Which Panny should I get?

[Omega Supreme]

Im looking for a TV for my dad. Here are the 2 that i have it narrowed down to:
1. TH-50PX80U $900 @ Sears
2. TH-50PZ85U $1420 @ Amazon

I am leaning twoards the 85U but was wondering if it is worth the extra $500. It has 30,000:1 Contrast ratio vs. 15,000:1 on the 80U. It is also 1080p vs. the 720p of the 80U. Besides that, the specs. are the same. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

 

[strube]

The contrast doesn't really matter that much, but 1080p is ABSOLUTELY worth the extra money IMO. With blu-ray, HDTV, and hi-def gaming, there is really no good reason (besides money I suppose ) to get less than 1080p.

 

[SportsNut]

hey I would say check out the reviews at CNET.com and see what the they say. Also get into a bestbuy and check them out and see what picture you like. I really like the CNET reviews they offer ratings from a Hi-end perspective. But most of all its all on what makes you happy

 

[Halon451]

I am leaning twoards the 85U...

Keep leaning... It depends on what you want out of the TV, to be honest. If you want to make the most of your experience, or get the absolute most out of any high definition media (be it blu-ray, gaming, whatever), then go for the 1080p. A lot of people have said they can't tell much difference between 720p and 1080p at a certain distance, so you can factor that in too. T'were me though (and it was recently), I would want to try and shoot for the best technology that's on the market within your price range - I paid the extra for the 1080p and am very glad I did.

 

[bandphan]

hey I would say check out the reviews at CNET.com and see what the they say. Also get into a bestbuy and check them out and see what picture you like. I really like the CNET reviews they offer ratings from a Hi-end perspective. But most of all its all on what makes you happy

Id trust some of the reviewers here

 

[Omega Supreme]

I have read reviews that say the 85u has black levels that are almost on par with the Pioneer Kuro. I haven't found any (pro) reviews on the 80U so i'm wondering if the black levels are as good. The difference in contrast ratio makes me belive that the blacks would be better on the 85u. I am more conserned with the black level than the reseloution. I have an older 50u and the 720 looks fine to me but the during some dark scenes it just dosent get dark enough. So if the 85u is darker than the 80u then I would get it. Ive seen the 80u at Best Buy but have not seen the 85u.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Im looking for a TV for my dad. Here are the 2 that i have it narrowed down to:
1. TH-50PX80U $900 @ Sears
2. TH-50PZ85U $1420 @ Amazon

I am leaning twoards the 85U but was wondering if it is worth the extra $500. It has 30,000:1 Contrast ratio vs. 15,000:1 on the 80U. It is also 1080p vs. the 720p of the 80U. Besides that, the specs. are the same. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

I have a few questions:

What does he watch on TV?
Does he have a DVD player? BluRay? Will he get one, say in the next few years if not?
How far does he usually sit from the TV?

If no bluray in his future, I seriously doubt that the 1080p is really necessary.
Broadcast tv broadcasts in 720p or maybe 1080i. I don't see them going to 1080p for a long time; bandwidth is just too large for that.

 

[Omega Supreme]

mtrycrafts
What about the Black levels. Do you know if the 85U would be any better than the 80U?


What does he watch on TV?

He mainly watches the History channel, DIY, Football, ect...(Man stuff).


Does he have a DVD player? BluRay? Will he get one, say in the next few years if not?

He has a DVD player that I bought him about 3 or 4 years ago. If he dosent get a bluray player in a few years I will probably get him one.

How far does he usually sit from the TV?

Depends on where you are sitting. If you are sitting at the end of his couch I would say 5' the other end 14'. The other seats are around 16'.

If no bluray in his future, I seriously doubt that the 1080p is really necessary.
Broadcast tv broadcasts in 720p or maybe 1080i. I don't see them going to 1080p for a long time; bandwidth is just too large for that.[/

 

[Phil Taylor]

I've got a 42PX80U and at my viewing distance of 9ft the 42" 1080p would be a waste of money - IMHO. At 50" you are on the border of where the panels would show their difference in resolution. The blacks of the 80U are fantastic and it displays a spectacular image. If you have the extra bux go for the 85U as the closest seat at 5' would indeed notice the pixels and resolution difference. The further seats probably would not. Whatever display you get will not show its true capability until it is fed an HD source although the Panny panels are among the best at handling SD content.

 

[Omega Supreme]

I went ahead and got the TH-50PZ85U. To bad it went up from $420 to $490. I figured that my parents will probably keep it for 20 to 25 years just like there old zenith. And whats an extra $500 over 25 years? Not much. Thanks for all of your help.