Trying to bring X-mas cheer....

[KingDeezie]

Looking for some advice from the knowledgeable folks here...

Both my mother and father have helped out my wife and I with our two kids and my house so much this year that I don't think I could have gotten through it without them.

Between having to take a lot of call at work and needing someone to watch the kids, to having my dad over here most weekends helping me put this house together properly, I really want to do something nice for them.

My mom is always talking about how nice the Plasma TV at her work is, and how she would love one. They are currently using a 14 year old 40 inch Toshiba CRT.

Trouble with them getting one is they are sending my younger brother to college and are very tightly strapped with no money to spend on a TV.

I make a decent enough living that I think I can get together the extra cheese to get them a Plasma for Christmas; problem is its going to have to be a budget unit.

What are everyone's thoughts on the Panasonic S1 series?

I am full aware that its not the last word in any part of picture quality, but does it present a nice enough picture to not feel badly about getting it for someone?

I don't want to half-a** it, and my parents would be grateful with whatever, but I want to do something nice and as right as I can.

So, what do you guys think??

[Johnny Vinyl]

I think that is an absolutely wonderful idea! And you sure can't go wrong with a Panasonic, regardless of the model.

I have a 2-year old 42" 720p/1080i Panny Plasma, and I love it. I don't feel the need to change it for either a bigger one or a 1080p one. One day I will, but for now....this one is just fine!

John

[MrFattBill]

2 words: Black Friday
Save up all the money you can between now and then and go out and get the nicest television you can afford with the money you've saved up.

The idea is a great one. A few weeks ago we gave my mother our 40" Samsung LCD to replace her 27" SD CRT she has been using for about 15years. We also got her a High Def DVR from DirecTv so she can record and watch her soap operas without having to mess with a VCR

Bill

[sarge1976]

Originally Posted by KingDeezie

Looking for some advice from the knowledgeable folks here...

Both my mother and father have helped out my wife and I with our two kids and my house so much this year that I don't think I could have gotten through it without them.

Between having to take a lot of call at work and needing someone to watch the kids, to having my dad over here most weekends helping me put this house together properly, I really want to do something nice for them.

My mom is always talking about how nice the Plasma TV at her work is, and how she would love one. They are currently using a 14 year old 40 inch Toshiba CRT.

Trouble with them getting one is they are sending my younger brother to college and are very tightly strapped with no money to spend on a TV.

I make a decent enough living that I think I can get together the extra cheese to get them a Plasma for Christmas; problem is its going to have to be a budget unit.

What are everyone's thoughts on the Panasonic S1 series?

I am full aware that its not the last word in any part of picture quality, but does it present a nice enough picture to not feel badly about getting it for someone?

I don't want to half-a** it, and my parents would be grateful with whatever, but I want to do something nice and as right as I can.

So, what do you guys think??

This is funny because I am in the same situation as you , My in-laws have helped my wife and I out a lot this year so we are going to try to buy them a HDTV this year for Xmas. I'm looking for an LCD between 32-42 inches. I don't want to get them a plasma because they are older and I'm afraid they might accidently leave the set on for too long and get IR.(They watch a lot of cable news) Plus I really don't think they would follow the break in period faithfully. So I think an LCD would be a better fit for them even though I am strong supporter of plasma TVs

[crackinhedz]

if you buy online (amazon, 6ave. etc), you can usually get a better model for less cost compared to a big box store.

The Panasonic series is probably best bang for the buck...you can't go wrong.

[crackinhedz]

Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ($775 + free shipping through 6ave on amazon)

[blarneyrubble]

Any panasonic will be good. Sears has the 42x1 on sale right now for $569.99. I would jump on this one.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=panasonic+42

[quest88]

Originally Posted by KingDeezie

Looking for some advice from the knowledgeable folks here...

Both my mother and father have helped out my wife and I with our two kids and my house so much this year that I don't think I could have gotten through it without them.

Between having to take a lot of call at work and needing someone to watch the kids, to having my dad over here most weekends helping me put this house together properly, I really want to do something nice for them.

My mom is always talking about how nice the Plasma TV at her work is, and how she would love one. They are currently using a 14 year old 40 inch Toshiba CRT.

Trouble with them getting one is they are sending my younger brother to college and are very tightly strapped with no money to spend on a TV.

I make a decent enough living that I think I can get together the extra cheese to get them a Plasma for Christmas; problem is its going to have to be a budget unit.

What are everyone's thoughts on the Panasonic S1 series?

I am full aware that its not the last word in any part of picture quality, but does it present a nice enough picture to not feel badly about getting it for someone?

I don't want to half-a** it, and my parents would be grateful with whatever, but I want to do something nice and as right as I can.

So, what do you guys think??

Cool !

The panny S1's are great, I don't think they are going to complain about a new HDTV replacing their current TV. I would think that Half @ssing it would be getting a no name LCD TV for them.

I'm confused on how bad the picture quality of the S1 you've read or heard is ?

[KingDeezie]

Well, I saw a panasonic c1 50 inch at walmart last night. It might have been broken because unless the image was set to vivid, it was unwatchably dark.

I didn't know if this was a malfunctioning tv, the cheaper panasonic or what.

Decided I would ask to see what other people thought.

[Pigskincoach]

I have researched these TVs. There is almost no difference in the display panel itself from say a G-10. The difference is no Vierra Cast (internet connectivity) and no play back of an SD card. If you want to play the grandkids pictures on their T.V. it would be a no can do, but for the price and P.Q. i think you can do a lot worse IMHO.

[Bizdady]

Originally Posted by KingDeezie

Well, I saw a panasonic c1 50 inch at walmart last night. It might have been broken because unless the image was set to vivid, it was unwatchably dark.

I didn't know if this was a malfunctioning tv, the cheaper Panasonic or what.

Decided I would ask to see what other people thought.

I wouldn't trust a walmart display model for comparison reasons. I have an older Panasonic Plasma and love it. Best purchase I have ever made, so much so the bedroom LCD tv just doesn't do it for me anymore lol. I got my tv from 6ave (which I do recommend) last year for under 1100 bucks and with prices dropping this year you should be able to get plenty of bang for your buck.

[quest88]

Originally Posted by KingDeezie

Well, I saw a panasonic c1 50 inch at walmart last night. It might have been broken because unless the image was set to vivid, it was unwatchably dark.

I didn't know if this was a malfunctioning tv, the cheaper panasonic or what.

Decided I would ask to see what other people thought.

They might have the setting all jacked up but that's not an S1.

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...330262|330260|

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by blarneyrubble

Any panasonic will be good. Sears has the 42x1 on sale right now for $569.99. I would jump on this one.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=panasonic+42

You won't find a television that will have as good as picture as the Panasonic had anywhere near that price point. Don't worry about 720p. There's no difference between 720p and 1080p from normal viewing distances on 42-inch televisions. The blacks on the X1 are actually better than the S1 as well. GET IT!