How are these BUDGET PLASMAS?

[ventwood0]

I was looking at some of COSTO's plasma TV's this week and I noticed how cheap they've become. Their price tag has greatly dropped from last yr. I have been thinking on replacing my current large screen CRT anyways since it has been performing poorly and I thought I would pick up a plasma from COSTCO since their price has dropped so much.

I am going to be soon buying the BIC Acoustech Speakers and I guess a TV upgrade would be great.

I wrote down a few TV's that were within my price range....

1. VIZIO 42" 1299.99
2. Phillips 42" 1499.99
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11161689&search=phillips%2042&Sp=S&Mo=1&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&N=0&whse=&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=phillips%2042&Ntt=phillips%2042&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

3. Panasonic 42" 1699.99
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11165578&search=panasonic&Sp=S&Mo=77&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&N=0&whse=&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=panasonic&Ntt=panasonic&No=4&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

4. Maxent 50" 1799.99
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11162043&search=maxent&Sp=S&Mo=1&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&N=0&whse=&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=maxent&Ntt=maxent&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

I was thinking about the Maxent since it is a 50" and the price tag it preaty great, or the Panasonic..... but I really have no idea right now. I was told to stay away from VIZIO because they are cheaply made (well thats what I was told)..... if someone could steer me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[ventwood0]

I keep hearing things on that teh Panasonic has the best picture........but the Maxent looks like it has teh best deal. It is 50" and its only a few hundred bucks away from the Panasonic......

 

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

check this out if you dont mind DLP that needs a stand...only $1500 for a 50"

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11041931&whse=&Ne=4000000&N=4001386&Mo=5&No=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&Sp=C&hierPath=79*2341*3314*&topnav=

 

[jonnythan]

That Maxent isn't very good. However, if you shop at Best Buy, you may be able to find the MX-50X3 for a similar price. Much better picture.

You should also be able to find the Vizio 50" plasma for a similar price.. also a good picture.

 

[ventwood0]

If you were to compare the 42" Panasonic to the 50" Maxent... which would you personally get?

 

[jonnythan]

If you were to compare the 42" Panasonic to the 50" Maxent... which would you personally get?

I did... and bought the Maxent.

50 is way, way, way bigger and better than 42. The picture on my Maxent is great.

But, like I said, I recommend against the HPM20.

Between the two you listed... I'd wait, save up a few more bucks, and get a better 50".

 

[ventwood0]

I did... and bought the Maxent.

50 is way, way, way bigger and better than 42. The picture on my Maxent is great.

But, like I said, I recommend against the HPM20.

Between the two you listed... I'd wait, save up a few more bucks, and get a better 50".

Are you sure? Read what this guy says about the Maxent

"As a soon to be former owner of the Maxent, I'm going to advise you to stay away from that set, as well! I am returning it and picking up the Panasonic 50" and am sure that I will be much happier with it. The Maxent has a terrible flickering autocontrast that becomes increasingly annoying as times goes on, and skin tones are impossible to get right, as there are no color temperature settings to speak of. You will be much happier with the Panasonic and probably any of the others you listed."

 

[jonnythan]

Which Maxent is that? They make a few 50" models.

The MX50-X3 does have this annoying auto-contrast thing that can occasionally switch the brightness level when going from bright to dark scenes... but only on component. I only use HDMI and VGA and it doesn't happen. It's not a flicker, it's an occasional switch.

There are 3 color temperature settings, which is the norm. "Natural" looks fantastic. There's nothing wrong with skin tones.

But don't take my word for it, and don't buy an expensive TV without sitting around and watching it for a while.

The MX50-X3 is the best deal going in 50" plasmas. My local Best Buy has it for something like $1800 right now.

In any case, I chose not to settle for a 42" set. I saved an extra month and got a 50" set and I'm very happy I did. The difference is dramatic.

 

[stratman]

I've had my Panasonic 42" ED for 2 years---no problems whatsoever.

And Circuit City had it for 1350.00 about 3 weeks ago, here in Miami.

 

[ventwood0]

It seems like the 50" Maxent Plasma is the best deal so far..... but the 42" Panasonic delivers better picture. The Maxent model I was thinking on getting from my local Costco was the MX5020HPM and it is only 1799.99

 

[jonnythan]

That particular Maxent sucks.

IMO, the MX50-X3 has as good a picture as the Pioneer you listed.. if not better. Not to mention bigger.

But don't let me buy your plasma for you. Go look at the damn things already.

 

[rgriffin25]

Have you guys heard the phrase "You Get what You pay For"? If money is an issue I would have to say go with a DLP, LCD, or LCoS projection display. You can get a 50" for far less than the price of a good plasma.

Here is something else to consider.. Lets say things go great until after the 30 day return policy is over and then you begin to have problems. Who does service work on the Maxent Plasma TVs? Are there even going to be parts available? I couldn't tell you how many calls we get every week at work from people trying to get service done on their off-brand plasma or LCD that they just bought a couple of months ago.

I know there are some exceptions to the rule, but these are some things you need to consider before you spend money on a TV. Heck, right now Plasma TV prices are falling pretty fast, if you can't afford the one you want wait a couple of months.

