Seen this fellow on ebuyer, it's a Plasma -
www.ebuyer.com/491181-samsung-43-f4500-plasma-tv-ps43f4500awxxu
What are the advantages or otherwise over LED sets?
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Better contrast (blacks are really black), wider colour range, absolutely no 'smear' in fast moving scenes.
Less marked difference than a few years back
Disadvantage, higher power consumption, although not as bad as they used to be.
Pretty much dead technology now as there's more profit in LED sets (presumably)
I'm seriously tempted to replace the Spamcan Towers 28" CRT with a Panasonic 42" Plasma.
tinyurl.com/pgj4ooc
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Don't know much about plasma but in theory they can offer a better picture, but these days I think a good LCD LED can match it. A Plasma screen is less reliable and uses a lot more electricity.
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My 42in Panasonic plasma TV (the first with both Freesat and Freeview HD tuners) is just under four years old.
It's never missed a beat, has an outstanding display (all that was needed was to use the THX configuration) and was worth every penny I paid for it.
Only sad thing is that Panasonic has stopped making its generally brilliant plasma sets (other manufacturers still do so), but their latest LCD type models do produce good displays.
The only snag with most big screen TVs is that the sound has to be compromised direction wise due to very narrow bezals, so a soundbar or similar sound set up does make a big improvement.
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This model is advertised on Amazon and it appears to have 106 customer reviews. I note at the top that 'there is a newer model available' - I think the new model has Freeview HD built in and is not just 'HD ready'. It would be worth clarifying that.
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>> Our main TV has thrown in the towel. Seen this fellow on ebuyer, it's a
>> Plasma -
>>
>> www.ebuyer.com/491181-samsung-43-f4500-plasma-tv-ps43f4500awxxu
>>
>> What are the advantages or otherwise over LED sets?
None - none at all. Unless you need a heater in the room
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My recently bought LCD/LED TV varies the brightness of the background illumination to match the bright and dark areas of the picture to increase the contrast. It is called "Active Direct LED backlight" in the blurb. Seems to work, the TV has an excellent picture.
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Contrast ratio is the only thing in favour of plasma, my collection of Buffy the Vampire Slayer DVDs show it up on my LCD, but I've not seen anything else that does.
Plasma consumes more electricity, gets hotter, and can suffer from screen burns. However most of the cases I've heard of are where the set stays on Cbeebies all day and is used as a child minder. If you take care the first 200 hours, and turn the brightness down, ought not be a problem.
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I've got a panny plasma and am very pleased with it. Its 3 years old now, and I purchased it as I wanted 46" and you got a far better spec for the money.
Not so sure now though that LED wouldn't be a better deal
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In my experience you can't watch a LED telly too much off the centre-line without losing contrast and the image greying out. You can watch a plasma from any angle with top notch results.
Notwithstanding the above, my vote is for a plasma TV.
How much telly do you need to watch to worry about 100w rather than say 50w power use?
Last edited by: Dulwich Estate on Fri 28 Mar 14 at 20:01
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Ze Samsong 43" F4500 has 106 reviews on Amazon, of which 80 are 5 star jobbies = A blinder for the money!
I have a 42" Pana Plasma that I chose in preference to the LED/LCD TV's, as I found the picture on Plasma tellies to be more natural colour wise, smoother too somehow, compared to LCD.
Sure it uses more energy than an LCD, so does my 2lt petrol auto Subaru but, you only live twice!
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>> as I found the picture on Plasma tellies to be more natural colour wise, smoother too somehow, compared to LCD.>>
The whole point of a plasma and I speak as a photographer of many years' standing...:-)
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We have a Panny Plasma and have enjoyed for about 3 years now especially via SkyHd & blu ray. Recently bought the latest smart Sony for wife's best frien, TV chosen based on the web reviews. Installed it for her and I thought it was an appalling picture in comparison to what I was used to. She's happy but it made me very wary to upgrade unless I really have to.
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If you're willing to tolerate the higher energy use, get a plasma. Better blacks, better colours, no backlight bleed, no "flatness" that you get with LCD.
The newest LCD TVs that cost £££££ are only just beginning to match this performance. There is one downside to plasma, and that's in a bright room they can be a struggle to see due to reflections from the glass panel.
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=>The whole point of a plasma and I speak as a photographer of many years' standing...:-)
Ah mister Stuartli Sir, How can I take advantage? of Amazons 30-day 'free' trial of their new Prime instant video.
There aren't any apps on either my 'smart' TV or my BDT 110 rays of Blu.
