Any Home Theatre Experts

My Panasonic 50" Plasma is getting on a bit and starting to suffer from a little screen burn on deep blacks. As the big companies have ceased production of (superior) plasma screens il need to go for an LED. Ive read some very good reviews of the Panasonic TX50AX802B*, its a 50 Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart 3D LED TV with Freeview HD, Freetime, Freesat HD & Built-in Wi-Fi. Not that im fussed about anything other than the picture, I already have a Q Acoustics Media 4 Soundbar** connected to the plasma so sound is already sorted.

Before anybody says anything ref 4k, I have plenty of BRD files ripped to MKV and up-scaled, they will run off a discrete HTPC via HDMI2.0.

*http://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer...-50ax802b.html
**http://www.qacoustics.co.uk/q-acoust...4-soundbar.htm

Thanks

[Czar]

Is your plasma a VT model like the one I have, if so you should have in settings a scroll bar setting, which wipes away screen burn, this screen bar wipe can be left to run continuously behind any viewed media without interference.

[Soran]

You posted this just as I am putting together my Raspberry Pi 2, which arrived today. I am going to use it as a very discrete HTPC running a custom version of XBMC, to save running it from my main desktop.
I too have a Panasonic plasma, which I do not want to change unless I have to. Mine has 3D(which I use) Smart functions(don't use) etc. I think I will probably go for a projector next, maybe in addition to the plasma as I have a spare roam to house it and my speaker system.
Saying that though, I have seen the Panasonic 4k tv's in the flesh, and when fed with decent 4k material, the picture is stunning. Not sure how good upscaled BRD would look, but If I was in your position I would still stick with Panasonic, as they are still top of the pile for picture quality.

[Gazski66]

Yep....Have not got a clue about half the stuff said in this thread

[Superfly Guy]

Is your plasma a VT model like the one I have, if so you should have in settings a scroll bar setting, which wipes away screen burn, this screen bar wipe can be left to run continuously behind any viewed media without interference.

I'm confidant it doesn't have that function, it was one of the first flat screen Plasmas. I have also run out of HDMI ports so connectivity with PS3, Sky HD, HTPC and soundbar is less than ideal.
@ Soran, are you sure a Rasp Pi2 can drive UHD video, I would have though a NUC might be a better solution.

[Superfly Guy]

This is the model
Panasonic TH-50PZ80B - 50" Widescreen Viera 1080P Full HD Plasma, bought end of 2008.
£1100, a little treat at the time for 8 months in the sandpit.

[cyclone]

It was a sad day when they stopped making plasma screens and not looking fwd to when I have to replace mine. Good luck in your search SFG.

[Czar]

I'm confidant it doesn't have that function, it was one of the first flat screen Plasmas. I have also run out of HDMI ports so connectivity with PS3, Sky HD, HTPC and soundbar is less than ideal.
@ Soran, are you sure a Rasp Pi2 can drive UHD video, I would have though a NUC might be a better solution.

This is the model
Panasonic TH-50PZ80B - 50" Widescreen Viera 1080P Full HD Plasma, bought end of 2008.
£1100, a little treat at the time for 8 months in the sandpit.

You've lost me with the indepth technical talk, always willing to learn, all I know is, when building my home theatre system, I did lots of research, got lost in techno jargon, went to the professionals, like Lsound etc etc, and now have the following;

65" VT model Panasonic Plasma

Oppo BDP 105

ATI signature 6007 power amp

Ken Kreisel DXD 12012 subwoofers X4

Ken Kreisel Q125 centre, fronts, surrounds, and 2 more fronts ceiling mounted over seating area.

All cabling, Mark Grant cables.

I'm not looking forward to researching the techno jargon for when I replace the Plasma.

[Soran]

I'm confidant it doesn't have that function, it was one of the first flat screen Plasmas. I have also run out of HDMI ports so connectivity with PS3, Sky HD, HTPC and soundbar is less than ideal.
@ Soran, are you sure a Rasp Pi2 can drive UHD video, I would have though a NUC might be a better solution.

Yes a NUC would be better, but at around 8x the price. I only got the Pi as it is dirt cheap, and something to play around with. I don't have any UHD material anyway, and 99% of my media that is on hard drives is my old DVD collection. Not really got the time or patience to back up my Blu-ray collection, but I think the Pi will stream 1080p ok.
Think I need a tech clearout now though as I have 4 desktops, 3 laptops, 3 tablets + good knows how many gadgets, oh and a working Amiga A1200

[Bigfeet]

I went for a more simple setup for movies, have a Netgear NV+ nas running on my network connected to a WDTV Live media streamer. Films are ripped with MakeMKV and then encoded via Handbrake for compression with full AC3 and AAC sound support.

[Superfly Guy]

I went for a more simple setup for movies, have a Netgear NV+ nas running on my network connected to a WDTV Live media streamer. Films are ripped with MakeMKV and then encoded via Handbrake for compression with full AC3 and AAC sound support.

Same detail here ref MakeMKV and Handbrake, pays to have a powerful machine. My i7 at 5ghz pisses all over my AMD quad core @ 4.2ghz when it comes to encoding.
@ Czar, 65" is no good as the main viewing location is ideal for 50"
Il have a look at the screen I mentioned when im home in April, RGB is only a 30 min drive away, ive bought from them before, mega customer service. Now to find a home for the old TV.

[Superfly Guy]

Just found out they are bringing a newer model out in May.
http://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer...-50cx802b.html

[TypeDS3]

Hi Sfg
One thing that is easily overlooked when choosing a screen is viewing angle. Check that colour doesn't weaken when you are not immediately square on. I took back a Panasonic tv which had the best picture in John Lewis as when I got it home it only looked good sat in front of it. I ended up with a Sony Bravia, which I am really happy with, as it works seamlessly with the PlayStation and the smart functions are great, as well as updating itself!

[Superfly Guy]

I agree, and viewing distance for that matter, I have had a few friends who have said how much better my picture looks, I then go round their houses and notice they are sitting 6 feet from a 50" screen. Yes 1920x1080 is a good resolution but people don't realise that 2,073,600 pixels look better from a distance.

People also think bigger is better, a 42" screen at 1080 looks better than a 60" if viewed from 6 feet away, 2 million pixels spread over a huge screen equals lower image quality, very very noticeable unless at the correct distance.

Back to viewing angles and yes Plasma and IPS screens will always be the best in this respect so viewing angle is something I take into account, we have seats slightly left and right but the main viewing area is smack bang in front. Il be waiting to see the new Panny screen which are due out in May before making my decision

[TypeDS3]

Wise words again SFG !