Is this a good HDTV?

[Riggswolfe]

Sony BRAVIA 55" KDL55V5100 120Hz 1080p LCD HDTV

In particular would it be good for gaming/movies?

Video Interface Component, composite, HDMI, S-Video
 
HDMI Ports Qty 4 port(s)
 
PC Interface VGA (HD-15)
 
USB Port Yes , 1 port(s)
 
HDCP Compatible Yes
 
Technology TFT active matrix
 
Resolution 1920 x 1080
 
Display Format 1080p (FullHD)
 
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9
 
120Hz Yes
 
LCD Backlight Technology Wide Color Gamut-CCFL
 
Image Contrast Ratio 5000:1
 
Dynamic Contrast Ratio 50000:1
 
Progressive Scan Progressive scanning (line doubling)
 
Widescreen Modes Conventional 4:3, Auto Wide, Full, Wide Zoom, Zoom, Normal
 
Viewing Angle 178 degrees
 
Viewing Angle (Vertical) 178 degrees
 
Comb Filter 3D digital
 
Picture Adjustment Vivid/Standard/Cinema/Custom/Photo
   
Analog Video Input Signals NTSC
 
Input Video Formats 1080/24p, 1080/60i, 480/60p, 720/60p, 1080/60p, 480/60i
 
Connector Type 2 x audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) - side ¦ 3 x audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) - rear ¦ 1 x audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ) - rear ¦ 2 x component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - rear ¦ 1 x composite video input ( RCA phono ) - side ¦ 1 x composite video input ( RCA phono ) - rear ¦ 1 x digital audio output (optical) ( TOSLINK ) - rear ¦ 3 x HDMI ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - side ¦ 1 x HDMI ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - rear ¦ 1 x VGA input ( 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) ) - side ¦ 1 x audio line-in ( mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ) - side ¦ 1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - side ¦ 1 x USB - rear ¦ 1 x Hi-Speed USB ( 4 pin USB Type A ) - side

[Draegan]

How much are you paying for it?

[Riggswolfe]

How much are you paying for it?

Around $2200 with tax.

[Nerf]

IIRC, my brothers 67" samsung LED DLP was a bit under that, price seems pretty high for a 55".

[Trippy]

DLP is a much cheaper technology compared to direct-view LCDs.

[Trippy]

Sony BRAVIA 55" KDL55V5100 120Hz 1080p LCD HDTV

In particular would it be good for gaming/movies?

Should be fine for gaming.

[Pennilenko]

DLP is a much cheaper technology compared to direct-view LCDs.

DLP also looks like shit in high light environments. Nobody is even bothering to ask what type of room he plans on using his tv in and what type of light exposure he will have.

He will love that Sony until he sees upcoming pricing on the Samsung LED LCD. Samsung is about to do another 20 percent price drop in the next 2 months roughly. From the mouths of my distributors.

[Riggswolfe]

My current TV is a 52" Toshiba DLP. It looks ok if I have all the lights off in the vicinity. Also, I live in fear of that damn bulb dying. Oh, and it's 720p.

ETA: The Samsung LEDs are running about $1k more right now. This TV is on sale for about $300 off so I suspect they are getting ready to send some new stuff out which would fit what Penni said.

[Riggswolfe]

Ok. I mispoke. I can get this one: Samsung LED 55" UN55B6000 120Hz LCD HDTV

For about $700 more with tax.

Diagonal Size 55" - widescreen
 
Technology TFT active matrix
 
Resolution 1920 x 1080
 
Display Format 1080p (FullHD)
 
120Hz Yes
 
LCD Backlight Technology LED Backlight technology
 
Dynamic Contrast Ratio 3000000:1
 
Progressive Scan Progressive scanning (line doubling)
 
Pixel Response Time 4 ms

[Salamok]

He will love that Sony until he sees upcoming pricing on the Samsung LED LCD. Samsung is about to do another 20 percent price drop in the next 2 months roughly. From the mouths of my distributors.

If this is true i'd hold out for an 8 series samsung.

[stray]

One of the benefits of HDTV's, in my mind, isn't just picture quality, but weight! This means I plug my ears and go "la la la la" everytime DLP is mentioned. Fuck DLP. Unless I have slaves.

[Hawkbit]

I bought a KDL42V4100 for $1100 back in January and it had an issue where it generated too much IR radiation and caused the cable remote to not talk with the cable box.  I replaced it with a 40" Samsung but hated the quality of the mid-range on Samsungs.  So I took it back (again) and got another of the 42" Sony, hoping that it was just that unit.  It wasn't.  It's likely everyone that was made. 

