Samsung vs Panasonic

[LifeOfAPirate13]

Hey guys it's been awhile hope all is well with everyone. A co-worker of mine is interested in which TV is better Samsung PN58B860 vs Panasonic TC-P58V10. They are virtually the same price and I am pretty sure all of you are going to say Panasonic. I just wanted to get solid answers as to WHY it is though not just "panasonic because I said so." Thanks guys!

[roll_tide_l]

Samsung nothing in there price range can match the picture quality.

[24karat]

I have had a panasonic tv and home theater system for the longest time and have been very pleased with both. Panasonic tvs are great with picture quality and audio as well. If I was going to get anything besides these, maybe a Vizio.

[LifeOfAPirate13]

^^^^That is what I was trying to avoid here. ^^^^^

[twoboyz]

Hard to say. I have had a Samsung plasma for three years and it has never failed me. The best answer here is to compare side by side in store and come to your own conclusions. They are both great. If I were going to buy another I would buy the new 58" 860 series from Samsung when the price comes down. Or "bite the bullet" and spend the cash on a Pioneer Elite. The new 850 and 860 Samsungs are awesome.

[Kryptonic]

I wouldn't buy anything from Samsung. The customer service horror stories I've heard are quite plentiful. Panasonic on the other hand makes the best, most affordable, and reliable plasmas on the market.

[Steve]

I have a Samsung plasma and love it. I'm not saying there aren't better TVs out there, but based on my own personal experience I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

[mugupo]

I think samsung plasma does better in while color example some commercial are in white background, most other brand plasma panasonic and lg are often a bit dim but not really in samsung. Samsung has improve their black level this year it can match panasonic.

[repete66211]

I take it you're looking for objective comparisons between the Panasonic and the Samsung rather than the anecdotal evidence provided thus far. A scientific comparison of two TVs requires a controlled environment wherein you are viewing identical source material on TVs that have been calibrated to a visual standard. Additionally, the units must be side by side in order to perform a fair comparison. Unless you are allowed to calibrate the units you aren't going to find a controlled environment in a local store. And unless you are able to buy them both and bring them to a controlled environment you are not going to be able to evaluate the TVs fairly. So your only option here is to trust that the professional reviews do not have any bias.

There are home theater and electronics magazines and websites galore. CNET is my go-to source for professional reviews. David Katzmaier, their HDTV guru, rated both TVs 4/5 stars "Excellent", but stated, "The high-end Panasonic TC-PV10 series of plasmas delivers the overall best picture quality of any flat-panel HDTV we've tested so far this year."

Samsung PN50B850 review here.
Panasonic TC-P50V10 review here.

I have been very pleased with my Samsung, but if I were choosing between those TVs today and their prices were the same I would go with the V10.

[LifeOfAPirate13]

Much better! Thanks guy!~ He did buy the Samsung already but was asking me if he should return it and pay $40 more for the Panny. Being that I own a Plasma (Samsung) myself I didn't want to give him a biased opinion nor do I know enough about the B series samsung and the V10 Panny. repete66211 you have been more than helpful in your opinion and facts which is exactly which I was looking for. We all know the Kuro is the shit when it comes to Plasma but he originally wanted the Samsung because of the 1.5 inch thickness of the tv. So it's really up to him scientifically the V10 might have a slight edge but when it comes down to the human eye I am sure these small differences can't even be picked up. I'll leave the choice in his hands but will give much thanks for the input!~

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by LifeOfAPirate13

...scientifically the V10 might have a slight edge but when it comes down to the human eye I am sure these small differences can't even be picked up.

Very true. Once the TV is in your room you are unlikely to notice the sort of effects that can only be perceived when comparing two TVs side by side. You'll get used to whatever TV you own.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by repete66211

David Katzmaier, their HDTV guru, rated both TVs 4/5 stars "Excellent", but stated, "The high-end Panasonic TC-PV10 series of plasmas delivers the overall best picture quality of any flat-panel HDTV we've tested so far this year."

HD Guru Gary Merson went even further and said it's the best panel he's ever tested - actually increased his maximum rating from out of 4 to out of 5 because of the V10's.

http://hdguru.com/the-new-king-of-hd...-reviewed/458/

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

HD Guru Gary Merson went even further and said it's the best panel he's ever tested - actually increased his maximum rating from out of 4 to out of 5 because of the V10's.

http://hdguru.com/the-new-king-of-hd...-reviewed/458/

He liked it more than the Holy Grail (PRO-1X1FD)?

What's the "HDGuru® with Michael Fremer" all about? I thought Fremer was strictly audio.