Help me pick a plasma

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  • Beta
    Beta Posts: 267
    edited January 2011
    I used the search engine in the link below to make my TV acquisition (no affiliation). I simply keyed in the brands and models I was considering and found some very competitive prices.

    http://bountii.com/
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2011
    Wife said, "get the 58"" I said yes ma'am. :biggrin:

    See what happens fellas, when you're hung like a mule?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2011
    billbillw wrote: »
    G20 or G25? I see the G25 on various sites, but not the G20. That's why I was asking.

    Must have been the G25--it just adds camera capability or something...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • potee
    potee Posts: 610
    edited January 2011
    I've had the 54V10 for over a year and don't notie any diff. in the picture. I would buy this TV again over just about any other I've seen.

    Good luck on your choice.

    PoTee
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  • gmm141
    gmm141 Posts: 29
    edited January 2011
    I just got a great deal on a TC-P54VT25, package included 3D Blu Ray player, two extra pairs of glasses (3 total), no sales tax and free white-glove delivery for ~$1850.

    Called B&H and they had it unadvertised.

    Arrives tomorrow, don't care about the 3D either, but the picture on this is supposed to be one of the best at any price point.
    Display: Panasonic 54VT25 3D Plasma
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite VSX-32
    BluRay: Panasonic freebee w/ TV
    Fronts: Polk LSi15's
    Front High: LC65i's
    Center: LSiC
    Surround: LC65i's
    Surround Backs: LC65fx's
    Sub: Old (but surprisingly not tired) Infinity
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  • gmm141
    gmm141 Posts: 29
    edited January 2011
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Wife said, "get the 58"" I said yes ma'am. :biggrin:

    The 54" was battle enough
    Display: Panasonic 54VT25 3D Plasma
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite VSX-32
    BluRay: Panasonic freebee w/ TV
    Fronts: Polk LSi15's
    Front High: LC65i's
    Center: LSiC
    Surround: LC65i's
    Surround Backs: LC65fx's
    Sub: Old (but surprisingly not tired) Infinity
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,135
    edited January 2011
    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.

    I was researching the bleep out of Plasma's for awhile and this would get my vote. You may actually have an easier time finding the G25, which includes Skype I believe.
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  • dvran
    dvran Posts: 280
    edited January 2011
    SAMSUNG!!! 550 Series

    Had the Panny P2 and took it back for the Samsung. The Samsung was about equal but in my opinion had better reds and also looked nicer.

    You can get a 58" for like $1000 now. Look at HHgregg or online.
    ~Dan

    Projector: Epson 705HD on 106" DaLite
    TV: Samsung 50" Plasma PN50B550
    Receiver: Onkyo 607
    Fronts: Polk 1000i
    Center: Polk Csi40
    Rears: Polk Fxi30
    Sub: Velodyne Minivee 10
    PS3 and Xbox
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2011
    Too late.

    I've got a 58" Panansonic (TC-P58S2) awaiting my pickup from Sears this afternoon.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,068
    edited January 2011
    Congrats Steve.
    Oh...btw, get your hearing checked, the wife said "mouse" not "mule".:smile:
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 26,962
    edited January 2011
    you'll be happy congrats:biggrin:
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2011
    Thanks all for the assistance! Movie night!
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Beta
    Beta Posts: 267
    edited January 2011
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Too late.

    I've got a 58" Panansonic (TC-P58S2) awaiting my pickup from Sears this afternoon.

    Good for you. Congratulations.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2011
    I know AVS forum is a dirty word around here....but, there are some threads there that suggest a couple of methods to break-in a plasma display. I did the simple route and kept brightness and contrast on the low side and had picture mode on "standard". I don't know if it made any diiference or not but, I felt very good about myself for having bothered !:smile:
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2011
    Yep, been there most of this afternoon getting my learn on for this particular set.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2011
    Yer a **** smeller er, I meant a smart feller !!:wink::smile:
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,109
    edited January 2011
    Of course you're now obliged to write up a review of the set!

    I'm very interested because I'm looking at the 65" version of the Panny versus the Samsung PN63C7000.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|REL T/9X SE Sub
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  • grif32
    grif32 Posts: 267
    edited January 2011
    dvran wrote: »
    SAMSUNG!!! 550 Series

    Had the Panny P2 and took it back for the Samsung. The Samsung was about equal but in my opinion had better reds and also looked nicer.

    You can get a 58" for like $1000 now. Look at HHgregg or online.

    Panny doesn't make a P2 was it an S2?

    X,U,C,S,G,GT,V,VT,Z
    (3) PS3's, Xbox 360, (2) Wii's and Nintendo NES
    (2) Panny DMPBDT110 3D Standalone Players
    Panny 60" 3D Plasma TC-60ST30
    Panny 50" Plasma TC-P50G10
    Panny 50" 3D TV TC-P50GT25
    Denon AVR-891
    Harmoney One Remote
    Polk Monitor 70's,Polk CS2, Polk Monitor 40's
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  • grif32
    grif32 Posts: 267
    edited January 2011
    stangjason wrote: »
    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.

