Advise on flat panel TV

[ga-hvac-tech]

I am thinking to replace the TV in my office (the old one died a while back).

My selection process is down to two models:

Samsung 40" LED
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+40%22+Class+/+LED+/+1080p+/+120Hz+/+HDTV/2126339.p?id=1218310409225&skuId=2126339&st=Samsung%2040%22%20LED%20tv&cp=1&lp=1
Samsung was $829.95 Sat evening… looks like they want to move this one

Panasonic 42" Plasma
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+42%22+Class+/+Plasma+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+HDTV/2120195.p?id=1218319596899&skuId=2120195&st=Panasonic%2042%22%20Plasma%20TV&cp=1&lp=1
Sale price on Panasonic is $629.95

Both are top rated... both have excellent pictures.
As usual, an LED picture is brighter and sharper... the Plasma picture has deeper and richer colors yet is softer. Plasma picture is a little easier on the eyes.
The Samsung has PIP mode, which would be useful; and is 120Hz with something called 240 Hz motion... a deal which is supposed to electronically tighten up the ghosting and trailing images. The plasma is 600 Hz, so no motion issues.

Both are on sale for Black Friday (well, midnite Thursday)... might end up in line with one of my favourite counter-guys for an hour or so... he said his wifey is sending him out for a new TV... :)

Anyone have thoughts or experience with either of these? THX in advance for any posts.

GA

[pbharvey]

I've had a 50" Panasonic Viera for about 3 years or so and its a nice TV but I'm not real picky about stuff like that.

[viceman]

I guess it is in the eye of the beholder but I am not sold on the led's.
It's hard to beat a good plasma. The picture just looks more natural to me. The led always looks like cgi . Bright and clear but it just doesn't look real.

[pbharvey]

...one more thing: the plasma will heat your office if your furnace ever gives out :grin2:

[amd]

Look for a lcd led TV with local dimming.

[Diceman]

I agree on the plasma, got a 52" Samsung Plasma a couple years back.
But an lcd may be better in a bright environment.
I like to watch tv in a dim lit or dark room so I like the plasma.

[ga-hvac-tech]

The TV I am replacing was an older Panasonic Plasma (weighted 120#, and used 450 W elec). And yeah, it would heat the office... :)

The model noted in the thread weighs around 50-something and uses a lot less power.

The LED's seem over bright and over crisp to me... kinda like over boosting base when listening to a concert on the home Hi-Fi system.

The Plasma on the other hand is soft and looks 'real' to me.

My office is not bright... trees outside all the windows... so a bright screen is not necessary.

THX for the input, any other thoughts are welcome!

GA

[platchford]

From an energy perspective, the plasma TVs are not the energy hogs they used to be. Newer models are even comparable to some of the LCDs (but unlikely the LEDs) in energy use. I like the fact that plasma TVs have a solid (glass) screen as opposed to the soft screen LCD/LEDs have.

[joepierson]

LCD's still have a very jerky image when things are moving (doesn't matter if they are 60,120,240,or 480hz), can't stand them, baseballs look like comets, others don't notice.

[Gib's Son]

When I bought my Samsung Plasma a few years back they told me that Plasma is better for darker environments, LCD/ LED better for lighter.