Any Recommendations for a Flat Screen TV?

gdb

$579.00 shipped for a 50" 720p do anything for ya ?
http://www.eastcoasttvs.com/Panasonic-Plasma-HDTV-p/tcp50x3.htm

Or...a 60" 1080p for $1169.00 !

http://www.eastcoasttvs.com/Panasonic-Plasma-HDTV-p/tcp60s30.htm

disneyjoe7

I think anything at or over 50" needs 1080i or better picture. 720p is ok with 42" or under. IMHO

gdb

I've read that 50" is the dividing point but I can't say, as my 50" is 1080. I'm not sure that my aged eyesight would tell the difference anyway ! :sad: (Our 720p 32" kitchen TV looks damn good in just 420p reg. def.) All Pannys BTW.

stretchl

Thank you GDB!

stretchl

http://www.eastcoasttvs.com/Panasoni...p/tcp60s30.htm

Goodness, on hold with these people now and between the SERIOUSLY AWFUL computer generated voice that answered the phone and the CHALK ON A BLACKBOARD HOLD MUSIC I don't know if it's worth the savings...

stretchl

Well, that explains the long hold time... they close at 200p on Fridays.

D'OH!

love2listen

Another vote for Panny Plasma. Also, depending on your what you watch most, type of DVD player and viewing distance, you may be better off with a 720p vs a 1080p. In many cases the PQ difference is minimal and you also save a few coins!

stretchl

OK. Ya'll are responsible for this. :rolleyes:

Settled for $870 delivered.

Hope I'm not missing something obvious in this transaction.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/3204164649.html

gdb

Does the warranty transfer to you?

stretchl

That's a good question, and I don't know the answer.

With a panasonic product, I would think so, but as I said.

I'm curious if any Panny devote?s who are still following this thread have ever had a warranty issue?

stretchl

Well, the warranty is not transferrable.

"This warranty is extended only to the original purchaser and is non transferable. A purchase receipt or other proof of date of original purchase will be required before warranty service is rendered."

ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/drivers/pbts/manuals/WT_PBTS.pdf

Hope I haven't screwed the pooch. :sad:

gdb

Uh oh !!!!!:eek:

chumlie

I think your fine. Just inspect it when its delivered. Chance's are you would have never used the warrenty anyway.

stretchl

That's what I'm betting on, Chum.

I think GDB is just messing with my head... :rolleyes:

chumlie

If there's something thats wrong with electonics, it usually shows up in the first week of operation. I think your fine. Extended warrenties are a waste of money IMO. Enjoy your TV. When ya getting it ?

stretchl

The guy should be here in the next hour or so.

I bought a copy of "The Wrath of Khan" and "Hunt for Red October" from StarKing early on in my ClubPolk life.

I think I'll try those guys out on it. HFRO has a lot of nice rich blacks in it, with subtle shifts in tonality, which should be a good test.

wayne3burk

I picked up a 60" Sharp Aquas LCD last year after black friday for $900. That was my top price point but considering 47" LCD tvs were going for $650 at about the same time it seemed like the smart thing to do to get that much more real estate for only another $250.

So my advice is to get the most TV you can inside your price range.

wayne

stretchl

So the tv is here, and seems to work fine. Definitely not a scratch or blemish on the exterior.

Unfortunately, the guy forgot the remote, which he says he'll send.

This was a huge step in getting the entertainment room set up.

Now awaiting the Squeezebox Touch and the TubeDAC.

jbooker82

Now you need HD audio to go with the HD TV.

Vandam

stretchl wrote: »

So the tv is here, and seems to work fine. Definitely not a scratch or blemish on the exterior.

Unfortunately, the guy forgot the remote, which he says he'll send.

This was a huge step in getting the entertainment room set up.

Now awaiting the Squeezebox Touch and the TubeDAC.

So, how is the picture? What was the model number? Are you happy with it aside from not having the remote?

stretchl

The model is the Panasonic Plasma - TCP60S30.

GDB turned me on to this deal , which committed me to the model.

Everything seems to be in good working order. I've played a couple of DVDs through it and they look fine though they're not HD (Wrath of Khan, Hunt for Red October). The color gradation looks great. I'm especially pleased with the subtle shifts in tonality in the blacks of the underwater HFRO scenes.

The seller seems to be a stand-up guy. Took $500 in cash and a personal check for the $350.

Without the remote I can't do anything with Internet, etc., but I have no reason to believe there'll be any hiccups there.

The only issue I have with the TV is that either it or the blanket they wrapped it in during transport or both seem to have come from an environment with cigarette smoke. So there's just a hint of that to the nose. I might set the unit on our (covered) back deck and let it air our a bit today.

I really appreciate everyone's input to this thread!

Bernardon

Flat screen always serves a better purpose when it comes to TV. It provides for good resolution and vision does not get much compromised while watching. Plasma version by Panasonic and flat TVs by Sony brands are really good options now days.

mesquitehead

Keep in mind that most cable companies only pass 720p anyways. My 65" Panny is 1080p 3D and the 42" Panny in my bedroom is 720, cant tell any difference on cable broadcasts.

Zeros

I know nobody has said Panasonic Plasma, so that's my vote. I have 2 and love them. :biggrin:

Thorton

I bought a new Sony LED. Color and resolution is outstanding. My brother has an older Panasonic Plasma which is also very good and has been good for many years. I can't compare the two because of the age difference. I don't think you can go wrong with either. The deciding factor would to buy/try both, hook them up in your home and then see which one you like better.

jbooker82

The thing I dont like about LCD / LED tv's is the cartoon motion they sometimes produce. When you see the refresh rate advertised sometimes it isnt the real refresh rate. The processor in the tv mimics a high refresh rate. Processor is what causes the cartoonie motion. The other option would be the picture pixilates because the actual refresh rate of the pannel cannot keep up.

aussiematt

Take it from me most of the opinions on here have been pretty much on the money.
I'm a telly salesman here in Australia and here it is from my point of view.

IF you want to go plasma, you absolutely HAVE to go with Panasonic, they are comprehensively the best plasma manufacturer on the planet, DONT buy Samsung (even though I love their work in LED) or LG.

DONT buy LG anything, I cant stand them, they used to be ok because they were a bit cheaper than the other big guys and I could see a point to their existence. Now they've got it in their head that they are as good as Samsung and Sony and have started charging their sort of prices.

IF you want LED go with either Samsung or Sony, their offerings this year are fairly similar, Sony tends to have slightly better prices as they are hemorrhaging market share to Samsung. I think the Samsung 8 series and Sony HX850 look gorgeous wall mounted, just a thought. Though these seem to be out of you price bracket.

My general opinion is that LED is a better mid-range than Plasma, BECAUSE.....
There are very few mid range plasma options, why? value for money, features, reflection issues, power consumption etc. There are still HIGH END plasmas, why? because they do still spit out a really good picture. But TRUST me you dont want a cheap plasma, I would suggest a midrange Samsung 6 series, if you can stretch the budget. They have a range of 6 series panels within the 6 series with a different range of features to suit. IE: bare bones, no internet/wifi connectivity, no smart TV.
I would also always suggest going for screen quality ie: refresh rate, FHD, backlighting etc, over a bigger screen, coz a **** picture on a big screen gets even ****!

Best of luck weighing this all up!

Cheers Matt

gwh

I love my Panasonic plasma but it does put off some heat.




G

tommyt21

Heres my Vote http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/sony-xbr-84x900/4505-6482_7-35431618.html

thsmith

Recently I picked up an LG 42" LCD and a Panasonic 65" GT50. Both have great pics for their price range are great performers.

The Panasonic is simply amazing.