New TV time

wutadumsn23

Well, I was hoping it would never happen, but my trusty Sony SXRD is on it's last leg. I just recently replaced the bulb and all was well again, but for some reason my picture has gone to crap as of late and there are many "annomolies" on my screen. Don't know exactly what the problem is, but I'm assuming the cost of the repair would run me more than I want to spend doing so. So I guess it is time for me to get with the times, lol. I am looking into a Plasma and the screen size must be a minimum of 60-65" Right now I have narrowed it down to two sets. The Panasonic VIERA TC-P65S1 65" 600Hz 1080p Plasma HDTV for around $2200 and the Samsung PN63B550 63" 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV also for around $2200. Should I be looking at others? My budget is around $2000-$2200 with the possibility to stretch to $2500. Any info/advise would be appreciated. Links below. Thanks.


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+63%22+Class+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9234483.p?id=1218064150324&skuId=9234483 Sammy

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+VIERA+/+65%22+Class+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9431242.p?id=1218104302511&skuId=9431242 Panny

-Jeff

PhantomOG

damn... that tv isn't that old is it? I was seriously looking into those at the time. I was a bit leery of projection so I ended up waiting a bit longer and settling on a Sony LCD. 65" Panny plasma sound nice if you can swing it.

Conradicles

I think your 2 choices are perfect. Both should serve you well.

PhantomOG

have a costco membership?

65" Panny plasma for $1999

not sure about the differences between the best buy model though.

Upstatemax

I am also getting a new plasma.

I don't have the room for that big of a TV... So I am going with this one:

http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_305PN50860/Samsung-PN50B860.html

I am going with Samsung over Panny because I like the color reproduction on the Samsung, more natural.

renowilliams

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

Well, I was hoping it would never happen, but my trusty Sony SXRD is on it's last leg. I just recently replaced the bulb and all was well again, but for some reason my picture has gone to crap as of late and there are many "annomolies" on my screen. Don't know exactly what the problem is, but I'm assuming the cost of the repair would run me more than I want to spend doing so. So I guess it is time for me to get with the times, lol. I am looking into a Plasma and the screen size must be a minimum of 60-65" Right now I have narrowed it down to two sets. The Panasonic VIERA TC-P65S1 65" 600Hz 1080p Plasma HDTV for around $2200 and the Samsung PN63B550 63" 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV also for around $2200. Should I be looking at others? My budget is around $2000-$2200 with the possibility to stretch to $2500. Any info/advise would be appreciated. Links below. Thanks.


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+63%22+Class+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9234483.p?id=1218064150324&skuId=9234483 Sammy

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+VIERA+/+65%22+Class+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9431242.p?id=1218104302511&skuId=9431242 Panny

-Jeff

I just purchased a Panisonic plasma and have been very pleased with the picture. Either choice would work. As far as color is concearned, calibrating is a good idea whatever you buy.

Good Luck

leroyjr1

Samsung 860 series plasma. I like it alot better than the panasonic plasmas

Huck344

I have the 58" version of the Samsung. Love the picture.

But, I can tell you that there is an audible buzz that comes from the TV when it is on. You can only hear it during real quiet scenes or when the volume is on mute. It's not a speaker buzz, it's the actual TV. To be honest I hardly notice it. It is a known issue with Samsung. I'm not sure if this happens in all sizes or just the 58". Anyway, it is something you should be aware of.

Sherardp

I just bought a Panny plasma not too long ago myself, excellent screen. As mentioned a good calibration is key though.

Amherst

The Panny hands down, the reproduction is one of the best available.

Upstatemax

Sherardp wrote: »

I just bought a Panny plasma not too long ago myself, excellent screen. As mentioned a good calibration is key though.

Only problem I have heard with every Panny plasma is that even after a calibration the colors are not as natural as the Samsungs are out of the box...

However, the Panny has better black levels and shadow detail.

You can't go wrong with either, I just happen to notice color detail over black levels. With that in mind, I went for the Samsung 860 series. But, if black levels and shadow detail are important to you, the Panny might be your best bet.

BTW, I pulled the trigger on the PN50B860 this morning! I should have it early next week.

cwilliams

For those that can wait a little longer, some of the new Panasonic plasma models are supposed to be shipping sometime around March. The MSRP looks to have come down several hundred dollars. If you can hold on to that tax return, the new sets look promising based on specs.

kcoc321

Can't comment on models ect, as I have not researched them.
However I would suggest checking out Visual Apex. They are technical a wholesaler/ online supplier, but their warehouse distributional location is in Kent area/ and they will let you pick item up without the shipping costs. Last couple of times I bought a TV for my Sister and for a friend, they ended up having the best pricing.

kcoc321

Nevermind...I just checked and VA is only carrying the profession Panny's now....sorry

wutadumsn23

Thanks guys, not sure which one I am going to get, just wanted to make sure I was heading in the right direction.

-Jeff

wutadumsn23

PhantomOG wrote: »

damn... that tv isn't that old is it? I was seriously looking into those at the time. I was a bit leery of projection so I ended up waiting a bit longer and settling on a Sony LCD. 65" Panny plasma sound nice if you can swing it.

