Panasonic Viera 58hd800u

wingnut4772

I have an opportunity to get this 58 inch plasma for $2300 open box. Should I?

disneyjoe7

Darla that model number doesn't seem right, can you post a link?

Price isn't bad but what's the spec's of the unit native resolution of a screen that size may come into play here on look and price.

wingnut4772

Sorry looked at the wrong one its the 58PZ700.

disneyjoe7

I like it So I would buy it.

billbillw

I'd stay away from the PZ700U. They are extreme power hogs. They were the 1st gen Panny 1080p panels and they just suck the power down. On top of that, they took a step back in contrast ratios. They just aren't as punchy as the previous generation sets (that were only 768p).

I'd hold out for a deal on one of the 85U or 800U sets. THey use almost half as much power, go much brighter, and have better black levels on top of it all.

THink about it. 700U is a 2007 model that was discontinued back in Feb/March of this year. If they are not all sold out by now, it must not be all that desirable.

Oh yeah, I have the 42" version of this TV. I wish I had the 85U version.

FYI: the 58PZ800U is only $2999 delivered, no tax (from Vanns.com, very reputable). For that extra $$$, you get lower power consumption, 2 more HDMI inputs, a PC input, much better blacks, and much better whites (goes brigher), plus 24p capability.

disneyjoe7

^^ She asked about the 800u.

billbillw

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

^^ She asked about the 800u.

No, she corrected herself and said it was the 58PZ700, see post #3.

If it were the PZ800 at that price, I'd say HELL YEAH! GRAB IT NOW!

But for last years model, I'd pass.

wingnut4772

Thanks guys. I passed.

disneyjoe7

Ok the more I understand what you're looking at I don't like it at all Darla. You quoted last years open box model for $200 less then a better current model is going for today?

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=146350&i=13350PZ800&tp=161


And yes Bill I stand corrected. Thank you.

billbillw

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Ok the more I understand what you're looking at I don't like it at all Darla. You quoted last years open box model for $200 less then a better current model is going for today?

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=146350&i=13350PZ800&tp=161


And yes Bill I stand corrected. Thank you.

Joe, that one at Crutchfield is the 50" version. She was looking at the 58" version

mantis

On a general note, I agree with the comments made about the 700 series. I feel this way, they sucked ****. I didn't like them at all, they actually looked paste. **** tv.

Now the new 800 series is fantastic. Very nice picture quality. Nice blacks and bright whites. Color looks controled and clear. Nice grey scale. I would buy one. At there price it's a better value then most sets at there sizes.

Not the best set on the market at Pioneer Elite still holds that title even with Samsung trying to do there best to out do them but they come up short. Samsung new models Plasma and LCD are the best they ever have been and worth every penny.

Dan

billbillw

mantis wrote: »

On a general note, I agree with the comments made about the 700 series. I feel this way, they sucked ****. I didn't like them at all, they actually looked paste. **** tv.

Now the new 800 series is fantastic. Very nice picture quality. Nice blacks and bright whites. Color looks controled and clear. Nice grey scale. I would buy one. At there price it's a better value then most sets at there sizes.

Not the best set on the market at Pioneer Elite still holds that title even with Samsung trying to do there best to out do them but they come up short. Samsung new models Plasma and LCD are the best they ever have been and worth every penny.

Dan

Yeah, unfortunately, I never bought my 700U, it was a warranty exchange for my 600U TV that had the dreaded 'purple snakes' problem. I thought I would be getting an improvement in picture. Didn't find out about the lower contrast ratio, etc. until after I said OK to the trade. If I had waited another few weeks, I probably would have been offered an 85U instead, but the timing was just not right. For the most part, the 700U does have a better picture than the 600U that came before it, but in terms of black levels and white levels, it is a step back.

wingnut4772

I went with a Samsung LN52A750. 120 refresh rate and decent reviews.
Thanks guys.

MikeC78

wingnut4772 wrote: »

I went with a Samsung LN52A750. 120 refresh rate and decent reviews.
Thanks guys.

That's a one heck of an LCD, congrats on the purchase!

wingnut4772

Thanks. It's gonna anchor the new HT set up. Now I just need to find my Von Schweikert surrounds.

I-SIG

A buddy is interested in one of the 720p Panny's from Costco. Does anyone know if they have any of the issues mentioned above?

Wes

billbillw

I-SIG wrote: »

A buddy is interested in one of the 720p Panny's from Costco. Does anyone know if they have any of the issues mentioned above?

Wes

Probably not. Those issues were primarily with the 700 series 1080p sets.

I-SIG

Thanks!

Wes

mantis

billbillw wrote: »

Yeah, unfortunately, I never bought my 700U, it was a warranty exchange for my 600U TV that had the dreaded 'purple snakes' problem. I thought I would be getting an improvement in picture. Didn't find out about the lower contrast ratio, etc. until after I said OK to the trade. If I had waited another few weeks, I probably would have been offered an 85U instead, but the timing was just not right. For the most part, the 700U does have a better picture than the 600U that came before it, but in terms of black levels and white levels, it is a step back.

I don't know what happened to Panasonic with this line. I felt there older models where better. but on a positive note, there new models are back and looking awesome.

Dan

wingnut4772

I guess I got lucky. The more I read about the Sammy, the more I learn that it's a pretty good LCD.

curved

I just got the Panasonic TH-42PZ80U and love it....

wingnut4772

I will post pics when it's all set up. I saw a calibration thread on AVS but it's supposed to be pretty decent OOTB on movie mode. The only thing that I will not like is that I am going from a 61" screen to a 52" screen but I am sitting only 10' away so I will get used to it...especially with a better PQ.