http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/ Engadget HD Comments for RPTV sales up in latest reports, plasma falls again to LCD http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/Feb 21st 2008 3:58PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/Dec 17th 2007 8:45AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/I have 60" RPTV from Sony. 1080p, PQ is terrific and total cost was less than $2K. ]]>Dec 17th 2007 11:26AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/Dec 17th 2007 12:11PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/
And I have to say that I understand why LCD is popular. I was one of the consumers that preferred it over plasma. Until I saw the Pioneer Kuro line. It really is the new standard. My Samsung lcd, which I thought was great (and highly rated by reviewers) now looks pretty weak by comparison.

]]>Dec 17th 2007 2:03PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/
LCD = Generally not that good with fast action sequences and camera pans. Also, even the best Sony XBR models have ghosting around the text whenever text comes on the screen. Not as impressive as plasma when it comes to picture quality.

Plasma = Even the top models have inaccurate green primary color production. Image retention and possible burn in issues. Uses more power. I find them to have more noise (grainy) compared to the xxA3000.

DLP = Not quite as good of color reproduction compared to the Sony SXRD xxA3000 line, but can be pretty good nonetheless. Faster refresh than LCD. Grainy. Uses a trick to get 1080p, not native 1080p resolution from what I gather. Rainbow effects, except on the ones that have LED backlighting.

The 60A3000, as with any RPTV, has viewing angle deficiencies and also is about 18 inches deep compared to the 4 inches of a Plasma or LCD. It also requires a bulb change every three years or so. Other than that, it is the best deal out there.

]]>Dec 17th 2007 2:11PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/
It was $1850 a few weeks ago, and I had a Circuit City 10% off coupon from AAA. http://www.aaa.com/circuitcity
]]>Dec 17th 2007 3:00PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/
In the bedroom, we will be tilting the TV often from side to side, so we want a ~50" flat panel on a TV stand. I know LCD is getting really popular, but I watch a ton of sports, and don't want motion blur issues. That is why I'm leaning towards plasma. Unfortunately, LCDs are much easier to find.]]>Dec 20th 2007 4:35PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/ LCD >>>>>>>>> RPTV]]>Dec 17th 2007 2:22PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/ LCD >>>>>>>>> RPTV"

In terms of price, you are absolutely correct.]]>Dec 17th 2007 3:01PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/Dec 17th 2007 3:42PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/
Sit that Sony 60A3000 next to a Pioneer KURO PDP-6010FD and then we'll talk. It'll look just as good as the Bravia and the picture won't disappear or fade if you're not lucky enough to grab the seat right in front of it for the Superbowl.

Yes, I realize the Pioneer is more expensive, but like the old saying goes: You get what you pay for.]]>Dec 17th 2007 5:26PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/]]>Dec 17th 2007 6:26PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://reviews.cnet.com/televisions/?tag=glnav

And yeah, for an MSRP of $6500 or $7500 for the 60" Elite, it had *better* be a lot better than the $2199 MSRP A3000. The Kuro is more than 3 times the price! And it is about 4 times more expensive than what I paid for my 60" A3000. Good luck finding a Kuro on sale, too.

Is it 4 times better than the A3000? Not according to my wallet.]]>Dec 17th 2007 6:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/Dec 17th 2007 8:08PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/
Yeah, sure is hard to watch this:
http://flickr.com/photos/shapegsx/2053529285/

And this:
http://flickr.com/photos/shapegsx/2045171485/

And no, it is not my first HDTV. It is actually my 2nd.

If I could afford a Kuro and not feel the strain of spending $6500, I'd have one in my house right now. A friend of mine actually does have a Kuro. It is a gorgeous TV. But frankly, the A3000 is gorgeous, too.

For a 60" TV under $2000, there is no better TV than the A3000. None. Hell, I'd even extend that to $3000 and maybe even $4000.

CNet seems to love the TV, too:
reviews.cnet.com/projection-tvs/sony-kds-55a3000/4505-6484_7-32468848.html

They loved the Kuro, too, but it wasn't nearly as color accurate as the A3000, with an off green primary color:
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/pioneer-kuro-pdp-5080/4505-6482_7-32476901.html?tag

The Kuro is also more power hungry at a staggering 532W for the 1080p 60" version vs 220W for the 1080p A3000 (all sizes the same), and the RPTV has no threat of burn-in.

