Samsung vs. Panasonic

[Tomorrow]

Gents (ladies too if there are any we haven't scared away ),

The missus and I are strongly considering treating ourselves to a nice plasma tv for a Christmas gift to ourselves. Affordability is an issue, so we may go with the cheapest model of Panasonic we can find in 50" size. I have a good friend that can get us a reasonably good price on all Panny stuff. This would be for a TH-50PX75U.

We may also opt to just shoot the wad and go for a 58" set (comes in 1080P only), which is more size appropriate for our room. This would be their top of the line TH-58PZ750U, but it's well more than twice the price of the 720P PX75U. That said, I've just discovered the competitively priced Samsungs. They have seemingly come a long way since they were the cheapest of cheap displays of years past. I'm interested in their 58" HP-T5884, about which I could find little information.

We live in a pretty rural area, and a Sears catalog store is the best we have for actually seeing models. While they carry both brands, neither of these models are in stock.

I would sincerely appreciate any and all factoids, opinions, experiences, links, and biases that you may have regarding these two sets. TIA!

Cheers,

Manana

 

[MDS]

Price is always an issue because as I like to say 'you don't get rich by spending your money'.

So how much are we talking about and are you dead-set on a Plasma vs an LCD or even a rear-projection LCD/DLP?

I like to impose arbitrary price limits on myself (although I sometimes violate my own rules) and that price is $3K. For that money you can get one of the new 120 Hz LCDs or one of several of the top rated Plasmas.

 

[Romulus]

check bhphotovideo.com. They are a very reputable dealer in NYC. I have spent several thousand at their online store on camera gear and never had a problem.

They are offering a samsung display (4261f, which I'm looking to buy soon) for 400 less (1350 vs 1700) than best buy.

 

[Tomorrow]

Price is always an issue because as I like to say 'you don't get rich by spending your money'.

So how much are we talking about and are you dead-set on a Plasma vs an LCD or even a rear-projection LCD/DLP?

I like to impose arbitrary price limits on myself (although I sometimes violate my own rules) and that price is $3K. For that money you can get one of the new 120 Hz LCDs or one of several of the top rated Plasmas.

This is hard to answer, MDS. We can get the 58" Panny for roughly $3200 shipped. The Sammy is in the same ballpark. This is MORE than we want to spend...but our viewing room is quite large and 58" is more appropriate to our viewing distance than is 50". We currently have a rplcd tv in 50". No more RP after drooling over our friend's spiffy new 720P plasma Sammy in HD. LCD is definitely a consideration. The problem with that technology is the lack of larger sizes in the price range. Sharp has an Aquos in 52" that I found interesting. That's a little close to 50" though.

Whatcha got in mind?

 

[avaserfi]

This is hard to answer, MDS. We can get the 58" Panny for roughly $3200 shipped. The Sammy is in the same ballpark. This is MORE than we want to spend...but our viewing room is quite large and 58" is more appropriate to our viewing distance than is 50". We currently have a rplcd tv in 50". No more RP after drooling over our friend's spiffy new 720P plasma Sammy in HD. LCD is definitely a consideration. The problem with that technology is the lack of larger sizes in the price range. Sharp has an Aquos in 52" that I found interesting. That's a little close to 50" though.

Whatcha got in mind?

If I were you I wouldn't think much about getting the Samsung or LCD. The best screens I have seen are Panasonic and Pioneer displays hands down. The Pioneers are just way more expensive so I recommend everyone to the Panny. While I like Samsung displays I think that when comparing them to Panny, both being properly calibrated, the Panny always wins not only because of PQ, but because of their dominance in the market and great track record which backs them up more.

Back when I bought my Sharp I was really worried about glare which was the main reason I bought a LCD. Now with the anti-glare coating being put on Plasmas I don't think I would buy another screen type until LCDs can more closely match CRTs/Plasmas in black levels and tonality. So going back I wouldn't buy the LCD again. Just my two cents.

 

[annunaki]

I would strongly suggest the Panasonic as they and Pioneer are more or less the only companies that do not view plasma as a disposable item. What that means is after your warranty is up they can still be repaired if ever needed. Panasonic has been very good about offering support for in and out of warranty plasma. I feel that part of the reason we are seeing the prices coming down so fast and far on these sets is that many of the companies have simply stopped offering service for in or out of warranty items (mostly third tier brands Olevia, Vizio, Westinghouse, Insignia, etc.). This is good if there is a problem with the set in warranty as you simply get a new one. If it is out of warranty...???

 

[Tomorrow]

Thanks for all the tips, guys. Panny plasma has been my leading choice thus far and you are solidifying it. The fact that I can get a pretty good deal helps a lot too.

But a word of caution about dropping prices...because of the falling-rock descent of the value of the USD against foreign currency, I think it might be some time before you see price drops on Japanese electronics. I was going to wait until the Panny prices dropped on their scheduled November sale. Now I'm told prices might not be so desirable then. What to do...what to do....

 

[avaserfi]

Thanks for all the tips, guys. Panny plasma has been my leading choice thus far and you are solidifying it. The fact that I can get a pretty good deal helps a lot too.

But a word of caution about dropping prices...because of the falling-rock descent of the value of the USD against foreign currency, I think it might be some time before you see price drops on Japanese electronics. I was going to wait until the Panny prices dropped on their scheduled November sale. Now I'm told prices might not be so desirable then. What to do...what to do....

From what I have heard/read about the sales going on during black Friday it will be worth waiting. One thing to keep in mind is even with the American dollar dropping in value recently if it drops significantly in the slightly longer than a month until the big November sales the last thing people will be worrying about is deals on large screen TVs. I really doubt the value will drop that much (if at all) in such a short time, so it might be worth waiting, but if you can already get a great deal it might be worth it too.

 

[Hi Ho]

I would avoid Samsung plasma sets myself. They make great LCD sets but their plasmas are not as good. They don't offer the same picture quality as a similarly priced Panasonic and they have had some reliability issues. In fact, a majority of the very few plasma displays that I have seen serviced have been Samsungs.

 

[snickelfritz]

A friend of mine just purchased the Panasonic you mentioned.
The first unit had a bad pixel. (they exchanged it)

I set up both units using DVE.
First unit (bad pixel) had reasonably accurate color. Green was noticeably off.

Second unit had virtually perfect color; all three color filters showed practically textbook results after calibrating the picture and brightness settings.
The picture is stunning and the build quality is above average.
Costly ISF calibration would be totally unnecessary on this TV.

I found the "warm" setting for gray to be the most neutral by far.
The other two settings were too blue.

If I didn't already own a decent HDTV, I'd buy this or one of the Panasonic commercial models.

 

[stratman]

RJ, I've had my Panny for 4 years now, not a hitch. Thing's been fool-proof, I highly recommend it. Man if you can swing that 58" for that kind of money! Whew! Take it from a caveman pull that darn trigger.