I kept it because Sony found a passable workaround with using light ilters on my cable box, but about 3 months ago that stopped working too.  Finally after maybe 20+ hours with Sony's engineers they threw in the towel.  I told them that it's a manufacturer's defect and I want a replacement.  They didn't want to replace it with another V model, so they had to upgrade me into a 46" W series.

Now, I'm totally happy.  This 46" W is totally awesome. 

[MisterNoisy]

One of the benefits of HDTV's, in my mind, isn't just picture quality, but weight! This means I plug my ears and go "la la la la" everytime DLP is mentioned. Fuck DLP. Unless I have slaves.

Really?  A 60" DLP set will probably come in at around 60-65 pounds, while that Sony he linked in the first post is over 85.  DLP sets are fundamentally just big empty plastic boxes.  They're bulky, but not heavy.

[Riggswolfe]

I was at Best Buy today looking for a new computer chair and happened to look at their plasmas. They have a 50" Samsung for about $500 less than that Sony and now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just get a plasma instead of an LCD. Any input? The model was a PN50B650.

[stray]

One of the benefits of HDTV's, in my mind, isn't just picture quality, but weight! This means I plug my ears and go "la la la la" everytime DLP is mentioned. Fuck DLP. Unless I have slaves.

Really?  A 60" DLP set will probably come in at around 60-65 pounds, while that Sony he linked in the first post is over 85.  DLP sets are fundamentally just big empty plastic boxes.  They're bulky, but not heavy.

Strange.. Every DLP I've had to help move was not much different than moving a regular tv.

OTOH.. And not that I'd want to, but I could move a large LCD on my own.

Anyhow, this was years ago and perhaps the DLPs I've seen were just different then.

[Trippy]

I was at Best Buy today looking for a new computer chair and happened to look at their plasmas. They have a 50" Samsung for about $500 less than that Sony and now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just get a plasma instead of an LCD. Any input? The model was a PN50B650.

Quadruple check that that model is actually full 1920 x 1080 resolution. Given that the Samsung Web site doesn't actually give the resolution of that model (unlike where it says it for, say, the more expensive 8 series one) I'm suspicious that it's actually something like 1400 x 1080.

[Riggswolfe]

Quadruple check that that model is actually full 1920 x 1080 resolution. Given that the Samsung Web site doesn't actually give the resolution of that model (unlike where it says it for, say, the more expensive 8 series one) I'm suspicious that it's actually something like 1400 x 1080.

The CNet review said it was if that helps any.

[Abagadro]

There are pros and cons for both. Plasmas have better blacks generally, handle motion better, are not as bright, have highly reflective screens so are problematic in rooms with windows (although many LCDs do as well), plasmas use more energy, require a burn-in period, can have image retention particularly for gaming (although newer ones have pixel shifting to help that).

Overall plasmas are a dying tech (DLPs are just plain dead) which is why Pioneer (the leader in plasma tech) is bailing out of making them and Panasonic is starting to outsource them as well.  Many purists swear by them because of the blacks and resultant contrast ratio though.

[Riggswolfe]

So, is Plasma a bad idea for gaming then due to the image retention? I thought that would only matter if you left things on the same screen for awhile, such as pausing a game or having the sidebars in a 4X3 video?

[Abagadro]

So, is Plasma a bad idea for gaming then due to the image retention? I thought that would only matter if you left things on the same screen for awhile, such as pausing a game or having the sidebars in a 4X3 video?

I don't think it is as bad as it used to be, but think about how static some parts of a game are (score areas/health bars/etc.) that just don't change. You can get some IR but the newer models have utilities to prevent it. Something to keep in mind in the calculus though.

[Riggswolfe]

Hmmm...yeah supposedly burn in isn't as bad but I hadn't thought about that. Still, Plasmas are cheaper but seem to have better colors and dark levels. It's kind of confusing.

[Nebu]

Are you guys suggesting that plasma is the way to go for those of us that don't game on our tv?

[Riggswolfe]

I do a ton of gaming. So now I'm stuck in a quandry. Burn in doesn't seem to be as big of an issue but it's still there. On the other hand LCDs supposedly have problems with fast motions.

I've been reading a ton of lcd vs plasma type articles and most say that plasma just plain looks better with burn-in and brightness being the only downsides when compared to LCDs.

