Panasonic S60 OR ST60

[wozman]

My 10 year old Toshiba 52" DLP blew its second bulb of its life span, and to be quite frank, its time for a replacement TV. (sick of replacing bulbs let alone if I can find one) (it is my backup display in the basement, Just so everyone knows my main display is my sweet baby Pioneer Kuro 5020 love this thing) So I am not trying to break the bank here, and eclipse my Pioneer Kuro Plasma, It will always be my beast display. BUT I have decided on buying another plasma, and have easily shifted my mind to Panasonic, with good reason, damn shame that they are stopping production.

At first I was dead set on the "cheaper" but still great display in the Panasonic TCP50S60, has everything I need, not big on 3D, or the smart feature, since I have a PS3 already and that takes care of my smartTV needs. However I recently checked out the Panasonic TCP50ST60 seems to have a better display picture due to the fact of the 3D engine, plus the anti glare feature helps..... having 3D capabilities is a bonus plus the built in Smart features. The sticky point is I am from Canada and our prices for these displays is as follows,

trying to stick in the $1000+/- budget
50 inch S60 - $799 @BB
55 inch S60 - $999 @BB (basically $200 more for bigger screen)
50 inch ST60 - $1299 @BB ($500 more for the ST60?)

is the ST60 worth $500 more? especially when I am not to keen on the 3D function (not a deal breaker) and the SmartTV isn't really a necessity.

Also have heard about this "input lag" issue on the ST60, is that a deal breaker?

If anyone has tips on cheaper prices in Canada for these models, please do advise. Thanks

[Wingman1977]

Also, the black levels on the ST series would be better than the S.

[Rinzler]

I've been loving my S60, go for the biggest screen you can, this being the end of Panny Plasmas and all. I think the picture is great.

EDIT: I struggled between the two but I had read at length about both and the S60 has some streaming features, the only one I would use is Amazon Prime Streaming, and the ST60's better picture is allegedly noticeable only in a side by side comparison. Since 3D is not something you want/need, I say save the money and get the bigger screen. I just got my S60 so let me know if you have any questions and let us know what you decide!

[jedisprite]

I will be getting a 50 inch s60 next week. I think that the s60 vs st60 really comes down to price/3D interests.

[BluRoo98]

Originally Posted by Rinzler

I've been loving my S60, go for the biggest screen you can, this being the end of Panny Plasmas and all. I think the picture is great.

EDIT: I struggled between the two but I had read at length about both and the S60 has some streaming features, the only one I would use is Amazon Prime Streaming, and the ST60's better picture is allegedly noticeable only in a side by side comparison. Since 3D is not something you want/need, I say save the money and get the bigger screen. I just got my S60 so let me know if you have any questions and let us know what you decide!

This ^ +1.

[wozman]

Originally Posted by Rinzler

I've been loving my S60, go for the biggest screen you can, this being the end of Panny Plasmas and all. I think the picture is great.

EDIT: I struggled between the two but I had read at length about both and the S60 has some streaming features, the only one I would use is Amazon Prime Streaming, and the ST60's better picture is allegedly noticeable only in a side by side comparison. Since 3D is not something you want/need, I say save the money and get the bigger screen. I just got my S60 so let me know if you have any questions and let us know what you decide!

I agree spending more on an S60 and getting the bigger screen size (55"?) might be an option that I can go with instead of the ST60 @ 50", however with my current room configuration, I think 50" is the max for a good view distance. Who knows where I will be 5 years from now, new house? new room? but right now I think the 50" is the best bet, from the current view angle and distance. Anything more will be overkill. its replacing my 52" Toshiba DLP (all be it balky) is a little on the big side.

After reading more and more reviews on the ST60, I am falling more and more in love with it, and at the same time getting intrigued with the 3D feature. Have a handful of 3D Blu Rays at the moment too. Just like having that option since my current display (Pioneer Kuro) doesn't have 3D.

I basically want to know, is that extra $400-$500 only giving me 3D? or is the picture truly better with the ST60 engine. Reviews I have read state this as the case.

