50" Plasma - 720 or 1080

[carlosmp]

Ok, here's my situation. I've been considering jumping up to a nice 50" plasma from my 8 year old 27" Mitsubishi Tube. Yes, it's going to be quite an upgrade. Based on the seating charts, at 8-9 feet, i should be looking at 42-46 for a 720p set, but if I go to 1080p, I should be looking at a 58"+. I'm not looking to spend over $2500. I'd love to spend under $2k, but this is where I need some help.

What do we watch? Most of the time, my wife and I watch tivo'd shows. With 2 kids under 2, we only get 2 hours of TV before passing out. I usually get an extra hour since I tend to outlast her.

What's getting connected? - Receiver is a Yamaha VX-2500, and is limited to 720p, so the 1080p set would require an upgraded unit.

I may end up answering my own question here, but this is what I'm thinking:

While I'd like the 1080p for the larger resolution for use as a computer display, we will only use it as a large picture frame. Probably run some picture shows through it, hook up a HTPC/Macmini. At the distance we're at, we're not going to "appreciate" the difference during TV/movie watching, but while using as a PC it will be.

The 720 seems to make more sense. We don't watch/rent too many movies from DVD/HD/BR/xxx so I wouldn't really be missing out on anything major. I can keep my

My biggest problem, is that I always want the latest and greatest...My tech side says, go for it, it's only $1k more for the 1080. My more sensible side says, just get the 720, and get some extra toys speakers, xbox...

I'm considering the following:
50" 720p
Panasonic TH-50PX75U
Samsung HP-T5054

50" 1080p
Panasonic TH-PZ77U/PZ700U
Samsung FP-T5084

Any thoughts/comments?

Thanks,
Carlos.

 

[Warpdrv]

For the 1080p You have costco in florida....
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11230395&whse=BC&Ne=5000001+4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341&N=4001381%204294967278&Mo=2&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

Otherwise, Im extremely happy with my commercial panasonic plasma 42" 8uk and 50" 9uk... Neither are 1080p and I don't really care... I love the picture on both of them.. FWIW, neither cable nor a dish will send out a 1080p signal..
Save some money and get a last years Plasma... Panasonic's are awesome with great dependability. I have Dish Network, and the picture in HD is spectacular.

Good Luck with your descision...

 

[FguerraG]

I made a similar jump from a 52'' rear projection tv to a Samsung 50'' 720p plasma and man it has been night and day for me the image is so crisp and neat that I really don't care how much better a 1080p picture would improve.

It's just nos cost wise , you can easily get a 50'' 720p plasma for about $1,500 and the change you will perceive from the switch will be exponential but if you get the 1080p you'll have to cough up more money for a little bit more performance , here is where it gets tricky because you'll hear a bunch of people saying that the difference between 720p & 1080p is worth the extra money , for me it wasn't and I couldn't be more happy with my 720p plasma.

Good Luck!

 

[The Dukester]

I would vote for the 720 as well. Between your choices, it would be a no brainer for me to go with the Pannasonic. If you can, go look at the Pioneers as well. I just don't think you can beat the picture. They have excellent processing in them so SD still looks pretty good compared to many others. You can get the 5080 in your price range.

 

[carlosmp]

Warpdrv - I realize that full 1080p broadcasts are way out. I was just looking at it to be able to play the 5-6 HD/BR DVD I may get over the next few years... Costco is nice, but BB hs 36 mo no interest... I looked at the Pro Panasonic displays last year with the 9UK line since they looked much cleaner. I can't stand the speakers as they add unnecessary width/height to the displays. The latest versions are much nicer. Right now, I'm figuring that sice I can get extendd warranties, the $300 difference is an even swap.

FguerraG - That's what I was thinking. For the $1k that I'm saving, I may pickup a 37" for our bedroom...now which one...

Dukester - I've seen the Pioneers at the local SoundAdvice (Tweeter) and they're gorgeous. They had them right next to the Panasonics, and thought they were pretty close. I just don't think they're worth the extra price. I've looked around at the 5080's and they're more than the 1080p Panasonics. At that point, I'll take the higher rez to have some nice pictures on the wall.

Thanks for all your advice guys. I think I'm going to grab the Panasonic over the Samsung.

 

[Warpdrv]

I wouldn't go with a 37" in the bedroom, may as well jump right into a 42".
I was just at costco and some chicky that I see was there lookin for a Plasma, and the Panny 42's were 1249.00...

bummer I paid $2K for my pro..

Great looking tv....

Good luck... you'll find what your looking for.. don't be in a hurry, You are making an informed descision...

 

[gus6464]

The TH-50PX75U can be had nowadays for around $1500 which makes it a great buy. I bought mine for $1600 1.5 months ago but got $200 refunded via price match.

 

[annunaki]

Circuitcity just had the TH50PX75U for $1,599.99 I would expect it to drop again soon as it is at $1,899.99 currently. Circuit City online had the TH42PX75U for $1,099.99, not sure if it is still running at that price.

 

[Audioman321]

You can have a look at the Insignia NS-PDP50 50 inch 720p Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV right now there is a deal on it for $1170 in dealstudio.com, I think that's quite a good price.

 

[WmAx]

You can have a look at the Insignia NS-PDP50 50 inch 720p Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV right now there is a deal on it for $1170 in dealstudio.com, I think that's quite a good price.

You are right, it is a 'steal', but the loss is that of the BUYER. Insignia, as are many other budget brands, is a disposable television with no after warranty support/parts availability so far as I know. So if that [likely poorly manufactured] television fails outside of warranty, you are stuck with something you can not likely get repaired.

-Chris

 

[ToolZero]

Amazon just dropped the price of the Samsung FPT5084 to $1999 + free shipping. Super deal if you want 50" and 1080p.

No matter which set you go with I'm sure you will happy with the improvement. I just thought I'd share the good deal I found.