I've updated the firmware on both but, to no avail.
Con fused of Quornwall.
Note to mister O'Reliant: that Samsong telly isn't 'smart' ya know.
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The latest edition of Which? says there is very little difference between plasmas and the latest LED back-lit LCDs. Their best buys are Samsungs and LGs.
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>> The latest edition of Which? says there is very little difference between plasmas and the
>> latest LED back-lit LCDs. Their best buys are Samsungs and LGs.
>>
As someone who had the misfortune of owning last year's top of the range Samsung LCD, I beg to disagree. Feed it an HD source (BluRay, for example) and it looks great.
Your standard definition source, on the other hand, looks absolutely appalling. The digital processing is useless, it cannot do flesh tones at all - when one person looks normal the next person turns a strange shade of red / green / purple / blue / magenta and appears entirely unrealistic.
Samsung stuff is not worth the money (ironically, their plasmas are good) and I'd be vary of buying from Currys as they seem to have done one of their big manufacturer tie-ups and are flogging the dregs of the production line at a tiny discount.
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>>
>> Note to mister O'Reliant: that Samsong telly isn't 'smart' ya know.
>>
It's smart enough for me, Mr Hound. I have enough gadgets I don't know how to use already.
Last edited by: Robin O'Reliant on Sat 29 Mar 14 at 10:37
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=> It's smart enough for me, Mr Hound.
I did think that mister ooh' R but it's nice to have the BBC iPlayer, even if I only use it for Escape To The Country.
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>> => It's smart enough for me, Mr Hound.
>>
>> I did think that mister ooh' R but it's nice to have the BBC iPlayer,
>> even if I only use it for Escape To The Country.
>>
My 28" CRT is 'smart' via a 45 quid Sony Blu-Ray player which does iPlayer and Youtube - all I need - not sure about Netflix/Lovefilm
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You'll need an Internet connection to the TV - details of how to sign up to Prime at:
tinyurl.com/oz94b7j
if you haven't already been there.
It's actually Lovefilm IIRC, a service I use by post, which Amazon acquired fairly recently.
But, from what I understand, Netflix is a superior service as regards choice and you could also use the NowTV service from Sky on a rolling monthly contract basis (I use the Entertainment Pass, which costs £4.99 a month and include 10 Sky channels as well as the On Demand channels):
www.nowtv.com/entertainment
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I have a Talk Talk Youview box which gets me all the iplayers so not needed on the TV. I'm not bothered about Sky apart from the sports channels and I'm not prepared to pay their rather heavy subscription fee for that.
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App-arently, there isn't an app on my TX-P42G30B or my DMP-BDT110 for Lovefilm (now Prime Instant video) or even Netflix :(
I've made a few phone calls this morning and a Panasonic rep will be phoning me on Monday but, I'm most annoyed of Quornwall and, it would certainly make me think twice about buying a Panasonic TV in future.
Rant over :)
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I think you will find that your TV was manufactured before the Internet streaming service apps were readily available or perhaps later included in Viera Connect.
I use a Google Nexus 10 to download and use such streaming apps, either for use on the tablet or by connecting it to the TV with a mini-HDMI to HDMI cable (about £3 from Amazon). Probably could use my Smartphone to do the same thing.
I have the DMP-310 Blu-ray player which has an more up to date version of the apps hub and use it for watching YouTube etc.
Also see: help.netflix.com/en/node/8548
Last edited by: Stuartli on Sat 29 Mar 14 at 16:22
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So I may have to 'invest' in a new Blu-Ray player then, oh well, it's only money :(
www.techradar.com/news/internet/amazon-prime-what-you-need-to-know-1176676/1
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More due to the fact that such services only came to the fore after your equipment was first available...:-)
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>>My 28" CRT is 'smart' via a 45 quid Sony Blu-Ray player which does iPlayer and Youtube - all I need - not sure about Netflix/Lovefilm
I bought my Panasonic B/Ray player solely to watch (mainly) sci-fi films from Lovefilm but I found the service less-than ideal so gave it the el bow and, I'm certainly not buying (how much!) any Blu-Ray DVD's so the thing is gathering dust ;)
>>More due to the fact that such services only came to the fore after your equipment was first available
I was looking for something to practice using my new Einhell chainsaw on :-)
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To get Netflix or whatever on your telly you could use a Google chromecast. About £30, and can 'cast' such things from your tablet or PC. Apps are limited at present, but apparently are growing in number.
