5 Best HDTVs under $800

gadgtfreek

SatelliteGuys Master
Original poster
May 29, 2006
22,105
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Lower Alabama
  • 1) Panasonic TC-P50UT50 50-inch 3D Plasma
  • 2) Samsung PN51E450 50-inch Plasma
  • 3) Sony KDL-42EX440 42-inch LED LCD
  • 4) Toshiba 46L5200U 46-inch LED LCD
  • 5) LG 42LM6200 42-inch 3D LED LCD

Could be helpful to anyone looking over the holidays

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My dad just picked up a 50" LG plasma for like $699, not a bad set at all and Im having it calibrated for him.
 
For $899.00, you can get an LG 60" plasma just about anywhere. I have one and it's splendid. Calibration is a wast of money, IMHO. They are pretty much dead on, if you have an "eye" for fine finessing.
 
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I think they get left out because black levels arent so great, but they offer a good image.

The latest "crop" have been vastly improved in that department. I used to be in the commercial film business. Spent hundreds of hours color correcting and editing film elements in post production houses in Chicago and NY. LG meets my standards easily.
 
The CMS has been great on them for awhile, but Ive seen the MLL measurements. Compared to other plasmas they are behind. They look great, Im just saying thats why they get shunned, most people talking plasma are panasonic and samsung, they forget about LG. My dads 50" looks real nice.

The 2012 LG 60PM6700 measured 0.014fL, about a 2010 Panny number. My 2011 GT30 measures about 0.005fL. Once again, the mll is nice, just not as low as the others. It's better than any LCD in that price range, and like I said, the color management system and calibration controls are excellent. Im going to have Gregg Loewen calibrate my dads 50" LG in a couple of weeks.

Bang for buck they are hard to beat.
 
I have two Samsung plasmas and the LG. Can't honestly say there is a winner. I think thing there is too much "listening" to all the techno-babble, and not enough watching (especially to the "black level" BS). Again I plead...don't waste your money on calibration!!!
 
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KAB said:
I have two Samsung plasmas and the LG. Can't honestly say there is a winner. I think thing there is too much "listening" to all the techno-babble, and not enough watching (especially to the "black level" BS).

We will differ there. I've owned 5 plasmas, and between my 2011 Samsung and my 2011 Panasonic, I realized mll is more important to me than having cms controls.

Thinking calibration is a waste of money tells me you don't know as much as you think you do. I'll take my meter against your eyes any day.
 
We will differ there. I've owned 5 plasmas, and between my 2011 Samsung and my 2011 Panasonic, I realized mll is more important to me than having cms controls.

Thinking calibration is a waste of money tells me you don't know as much as you think you do. I'll take my meter against your eyes any day.

Where are the pistols? Would be more than willing to shoot it out with you!

Before you got surly, I prepared this for you to try with your Dad's set...

Aspect Ratio: Just Scan
Energy Saving: Off
Picture Mode: STANDARD (User)
Contrast: 82
Brightness:58
Sharpness: 26
Color: 50
Tint: 0
Color Temp: W,7
Expert control
Dynamic Contrast: Off
Noise Reduction: Off
Gamma: Medium
Black Level: Low
Film Mode: Off
Color Gamut: Standard
Edge Enhancement: Off
Point is, this model is pretty much RIGHT ON without much adjusting.
 
Some sets you can get by without a professional calibration and get a really good picture. A professional calibration, though, will get the most out of your set. My Sharp 844 absolutely 100% needs a professional calibration. Difference was night and day.

S~
 

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