    Might be waiting a long time for a Panny with Kuro technology in it. Someday soon I hope.
    (3) PS3's, Xbox 360, (2) Wii's and Nintendo NES
    (2) Panny DMPBDT110 3D Standalone Players
    Panny 60" 3D Plasma TC-60ST30
    Panny 50" Plasma TC-P50G10
    Panny 50" 3D TV TC-P50GT25
    Denon AVR-891
    Harmoney One Remote
    Polk Monitor 70's,Polk CS2, Polk Monitor 40's
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited January 2011
    gdb wrote: »
    I know AVS forum is a dirty word around here....but, there are some threads there that suggest a couple of methods to break-in a plasma display. I did the simple route and kept brightness and contrast on the low side and had picture mode on "standard". I don't know if it made any diiference or not but, I felt very good about myself for having bothered !:smile:

    Companies claim a break-in period is unnecessary. 200 or so hours for peace of mind to age the pixels isn't too bad. I kept mine going on rotating colors continuously for a week. It may not have been needed, but I had more confidence using it for playing video games, etc. afterwards.
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited January 2011
    The extra stress of the break-in period also moved a faulty power board to failure within the first 48 hours. Better than having it fail out of warranty.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2011
    Picked up the TC-P58S2 and got it hooked up last night. Realizing it needs some break-in, I went ahead and did some calibrating anyway (DVE)--mainly to knock contrast out of blast mode.

    I'm very pleased with this TV, in fact I'm a little surprised at how nice it is---my Samsung DLP was pretty tough act to follow. Cinema mode is best with this TV, and settings worked perfectly for DirecTV as they did for BluRay. The image is stunning. Calibration showed very accurate color decodoing, though Tint needed bumping up to +18 (green) to lock in. Avatar looked better than ever, taking on a much more 3 dimensional look. Color is very nice, with no over-saturation.

    Excellent.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • naj
    naj Posts: 1
    edited January 2011
    halo71 wrote: »
    I know, totally off subject. But is the general consensus that plasma have better pictures than LED's?

    Yes, true.
    Plasma does have a superior picture quality than LEDs.

    Cheers,
    naj
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  • grif32
    grif32 Posts: 267
    edited January 2011
    "Break in" for a plasma is ONLY needed if you are getting your TV pro. Calibrated other then that it does not prevent IR/Burn-in whatsoever. Other then that it really doesn't gain you anything. I have one plasma that is 7 years old and one that is now 1 year old. Never did the break in thing and have gamed on both from day 1 without issue.
    (3) PS3's, Xbox 360, (2) Wii's and Nintendo NES
    (2) Panny DMPBDT110 3D Standalone Players
    Panny 60" 3D Plasma TC-60ST30
    Panny 50" Plasma TC-P50G10
    Panny 50" 3D TV TC-P50GT25
    Denon AVR-891
    Harmoney One Remote
    Polk Monitor 70's,Polk CS2, Polk Monitor 40's
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2011
    For those interested, my calibration settings using DVE on a Panasonic DMP-BD30 BluRay player:

    Panasonic TC-P58S2

    Sources: DirecTV Samsung HD receiver; Panasonic DMP-BD30 BluRay player
    Conditions: Moderate to low lighting
    Picture Mode: Cinema
    Contrast: 72
    Brightness: 60
    Color: 50
    Tint: (Green) +18
    Sharpness: 10
    Color Temp: Warm
    x.v. Color: Off
    C.A.T.S: Off
    Video NR: Off
    Blur Reduction: Off

    Advance Options
    MPEG NR: Off
    Black Level: Light

    Aspect Options
    HD Size: 2 (pixel/pixel mapping; why this TV ships in mode "1" I have no idea)

    These settings work equally well with DirecTV.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • grif32
    grif32 Posts: 267
    edited January 2011
    Try this as well:

    Picture:
    Picture Mode: Cinema
    Contrast: 71
    Brightness: 60
    Color: 47
    Tint: G9
    Sharpness: 0
    Color Temp: Warm
    x.v. Color: Off
    C.A.T.S: Off
    Video NR: Off
    Blur Reduction: Off

    Advance Options
    MPEG NR: Off
    Black Level: Light
    3:2 Pulldown: On

    Which is close to yours but turn sharpness to 0 and see how you like it.
    (3) PS3's, Xbox 360, (2) Wii's and Nintendo NES
    (2) Panny DMPBDT110 3D Standalone Players
    Panny 60" 3D Plasma TC-60ST30
    Panny 50" Plasma TC-P50G10
    Panny 50" 3D TV TC-P50GT25
    Denon AVR-891
    Harmoney One Remote
    Polk Monitor 70's,Polk CS2, Polk Monitor 40's
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2011
    Sharpness showed slight edge distortion (ringing) at a setting of 12, and 10 eliminated it completely---0 was ever so slightly soft looking, so I stuck with 10. (DVE pattern).
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,200
    edited January 2011
    Panasonic is hard to beat. Excellent picture. I also have a Sony KDL52XRB9 and the Plasma is so close.
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