QUESTION: regarding the 3D feature. Do I need a Panasonic 3D blu-ray player? or will my PS3 be able to play 3D movies on the ST60?

Thanks

[wozman]

Well I went don to my local best buy store this afternoon (Canada) and and got them to drop the ST60 (50inch) by $100 currently only an online purchase at Best Buy $1299 so best I can get it in Canada will be $1199 (checked all other stores) HOWEVER I noticed that they had a ST60 (55inch) in store marked down from $1599 to $1399, this is just about a no brainier since the American store where all the best deals are so far Fry's is selling the same screen for $1349US. Usually us Canadians are around $200-$400 more on any display not to mention the exact same model currently is still at there regular price online at $1599 which I find really odd. Can this only be a local best buy sale? I see nothing in there current flyer for this $1399 price.

So basically a 55" ST60 for $1399 Canadian is a pretty solid deal, one I should act fast on correct? Better deal then the 50" ST60 $1199? Thoughts??? I just hope that going from a planed 50" size to 55" size does work for my current viewing distance, I must stress the word current who knows what it will be in 2-3 years

[whipit]

Originally Posted by wozman

Well I went don to my local best buy store this afternoon (Canada) and and got them to drop the ST60 (50inch) by $100 currently only an online purchase at Best Buy $1299 so best I can get it in Canada will be $1199 (checked all other stores) HOWEVER I noticed that they had a ST60 (55inch) in store marked down from $1599 to $1399, this is just about a no brainier since the American store where all the best deals are so far Fry's is selling the same screen for $1349US. Usually us Canadians are around $200-$400 more on any display not to mention the exact same model currently is still at there regular price online at $1599 which I find really odd. Can this only be a local best buy sale? I see nothing in there current flyer for this $1399 price.

So basically a 55" ST60 for $1399 Canadian is a pretty solid deal, one I should act fast on correct? Better deal then the 50" ST60 $1199? Thoughts??? I just hope that going from a planed 50" size to 55" size does work for my current viewing distance, I must stress the word current who knows what it will be in 2-3 years

I don't see what your viewing distance is. I have a 50" and 54" and really gravitate to the larger tv. I'd say the larger is worth the two hundred.

[extravagantspender]

I bought me a 65" ST60 for $1790

[wozman]

Well I made my decision last night, got the ST60 (55") for $1399(CAN), @ Best Buy. I think it must of been a select store sale, cause there website (online) still has the 55" for $1599. also am covered with price protection tell January if the set drops even more in price. I think I did good, since the same display was going for $1350 (US) at Frys electronic.

Can't want tell the weekend to set the display up,

Does anyone here run the D-Nice slides from avsforum? I know I ran the slides on my Pioneer Kuro 5020 when I bought that 5-6 years ago. Just wondering if people would recommend to run that on the Panasonic ST60 too.

Any info greatly appreciated

[Auditor55]

Originally Posted by wozman

Well I made my decision last night, got the ST60 (55") for $1399(CAN), @ Best Buy. I think it must of been a select store sale, cause there website (online) still has the 55" for $1599. also am covered with price protection tell January if the set drops even more in price. I think I did good, since the same display was going for $1350 (US) at Frys electronic.

Can't want tell the weekend to set the display up,

Does anyone here run the D-Nice slides from avsforum? I know I ran the slides on my Pioneer Kuro 5020 when I bought that 5-6 years ago. Just wondering if people would recommend to run that on the Panasonic ST60 too.

Any info greatly appreciated

Yes, run the slides if you plan on having your set calibrated real soon.

[West E]

Just ordered an ST60 60 inch. Excited for this to arrive. Paid 1499. Hoping I can pricematch someone in the next two weeks on amazon.

[BluRoo98]

Originally Posted by Auditor55

Yes, run the slides if you plan on having your set calibrated real soon.

Yes, run the slides (I did). Just one adjustment to the above recommendation. Don't have it calibrated "soon" wait until after 400 hours. Both from personal experience and multiple others on AvS including DNice. Enjoy!