Help me pick a plasma

steveinaz

Ok, here's what I'm looking for:

1080p, plasma
55"-60"
3D IS NOT necessary
Respectable, but doesn't need to be top-of-the-line
No need for any additional features (Wireless, crapware, etc)

Just a basic, solid, 2-D 1080p plasma. What are some models that are getting good reviews and relatively inexpensive (below $1500)? Please don't recommend any LED/LCD; it must be a plasma. Picture quality is far more important than features.

pitdogg2

LG pk550 60"

Panisonic S2

both below 1000.00

Knucklehead

My vote goes to the Panny 52, Ive had my Panny for 4 years with zero problems and no picture deg-ration whatsoever.

steveinaz

Also, any bad things to watch out for--I've heard talk of certain Panasonic models losing black levels, etc...

steveinaz

I'm assuming all plasmas can be wall mounted, is that correct?

cheddar

Flat panels like plasmas usually come with a set of standard sized mounting screw holes on the back. But not all mounts work with all flat panels. You don't have to go expensive, but do think through what kind of mount you buy and what you want it to do (swing away from the wall, hug the wall tight, have enough room for wires/connections in the back, etc.).

I ended up getting a long mount that used three wall studs to support a 60". As much for the ability to center the panel properly on the wall as for the support of the extra wall stud.

concealer404

steveinaz wrote: »

Also, any bad things to watch out for--I've heard talk of certain Panasonic models losing black levels, etc...

I believe that issue has been fixed, and later reports showed that you'd NEVER be able to tell the difference anyways.

+1 for Panny. I couldn't be happier with mine. (Well, maybe if it was bigger. )

halo71

I know, totally off subject. But is the general consensus that plasma have better pictures than LED's?

steveinaz

Two things put me off LED/LCD's

Motion blur
Off-angle viewing, which in our room can be an issue

steveinaz

Is the Panasonic TC-P58S2 a good choice? at $1100 at Sears, seems like a hellava deal.

billbillw

Yes, the general consensus is that Plasmas still have the best overall picture when watching in a darkened (theater style) room.

Steve, If you aren't in a hurry, I'd keep my eyes open for a deal on the LG 60PX950. I've seen them selling around $1600 or slightly lower. That is LGs TOTL. It is 3D, but you don't have to use it.

Panasonics don't really differentiate themselves from the competitors like they used to (with respect to the picture quality and reliability).

Although I'm a Panny plasma owner, I don't know if I'd buy another. My first one had image quality issues and it was replaced under warranty. The 2nd one has been fine, but my brother had a Panny plasma that died from a panel failure after only 2 years! Luckily he had an extended warranty that gave him enough to buy a replacement, but still.

In the last couple years, LG and Samsung have pretty much caught up to Panasonic with respect to black levels. In some instances they have better color quality and better image processing as well.

billbillw

steveinaz wrote: »

Is the Panasonic TC-P58S2 a good choice? at $1100 at Sears, seems like a hellava deal.

Steve, If you go for Panasonic, I'd probably hold out for a G or V series for better image quality. The S2 is for people who aren't picky about image quality.

jimmydep

I've had my 50" Panasonic plasma going on 5 years now, with absolutely no problems.
2 years ago I bought my mother a 50" 1080p panny and it has no problems either. I must say that the newer Panny has a much better HD picture than mine.

My brother has a 1 year old Sharp Aquos LCD which has a beautiful picture I'd say it's just as good as the plasma, when viewing at a very steep angle you do get that blur, but it's not as bad as the older models I've seen. He has it on an articulating mount so it's really not an issue at all.

All things being equal I still like the plasma's picture better, and they seem to be priced more reasonably than the other technologies.

steveinaz

Thanks guys, keep the info coming!

pitdogg2

I just bought the Panasonic TC-P50S2 at Sears for 749.00 3weeks ago. It was between that and the LG pk550. Went with the Panny because it has the anti-reflective coating which does make it a little softer picture than the LG but I could deal with that more than seeing everything in my room.

Beta

I just went through the same exercise and decision making process. Everything I researched lead me to plasma. My conclusion was that the general public may not know that past concerns with plasmas have been mostly resolved. Therefore, it seemed to me that pricing on quality plasmas was far more competitive than that of quality LCDs. Motion blur sealed the deal for me. I bought from an on-line retailer and saved a significant amount of money.

I ended up buying the Samsung PN63C8000. I have had it about a month and I am extremely happy with it. Samsung also makes a 7000 series. Both the 8000 and 7000 series are 1.4 inches think. They also make a 590 and 550 series. These are about 2.8 inches thick but don't have as many features as the upper end series. However, I liked the picture quality on all the Samsungs and I would be happy owning any of them.

