OT: What HDTV do you have for games? Preferably LED-LCD

[Baumer582]

I bought a Samsung Plasma (PN51E550) last summer, and while I really love the TV (Smart TV, 3D, deep blacks, great viewing angles, just an overall great picture), it is HORRIBLE to watch hockey on it.

Like most plasmas, it is forced to run an auto brightness feature (ABL) during very bright scenes, and hockey is ruined because of it. (The screen flickers as the camera pans across the ice ALL THE TIME)

It really is a great TV, but since watching the Rangers is a big part of my TV viewing, I need a quality TV to do the job.

I have my eye on a 50 inch Sony LED (KDL-50R550A). Since I can't be throwing money at new TVs every year, I only want to spend <$1000. Ideally it's also 3D and Smart Capable (that Sony I'm looking at is both)


Before i go for the Sony, does anyone have any recommendations?

50 inch or less LED where Ranger games look great.

Thanks!

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[SirGoose]

I have the Samsung F5500 plasma, I was experiencing the same ABL issues as you, and while I was not able to get rid of them you can heavily alleviate the issue by adding some more blue to your picture and using the "Cool" color setting. I don't see anymore pops, and the picture looks brighter. Pretty much ideal for watching in a dark room.

 

[Mrpuck]

I have a Panasonic Viera plasma that we always watch the game on and have never noticed this before. Not saying I don't believe you, but that sucks...

What happens during bright scenes in a movie? You get the same flicker? First I ever heard of this and I have 4 plasma's in the house.

 

[Baumer582]

I have a Panasonic Viera plasma that we always watch the game on and have never noticed this before. Not saying I don't believe you, but that sucks...

What happens during bright scenes in a movie? You get the same flicker? First I ever heard of this and I have 4 plasma's in the house.

I have the Samsung F5500 plasma, I was experiencing the same ABL issues as you, and while I was not able to get rid of them you can heavily alleviate the issue by adding some more blue to your picture and using the "Cool" color setting. I don't see anymore pops, and the picture looks brighter. Pretty much ideal for watching in a dark room.

It happens a little bit in movies as well, but oddly enough, I'm more focused on it during sports. I guess once I saw it and read other people had that issue, I keyed in on it.


I will definitely mess with my settings as you've suggested g00se. My in-laws said they'd take my TV, so I can always hold off on giving it to them while I try and figure it out.

 

[wolfgaze]

go to AVS Forum website and search for a thread discussion on your tv model and see if a fix or work-around has been found for the issue you are experiencing.

 

[Baumer582]

go to AVS Forum website and search for a thread discussion on your tv model and see if a fix or work-around has been found for the issue you are experiencing.

Trust me, I've definitely done that. I've got my picture settings just how I like them, but ABL is pretty much un-fixable. I suppose it's not that big of an issue, but once you notice it, it annoys the hell out of you.

 

[Machinehead]

I don't know, my dad doesn't let me touch it. All I know is it's big and it "cost me and arm and a leg, so don't go anywhere near it."

 

[Cliffy1814]

I have a Panasonic Viera plasma that we always watch the game on and have never noticed this before. Not saying I don't believe you, but that sucks...

What happens during bright scenes in a movie? You get the same flicker? First I ever heard of this and I have 4 plasma's in the house.

I have the Panosonic Viera Plasma in my den. I prefer this set for sports to my LCD set of similar size.
The picture compares favorably IMO and PLASMA is so cheap compared to LCD that I am not sure how you can go wrong?

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Do you HAVE to have LED? I have an LED TV but I would much prefer a plasma. I merely have it because I got a great price on it at the time and my room is laughably bright.

 

[Broadway Brad]

Get a Panasonic Plasma. They're much better than Samsungs.

If you want an LED, Panasonic is the top rated one. Samsungs are too bright. Sony and LG are outstanding as well.