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>>To get Netflix or whatever on your telly you could use a Google chromecast
Thanks, I'll check that out ... I believe Amazon are bringing out a 'box' too.
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From a "picture" perspective I don't think you can really go wrong with that.
What you do have to be careful with is connectivity.
Does it have enough (quantity and type) sockets to plug everything you want into it? And hopefully with a bit of spare capacity.
Are you comfortable that no ethernet port is not going to become a problem?
etc. etc.
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>>
>> Are you comfortable that no ethernet port is not going to become a problem?
>>
>> etc. etc.
>>
I wouldn't know what to do with an ethernet port on a telly if it jumped up and bit me.
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>>I wouldn't know what to do with an ethernet port on a telly if it jumped up and bit me.
I would know, and I still don't have one.
But this is a non-trivial purchase and if in the future someone suddenly says to you - "oh, why don't we plug into the internet and use............ xxxx" and you think its a good idea, you'll be screwed.
Like I said, I don't really think you can go wrong with that television, its just worth a thought to make sure its covering your needs - both now and down the road.
Online services, and essentially an ethernet port allows you to plug into the internet and access them, are growing and there are likely to be new ones.
As I said, none that interest me, I don't think. Just ensure its the same for you.
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>> I would know, and I still don't have one.
>>
>> But this is a non-trivial purchase and if in the future someone suddenly says to
>> you - "oh, why don't we plug into the internet and use............ xxxx" and you
>> think its a good idea, you'll be screwed.
>>
>> Like I said, I don't really think you can go wrong with that television, its
>> just worth a thought to make sure its covering your needs - both now and
>> down the road.
>>
>> Online services, and essentially an ethernet port allows you to plug into the internet and
>> access them, are growing and there are likely to be new ones.
>>
>> As I said, none that interest me, I don't think. Just ensure its the same
>> for you.
>>
Good points, though I have a You View box connected and that's internet enabled. Whether it would be capable of doing what an internet ready TV would I have no idea.
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We have a Humax Freesat box and a "smart" Samsung Freeview 3D TV.
The TV generated catch-ups (BBCiPlayer, ITVplayer, Ch5OD and C4OD) are superior to the Humax which, the last time I looked, only had BBC & ITV players.
Both the TV & the Humax are connected to the internet and I can record live TV on both.
Last edited by: Pigs-Might-Fly on Sat 29 Mar 14 at 23:12
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@ Pigs-might-Fly
If pigs could fly would bacon go up?
And, avez vous a Lovefilm/Amazon prime instant video app on your "smart" Samsong TV
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>> @ Pigs-might-Fly
>>
>> If pigs could fly would bacon go up?
>>
>> And, avez vous a Lovefilm/Amazon prime instant video app on your "smart" Samsong TV
>>
4
Si - tengo Love Film, Netflix y Knowhow Movies.
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=> Si - tengo Love Film, Netflix y Knowhow Movies.
Gracias Señor Dodger ;)
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Yes, the Humax version not very good. They've only just introduced subtitles and they are much poorer than the broadcast versions, being only a single colour. And the last I tried it, the download stalled.
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I have the exact same TV r'or, but without the DVD combined bit. Picture is really good, imo. The only standard def pics that look a bit fluffy are from DVD, and that was filmed on a lowish res camcorder.
The sound is nowt to write home about, but I play it through my stereo so it sounds OK now.
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*CALLING MISTER O'RELIANT*
Having given your uncertainty regarding Plasma v LCD much thought, I do believe I have found the answer:
preview.tinyurl.com/pra5yyn (PC World)
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>> *CALLING MISTER O'RELIANT*
>>
>> Having given your uncertainty regarding Plasma v LCD much thought, I do believe I have
>> found the answer:
>>
>> preview.tinyurl.com/pra5yyn (PC World)
>>
Nah, much rather have this, a proper LED TV:-
tinyurl.com/how-much-for-a-tv
Pity about the gimmicky curved screen.
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Don't want any of that foreign junk in my house thank you very much!
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...And the final score is
Plasma dead so LED wins that contest.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28143408
"Home-cinema connoisseurs will always have a soft spot for plasmas, but they have simply been technologically superseded,"
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>> Plasma dead so LED wins that contest.
Not so sure. Two things that likely to be a contributing factor are: (1) AMOLED and now (2) 4K resolution. I don't suppose it is cost effective to make a 4K UHD Plasma. Oh and the new trend so a (3) curved screens.
... whatever happened to 3D :-)
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My vote is still for plasma - shame they're going.
