Panasonic Plasma's Question

[Midwesthonky]

Ok, the wife actually started to open up a bit to the idea of a new TV to replace our 8 year old projection unit.

I'm pretty set on a Panasonic 65" Plasma. But torn between the VT30, GT30, and ST30. I can compare the specs and see the differences, but there isn't a lot. I've been tempted by the GT just so I can get the 4th HDMI input as I am constrained by my current projection's limited HD inputs. So I am paranoid about having enough inputs.

My question is does anyone have real experience with these? I've heard some rumors of the GT series having some quality problems. The ST is a lot for the money so it's tempting as well. I'm not worried about the sound since any good movies will be routed through the AV.

As a guy, I would like the VT but even the best prices put it at least $600 above the GT. The ST is such a deal that it's hard to pass it up...

Thoughts? Comments? Snide remarks?

 

[timoteo]

Get the G series!
If money is a little tight then the ST series gets you 85% of the way there. Make sure you AT LEAST use a calibration bluray to adjust all the picture settings!!!
DO NOT use these sets in Vivid mode. Make sure you use Movie mode or THX mode if you get one of the higher models.

The ST model gets you the nicer blacks. V series gets you the best blacks. I have a 54" V10 from 2 years ago & i am very happy with my black levels. These newer models have even better blacks than mine & besides the new Elites they are about as good as you can get! All 3 models your looking at will give you an AMAZING picture once adjusted correctly. The only real difference will be the blacks.
ST=Great
G=Amazing
V=Jaw Dropping

Id get the G series & have it professionally calibrated. Aaahh man im already drooling!! Haha

 

[annunaki]

Home Theater Magazine did a review between all 3 (ST, GT, VT)but in the 50" sizes. They actually do quite good video reviews, no offense to the great reviews here at AH.

Their recommendation was that the GT was not worth the price over the ST for essentially the same performance (very, very, minor advantages toward the GT's favor) but the VT was the clear (as expected) winner.

I just purchased the 60ST30. It is performing quite well so far but I am still in the initial 100 hour period in low power modes and will be calibrating shortly once I am passed the 100-150 hour mark.

If funds are tight, the ST series will NOT disappoint.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Worth saying that CNET compares the VT, GT, S series, and the Samsung 7000 & 8000 series, and while the VT series was the overall leader, the Samsung 8000 & 7000 series performed better than the GT/S series from Panasonic. The 7000 series specifically is considered their 'value leader' and after some homework I personally ended up with the 64D7000 plasma.

Flat out, it is a very good looking display and I have no regrets in NOT getting the Panasonic VT65 which was a strong contender for me.

Unless you absolutely demand the best (VT series), then I would strong consider the alternative in Samsung for the quality for your dollar.

 

[Midwesthonky]

Worth saying that CNET compares the VT, GT, S series, and the Samsung 7000 & 8000 series, and while the VT series was the overall leader, the Samsung 8000 & 7000 series performed better than the GT/S series from Panasonic. The 7000 series specifically is considered their 'value leader' and after some homework I personally ended up with the 64D7000 plasma.

I appreciate the feedback. I have a hard time with Samsung due to a former employer working with them on Appliances where Samsung was quick to push the product out well before it was ready. I also have had Samsung cell phones which I greatly disliked. So I am very hesitant when it comes to Samsung.

I'll thing about it though. Wife is getting close to considering it. Her college football team is in the I-AA playoffs and is being broadcast on the internet on ESPN3.com. So the possibility of hooking up a computer to the TV to watch it is on her mind. Yeah, the picture would be crappy, but she can still watch it.

I'll take any angle I can get.

 

[BMXTRIX]

It is worth saying that companies handle different brands with completely different design/engineer folks at the helm. One of the absolute best commercial projector brands in the world is Sanyo - but I'll be darned if there is much else from them which consumers would jump at buying.

With Samsung, I'm hard pressed to think of much else they make which actually is up to the same quality as their TVs.

Panasonic is definitely my favorite consumer electronics manufacturer. Their electronics in general tend to be a step ahead of the pack for most items, even with TVs their VT series is a cut above. But, I certainly didn't make my decision lightly and in the past couple of years I've installed a dozen or so Samsung TVs without any issues whatsoever.

It's not a LG, so you already are a step ahead in the right direction.