 

[RangersFan]

Are you guys watching in standard mode (probably the 2nd worst mode to watch, the 1st being dynamic or vivid). The screen flickering, at least for Panasonic plasmas occurs when you watch on standard because of the C.A.T.S. ambient light setting. Because of the large reflective white ice surface and all the flickering camera and lights in the arena and plasma's superior processing of that ambient light you get the flicker or flashes, so unfortunately hockey viewing can be difficult. However simply getting some good custom settings solves this, at least for Panasonic. I don't know the fix for Samsung.

 

[wolfgaze]

Trust me, I've definitely done that. I've got my picture settings just how I like them, but ABL is pretty much un-fixable. I suppose it's not that big of an issue, but once you notice it, it annoys the hell out of you.

not even fixable within the service menu or with a firmware update????

 

[Jabroni]

Panasonic Plasma. Refresh Rate is a factor when watching sports, especially hockey. If you have an LCD TV, the refresh rate is almost definitely less than that of a Plasma, so the puck will be blurry when moving at high speeds.

 

[Gardner McKay]

I bought a Samsung Plasma (PN51E550) last summer, and while I really love the TV (Smart TV, 3D, deep blacks, great viewing angles, just an overall great picture), it is HORRIBLE to watch hockey on it.

Like most plasmas, it is forced to run an auto brightness feature (ABL) during very bright scenes, and hockey is ruined because of it. (The screen flickers as the camera pans across the ice ALL THE TIME)

It really is a great TV, but since watching the Rangers is a big part of my TV viewing, I need a quality TV to do the job.

I have my eye on a 50 inch Sony LED (KDL-50R550A). Since I can't be throwing money at new TVs every year, I only want to spend <$1000. Ideally it's also 3D and Smart Capable (that Sony I'm looking at is both)


Before i go for the Sony, does anyone have any recommendations?

50 inch or less LED where Ranger games look great.

Thanks!

I have a 50 inch Panasonic Vierra that I use for Gaming and Hockey. Never noticed that problem. I think its just Samsungs Plasmas. Truthfully I would never get an LED or LCD. You can't beat the 600HZ refresh rate of Plasma compared to the 120 or 240 of LED.

 

[Jabroni]

I have a 50 inch Panasonic Vierra that I use for Gaming and Hockey. Never noticed that problem. I think its just Samsungs Plasmas. Truthfully I would never get an LED or LCD. You can't beat the 600HZ refresh rate of Plasma compared to the 120 or 240 of LED.

LCD It's noticeable. Past a certain number it isn't detectible by the human eye. Not sure if LED TVs meet that criterion, but Plasmas do have the best refresh rates.

 

[Baumer582]

not even fixable within the service menu or with a firmware update????

I have a 50 inch Panasonic Vierra that I use for Gaming and Hockey. Never noticed that problem. I think its just Samsungs Plasmas. Truthfully I would never get an LED or LCD. You can't beat the 600HZ refresh rate of Plasma compared to the 120 or 240 of LED.

Wolf... ABL is forced upon most plasmas, so a firmware update won't fix it. I've also tinkered with the service menu and that doesn't allow you to switch it off.

Gardner... You are right about the refresh rates. Gaming and just about everything else looks fantastic on this TV. It's only hockey that annoys me, but that's just when the camera pans, so I guess it's not totally terrible.


I'm going to try and increase the Blue-Gain as suggested and hopefully that alleviates the issue. The bottom line is that it's a great TV and I shouldn't spend money on a new one if I don't really have to.


Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[GarretJoseph*]

80 inch in living room, 52 inch in bedroom and 14 inch in kitchen. The game is on all 3 so I walk around the apartment with surround sound and not miss a thing if I gotta cook, clean, lay down, whatever!

 

[broadwayblue]

If you're talking about a little TV (basically any flat panel) go with a Panasonic plasma. But if you want to do it right, nothing beats front projection. Unbeatable as far as overall experience is concerned. And there are quite a few affordable models out now for around $1,000. Seriously, once you go front projection you'll never go back. I can't imagine watching Rangers games on a <100" screen ever again.

