Plasma TV's assistance

ajanzalone

Moving up from CRT TV to my 1st Flat screen HDTV.
It appears that Plasma is the best bang for the Money for size & picture quality.

Looking to get a 46" or 50" 1080p
I have been considering:
Panasonic TC P50S30, LG 50PK540 or Sami PN51D550

I am not interested in 3D or wearing glasses to achieve some new marketing gimmicks.
I would like to get the best picture quality and/or newest electronics I can on a budget.

I have been searching and watching the net and have not seen any real price reductions or great deals since the last black friday in 2010 :frown:

If no deals show up "memorial day" weekend I may have to wait till the next black friday I guess?

Any thoughts & opinions appreciated ..

Tony

gdb

Sami sucks, Panny good!:cool:

exalted512

I have a samsung and love it. Typically, the best time to buy is Black Friday and the weekend before the superbowl.

Some places will refund you the difference if the price drops within 90 days, which the superbowl is within 90 days of black friday. I believe Best Buy does this.

I found the best deal to be on Amazon when we got ours. Crutchfield also has pretty good deals on TVs every now and then.
-Cody

steveinaz

I've got the panasonic TC-P58S2 and love it. Mine was $1300---and no special sale.

Joe08867

1. Panasonic
2. Sami
3. LG

billbillw

Tony,
Did you have a price limit in mind? By your listed models, I'm guessing you are shooting for under $1k. There are usually some sales from the online stores over the holiday weekends. Might see some minor sales at B&M stores, but I wouldn't expect much unless you have a big discount store like Frys or Brandsmart near you (don't think there are any around Tampa though).

As the weekend approaches, check Vanns, Amazon, and OneCall for sales.

Honestly, I don't think you will see 1080p plasma sets drop much below their current prices until they are on closeout.

Don't forget to check Vann's Clearance Outlet as well as Amazon Warehouse. They both have good deals on open box units. Same warranty, lower price.

EndersShadow

Dont forget to check with your job to see if you get any discounts. I know I get some decent deals from Panasonic directly and also get deals on Crutchfield and other vendors.

Conradicles

billbillw wrote: »

Don't forget to check Vann's Clearance Outlet as well as Amazon Warehouse.

Bingo, some smokin' deals at times!:cool:

billbillw

For $869, I might consider one of these 50" Samsungs from last year's model. The C6500 series was supposedly the same panel etc as the higher model (C7000), but without 3D.
(Amazon Warehouse)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0036WT3XY/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1306183753&sr=1-4&condition=used

bassaholic

I bought last years model Panasonic TCP50GT25 a couple months ago... and I couldn't be happier. I'm sure the new models will be just as good if not better. I paid $871 shipped. Deals are out there just...keep look'in.

ajanzalone

Well thank You all for the info ....

So sadly it is pretty much wait for "black Friday" for a deep discount price ....
a true test of my patience lol

I will still be looking for a deal on 1080p older unit ....

I guess Panasonic is the way to go on plasma?
LCD/LED's scare me from all the reviews I read ....

Thanks
Tony

pitdogg2

Go look at the model you're interested in FIRST. I bring this up because I too looked at the LG's PK550 same model basically except the PK540 has Korean in the language menu. LG's have a great picture except the glass on the front is more reflective than a mirror. In my case I could not stand seeing all my room reflect off the glass even somewhat in the dark. The light from the TV lighting up my room would reflect the stuff. I went with the Panasonic 50" S2

billbillw

ajanzalone wrote: »

Well thank You all for the info ....

So sadly it is pretty much wait for "black Friday" for a deep discount price ....
a true test of my patience lol

I will still be looking for a deal on 1080p older unit ....

I guess Panasonic is the way to go on plasma?
LCD/LED's scare me from all the reviews I read ....

Thanks
Tony

Don't hold your hopes up too much for a BF deal on a 50" plasma. If they do have a really good deal, its usually a door buster type of deal that you will have to wait overnight for and still may not be guaranteed to get one.

You never answered what your price expectations are. I think $800 for a 50" 1080p plasma is pretty frickin sweet considering that a few years ago, you would pay $2k minimum for one. I honestly don't see them going much lower. The electronics inside can't be made much cheaper than they already are.

ajanzalone

billbillw wrote: »

You never answered what your price expectations are. I think $800 for a 50" 1080p plasma is pretty frickin sweet considering that a few years ago, you would pay $2k minimum for one. I honestly don't see them going much lower. The electronics inside can't be made much cheaper than they already are.

Yes I was trying to be under $1000 down to $750 on a 46" ....
I honestly thought in this economic slowdown the prices would be more aggressively reduced. especially here in depressed Polk County, Florida

I looked at the Panasonic TCP50S30 at Hhgregg today Memorial day sale priced to $889 + tax ....

