Samsung PN58B860 vs Panasonic TC-P58V10

[PBMax]

After reading the reviews on the panasonic, whether from being viewed or based on pure speculation, I had been leaning towards this set as my next TV. I have an old TH50PX25 that has served me very well that I would be taking down for the newer model. Safe to say I'm comfortable and happy with Panasonic plasmas.

Well, I was just at Ken Crane's doing homework when I saw the Samsung. Very nice looking set, but I don't think I'm excited by the outer bezel that may be their ToC feature. I just didn't like the look of the crystal as it had too much reflectivity. OTOH, I was amazed at how thin the panel was. Then I found out it is almost 30 pounds lighter than the Panny! The Ken Crane guy was saying the Samsung had surpassed the Panasonic in quality, but I always take their opinions with a grain of salt.

Anyway, I'm not sure whether the 30 pound difference means the Samsung has a lower quality of build, or they're just more efficient. Also, if the Sammy is considered very close or better in quality, I could get used to the ToC feature. I really like the 30 pound difference if it doesn't translate to lower quality of build.

 

[SopRage]

I anticipate a deluge of posts that favor the Panasonic. That V10 is just about everyone's darling this year.

 

[dantrevino]

hmm...B860,v10,g10

After reading the reviews on the panasonic, whether from being viewed or based on pure speculation, I had been leaning towards this set as my next TV. I have an old TH50PX25 that has served me very well that I would be taking down for the newer model. Safe to say I'm comfortable and happy with Panasonic plasmas.

Well, I was just at Ken Crane's doing homework when I saw the Samsung. Very nice looking set, but I don't think I'm excited by the outer bezel that may be their ToC feature. I just didn't like the look of the crystal as it had too much reflectivity. OTOH, I was amazed at how thin the panel was. Then I found out it is almost 30 pounds lighter than the Panny! The Ken Crane guy was saying the Samsung had surpassed the Panasonic in quality, but I always take their opinions with a grain of salt.

Anyway, I'm not sure whether the 30 pound difference means the Samsung has a lower quality of build, or they're just more efficient. Also, if the Sammy is considered very close or better in quality, I could get used to the ToC feature. I really like the 30 pound difference if it doesn't translate to lower quality of build.

I'm having similar doubts. I went back to looking at the samsung 860 because it seems to offer very good quality at a much lower price than the panasonic v10. However, random user reviews refer to a buzzing sound with the 850/860.

On the other hand, I doubt I'd notice the differences that the 96Hz refresh rate bring to 24p content vs the 60Hz of the G10, which seems to be the only real difference, related to picture, between the two sets (I do view BD content on my PS3). Am I wrong?

dan

 

[annunaki]

I'm having similar doubts. I went back to looking at the samsung 860 because it seems to offer very good quality at a much lower price than the panasonic v10. However, random user reviews refer to a buzzing sound with the 850/860.

On the other hand, I doubt I'd notice the differences that the 96Hz refresh rate bring to 24p content vs the 60Hz of the G10, which seems to be the only real difference, related to picture, between the two sets (I do view BD content on my PS3). Am I wrong?

dan

Yes. The V10's have better overall black levels and thinner designs among other things.

Check out Panasonic's website & compare the two.

 

[DaleAV]

If I was buying one this year, it would be the Kuro KRP series, the last of the Pioneers.
2nd choice would the Panasonic. I have a year old Samsung plasma and am very happy with it. I had it prof. calibrated and has a great picture.

Panasonic leads Samsung in black level, and has improved in color accuracy over last year. But both look great!
Keep in mind, Panasonic products generally have fewer problems.

 

[PBMax]

Yes. The V10's have better overall black levels and thinner designs among other things.

Check out Panasonic's website & compare the two.

While you're correct on the black levels, the same size Samsung is thinner and weighs almost 30 lbs less. You may have been referring to the more expensive Z series. Hard to believe my 50" was far more expensive than that TV in 2004. Still leaning toward the Panasonic as I've already lived with one for 5 1/2 yrs and have been very happy. For broadcast tv over DirectTV, I still think it looks better than most TVs I see. This is more about upgrading to 1080p and having the latest in connectivity for me.

I'm going back and forth on whether I will upgrade my receiver or TV first, and today I'm on receiver.

 

[PBMax]

If I was buying one this year, it would be the Kuro KRP series, the last of the Pioneers.
2nd choice would the Panasonic. I have a year old Samsung plasma and am very happy with it. I had it prof. calibrated and has a great picture.

Panasonic leads Samsung in black level, and has improved in color accuracy over last year. But both look great!
Keep in mind, Panasonic products generally have fewer problems.

If I could find a Kuro in time (probably not buying until next month or so, but just doing my homework well in advance), that would be my display of choice as well.

Thanks for your input on the other two.

 

[DaleAV]

Might try Value Electronics (dot com) if they have any left. You can even have them burned in and calibrated.

 

[HearingImpaired]

With the end of 2009 coming to a near you're only going to find better and better deals on these two tv's. I personally own 2 Samsung tv's one LCD from a couple years ago and A Plasma which I purchased about a month ago and I haven't had any problems with either set. While researching tv's i've come across a lot of info over at avsforum.com and have read a lot about both tv's. The Panasonic will offer better black levels although I really like the natural colors of all the Samsung 2009 plasmas. I went to a local Best Buy and HH GREG and saw the v10 and PN58B860 in action and they were both really impressive. I've heard that people are experiencing buzzing problems with the bigger Samsung plasma tv's although the one's in the stores I went to didn't have such problems. Both tv's I looked at were beautiful tv's and I can only imagine what they would look like properly calibrated. It's really a toss up of what price you can get the tv's for. Since you said you can find the Samsung cheaper then I think that would be the way to go. Just make sure and buy it from an authorized source like you plan on doing so you could return it in case of problems. I really like the look of the Samsung and at 1.2 inches thick of so it is just an awesome looking tv, the v10 is no slouch either coming in at about 2 inches I believe. Another thing too is the availability of the v10 as it's on backorder a lot of places. I also have heard Panasonics customer service is better than Samsungs, all things you have to weigh in when you consider making a big purchase. There's a professional calibrator that rated the v10 right behind the Pioneers as the best 2009 tv's,the Samsung you're looking at rated pretty high as wellhttp://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1173351&highlight=chad. Anyways good luck and hopefully you find the best tv you can for your money.

 

[BruZZi]

If I was buying one this year, it would be the Kuro KRP series, the last of the Pioneers.
2nd choice would the Panasonic. I have a year old Samsung plasma and am very happy with it. I had it prof. calibrated and has a great picture.

Panasonic leads Samsung in black level, and has improved in color accuracy over last year. But both look great!
Keep in mind, Panasonic products generally have fewer problems.

Yup but Samsung (LCDs/Plasmas) and Pioneer are still better.

.

 

[BruZZi]

Might try Value Electronics (dot com) if they have any left. You can even have them burned in and calibrated.

Last time I heard (last week) Robert had only 3 KRP-500M in stock. They're probably gone by now.

.