 

[Jabroni]

If you're talking about a little TV (basically any flat panel) go with a Panasonic plasma. But if you want to do it right, nothing beats front projection. Unbeatable as far as overall experience is concerned. And there are quite a few affordable models out now for around $1,000. Seriously, once you go front projection you'll never go back. I can't imagine watching Rangers games on a <100" screen ever again.

I'm jealous. When I get my own house I plan on setting up a projector. My uncle is in the process of setting up a 1080p projector in his house.

 

[RangersFan]

for those who don't know what OP is talking about, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktlkxXNPkbg on a samsung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJClrJ6o7TE

FBr or fluctuating brightness occurs because of flash photography and strobe lights in many arenas. it doesn't occur watching other sports because the playing field of the white ice is much more reflective. because of the advanced processing of plasma's it picks up on the millisecond of flash and adjusts the brightness (C.A.T.S. on panasonic, ABL on samsung). Fortunately for Panasonic owners it can be turned off and Hockey viewing is great once it's disabled. I am not sure if there is a work around for Samsung sets.

 

[Mr Atoz*]

I have a Samsung LCD. It is several years old (1080p), so the model number isn't that important but I think it's A-650. I waited years to get a big screen TV until I thought the quality was reliable and price was worth it. I used to be a photographer/cameraman. I've never trusted plasmas but I haven't looked for a TV in a while. My reception is perfect and I have no trouble following the puck. Most of my friends that bought TV's after me bought my model or the next model in the series and everyone of them are still being used with zero problems.

 

[#2eddieshore]

FBr or fluctuating brightness occurs because of flash photography and strobe lights in many arenas. it doesn't occur watching other sports because the playing field of the white ice is much more reflective. because of the advanced processing of plasma's it picks up on the millisecond of flash and adjusts the brightness (C.A.T.S. on panasonic, ABL on samsung).

So the important thing to check before buying a TV is whether ABL or CATS can be turned off?

 

[broadwayblue]

I'm jealous. When I get my own house I plan on setting up a projector. My uncle is in the process of setting up a 1080p projector in his house.

Yeah, it's great to know what happened well before Sam or JD figure it out. When you're 12 feet from a 112" picture you can see deflections, off-sides, and just so much more in general.

With the new projectors you don't even need to run an HDMI cable to some of them. Wireless HD makes setup a breeze. Or you can just go watch games at your uncle's...but I promise you it will be hard to watch at your place afterwards!

 

[pld459666]

I bought a Samsung Plasma (PN51E550) last summer, and while I really love the TV (Smart TV, 3D, deep blacks, great viewing angles, just an overall great picture), it is HORRIBLE to watch hockey on it.

Like most plasmas, it is forced to run an auto brightness feature (ABL) during very bright scenes, and hockey is ruined because of it. (The screen flickers as the camera pans across the ice ALL THE TIME)

It really is a great TV, but since watching the Rangers is a big part of my TV viewing, I need a quality TV to do the job.

I have my eye on a 50 inch Sony LED (KDL-50R550A). Since I can't be throwing money at new TVs every year, I only want to spend <$1000. Ideally it's also 3D and Smart Capable (that Sony I'm looking at is both)


Before i go for the Sony, does anyone have any recommendations?

50 inch or less LED where Ranger games look great.

Thanks!

I have a 48' samsung plasma and have had NO issues with watching HD games.

 

[pld459666]

for those who don't know what OP is talking about, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktlkxXNPkbg on a samsung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJClrJ6o7TE

FBr or fluctuating brightness occurs because of flash photography and strobe lights in many arenas. it doesn't occur watching other sports because the playing field of the white ice is much more reflective. because of the advanced processing of plasma's it picks up on the millisecond of flash and adjusts the brightness (C.A.T.S. on panasonic, ABL on samsung). Fortunately for Panasonic owners it can be turned off and Hockey viewing is great once it's disabled. I am not sure if there is a work around for Samsung sets.

As mentioned in a previous post, I have a Samsung Plasma and I do not experience anything similar to what is shown in both of those toutube clips.

I feel bad for you guys. That would kill my watching experience.