Yeah, it is only a little over 4 years old, I have replaced the bulb twice but there is something else wrong now. I love this set and I will be moving it into a secondary system, so it is in no way going to the dump, lol. It was/is an amazing TV and the picture was second to none IMHO. There is quite a large area in the middle of my set (almost half the screen size) that is a brownish/blackish area that I don't think is being caused by the bulb. It isn't that noticable, except on pictures that have a lot of white. It is not that bad, but even my wife has noticed it and agreed that it is time to "upgrade" I have always wanted a Plasma, but at the time I bought this set, they were still not "affordable"

-Jeff

wutadumsn23

Thanks for the input guys, I think I am sold on the Panny. Thanks for the link PhantomOG, I don't have a Costco card, but I know plenty of people who do. When the time comes (hopefully soon, lol) I will get it there.

-Jeff

dvran

+Samsung.

I have the 550 model and it's amazing. If you don't care about surfing the web on your TV, then go with the 500. The 860 is not worth the extra dough for a plasma.

I've bought the Panasonic G10 and after 2 weeks I took it back and swapped it for the Samsung. The Samsung had more vivid colors, especially the reds. Also, I had both sets properly calibrated and went with the Samsung in the end.

I recommend visiting an HHrgregg for TVs, you'll get the best deal there.

wutadumsn23

So I was looking at the Panny again on Costco's website and one thing has me worried. The contrast ratio is only 30,000:1?? What's the deal with that? I am going to Costco with my wife and her friend (who has a Costco card) today to take a peek at it and see how it looks in person.

-Jeff

Upstatemax

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

So I was looking at the Panny again on Costco's website and one thing has me worried. The contrast ratio is only 30,000:1?? What's the deal with that? I am going to Costco with my wife and her friend (who has a Costco card) today to take a peek at it and see how it looks in person.

-Jeff

Sounds like they are listing the screens native contrast ratio, not the dynamic. The BB site list the native at 40,000:1 with a dynamic of 2,000,000:1.

However, I guess there is no industry standard on how to measure contrast ratio, so take some of those numbers with a grain of salt. Just go look at the screen and decide for yourself.

Analog Kid

I was in the same situation a few weeks ago. I ended up going with a 54" Panny. I already had a 42" Panny plasma so the decision was easy for me.

The best "deal" I could find was at Sears, believe it or not. I ended up with the G-Series. It has a great picture and the black levels are outstanding.

Looks like they still may have some left over at $1499. I know that you are looking at 60" - 65", but it may be worth looking in to for the price.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05775569000P?keyword=tc-p54g10

Willow

Another vote for Panny. Best TV I have ever owned and have ever seen amongst my family and friends.

nguyendot

I'm going to thread jack now

Panasonic ftw!

MADGSF

I am very happy with my Panny 58V10 and it has not been calibrated yet. The early models from Panasonic had an issue with the color, however they addressed that and now they are much better. I got mine in October and it already had the "THX fix" so anything on the shelves now should too. I looked at the Samsungs but did not want to deal with a possible buzzing issue. I have no regrets with my purchase, a 65" would of been nice but for 1000.00 more I passed.

wutadumsn23

Thanks for all the advice guys, I have made my decision. Gonna pull the trigger on the Panasonic TC-P65S1- VIERA / 65" Class / 1080p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV. I can get it for $2200 out the door, tax free. Should be getting it in a week or so, I'll keep you guys posted.

-Jeff

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+VIERA+/+65%22+Class+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9431242.p?id=1218104302511&skuId=9431242

Upstatemax

Congrats!

I am sitting here waiting for my Samsung PN50B860 to get delivered. I love the window they give you... 8am-12noon. :rolleyes:

I hate waiting!

wutadumsn23

Upstatemax wrote: »

Congrats!

I am sitting here waiting for my Samsung PN50B860 to get delivered. I love the window they give you... 8am-12noon. :rolleyes:

I hate waiting!

LOL, no waiting for me, I will be picking it up that day.

-Jeff

billbillw

PM sent on possible 'warranty' fix for your SXRD.

Rodeo0530

Hope you enjoy the new TV Jeff. I love my Panasonic plasma, but I now I have size envy since mine is only 50"

PhantomOG

nice choice. I also forgot to mention that TV's purchased at Costco come with an additional year of warranty over the manufacturer. Guess it doesn't matter now though.

I bought my Sony LCD from Best Buy as well. Do you live near a Fry's by any chance? Regardless, keep your eyes peeled for TV ads for the 90 days following your purchase. Best Buy will pricematch for that long afterwards. I originally pricematched Circuit City during the purchase, then went back 2 times during the next 90 days to pricematch Fry's ad's, got an additional $100 plus tax each time. All you need to do is bring the receipt and the sales flyer.

wutadumsn23

billbillw wrote: »

PM sent on possible 'warranty' fix for your SXRD.

Awesome man, I called them today and am going to schedule a date to have them come and look at it. From the article though, it really looks like this may be the problem. The best part about it is that it will be free!! The plasma may be on hold for now, but I may go ahead and get it anyway. I have always loved my Sony and was gonna be sorry to see it go.

-Jeff