[Nebu]

I've been reading a ton of lcd vs plasma type articles and most say that plasma just plain looks better with burn-in and brightness being the only downsides when compared to LCDs.

That is interesting.  With the lower cost, I may have to consider a plasma set more seriously. 

[Cyrrex]

The best plasmas almost always get rated higher for picture quality than the best LCDs...that trend is evening out, but it's not quite there.

Until 120hz came around (Samsungs implementation of it, anyway), I was a total plasma fan boy.  Let your own eyes be the judge.  Find out if you like the 120/240hz tech.  If not, plasma might be the way to go.  Burn-in won't be a problem on any mainstream brand plasma, but they certainly are heavier, run hotter and require more power.

[Riggswolfe]

Well, from my intense reading today it appears that LCD is probably the "safe" bet. Mainly because of the burn in issue. I play tons of video games and while most of the screen moves I'll still have hud elements that don't and the overall recommendation seems to be the plasmas are better for movies but LCDs are better for gaming and/or computer use because of this issue even with newer plasmas. I'm also one of those dorks that has been known to play a game for up to 8-10 hours at a time if it's a game I'm totally in love with.

[Cyrrex]

To be honest, if you by a good newer generation Samsung set, there's almost no way you will be disappointed.  Probably even a Sony, though in my opinion the Sammys currently whoop up all over them right now.

[SnakeCharmer]

I've used my Panny plasma with my 360 and PS3.  No issues with burn in.  I would think that if there was an issue with burn in, then the tv station logos, the tickers on news stations, and fixed graphics on sporting events would be a problem, but they're not.

Burn in with LCDs and plasmas, at least mid to high end, is a thing of the past.

[Riggswolfe]

Yeah but Penni said they'll drop in price soon. The big issue is my DLP is showing its age and I have a sneaky suspicion the bulb is on its last legs so if I wait too long I'll have to get a new bulb. Basically, when I turn it on it has to restart a few times before it works lately which is a sure sign the bulb is dying.

[Riggswolfe]

I've used my Panny plasma with my 360 and PS3.  No issues with burn in.  I would think that if there was an issue with burn in, then the tv station logos, the tickers on news stations, and fixed graphics on sporting events would be a problem, but they're not.

Burn in with LCDs and plasmas, at least mid to high end, is a thing of the past.

Really? Cool. How much time do you game in one sitting?

[Slayerik]

I love my Dynex 42" 720p Plasma. Soooo purdy and crisp. Got a nice deal at Best Buy too. I'll stick with Plasma's until I can't get em anymore.

We gamed on it during a LAN party with no issues, but I don't game on it daily.

[SnakeCharmer]

I've used my Panny plasma with my 360 and PS3.  No issues with burn in.  I would think that if there was an issue with burn in, then the tv station logos, the tickers on news stations, and fixed graphics on sporting events would be a problem, but they're not.

Burn in with LCDs and plasmas, at least mid to high end, is a thing of the past.

Really? Cool. How much time do you game in one sitting?

Average probably 1.5 hrs, with as long as 4 to 5 hrs on weekends late night.  I've used it on both plasmas (54" and 42") and never had a problem.  When I get home this afternoon, I'll get you the model numbers if you want.  All I can remember are the screen sizes and they're both the 1080p THX certified ones.  And they're the 2007/2008 models.

[Riggswolfe]

Average probably 1.5 hrs, with as long as 4 to 5 hrs on weekends late night.  I've used it on both plasmas (54" and 42") and never had a problem.  When I get home this afternoon, I'll get you the model numbers if you want.  All I can remember are the screen sizes and they're both the 1080p THX certified ones.  And they're the 2007/2008 models.

Hmmm....I can do 4-5 hours on a weekday sometimes and do 8 hours on a weekend if I'm really, really into a game. Sure, cutscenes and menus and such break up the hud sometimes but it's still a worry.

[Cyrrex]

I wouldn't worry overly much about it.  A new Panasonic plasma isn't going to have issues with burn i.  They have ways to combat that (shifting pixels on otherwise static logos, screensavers, etc.).  My 3 year old Panny (my second tv) has seen plenty of gaming, and I've had no problems.  I probably haven't had 8 hour gaming sessions, but if you're really that worried about it...turn the set off for a minute, then turn it back on.

[Riggswolfe]

I went ahead and got a Samsung ln52b750. It's an LCD. In the end it really did come down to my habits vs slight picture difference. I know myself, if I get absorbed in a game I can lose 12 hours of time easy and the peace of mind of not having to worry about potential burn in was worth it.