Which 50″ Plasma is the best ? I am considering 3; a Panasonic, Samsung & LG.?
These 3 models I am considering is Pansonic ( http://panasonic.com.sg/web/pid/17/), Samsung (http://www.samsung.com/sg/products/tv/archivedtv/ps_50p5h.asp) and the LG ( model 50PC1R in LG singapore website ) which are avialable in my local shop. Although the Panasonic in its website says it upscales Standard definition to resolution of the TV (max1080i ) Is this a standard for all HD ready TVs, it upscales all SD souces to HD picture quality? Its not mentioned anyway in LG or Samsung models. Panasonic website has a lot more detail but is it all just marketing? I also read that there only 5 plasma screen manufacturers ( panasonic, pioneer , fujuitsu-hitachi, samsung and LG) , every one else buys the screen from them and just rebrand with picture enhancing technology. Its kind of lame though for the other manufacturers to do this ! A friend advice me to buy from the maufacturers who makes their own screen in the first place.
Panasonic has the best picture hands down. You will notice the blacks are much deeper than Samsung or LG. But, you will also notice that Panasonic costs $500 more than competiting models.
I would vote for LG/Zenith having the best buy though. You get an awesome picture and at a great price. LG and Zenith are the same company. For a 50″ Zenith plasma, they go for close to $1500 these days. Just a reference point.
As for upscaling, all HDTV’s will scale the source signal to the native resolution of the TV. If the native resolution is 720p, then it will upscale a 480p to 720p and downscale a 1080i to a 720p. While it doesn’t say, it is implied with HDTV’s. While on paper, scaling sounds great, you will find that a tube TV will always look better than an HDTV with a 480i analog tv station.
The whole OEM/rebranding business practice has been going on for years. That is the way it is for all electronics; dvd players, computers, lamps, appliances.
I would not recommend to always buy from the original manufacturer because this can often result in the highest price. Look at the features and price.
LG makes Zenith TV’s. Zenith TV’s are cheaper than LG. Doesn’t that really make sense? Not really, but it’s true.