It's not uncommon for the inferior technology to win the battle of standards.
Do you remember the far superior Betamax video tape system losing out to VHS back in the early 1980s. I've still got a Sony C5 Betamax recorder in a cupboard somewhere.
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It's said that porn movies were the reason for VHS winning but I'm not sure how true that is.
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>> It's said that porn movies were the reason for VHS winning but I'm not sure how true that is.
Not sure either. But the version I heard was because of Sony's control/influence. They lost the war and knew they were going to lose the VHS/Betamax battle.
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>>the VHS/Betamax battle.
They were launched in the US first. The implications of the NTSC implementation gave VHS both a price and a potential tape length advantage.
By the time it came to Europe, although PAL-% meant that recording time was not such an issue, VHS has an initial build cost advantage supplemented by early economies of scale.
Betamax was not better in any way that mattered to an audience suddenly stretching themselves to buy already expensive equipment.
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>> Betamax was not better in any way that mattered to an audience suddenly stretching themselves to buy already expensive equipment.
You seem to be aware reading between the lines that the Betamax system had really classy engineering to recommend it.
But as you say, US capitalism writ global was going to bulldoze everything, and as you say schlock movie and porn and baseball and stuff consumers aren't too interested in that sort of classy engineering.
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In the mid 80s a Betamax recorder was approx £500!!!! TVs were in the £300+ category and many people rented the TV/Recorder - DER, owned by Thorn Electrical (Made TVs) were the leading rental comapny with shops throughout the UK. DER only rented VHS boxes.....Video shops only stocked a small range of Betamax tapes...................
My Betamax 1985 was far superior in picture quality than my first VHS from Hitachi 1991.
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My first VHS recorder was just over £600 but came with two free VHS tapes which themselves were pretty expensive. And while on prices, I was thinking of junking my fist generation TomTom the other day which i'm sure was around the £400 mark. The costs of being an early adopter...
Last edited by: smokie on Fri 4 Jul 14 at 07:43
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My first mobile phone was a Motorola "brick". IIRC it cost over 600 notes.
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They were launched in the US first. The implications of the NTSC implementation gave VHS both a price and a potential tape length advantage.
By the time it came to Europe, although PAL-% meant that recording time was not such an issue, VHS has an initial build cost advantage supplemented by early economies of scale.
Betamax was not better in any way that mattered to an audience suddenly stretching themselves to buy already expensive equipment.
Betamax is arguably a better system in respect of technical performance. NTSC is really the same (ish) as PAL, but PAL is a slightly better and more complicated system. You can think of PAL as building on NTSC.
Size of the market - yes, that's a big point, but probably just as big, if not bigger is the issue of recording time. And for the normal consumer, I suspect that was a big plus for VHS.
Last edited by: Slidingpillar on Fri 4 Jul 14 at 09:26
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>>Betamax is arguably a better system in respect of technical performance. NTSC is really the same (ish) as PAL, but PAL is a slightly better and more complicated system. You can think of PAL as building on NTSC.>>
In fact the Philips/Grundig V2000 system was vastly superior to either of them, although Betamax was good.
VHS won out because JVC, who invented VHS, manufactured the Ferguson branded VCRs for the Radio Rental Group, who had more than 600 retail outlets in the UK and therefore won the machines/tape rentals/blank tapes sales battles.
There's also more than a glimmer of truth in the fact that a lot of porn was made available on VHS because of the resulting bigger market sales.
Last edited by: Stuartli on Fri 4 Jul 14 at 10:02
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In fact the Philips/Grundig V2000 system was vastly superior to either of them, although Betamax was good.
Agreed, but no one was talking about them then :o)
VHS being a rental choice might have affected the UK market, and probably did, but the system won out in other markets to so this was not the only factor.
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>>>the Philips/Grundig V2000 system was vastly superior to either of them
Agreed. We stuck with that system as long as we could and then went straight to VHS.
My opinion of Betamax was that it seemed a little better than VHS but really the main hype was because it was a Sony adopted system which gained it the same sort of followers as those that buy VW or Audi and believe in the premium brand.
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>>My opinion of Betamax was that it seemed a little better than VHS but really the main hype was because it was a Sony adopted system which gained it the same sort of followers as those that buy VW or Audi and believe in the premium brand.>>
It was Sony to whom Philips turned to develop the digital sound side of its 12in Laservision disks that brought us the Compact Disk (with invaluable help, of course, from blank media manufacturer Taiyo Yuden).
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Plasma v LED - spamcan61
