Sell me on a Set!

[silabiss]

I'm in the process of moving to a new home, am finally making the leap into HD, and am looking for advice!

I've read a lot here about a several different sets that are highly recommended, but I thought that it may be a better idea to just list my specifics and ask for guidance:

I'm looking for a 50"+.
The room is bright, but not so bright that I think glare will be an issue, so either LCD or Plasma should be fine.
I'm looking to spend at most around the $2,000 pricepoint.
Primary use of the set will be watching sports, BDs, and gaming.
Quality is an important factor for me. (This is a purchase I've been waiting on for a while now, and I don't want to waste it on something sub-par.)


I'm a pretty big fan of Samsung since I've had multiple PC LCDs that were great, but two specific sets from other vendors that I've looked at based on information here are the Panasonic TC-P54G10 and the Sony KDL-52XBR9, though I realize these two are at slightly different price points. I'm open to looking at other vendors as well, but in my understanding these are tops for quality.

Anyone have any specific recommendations or helpful links?
Thanks in advance!

[mtbkr]

you can actually grab a 54' panasonic v-10 for about 2k instead of the g-10. you will find that the panasonic is the absolute best t.v on the market right now other than the very pricey koru. i bought my 58' v-10 for 2200, and the place i bought it was selling the 54' for 1800. although i am having a major problem with me set handshaking with my receiver it has been a better than expected t.v.

[richard lichtenfelt]

I just saw a 5020 at Best Buy and considered picking it up even though I already own 1.
It was a floor model priced at $1,700.
I got mine about a month before the announcement that production was stopping, and got it new w/ white glove delivery for $1929.
I spent about 2 years researching and shopping before parting w/ my Sony Bravia LCD and pulling the trigger on the Pio.
I gave the Sony to my mom b/c I knew there was no way that I would ever turn it on again w/ the Kuro in house.

[silabiss]

Thanks for the info on the Panny, mtbkr. I'm keeping an eye online, but so far haven't seen the 54" at anything lower than $2200. Maybe they're just in short supply at the moment. I'll keep looking for a deal on one.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you purchase your 58"?

[No-So-Blu]

Originally Posted by silabiss

Thanks for the info on the Panny, mtbkr. I'm keeping an eye online, but so far haven't seen the 54" at anything lower than $2200. Maybe they're just in short supply at the moment. I'll keep looking for a deal on one.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you purchase your 58"?

I would stay away from the Sony, since it can't be properly calibrated! Sony for some reason is limiting the degree to which their new sets can be calibrated.

If you like Samsung, have a look at the 55B650 LCD model, it is still a little north of 2K, but judging from past years, the price of this and other samsung 6 series, should drop $200-$300 as Christmas approaches. If you you are considering a Plasma, the Samsung 50B860 performs well in a bright room for a Plasma. Here is a resent review of this set.

Post back when you pull the trigger.

[silabiss]

Anyone have a link to an exceptional deal on a 50", 54", or 58" V10?

So far the best I've found is from 6ave, and they're saying 3+ weeks for delivery at the moment.

[Systemlord]

Also have a look at Samsung's LN52B750 series, there awesome!! Sony is nothing to write home about, Panasonic's V10 series however is the bomb!