Just added a new TV to the household, and ended up getting one of those new ones that has internet connectivity built into it. I've got to say, I expected it to be gimmicky but not particularly useful, but having played around with it a bit, it's pretty damn cool. I've got an actual computer hooked up to another TV, and I can't think of any good reason why I'd bother with that anymore because this is so well integrated into the TV. Primary apps I'm using:

YouTube Amazon On Demand Picasa Pandora

Add Hulu into the mix, and I might cut off my DirecTV.

They've spoken for years about using broadband connections as the primary way of delivering TV content; they finally seem to have done it in a way that actually makes that practical...

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What tv did you get toasty. My initial sentiments are like your's i.e. Internet on TV will be gimmicky.

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Panasonic G20-Series 50" 1080p Plasma

[url]http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Televisions/VIERA-2010-HDTV-Series/VIERA-G20-Series-Plasma-1080p-HDTVs/model.TC-P50G20_11002_7000000000000005702[/url]

It's got built-in Skype as well, although I've not bothered to hook that up yet.

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DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE That's the one I'm most likely going to plonk my cash on. I'd like to get the V20 (if I can convince the mrs.) but being almost double in price, the G20 looks like it will be the most likely pick.

Nice Buy :RockOn:

Where'd you get it?

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Best Buy. They had a deal going at the time where they threw in a Blu-Ray and Home Theatre set up, plus delivery and hookup for less than the normal price of the TV. The TV is in my daughter's play room, so I hadn't planned on bothering to get that stuff, but since they threw it in, all the better.

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Awesome, grats on the new purchase. Panny is putting out the best plasma's at the moment. I'd sneak that into the master bedroom if I could ;)

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[QUOTE=Kamal;862432] I'd sneak that into the master bedroom if I could ;)[/QUOTE]

Already have a 50" Samsung Plasma in the Master, actually. 8)

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Swap that shit. Believe me, you'll be able to tell a day and night difference in the blacks/contrast ratios on the new G20. It's truly a remarkable TV.

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[QUOTE=Kamal;862529]Swap that shit. Believe me, you'll be able to tell a day and night difference in the blacks/contrast ratios on the new G20. It's truly a remarkable TV.[/QUOTE]

We're actually doing more TV watching in the play room right now -- she's 15 months and our house is not really toddler friendly, so we built this space so she'd have a place to play that was totally safe for her, but because she's still too young to leave unattended, we're spending a lot of time down there with her. Gotta have something to keep us entertained, you know.

...And you're right, by the way, the picture is just phenomenal. We've got a number of big screens in the house, and it blows them all away.

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[QUOTE=toasty;862543]We're actually doing more TV watching in the play room right now -- she's 15 months and our house is not really toddler friendly, so we built this space so she'd have a place to play that was totally safe for her, but because she's still too young to leave unattended, we're spending a lot of time down there with her. Gotta have something to keep us entertained, you know.[/QUOTE]

makes sense then..

[QUOTE=toasty;862543]...And you're right, by the way, the picture is just phenomenal. We've got a number of big screens in the house, and it blows them all away.[/QUOTE]

that just seals the deal for me all the more..... NICE.

I was contemplating Sharp's new Quattron and I read a lot of reviews on the AVS forums where people coming from Sony (XBRs) and other TVs couldn't stop harping about how good it looks. I was also contemplating Sony's new HX 7XX series and the 2 Panny models but after your comments, I think I'll go with the G20.

The only concern I still have with Plasma's is the rising MLLs i.e. the blacks fade to grey because the plasma cells need more and more juice over time to fire with the same intensity and so they start to fade - esp the blacks. Some people say they never notice it, others say its so evident its downright crazy. These must be videophiles because I've been using a rear projection LCD for over 2 years now and I haven't notice a change in my tvs clarity. Granted it's not a plasma and a lot of my viewing is now in hidef, but even rear projection lamps are supposed to diminish/weaken over time and my noob eye hasnt caught much to date.

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[QUOTE=Kamal;862618] I was contemplating Sharp's new Quattron and I read a lot of reviews on the AVS forums where people coming from Sony (XBRs) and other TVs couldn't stop harping about how good it looks. I was also contemplating Sony's new HX 7XX series and the 2 Panny models but after your comments, I think I'll go with the G20. [/QUOTE]

I took a look at those, and to be completely honest, they definitely looked better when placed next to a TV that only used 3 color channels, but I'm not sure I would notice the difference with it just sitting there by itself without something else there for comparison. Moreover, it wasn't so much of a difference to justify the fairly significant price upgrade, IMO.

[QUOTE=Kamal;862618] The only concern I still have with Plasma's is the rising MLLs i.e. the blacks fade to grey because the plasma cells need more and more juice over time to fire with the same intensity and so they start to fade - esp the blacks. Some people say they never notice it, others say its so evident its downright crazy. These must be videophiles because I've been using a rear projection LCD for over 2 years now and I haven't notice a change in my tvs clarity. Granted it's not a plasma and a lot of my viewing is now in hidef, but even rear projection lamps are supposed to diminish/weaken over time and my noob eye hasnt caught much to date.[/QUOTE]

I've heard that as well, but I got my first plasma 3.5 years ago, and I've not really noticed any problems at this point. The other thing I kinda like about plasma is the refresh rate is just not an issue at all. Entry level LCDs refresh at 60 Hz, better ones at 120 Hz, and the high-end models refresh at 240 Hz. With plasmas, however, they all refresh at 600 Hz, as far as I'm aware, and that makes a difference when you're watching anything where people or objects are, you know, [I]moving[/I]. The blacks on a plasma are just better than an LCD, IMO, too.

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[QUOTE=toasty;862683]I've heard that as well, but I got my first plasma 3.5 years ago, and I've not really noticed any problems at this point. The other thing I kinda like about plasma is the refresh rate is just not an issue at all. Entry level LCDs refresh at 60 Hz, better ones at 120 Hz, and the high-end models refresh at 240 Hz. With plasmas, however, they all refresh at 600 Hz, as far as I'm aware, and that makes a difference when you're watching anything where people or objects are, you know, [I]moving[/I]. The blacks on a plasma are just better than an LCD, IMO, too.[/QUOTE]

That's the kind of positive reinforcement that will convince me to buy a Panny Plasma. Btw have you tried to adjust the settings yet? See post# 3 of this thread - [url]http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1232441[/url]

That dude is really looked up to on the avs forums.

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[QUOTE=Kamal;862702]That's the kind of positive reinforcement that will convince me to buy a Panny Plasma. Btw have you tried to adjust the settings yet? See post# 3 of this thread - [url]http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1232441[/url]

That dude is really looked up to on the avs forums.[/QUOTE]

Have not, but thanks for the link, will def. do that when I get a chance!

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btw did you buy the extended warranty from BB?

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[URL="http://www.jlc-software.com/?page=internet_tv.html"]http://www.jlc-software.com/?page=internet_tv.html[/URL]

[QUOTE]JLC's Internet TV is a FREE program for watching and browsing thousands of TV channels freely available on the internet. It's probably the biggest and most up to date database of channels ever, and users are able to submit, rate and flag channels. And with the new flagging and rating system you'll easily see which channels works and which is worth to watch and our goal is to bring you the best online TV experience out there![/QUOTE]

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[QUOTE=Kamal;863154]btw did you buy the extended warranty from BB?[/QUOTE]

did not. I always go back and forth on them with big purchases like that, but my general view is that if you've truly got a lemon, the problem is going to manifest itself within the warranty period. I view the EWC as BS in every other context, just have to remind myself that it's not different just because it's a TV.

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Oh shite! Yet another gadget ends up on my "must have" list ...lol

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My buddy Scott had Apple TV 3 years ago... I thought it was brilliant then, and have been using Apple TV ever since...

[IMG]http://watchitguide.net/guide/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/apple-tv-21.jpg[/IMG]

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last time I checked, it was too limited in its ability to play different formats (especially mkv), which is one of the biggest reasons I didn't dive into it. Nearly everything you get these days on the web is an mkv (especially if its H.264)

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[QUOTE=toasty;862430]Best Buy. They had a deal going at the time where they threw in a Blu-Ray and Home Theatre set up, plus delivery and hookup for less than the normal price of the TV.[/QUOTE]

One more Q, what Home Theater setup did they throw in? Can you PM me pricing? I'll try to get a similar deal cause I'm about 2 weeks away from picking up my new TV.

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It was a Panasonic Blu-Ray 5.1 set-up. Probably wouldn't be acceptable for a theater room, but totally meets our needs for this relatively small space inhabited primarily by toddlers. I honestly have no clue on the pricing off the top of my head, will have to look.

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Is it the Panasonic Home Theater system with Wireless rear speakers?