Podcast Summary: Home Theater Geeks 494: Best Plasma TV Replacement?

Release Date: August 7, 2025
Host: Scott Wilkerson
Podcast: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)

Introduction

In this episode of Home Theater Geeks, host Scott Wilkerson tackles Edwin Boone's inquiry about replacing his 12-year-old Panasonic Viera Plasma TV. Scott delves deep into the evolution of television technology, comparing plasma with modern alternatives, and offers comprehensive recommendations tailored to different budgets.

Edwin Boone's Query

Edwin Boone reached out with concerns regarding his aging 60-inch Panasonic Viera Plasma TV, which has served him well for over a decade. Despite its age, Edwin ensures its longevity by:

• Environmental Care: Keeping the TV away from direct sunlight and using it primarily after sunset.
• Maintenance: Occasionally using a leaf blower to clear vent areas.
• Usage Habits: Completely turning off the TV after use to prevent potential electronic failures.

Quote:

[01:31] Scott Wilkerson: "I'm very happy with the plasma, but it can't go on forever. Any advice about which models might be comparable these days?"

Longevity and Maintenance of Plasma TVs

Scott acknowledges the durability of Panasonic Plasma TVs, ranking them just behind the revered Pioneer Kuro plasmas. However, he raises concerns about the eventual decline of plasma technology and highlights maintenance tips to prolong their lifespan:

• Avoiding Image Retention: Prolonged static images can cause temporary or permanent burn-in. Scott advises against pausing content for extended periods unless a screensaver is active.
• Content Considerations: Watching programs with persistent elements like news tickers or video game scoreboards can exacerbate image retention issues.

Quote:

[02:20] Scott Wilkerson: "Plasmas were particularly susceptible to this, so I would recommend not doing that."

Limitations of Plasma TVs: Transitioning to Modern Technologies

Scott identifies two significant limitations of plasma TVs in today's market:

1. 4K/UHD Resolution: Modern content increasingly adopts 4K resolution, which plasma TVs cannot fully utilize.
2. High Dynamic Range (HDR): HDR substantially enhances picture quality by improving contrast and color accuracy—features absent in plasma technology.

He emphasizes that HDR, in particular, has a more pronounced impact on visual quality compared to the leap from HD to 4K.

Quote:

[05:45] Scott Wilkerson: "High dynamic range or HDR is far more important in my opinion. There's quite a bit of 4K UHD content out there now and your plasma can't take full advantage of it, but it also can't take full advantage of high dynamic range, which is really important."

Comparing Television Technologies: Plasma vs. OLED vs. LED

Scott presents a detailed comparison between plasma, OLED, and LED (LED-backlit LCD) TVs:

• Plasma:

  • Pros: Excellent color accuracy and motion handling.
  • Cons: Susceptible to burn-in, no longer manufactured.

• OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode):

  • Pros: Superior contrast with true blacks, excellent off-axis viewing angles, and rich color reproduction.
  • Cons: Generally more expensive than LED TVs.

• LED TVs:

  • Pros: Often brighter than OLEDs and more affordable.
  • Cons: Struggle with achieving perfect blacks and off-axis viewing.

Scott advocates for OLED as the closest modern equivalent to plasma, offering enhanced picture quality and minimizing many of plasma's drawbacks.

Quote:

[06:30] Scott Wilkerson: "The most comparable TV technology today is OLED, which I prefer over the other primary television technology, which is LED backlit LCD, which is called LED TV for short."

Recommendations for Replacement TVs

Scott categorizes his recommendations based on budget, focusing on under and over $2,000 options.

Under $2,000

1. LG C5 Series:

   • Features: 120Hz refresh rate, available in 55", 65", and larger sizes.
   • Pricing: 55" at approximately $1,400; 65" at around $1,600.
   • Highlight: Offers excellent balance between performance and price.

2. Sony Bravia 8 Series:

   • Features: Superior processing capabilities, Dolby Vision support.
   • Pricing: Slightly higher than Samsung but praised for better image processing.
   • Highlight: Recommended for users prioritizing image quality and color accuracy.

3. Panasonic Z85A:

   • Features: Conventional OLED with competitive pricing.
   • Pricing: Approximately $1,000 for a 65-inch model.
   • Highlight: Represents a cost-effective OLED option.

Quote:

[15:30] Scott Wilkerson: "The LG C5 and Sony Bravia 8 are really, really good. And these are all good OLEDs generally are exceptionally good."

Over $2,000

1. Sony A95L and Bravia 8 Mark 2:

   • Features: QD OLED technology, enhanced brightness, and superior processing.
   • Pricing: Starting around $2,000 for the 55-inch models.
   • Highlight: QD OLED offers the best current TV technology, closely mirroring plasma's performance.

2. LG G4 and G5 Series:

   • Features: Advanced OLED capabilities with improved brightness and processing.
   • Pricing: Approximately $3,200 for a 65-inch model.
   • Highlight: High-end models with top-tier features for discerning enthusiasts.

3. Panasonic Z95A and Samsung QD OLEDs:

   • Features: Panasonic's resurgence into OLED; Samsung's Quantum Dot OLEDs for enhanced color saturation.
   • Pricing: Up to $3,300 for premium 65-inch models.
   • Highlight: Samsung's QD OLEDs maintain higher color saturation at brighter levels.

Quote:

[16:10] Scott Wilkerson: "In the over $2,000 category, I would still recommend the Sonys, either the A95L or the Bravia 8 Mark 2. Those are all QD OLEDs as well."

Brand-Specific Insights

• LG:

  • Strengths: Wide range of models, exemplary OLED performance.
  • Notes: The transition from B series to C series offers increased brightness and better processing.

• Sony:

  • Strengths: Superior image processing, Dolby Vision support.
  • Notes: Slightly pricier but deemed worth the investment for enhanced picture quality.

• Samsung:

  • Strengths: Quantum Dot OLED technology for vibrant colors.
  • Cons: Does not support Dolby Vision, which Scott views as a drawback despite the technological advancements.

• Panasonic:

  • Strengths: Competitive pricing for OLEDs, reliable performance.
  • Notes: Recently re-entered the US market with OLED offerings after discontinuing plasma TVs.

Quote:

[14:50] Scott Wilkerson: "The reason I normally don't recommend Samsung TVs is not because they're not good TVs. They are good TVs but they don't support Dolby Vision."

Final Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

Scott emphasizes the superiority of OLED technology over traditional LCD-based TVs, highlighting their exceptional picture quality and viewing angles. For those replacing a plasma TV like Edwin's, Scott strongly advocates for OLEDs, particularly QD OLEDs, as the modern counterpart to plasma's performance.

He advises selecting appropriate picture modes—such as cinema, movie, or filmmaker modes—to ensure optimal calibration and visual fidelity. Additionally, he praises Sony for their factory-calibrated sets, enhancing user experience straight out of the box.

Scott wraps up by encouraging listeners to reach out with further questions and promotes TWiT's offerings, including free YouTube content and an ad-free club subscription.

Conclusion

For viewers seeking to replace older plasma TVs, OLED—especially QD OLED—stands out as the premier choice, balancing cutting-edge technology with exceptional picture quality. Whether working within a budget or opting for high-end models, the recommendations provided cater to a range of preferences and financial considerations, ensuring a satisfying upgrade for home theater enthusiasts.

Notable Quote from the Episode:

[15:30] Scott Wilkerson: "OLEDs generally are exceptionally good. They're just a much better technology in my opinion than LCD, any LCD-based TV."