Anyone have / use a 3D TV? What do you think of it?

[Nick]

I have a 58" Samsung FPT5884 that was awesome at the time, it's amazing how I only bought it about 4 years ago and they are already have the price, half the weight, with better picture.

No upgrades planned in the immediate future but what do you guys think of 3D tech in general? Gimmicky?

 

[Edd]

I don't have it but, like many people, I've watched some 3-D theatrical releases in the last few years. The quality of the 3-D varies for a few reasons but my takeaway is "who cares?"

The degree to which consumers have quickly adopted HDTV has been breathtaking. Obviously TV manufacturers will hunt for the next "big thing". I love HDTV but 3-D doesn't do it for me. I can't shake the feeling that we're being sold snake oil.

 

[gmcunni]

why, if you have glasses, can't you have 3D on your regular tv?

 

[Geoff]

Until you can watch 3D without the glasses, I have no interest.

 

[o3jeff]

I'm behind I guess. I just started shopping for my first flat screen tv and was debating between LCD and LED, didn't even thing about a 3D.

 

[Geoff]

I'm behind I guess. I just started shopping for my first flat screen tv and was debating between LCD and LED, didn't even thing about a 3D.

Plasma is by far the best picture quality for the dollar. You owe it to yourself to do a little research.

 

[wa-loaf]

I'm behind I guess. I just started shopping for my first flat screen tv and was debating between LCD and LED, didn't even thing about a 3D.

Plasma is by far the best picture quality for the dollar. You owe it to yourself to do a little research.

Also a huge energy hog. LED is the way to go unless you are shopping for a really huge screen.

 

[o3jeff]

Plasma is by far the best picture quality for the dollar. You owe it to yourself to do a little research.

Also a huge energy hog. LED is the way to go unless you are shopping for a really huge screen.

Thanks, I see a lot of deals on plasmas.

My eyes aren't that great anyways! Looking for a 40-46"

 

[Geoff]

Also a huge energy hog. LED is the way to go unless you are shopping for a really huge screen.

That's somewhat old data. New plasmas are far more efficient than even a few years ago. My plasma panels are Energy Star 4.0 rated. At factory default, a 50" Panasonic G20 plasma consumes 155 watts. With it calibrated, it's about 200 watts. This year's 50" panel pulls 190 watts calbrated. It's about 2x the power consumption of an LCD TV but the picture quality is far better and the panel costs a lot less. Over the lifetime of the panel, the added electricity cost offsets the significantly lower cost of the panel.

 

[gmcunni]

I have a panasonic plasma and vizio LCD The plasma has better looking pic.

 

[ERJ-145CA]

Until you can watch 3D without the glasses, I have no interest.

Apparently the technology is available, I have a Nintendo 3DS which is 3D with no glasses. I'd assume they could scale it up. The drawback is it would be a very narrow field. If you don't look straight at the 3DS you see a double image.

 

[deadheadskier]

I have a 42" Panasonic Plasma that I purchased 4 years ago. Even at just 720, the picture is great for what we use it for, mainly watching sports.

I wonder what the difference in monthly cost is to run my Plasma vs a similarly sized LCD or LED.

 

[Geoff]

I have a 42" Panasonic Plasma that I purchased 4 years ago. Even at just 720, the picture is great for what we use it for, mainly watching sports.

I wonder what the difference in monthly cost is to run my Plasma vs a similarly sized LCD or LED.

Electricity in New England costs $0.14 to $0.17 per kilowatt-hour. A 4 year old 42" plasma pulls around 250 to 300 watts (new ones are half that). Figure 5 or 6 cents per hour. A new 42" LCD pulls less than 100 watts.

If you you have your plasma powered on 4 hours per day, you probably consume $6 or $7 of electricity per month. An LED might be $2 to $3 per month.

Personally, I think a few bucks per month is worth it for the much better picture quality. To get an equivalent quality LED panel that still won't have the refresh rate or black levels of a good plasma, you have to spend twice as much. If you watch sports or Blu Ray, it's a no brainer. You'll never make it back on your electric bill savings. The new plasma panels are much more efficient. It makes the cost of ownership math even better.

I used to have a monster 36" Sony Wega XBR tube TV. That pulled 250 watts for a much smaller screen.

 

[deadheadskier]

$6-$7 a month vs. $2-$3.

Yeah, not getting bent out of shape over a gallon and a half of gasoline :lol: