Buying a new TV

[Ito]

Yeah, it's one of those threads XD

I am looking at getting a new TV to replace my 32" Dynex LCD. I am looking in the 50" range and would like to keep the price at about $1000 (preferable as low as I can go, as a I am a college student XD).

I have been pretty much sold on a Plasma from everything I have read here, and from what I have been reading is that the Panasonic plasma's are the best. I've been looking at mainly the U2 and S2 in that series as they fall into my price range.

However, on a trip into American and talking with a sales associate he seemed to have the opposite view on plasmas as I see on the forums. I'm not saying I buy it or not, but he was telling me that the panasonic plasma's this year arn't all that great and that the samsung plasma's are much better performers. That said he would probably have had me with an LED if I didn't know what I wanted, but those are totally beyond my budget in the sizes I am looking at and I would rather stick with where I have read that the quality is.

That said, upon doing some viewing at best buy just looking at the panasonic s2 and the Sammy C540 (I believe that was the one I looked at) I felt like the Sammy was providing a bit better colors overall and just had a bit crisper feel. That said, that is in store, so that might not be as true when taken out of the store and is calibrated. However, there is also the fact that the panasonic's aren't even half as attractive as the sammy's, and if they are damn close in price and performance, I would easily go for the sammy before the panny.

I will give a little insight on what my viewing conditions will be like:
Distance from tv: 13-14 feet
Main viewing times: 3:30 and later with adjustable lighting
Main usage: 60% Computer, 35% Video Games (PS3, Wii), 5% Movies, 0% TV

 

[Midwesthonky]

Tough call for you. Have you popped into the menu's of the two sets to see how they were set? Does anyone know if Samsung gives more of a cut so the salesguy make more money?

It's a tough choice. Only you can make it. I'm really not helping with my reply.

See, I'm biased against Samsung products. I hate their cell phones (battery life sucks, menus are horrible, sound quality is horrible). A past employer had contracted with Samsung to design a build an appliance for them. So I got to see first hand how Samsung operates. The units are pretty, but are released way to early, are under-designed, under-tested, under-QC'd. I personally have not had great luck or satisfaction with their products so I am biased against them.

I'd go check out the units at different stores to see if they are set differently. As you stated, it was in store. So if you can go check out more stores. Which American were you at? The one on the north side of Waukesha or at Oak Creek? Or elsewhere?

 

[Ito]

The one in Waukesha, lol.

Actually, I've been spending some time online and I have found that I might want to consider the LG PK550. I've been readin up on it an the AVS forum thread and it seems like it is a stellar TV for the price.

 

[jostenmeat]

BMXTRIX was recently ranting very strongly against LG. Run a search.

Panasonic 50" 1080p plasmas have been available within your budget for years now.

I believe the S2 has the NeoPDP panel, and if the U2 does not as I fear, that in itself should make you lean towards the S2. You will need to research the pros/cons of S1 vs S2.

I went to Pana's site, ALL tv's, which then gives you compare function. Here are the side by sides with S1 S2 u2. However, the specs are incomplete, and furthermore (and unfortunately) I would not be shocked if one of the things was inaccurate:

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelComparisonResults?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&catGroupId=103502&surfCategory=All VIERA® Flat-Panel HDTVs&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702&items=390516|392537|330262|

Darn the link doesn't work, you'll have to click em yourself:
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Televisions/All-VIERA-Flat-Panel-HDTVs.list.103502_11002_7000000000000005702

 

[Ito]

go suck an egg- college stundets can't afford to buy anything unless you parents are super rich --THIS IS NOT YOUR MONEY

Apparently someone is butthurt that I can spend around $1000, cause apparently that is beyond the means of a college student. rofl. Are you kidding me, college students can't buy anything. I work thus I make money, and with that money I can buy things, this in not my parent's money. Calm down and do get pissed off, all I wanted was some advice, not to be ridiculed.

 

[Ito]

BMXTRIX was recently ranting very strongly against LG. Run a search.

Panasonic 50" 1080p plasmas have been available within your budget for years now.

I believe the S2 has the NeoPDP panel, and if the U2 does not as I fear, that in itself should make you lean towards the S2. You will need to research the pros/cons of S1 vs S2.

I went to Pana's site, ALL tv's, which then gives you compare function. Here are the side by sides with S1 S2 u2. However, the specs are incomplete, and furthermore (and unfortunately) I would not be shocked if one of the things was inaccurate:

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelComparisonResults?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&catGroupId=103502&surfCategory=All VIERA® Flat-Panel HDTVs&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702&items=390516|392537|330262|

Darn the link doesn't work, you'll have to click em yourself:
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Televisions/All-VIERA-Flat-Panel-HDTVs.list.103502_11002_7000000000000005702

Thanks for the help. I just think it is so hard to judge a TV from just looking at the specs though.

I found this post by BMXTRIX which discourages me a little bit, but from what I am reading about the PK550 is that it is a great TV. I want to read through the complete AVS thread first though, which could take a little while, lol.

I've just been less than thrilled with LG engineering. They tend to look decent, and their price is extremely reasonable.

But, if I wanted to save cash, I would go to Vizio.

What do I like more?

Samsung, Pioneer, Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, Vizio, NEC, Mitsubishi, Toshiba...

Kind of an extensive list of manufacturers I prefer over LG.

The cheapest Chinese import no-name brands I don't like. Philips I think is worse than LG by a bit. Never understood how the maker of the Pronto series of remotes can STILL not have discretes on their products (Philips)!

But, LG just tries to pack to much stuff into their displays then just fails to actually make a nice reliable display. I think Samsung and Panasonic are both phenomenal with this for LCD and plasma respectively.

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks for the help. I just think it is so hard to judge a TV from just looking at the specs though.

Yes. I don't mean like 9 billion to one contrast ratio type of specs, but there might something to glean, as far as type of panel, etc.

I found this post by BMXTRIX which discourages me a little bit, but from what I am reading about the PK550 is that it is a great TV. I want to read through the complete AVS thread first though, which could take a little while, lol.

Sure. I think that's what BMX was saying. That they make a fine TV. As long as it works, but I think he was also stating a fear that it may not work for very long. He did say they look decent. But he also said they are unreliable.

Get the S2 or S1. You only watch 5% movies, so 24p w/o 3:2 is hardly a care for you. You won't have tons of consumer level pic controls, but there are SM recommendations from various enthusiasts and pros.

 

[Midwesthonky]

Don't those internet searches cause all sorts of confusion?

I can't believe someone got in your face for buying a TV in college. Some college students actually work for their money. I did. It helped pay for beer and dating the wrong women.

The specs online like jostenmeat and you have found aren't always apples to apples. Ugh!

I did a search and found one article from Nov, 2008 PCWorld where consumers rated Panasonic & Samsung ahead of LG for Plasma. I found others with similar rankings. Unfortunately, most rankings are not for reliability but for picture quality and features. Those still list Samsung and Panasonic ahead of LG.

Essentially, pick the one you like the best of the two and you'll probably be very happy. Maybe make a short list of some key things that are import or could be important like HDMI inputs, etc. If you run multiple gaming systems, etc, then it could be important if one has 3 and the other 4. Just a thought.

 

[its phillip]

I think this is one of the ones I recommended in your "post your setup" topic:

Panasonic TC-P50S2 50"
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-P50S2-50-Inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B0036VO7WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276137092&sr=1-1

$978.76 shipped from electronics expo

Note: I don't have any experience with that particular display so I can't comment on any pros or cons, other than the obvious pro being the price and size

edit: here's a Samsung PN50C550

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PN50C550-50-Inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B0036WT3XO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276137335&sr=8-1

$1033.18 shipped from amazon

same comments as above

 

[speaker]

i think the sony bravia is good.

 

[Ito]

Yes. I don't mean like 9 billion to one contrast ratio type of specs, but there might something to glean, as far as type of panel, etc.



Sure. I think that's what BMX was saying. That they make a fine TV. As long as it works, but I think he was also stating a fear that it may not work for very long. He did say they look decent. But he also said they are unreliable.

Get the S2 or S1. You only watch 5% movies, so 24p w/o 3:2 is hardly a care for you. You won't have tons of consumer level pic controls, but there are SM recommendations from various enthusiasts and pros.

Thanks for the input, you can be sure that the S2 is on my short list, I am thinking I am going to spend some time at a store looking at my different options for a while and see how I feel then.

I can't believe someone got in your face for buying a TV in college. Some college students actually work for their money. I did. It helped pay for beer and dating the wrong women.

I know dude, I was wtf-ing. One of my main money saving techniques is not drinking too .

I did a search and found one article from Nov, 2008 PCWorld where consumers rated Panasonic & Samsung ahead of LG for Plasma. I found others with similar rankings. Unfortunately, most rankings are not for reliability but for picture quality and features. Those still list Samsung and Panasonic ahead of LG.

Essentially, pick the one you like the best of the two and you'll probably be very happy. Maybe make a short list of some key things that are import or could be important like HDMI inputs, etc. If you run multiple gaming systems, etc, then it could be important if one has 3 and the other 4. Just a thought.

I would say the only two important things to me are a good looking panel and an aesthetically pleasing look (which is why I am not too crazy about the panasonics). I don't really care about inputs as long as it has 2 hdmi I am fine. Thanks for the advice!

I think this is one of the ones I recommended in your "post your setup" topic:

Panasonic TC-P50S2 50"
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-P50S2-50-Inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B0036VO7WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276137092&sr=1-1

$978.76 shipped from electronics expo

Note: I don't have any experience with that particular display so I can't comment on any pros or cons, other than the obvious pro being the price and size

edit: here's a Samsung PN50C550

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PN50C550-50-Inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B0036WT3XO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276137335&sr=8-1

$1033.18 shipped from amazon

same comments as above

Thanks for the links man, especially the PN50C550, I think that is the one sammy that is on my short list.

 

[Alex2507]

all I wanted was some advice

Look both ways before you cross the street and don't let your socks roll down.

 

[Ito]

Thank god. I can rest easy now

 

[Nugu]

For what it's worth Samsung does sell with a higher mark-up (usually 20-23ish%) over competing brands (usually ~10-14%). That's the store's mark-up, not manufacturers. So if you were at a commission based store it is possible you were being pushed for that reason.

As for what TV to pick I'd probably go for one of the well known crowd pleasers with the S1/S2. If so many people here praise it, it can't be bad.

 

[Ito]

I've been doing a lot of reading lately and I am leaning away from the Samsung and more towards the LG and S2. There just seems to be quite a few problems that people are having with the C550 and I just really don't want to have to deal with them...

God, if only the S2 looked better I would probably pull the trigger right now...why does it have to look like a TV from 4 years ago?

 

[Ito]

Ugh. Should have pulled the Trigger on something yesterday. Amazon had a free LG bluray player with the PK550 and the Panasonic 54" was going for $1,050. Now the panny has jumped up $150 and the free bluray player is no longer included. I was planning on making my final decision today, but now I am just feeling kind bummed and I am not really sure if I should make a decision now or wait and see if something better comes along.