I previously had an older 46 inch Sony LCD. Fortunately, the mount I had used for this TV fits my Samsung perfectly. I really like this mount. It's very basic, but very solid.

http://www.premiermounts.com/product.asp?PartId=1156

pitdogg2

billbillw wrote: »

Steve, If you go for Panasonic, I'd probably hold out for a G or V series for better image quality. The S2 is for people who aren't picky about image quality.

well I shopped both and yes the G series are more expensive but to say the S2 series are for people who aren't picky about image quality is a BOLD statement. I for one could see very little difference between the two. I'm very happy with my TC-p50s2 and it is second from the top to the G series.
I'm very picky about image quality and that was my main concern, not that I needed to spend another 300.00 to 400.00 to step up to get a G series in the same size.

cstmar01

pitdogg2 wrote: »

well I shopped both and yes the G series are more expensive but to say the S2 series are for people who aren't picky about image quality is a BOLD statement. I for one could see very little difference between the two. I'm very happy with my TC-p50s2 and it is second from the top to the G series.
I'm very picky about image quality and that was my main concern, not that I needed to spend another 300.00 to 400.00 to step up to get a G series in the same size.

There is a difference that you can notice between the two. Throw the G20 into THX mode vs really anything the S2 has (normally cinema is the closest) and you will notice a difference.

The G20 also has the black panel to reduce glare even more and better black level, it does perform better than the S2.

The S2 is nice but I think for the G it is worth the difference. The G in THX mode is very good for its color and black levels and probably even wouldn't need to be calibrated. Also the rising black levels was tested by Home Theater Mag and was nothing really to cause concerns.

Some people on AVS talk about floating blacks, which who knows. Out of all the ones I've seen I've never noticed it.

ken brydson

Another vote for Panny. I've had my 50" G10 for about a year with heavy use and am still amazed by the PQ. Check out MP for your mount. I got a very sturdy scissor arm model for less than $75 shipped. That type will run you $250-300 in a store. Just my .02.....

billbillw

pitdogg2 wrote: »

well I shopped both and yes the G series are more expensive but to say the S2 series are for people who aren't picky about image quality is a BOLD statement. I for one could see very little difference between the two. I'm very happy with my TC-p50s2 and it is second from the top to the G series.
I'm very picky about image quality and that was my main concern, not that I needed to spend another 300.00 to 400.00 to step up to get a G series in the same size.

If you were comparing the sets in a store, then you really can't judge the differences accurately. The differences come in black levels and color accuracy both of which are very hard to judge in store.

B&W802d

#1- Panasonic VT series
#2- LG PK550 series

IMO, I would look no further than one of these two. End of story. Both offer slight advantages over the other in certain areas but the Panny is better imo because of better blacks and better for gaming.:biggrin:

billbillw

Steve,
You might also consider the Samsung C6500 series. From what I've read, the 6500 is the equivalent of the 7000 series, but without 3D. That C7000 is highly reviewed and is ranked in the top 5 for 2010 by CNET.

If you are willing to chance an 'open box', Amazon has a bunch of the 58" size from their 'warehouse' deals for right around $1500. There are a couple that are supposedly 'like new'. I've read that the Samsung 1year warranty does apply to these despite the fact that Amazon is pushing a Square Trade warranty on these. The SQ warranty would apply after the factory warranty expired, so it would be like a 2nd year of warranty.

Just search for PN58C6500 at amazon, then click on the 'more buying choices' tab. For each of the ones in the warehouse deals, it will show if there are any imperfections if you click on 'read more'.

steveinaz

Thanks fellers....

tonyb

Have we confused the crap out of ya yet ?

I'll set my vote for the panny. G series or better that is. Seems to me once you fall below a certain price point, all the brands start looking like a mid priced Vizeo.

steveinaz

No, it all helps and gives me ideas at what to look at. The panny TC-P54G20 looks like it might be perfect.

gdb

This site(Link below) is very much pro Samsung, I am not, I bought a 50" 1080 Panny just before the last Superbowl and I still love it! They're even cheaper now and with more features too ! If you're watching in a brightly lit room a plasma might not perform as well as an LCD/LED, in a darker room.....no effin contest! (IMHO):biggrin:

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatv/compare-reviews.php

stangjason

I recommend buying a Panasonic that has the Kuro technology in it. My dad just bought a 58" Panny Plasma and it has a pretty good picture but I was happy to get home and watch my 50" Pioneer and it's just 720p.

billbillw

steveinaz wrote: »

No, it all helps and gives me ideas at what to look at. The panny TC-P54G20 looks like it might be perfect.

Yeah, but isn't 58 better than 54 ?

<jk>
Where are you finding that model? Costco?

steveinaz

Amazon, Sears, etc...

stangjason

Here you go.
http://www.worldwidevoltage.com/panasonic-50pv80h-multisystem-tv.html

billbillw

steveinaz wrote: »

Amazon, Sears, etc...

G20 or G25? I see the G25 on various sites, but not the G20. That's why I was asking.