 

[ventwood0]

Have you guys heard the phrase "You Get what You pay For"? If money is an issue I would have to say go with a DLP, LCD, or LCoS projection display. You can get a 50" for far less than the price of a good plasma.

Here is something else to consider.. Lets say things go great until after the 30 day return policy is over and then you begin to have problems. Who does service work on the Maxent Plasma TVs? Are there even going to be parts available? I couldn't tell you how many calls we get every week at work from people trying to get service done on their off-brand plasma or LCD that they just bought a couple of months ago.

I know there are some exceptions to the rule, but these are some things you need to consider before you spend money on a TV. Heck, right now Plasma TV prices are falling pretty fast, if you can't afford the one you want wait a couple of months.

The Maxent breaking down is not a problem with me. If it does, i'll just lugg it back to costco and return it and buy another plasma. I just want to get a good one that has decent picture, is able to be mounted on the wall, and 42" - 50". I am going to buy the Bic Acoustech sound system for 799.99 so I would like a large TV to acompany it. The 50" plasma (maxent) seems great for the price. As mentioned, all the plasmas in costco look the same. It is very hard to tell which has the best picture unless it is obvious they suck (like vizio). All the plasmas look generally the same. The 50" panasonic it much more expensive than the 50" Maxent....... so im not sure if i should just get the 42" panasonic over the 50" maxent. I cannot wait for teh price of plasmas to go down because my current CRT TV is about to break down and I need a replacement for it. Or else its draggin the 20" TV out of my bedroom and sticking it in the livign room.......... which is not such a great idea. Overall, the Maxent looks like it is really the best deal, it has decent picture and the screen is HUGE! compared to the 42" panasonic. In the store, when I compared the 2, they looked "very" similar. except the panasonic picture was a little sharper ( perhaps because it was 8" smaller)
The Maxent looked great in costco, but probably because they are all adjusted to look great under floresent lights... anyways. It is either the Maxent or the Panasonic. Price wise, the Maxent wins hands down. But performance wise..... im not so sure since I cant tell which looks better.
PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE

 

[jonnythan]

Have you guys heard the phrase "You Get what You pay For"? If money is an issue I would have to say go with a DLP, LCD, or LCoS projection display. You can get a 50" for far less than the price of a good plasma.

Here is something else to consider.. Lets say things go great until after the 30 day return policy is over and then you begin to have problems. Who does service work on the Maxent Plasma TVs? Are there even going to be parts available? I couldn't tell you how many calls we get every week at work from people trying to get service done on their off-brand plasma or LCD that they just bought a couple of months ago.

Quit spreading FUD. Maxent isn't an off-brand. They have numerous models in multiple large retailers such as Best Buy and Costco across the country. They have certified technicians that get sent out to fix problems.. there were a couple of guys on AVS that had issues with theirs and had a Maxent tech at their house in a few days. They come with a year-long warranty.

Maxent is a relatively new consumer brand name of Regent USA/Sampo, a fairly large and established company. They've been selling commercial plasmas for years.

Just because you personally don't know anything about a company doesn't make it right to barge into a thread and spread FUD. All you show is that you don't know what you're talking about.

 

[ventwood0]

THank you for clearing that up. After a few posts from people, I was under the impression that Maxent was a cheap brand like VIizo. I am sure the Maxent picture quality cant be that far from the panasonic plasma......

 

[jonnythan]

THank you for clearing that up. After a few posts from people, I was under the impression that Maxent was a cheap brand like VIizo. I am sure the Maxent picture quality cant be that far from the panasonic plasma......

It depends on the model. The MX50-X3 uses a Panasonic plasma panel, which is why it looks so good.

 

[ventwood0]

It depends on the model. The MX50-X3 uses a Panasonic plasma panel, which is why it looks so good.

THe panasonic 42" model is the TH42PX6U for 1699.99
The Maxent 50" model is the MX5020HPM and that is for 1799.99

 

[Geno]

Vizio

I'm approaching 1 year with my Vizio 50" Plasma. I'm quite happy with it. After comparing it with Panny and Pioneer models, I'm at a loss to see any real difference. There are several hundred pages of Vizio threads at AVS, if you care to investigate. After all is said and done, if you have any problems whatsoever with any set you get from Costco, just haul it back and get a no-crap refund. I'm amazed by the folks here who bad-mouth the new brands who undersell the big boys by a wide margin. As most of us have discovered in this hobby/mental illness/obsession, you don't necessarily get what you pay for.

 

[ventwood0]

I'm approaching 1 year with my Vizio 50" Plasma. I'm quite happy with it. After comparing it with Panny and Pioneer models, I'm at a loss to see any real difference. There are several hundred pages of Vizio threads at AVS, if you care to investigate. After all is said and done, if you have any problems whatsoever with any set you get from Costco, just haul it back and get a no-crap refund. I'm amazed by the folks here who bad-mouth the new brands who undersell the big boys by a wide margin. As most of us have discovered in this hobby/mental illness/obsession, you don't necessarily get what you pay for.

I saw many people returning their vizio's and i read some articles on how bad vizio was....... so im staying away from them. Everyone really does seem to recoment panasonic. Are panasonic really that much better than pillips and maxe nt?