He also showed me a warehouse 2010 unit that, he claimed was returned for missing mounting stand hardware and never turned on?
It was a 2010 Panasonic TCP58VT25 w/wifi & 3D etc... big 58" screen
on the floor for $1999 but Memorial day sale priced to $1599 + tax ....

He also claimed that Panasonic was building the last Pioneer Kuro Plasmas, and used the same hardware etc in the VT series? is that true?

It is very tempting although $700 over my intended budget ..lol

Tony

steveinaz

Tony, if you can---I'd HIGHLY recommend buying your TV locally. HDTV's are 1 thing I will not buy on the internet. I want a brick-n-mortar I can return the TV to, if there is a problem.

I bought my Panasonic plasma at a local Sears, and my last Samsung 50" DLP from the same Sears. Got GREAT deals on both---and the added benefit of dealing with a local vendor.

Joe08867

With the way the economy has been I would bet you can get a great deal around 4th of July or Memorial Day Weekend sales.

Stores are begging for customers lately.

ViperZ

Check local craigslist? I'm very happy with my Panny 50G20 (same as G25, except no video camera support).

renowilliams

ViperZ wrote: »

Check local craigslist? I'm very happy with my Panny 50G20 (same as G25, except no video camera support).

+1 on the Panisonic G 2o/25 series tvs. A great set that,if you can find one,you can get a great deal.

bigaudiofanatic

Love our samsung always loved samsung.

outlander

It's hard to beat a Panasonic plasma. I have the TC-P58S2 and like steveinaz I couldn't be happier. I paid $1099 for the 58".

ajanzalone

any thoughts on the Panasonic TCP58VT25 ? or the VT series?

Tony

steveinaz

I believe the VT series is their top of the line sets...

piker

I have an LG 60PK550 and it puts out one amazing looking picture. I can't believe how much more natural a picture you get with a Plasma over an LED/LCD.

The main reason I picked an LG over a Panny is because of the rising blacks that some people have mentioned Panasonic having. It scared me away from purchasing a TC-P65S2. That and the LG's design is far more attractive to me.

Systems

I have the Samsung 50" PN50A4.plasma..it will be three years old this coming Dec..its been great..knock on wood..

billbillw

ajanzalone wrote: »

any thoughts on the Panasonic TCP58VT25 ? or the VT series?

Tony

That's a big step up from the 50" models you posted. Yes the VT25 is among the best 2010 model plasmas. I'm sure you would be very happy with it.

So are you looking at 58" sizes now? If so, that's good. I always say, get the largest set you can afford and/or have the space for. You almost never hear anyone saying 'that TV is too big for the room'. Its usually the other way around.

BTW, to answer your question from yesterday regarding the Panasonic/Kuro relationship, it is somewhat true. Panasonic bought the technology from Pioneer and have somewhat incorporated it into the high end models. That said, most reviewers will say they still don't look as good as the last generation of Kuro.

ajanzalone

billbillw wrote: »

So are you looking at 58" sizes now? If so, that's good. I always say, get the largest set you can afford and/or have the space for. You almost never hear anyone saying 'that TV is too big for the room'. Its usually the other way around.

Well the 58" VT is tempting....
Have to see .... it is big budget difference...

Thanks for answering the Kuro info
Tony

Zion21

billbillw wrote: »

For $869, I might consider one of these 50" Samsungs from last year's model. The C6500 series was supposedly the same panel etc as the higher model (C7000), but without 3D.
(Amazon Warehouse)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0036WT3XY/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1306183753&sr=1-4&condition=used<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0&quot; width="1" height="1" id="movie" align="">
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</object>

Crazy good deal for that set. I have to make it a habit to check Amazon warehouse more often since they have such small amount of stock.

ajanzalone

steveinaz wrote: »

I believe the VT series is their top of the line sets...

I checked with my local Sears .... no special sales this weekend ...
Best Buy said they don't know yet ...
& hhgregg has limited sales..

Guess it is hamburgers & grills and not TV's this memorial day .... LOL

thanks Steve

ajanzalone

Well I did it .....
I finally decided on going up to the 3D with the Panasonic TCP 55ST30 55" Plasma.
I really was going back to get the TCP58VT25 open box but it was sold... lol
But that got me considering the 3D & larger screen size...
I will not be able to get my HD upgraded set box from Verizon till Tuesday ... so I do not have any thing on the unit till then ...
Thanks for all the help

You Polk guys are great
Tony

ajanzalone

BTW:
Nice surprise ... the TC-P55ST30 does come with the Panasonic wifi dongle included in the package

I mention that because all the salesmenI spoke to told me it was a separate added purchase ....

Got the HD FIOS box today and i am blown away at the picture natural colors & clarity ......... and I am running in subdued standard mode till i get it all broken in ...

Tony

steveinaz

Get a DVE (Digital Video Essentials) bluray disk and calibrate that pup. "Cinema" will be your most accurate mode.