With the way TV technology is progressing these days, I wouldn't want to spend more than $2000 on a TV. For me, it makes it a lot easier to upgrade down the road. Mark my words that there will be a TV in 4 years time that would make the Kuro jealous, and at a fraction of the price, too.]]>Dec 17th 2007 9:12PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/Dec 17th 2007 9:01PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/Dec 18th 2007 12:08AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/
And you're also telling me that you're shying away from plasma based on myths that have been proven again and again to be false (burn-in) for modern day plasmas.

I'll agree with you that for the price, you can't beat RPTV. And that is it's ONLY advantage over other technologies. Literally the ONLY one. But if i'm going to be buying something that essential to my home theater experience, I have no problem paying more to get the set I want. I simply cannot stand the atrocious viewing angle and uneven brightness (even at an ideal viewing angle) of an RPTV and that is the single reason why I didn't even consider one. Even when viewing straight on, the picture of an RPTV still looks artificial to me.

The weaknesses of plasma are not noticeable by anyone but the most discerning videophiles and test equipment (inaccurate green, temporary image retention). The weaknesses of RPTV are noticeable by anyone with eyes over the age of 9 (horrible viewing angle, uneven image brightness).]]>Dec 18th 2007 9:46AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/
A gorgeous 60" 1080p TV for $1650 is an absolute bargain.

People who bought a 70" $13,000 Qualia 006 in 2005 probably aren't feeling too good about their purchase right about now. Technology in this space has been moving so damn fast, and it isn't slowing down.

Listen, I'm not dogging anyone that bought a Kuro. Like I said before, I have a friend that did. He loves his TV. Hell, I love that TV! I just couldn't spend that kind of money in a space where technology moves so fast. So, for right now, RPTV is for me. In 5 years, we could have a completely different display technology available that surpasses plasma, LCD, RPTV, everything. I'm not loyal to any particular display tech. That would be stupid. I just wanted a great quality, cheap, very large display. That means RPTV right now.

The fact that the TV only weighs 90lbs and uses less than half the power (220W vs 532W!) of an equivalent size plasma are pluses. The viewing angle (not much of an issue for my room), depth (again, not an issue for me), and black levels were compromises. The price was definitely not a compromise! :) That compromise is all the Kuro's.]]>Dec 18th 2007 10:13AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/
I understand your points. I'm really not a jerk, I just sound like one sometimes. These are just my opinions, I don't mean to say that RPTV is useless, it's just useless to me. The viewing angle is really the killer for me and the overall look of the picture is just strange to me. If I could, I would buy a 60" CRT, but I can't, so Plasma is the closest you can get.

I guess it's just a matter of priority. You have picture, price, features, etc. I place Picture first, then price, then features. You obviously place price first and there's nothing wrong with that, I just can't do it.

And plasmas today are a different animal from 5 years ago. They won't look as outdated 5 years from now as those from 5 years ago look today. When CRTs really hit their stride, one from 1997 looked as good as one from 2007. Technology eventually hits a plateau where the difference in picture for any given technology mostly levels out and each year it only gets negligibly better. That is until a new technology comes along like OLED or SED or something.

Oh, and just FYI, I only spent $2000 on my plasma. It's a 50" Panasonic. I have a friend who only spent $1000 more on a 65" DLP. If I could get over my hatred of the picture on a DLP, I would have obviously bought one as an RPTV is obviously a much better value. But I just can't do it. For some, there is one weakness of any technology that keeps you from investing in it. For plasma, it's weakness is price, but it's something I can deal with because I just can't bring myself to buy an RPTV, I would feel shortchanged the entire time I owned it, like if I'd have just spent a little more or maybe even gotten a smaller size, I could own the best of the best, a plasma. And that's exactly what I did.]]>Dec 18th 2007 10:28AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/17/rptv-sales-up-in-latest-reports-plasma-falls-again-to-lcd/Dec 19th 2007 3:19PM