Which tv to buy Panasonic or Samsung?

[lbolts20]

I'm trying to help my parents purchase a tv. They mostly watch whatever is on regular tv and sports with an occasional movie. They have $1200 in rewards for Sears so they were debating between the following Panasonic Plasmas TH-50PZ80U for $1600 or for $999 TH-50PX80U as those are both available at Sears. They do not want to hang it on the wall so they will also need to purchase a stand as well. With the stand the $1600 unit may be a stretch for them. I have about a 3-4 year old dlp 1080i Toshiba and they asked how the $999 TH-50PX80U compared to that and since I've never seen the Panasonics I have no idea.

I asked them if they knew anyone to sell the $1200 reward points to and buy the tv online for cheaper. I also saw on amazon the Samsung HL61A750 61-Inch 1080p LED Powered DLP HDTV for $1624. How is that compared to the Panasonic Plasma TH-50PZ80U on amazon for $1495. Is the Panasonic that much better or is it better to go with the extra 11" in size?

With what they have to spend with having to purchase a stand the $999 TH-50PX80U option at Sears they are leaning towards, just wondering if the upgrade to one of the others is worth it for what they will be using it for.

Any help/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Adam]

I just have some miscellaneous input:

1. When you say purchase a stand, do you mean in addition to the stand that comes with the TV? They'd need that for both a plasma and a DLP, right?

2. You might very well be able to get Sears to match the total price of a reputable and authorized online dealer (such as Amazon).

 

[lbolts20]

my father is handy with woodworking and he'd make a stand for the dlp to sit on. I don't own a plasma but I was guessing you have to purchase a mounting bracket/stand seperately correct?

 

[Adam]

The consumer models generally come with a stand. If you look at the pictures on Sears' website for those two Panasonic models, you'll see the stand that they come with. They are designed to sit on a flat surface just like a DLP would.

So, perhaps they won't have to spend money on a stand after all.

 

[annunaki]

The picture quality and uniformity from a vast array of seating positions typically yield in spades with plasma over DLP and even LCD in some cases. It depends upon where the premium is being placed; screen size or overall quality.

 

[Halon451]

I just bought the TH-50PZ80U myself, coincidentally from my local Sears. I can tell you... there is a reason I chose this model, I think it's one of the best price for quality items on the market right now, and 50" looks a lot bigger in your living room than it does on the showroom floor, trust me. I think you'd be happy with it.

As for the stand - likewise, I had to move out the old entertainment center and put something nice in for the new TV to rest on. Here is where I fudged a bit, and headed down to Big Lots and picked up a nice tempered glass top stand with plenty of space for my SCS-01 Center Channel and what equipment I have, and paid $140 for it. I came in under my $2K budget, and thrilled the wife while I was at it; even she thinks it looks wonderful in the living room.

If I were you, I'd choose a quality TV over blowing your budget trying to get a nice stand - get the nice TV, then it's always easier to upgrade the furniture and non-electronic parts of your setup later on, at much less strain on your wallet.

 

[westcott]

Panasonic usually scores pretty high in the plasma world, only bettered by Pioneer in some cases. I have the 42" in our bedroom and we are very happy with it.

I have the stand that came with it. I would be willing to part with it if you need it and it fits the model you are considering.

It should come with a pedestal stand, as others have suggested.

 

[Shintsu]

When I was buying my Panasonic LCD, I noted that the Panasonic plasma sets looked excellent. We don't have any plasma TVs but Panasonic would be my recommendation for plasma sets.

 

[moreira85]

comparison

you cant go wrong with a panasonic plasma, however, If they want the extra screen size the 61A750 is a great buy for that size. You wont be able to get a 61" plasma to match the samsung dlp price. I own the 67A750 and picked it up for 1999$. I love my samsung 750 model but if they are leaning towards a 50inch i would go with the Panasonic. also the samsung 750 model has LED instead of the color wheel so they claim there is no bulb to change and should last 60,000 hours.

Good luck.

 

[gus6464]

Plus Panasonic reliability is one of the best IMO. I have owned a lot of Panasonic electronics (cd players, TVs, boomboxes, VCR's, etc.) and I have never had any break on me. I always end up giving away their stuff after I own them for many years in order to make room for the new stuff.

I think after Christmas I will be changing out my old Panasonic 27" tube in my bedroom for one of their 32" LCD's.

 

[lbolts20]

my parents bought the TH-50PX80U Panasonic plasma and I hooked it up for them over the weekend. They are very happy with how it looks in the living room.

 

[Adam]

I'm glad that they like it! Thanks for the update.

 

[Halon451]

That's a great TV for the price - congrats on their purchase!

 

[selkec]

I have a 50" plasma panny and love it. The picture quality looks awesome. I work for dish network and have seen hundreds or thousands of tvs and the panasonic has always looked better to me over the samsung, Just my opinion though.