Z

Zarg

Junior Audioholic
Hi all,

I have the opportunity to pick up a Phillips 50" Plasma HDTV for 50% off retail (MSRP = $8,000) -- but I have to move on it within the next 72 hours. This is the model with "Pixel Plus" and "Ambilight" and HDMI out. (Model No. is 50PF9966/37.)

What do you think? Is this the best value for $4,000 out there this week -- or should I wait for a better deal?

Appreciate your input ...
 
E

e73bass

Junior Audioholic
Philips

I believe in July/Aug of this year there will be alot of these type deals on all
of the PLASMAS as more mfg. is leaning towards LCD. These are also typically the best mos. to buy video equipment as the new models are finally del'd to dealers. I am waiting till right before the football season to buy as my viewing is reduced significantly during the summer/warm mos.
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
Read some reviews on the plasma, do a little bit of research, then buy. I bought my 50" plasma last year for $3200.00 - New. Yes, it's a Sampo and not the best picture of all plasmas, but it looks great with HDTV, the 50" size is really nice, and it has been working flawlessly.

Most of all, I still haven't seen 50" plasmas come close to the price I paid. That's the killer deal. If you are happy with the pricing, and the reviews look good, and you have the cash, then get it! Don't worry about the end of this year, that's 6 months with no plasma before others are there.

I've had mine for about 12 months now and I am totally thrilled with my purchase still. I recommend the buying decision, but know nothing of that specific plasma. :)
 
Z

Zarg

Junior Audioholic
Old Model but Still...

Okay, I did what research I could and came up with this model being the Phillips flagship model -- for 2003. Good reviews.

Has the state of the plasma TV art advance in the past 2 - 3 years? I know it has on the LCD side, but what about plasma?

Appreciate any thoughts on my question...
 
L

Leprkon

Audioholic General
Zarg said:
Has the state of the plasma TV art advance in the past 2 - 3 years? I know it has on the LCD side, but what about plasma?

Appreciate any thoughts on my question...
most advances have been in the life of the screen and the inputs. If you can check the life (a number above 30,000 hours should last you ten or twenty years- less if the screen was used for a demo or something) and if you have either HDMI or DVI inputs, then you are pretty much state-of-the-art. :)
 
J

jlara

Enthusiast
I own the same model Philips. It is amazing on the wall, very good picture and comes with all the mounting supplies you will need. I paid about $4400.

I only had one dislike and it was fixed... The active picture setting is on Min at factory. When you change the color to natural, on very dark pictures, I noticed the blacks changing. Once I set the active picture to Max, I have not had the problem again.

For the money, I think it is a better buy than LG or Akai...
 
Z

Zarg

Junior Audioholic
Thanks for the Info

Thanks jlara, appreciate the input.

I passed on the Phillips because ... why? Well, basically I just wasn't ready to pull the trigger yet. I haven't finished comparison shopping and I would hate to find a better deal -- or a better value -- just because I didn't look hard enough.

Also, my wife just showed me some medical bills that came in between insurance coverage (I changed jobs). They kinda put a dent into the money I had mentally earmarked for the TV.... so I need to save up some more!

Thanks again.
 
RLA

RLA

Audioholic Chief
Hello
I advise you all to be a little leery of the manufactures claims on Plasma panel life I don’t want to elaborate for obvious reasons but keep the manufactures warranty period in mind as it is a better representative of the what the manufactures thinks of the products they are marketing. Bean counting and marketing stratagy is a common practice in the electronics industry ;)
 
Duffinator

Duffinator

Audioholic Field Marshall
RLA said:
Hello
I advise you all to be a little leery of the manufactures claims on Plasma panel life I don’t want to elaborate for obvious reasons but keep the manufactures warranty period in mind as it is a better representative of the what the manufactures thinks of the products they are marketing. Bean counting and marketing stratagy is a common practice in the electronics industry ;)
Does that apply to LCD's as well? Have you seen any plasma failures that basically render the PDP useless and had to be thrown away?
 
J

jlara

Enthusiast
I made the decision for two reasons:
1. Wife Factor - it was approved... apparently it is "prettier" than other versions. And it takes a big man to admit that! :)

2. Brandsmart had an 11 month no interest financing deal. I can't complain about that. I also purchased the 5 year extended warranty for about $399.99. Now I am well aware that the extended warranty for most items is a suckers bet, but I didn't want to take my chance on a 50" plasma.
 
RLA

RLA

Audioholic Chief
HTML:
Does that apply to LCD's as well? Have you seen any plasma failures that basically render the PDP useless and had to be thrown away?
Hi
No such thing as throwing away any monitor here in California at least none that will admit to it they are recycled and now the end user has to pay a recycling fee. As to the question regarding panel failure, yes I have seen Panel failure that deemed the glass and entire panel recycle grade.

Many manufactures now claim panel 1/2 life of 60,000 hours for the same glass and panel that they claimed 30,000 1/2 life just a few years ago. Marketing forces have a huge impact on this industry and specifications are often thrown about very loosely another area is contrast ratio's and ANSI lumen spec ;)
 

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