Down to Two TVs

mutelight
mutelight Posts: 1,054
edited November 2011 in Electronics
So after having nothing but the projector in my living room for some years, I have decided to buy a plasma to mount behind the projection screen.

Having to keep my living room like a dark den and it being my main hangout spot, a plasma will give me more flexibility when friends are over, during the day so the shades can be open, etc.

These are my top two contenders.

64" Samsung D8000:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RTE5BA/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d1_g23_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=085G8Y41N85FR7ECD25C&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

65" Panasonic GT30:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-TC-P65GT30-65-Inch-Plasma/dp/B004MME75Q/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320848959&sr=1-4

It would seem that the D8000 is on par with the Panasonic VT30, which is a step above the GT but is the same price as the GT.

Anyone have any opinions or thoughts?
// Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
// Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
// Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
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Comments

  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,687
    edited November 2011
    Personally I would go with the GT myself. I plan on going with the 60" model though.

    My thoughts after years of reading reviews and having a Samsung LCD and relatives with Panasonic Plasma's are as follows: Getting a Plasma, go Panasonic. Getting an LCD go Samsung. See a Kuro, BUT IT!

    Plus the black levels are better on Plasma's overall and according to reviews and also my personal viewing of them in store, the 3d Plasma's screen cuts down quite a bit of the glare from the older models.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited November 2011
    Panasonic all day. Samsung makes nice LCD's but Panny Plasma's are awesome.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited November 2011
    Since I'm not fond of ANY Samsung display unit, you know what my vote is for.
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  • grif32
    grif32 Posts: 267
    edited November 2011
    Panasonice is my vote, but if you go the Samsung route get the D7000 instead of the D8000 and save yourself some money.

    The D7000 & 8000 are very nice Tv's from Samsung but IMHO Samsung's customer service is horrible and not worth the trouble.

    You can not got wrong with either TV, they both are beautiful set's.

    Good luck
    (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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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited November 2011
    Panny . I hear alot of problems with Samsung.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited November 2011
    I have the bottom-feeder 58" panasonic plasma (TC-P58S2), and I LOVE IT. It calibrated right up with DVE, and the picture is gorgeous. I have had it almost a year now, no issues.
    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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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited November 2011
    It looks like I am going to go with the Panasonic as I already have a 50" Panasonic V10 in the bedroom and a Panasonic AE4000 projector in the living room and they are fantastic.

    The cooling fan in my projector went out and it was out of warranty and Panasonic repaired it free of charge, so I figure I can show my loyalty as well.
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
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    Movie and Game Collection
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,674
    edited November 2011
    The GT30.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited November 2011
    Drenis wrote: »
    Since I'm not fond of ANY Samsung display unit, you know what my vote is for.
    :arrowu:same here!:arrowu:If money is no object, buy quality! You can not go wrong with Panasonic!
    mutelight wrote: »
    It looks like I am going to go with the Panasonic as I already have a 50" Panasonic V10 in the bedroom and a Panasonic AE4000 projector in the living room and they are fantastic.

    The cooling fan in my projector went out and it was out of warranty and Panasonic repaired it free of charge, so I figure I can show my loyalty as well.
    Eh, why should you look elsewhere when your present equipment is your best proof of satisfaction! ;)
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited November 2011
    I think I am just going to spend the extra money and splurge on the VT30.
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
    Photo Gallery
    Movie and Game Collection
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2011
    The 8000 spanks the GT. Better detail, better color accuracy and blacks are great. At the same price the 8000 is a MUCH better. It's on par with the VT series but not as good of black levels.
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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited November 2011
    Pulled the trigger and ordered the 65" Panasonic VT30.
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
    Photo Gallery
    Movie and Game Collection
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2011
    Welcome to the VT club. You'll be very pleased.
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited November 2011
    Congrats on your new purchase! :cool:
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited November 2011
    Thanks, gents! Going to have the V10, VT30 and the projector. Panasonic must love me. :-P
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
    Photo Gallery
    Movie and Game Collection
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  • Beta
    Beta Posts: 267
    edited November 2011
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    The 8000 spanks the GT. Better detail, better color accuracy and blacks are great. At the same price the 8000 is a MUCH better. It's on par with the VT series but not as good of black levels.

    ^ what he said. We have been most happy with our 8000.
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,839
    edited November 2011
    http://www.hark.com/clips/jsjpfxwvfx-our-first-television-set-dad-just-picked-it-up-today :cheesygrin:

    Congrats on the purchase!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,674
    edited November 2011
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    The 8000 spanks the GT. Better detail, better color accuracy and blacks are great. At the same price the 8000 is a MUCH better.

    After playing around in the store for a few hours with the 8000 and the GT30 side by side, I thought the GT30 was the better TV, so I bought it.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    After playing around in the store for a few hours with the 8000 and the GT30 side by side, I thought the GT30 was the better TV, so I bought it.

    You can't go wrong with either one. Both are great sets.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2011
    mutelight wrote: »
    Pulled the trigger and ordered the 65" Panasonic VT30.

    Did you get the extended warranty?
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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited November 2011
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Did you get the extended warranty?
    I could add it to my order I suppose. Should I be concerned and order it?
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
    Photo Gallery
    Movie and Game Collection
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2011
    No, was just wondering as I just bought a vt30 and was thinking about getting a square trade warranty from amazon. I got 90 days to
    decide.
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  • Beta
    Beta Posts: 267
    edited November 2011
    INMO there are so many great TVs to choose from. Both plasma and LCD, and from so many brands.

    Quite frankly, my wife and I ended up choosing the Samsung C8000 because of the depth of the TV itself and the relatively small size of the bezel. This is sort of an oxymoron, but we wanted a large plasma that was both very thin and that had one of the smallest overall footprints we could find.

    We gave our 2008 46 inch Sony LCD 720P/1080i to my parents and still have the 40 inch model of the same Sony in our bedroom. The picture on these older Sony's still very much appear stunning as far as my eyes are concerned.

    Just my experience YMMV.
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  • Gadabout
    Gadabout Posts: 1,072
    edited November 2011
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    No, was just wondering as I just bought a vt30 and was thinking about getting a square trade warranty from amazon. I got 90 days to
    decide.

    While square trade might might be a good deal for the smaller electronics, the way they work on larger electronics might not be the best. You might consider the difference between square trade and panasonic's extended warranty in price and how they work. If you get the panasonic extended warranty you have 180 days after purchase to pick it up.

    Mutelight, you'll love the VT30. Great TV!
    Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. ..... Frank Zappa
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2011
    Gadabout wrote: »
    While square trade might might be a good deal for the smaller electronics, the way they work on larger electronics might not be the best. You might consider the difference between square trade and panasonic's extended warranty in price and how they work. If you get the panasonic extended warranty you have 180 days after purchase to pick it up.

    Mutelight, you'll love the VT30. Great TV!

    I would've bought the warranty from the store of purchase before I'd buy from Panasonic. People on AVS have been saying there customer service isn't the greatest.
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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited November 2011
    I have heard horror stories with Panasonic's customer service but the one experience I had with them was quite good.

    The bearings in the cooling fan in my projector went out and started to make a lot of noise and I called them up with it out of warranty. I just had to pay to ship it to the service center, thinking it would cost a bit to repair it and just over a week later, UPS dropped it off, fully repaired and they charged me nothing.
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
    Photo Gallery
    Movie and Game Collection
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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited November 2011
    It came today! I tried some Arkham City, Halo, and watched some ESPN 3D today. Looks fantastic!

    IMG_2787.jpg
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
    Photo Gallery
    Movie and Game Collection
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited November 2011
    Congrats again! That new set looks spiffy! :cool:
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2011
    Looking good. Congrats! Loving my vt as well.
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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited November 2011
    Thanks, gents! The image quality is absolutely breathtaking!
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
    Photo Gallery
    Movie and Game Collection
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter