Samsung FPT5084 or Panasonic TH-50PZ700U

[ToolZero]

I've gone through the forums and researched as much as I can for my level of understanding. There are many here who's opinion I value far beyond my own.

It's finally time to buy a flat panel for my family-room/theatre. 50" is around the biggest I can go. I am only going to use the TV as a monitor, and I do not plan on ever connecting a PC to it. Just TV, Movies, and Video Games.

I've narrowed it down to the Samsung FPT5084 and Panasonic TH-50PZ700U.

Please share with me any information I should know, or recommendations you have.

The new flat panel is going to mount where the painting is, over the fireplace. I will move all of my components up to where the current TV is sitting. I would like mount the TV on an articulating arm so I can swing it out and to the center, directly underneath my center speaker, for serious movie watching. Most of the time the TV will be directly over the fireplace.

This is where we will view from. The windows face west, so light comes in as the sun goes down. I planted some great trees in the backyard so the light isn't too bad.
Most of our TV/Movie watching is at night, after the kids are down, so sunlight isn't a huge issue.

(The sound system is already installed in the rear, just not in the picture)

 

[solomr2]

Same exact two panels I narrowed down my choice to also. I found it very difficult to pick one over the other, but I favored the Samsung ever so slightly over the Panasonic. In the end a sale at BB put it over the top and I got the set home nearly 2 weeks ago for $2180 including delivery and taxes.

You can't go wrong with either one. Just last night I finished putting in the tilting wall mount ($89 for Peeless from Amazon), and I got it wired into my HT gear. I absolutely love it!

The funny thing is, my wife who sat down to watch it with me last night for the very first time immediately asked "why is this TV so clear and beautiful"? That was the icing on the cake.

 

[Warpdrv]

I have 2 Panasonic Plasma's 42" 8UK and 50" 9UK... They are simply amazing..

With that said... I follow the Panny threads, and this new model is supposed to be not as good, and not getting the better reviews as the Samsung has...

Just thought I would toss that info out.....

I would def. compared them with a good amount of material...

They both look roughly the same... but the proof is in the pudding so let your eyes decide... Panasonics are bulletproof... but if the PQ is better on the Samsung.. thats the way to go...

 

[ToolZero]

The picture quality on both sets is so good they both will be fine. In the end I like the look of the Samsung set more than the Panasonic, and the Samsung is cheaper.

I looked everywhere for the best deals. BB, CC and Frys couldn't touch Amazon's $2,199 + free shipping price.

Amazon dropped the price to $2,099 yesterday, so I jumped. Then today I discovered they dropped it again to $1999, still with free shipping. I used the Amazon customer service where they call you. Within 30 seconds I was talking to an English speaker person who setup my $100 refund to go out on Monday. Amazon is so cool.

I also ordered the Premier Mounts AM3 swing out mount so I can move the TV to underneath my center speaker, and I can angle the TV so we can see it from the kitchen if we want to.

The AM3 was $295 (compared to $500 at Frys).
The bonus I was not expecting was no sales tax. My grand total for the TV and mount, shipped to my door, is $2295. I'm really happy.

My Denon 3805 receiver does not have HDMI pass-through so I just bought two BJC Series F HDMI cables to run directly from my TV receiver and DVD player to the TV.

The only bummer is Amazon shows Dec 24th as the delivery date. I wish it was Dec 21st at least.

 

[solomr2]

The only bummer is Amazon shows Dec 24th as the delivery date. I wish it was Dec 21st at least.

You are going to have a wonderful visual Christmas!

This TV is absolutely breathtaking. I'm very impressed with it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I am enjoying mine.

If I were you, I'd see if I could download the mounting template for your wall mount and start drilling the holes now so when the TV arrives you can get it up on the wall right away.

Also, if you haven't already, be sure to get you digital sources in place (Cable, sat, DVD, etc.). At high def this TV rocks, but if you're stuck with SD, you will miss the beauty of this TV.