60" to 65" Plasma $1500 range? no 3d/netflix or any other, just PQ

[Monkey]

So a friend wants a good 60" set. She has suggested some LCD's models. However I want to show her some good Plasma's to consider. She already has a Roku box and doesn't care for 3D.

I say 65" as well just in the event that is plausible but I suppose 60" should be the main focus. A few hundred more can probably be doable.

[frogmort]

Originally Posted by Monkey

So a friend wants a good 60" set. She has suggested some LCD's models. However I want to show her some good Plasma's to consider. She already has a Roku box and doesn't care for 3D.

I say 65" as well just in the event that is plausible but I suppose 60" should be the main focus. A few hundred more can probably be doable.

I love plasmas! I have a 42" Panny.

I don't know about the quality, but I just googled "60 inch plasma tv", and under shopping results, there's quite a few in that price range. There is an LG - 60PK550C - 60" plasma TV - 1080p for $865!

Edit: For some reason, they are all showing 50" tvs, but I did find this - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A3ACU7TJEUXKOF

[Monkey]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I love how you can get so much for so little these days.

Any other input?

[Speed3driver]

For that size and price the LG pk550 is pretty much your best bet. Pretty nice set. No frills no gimmicks decent pq and size to price ratio is outstanding.

[fairchild]

That LG is a solid set but has a few negatives that you should weigh in and see if they would affect you (no plasma is perfect).

1. The anti-reflective filter on LG's are usually not the best, so if you plan to watch in a room that you can't control the light (bright lights or window shining on TV), then Panny/Samsung's might be better.

2. The input lag on LG's are not as great as Panny's, not sure how they compare to Samsung's (this is primarily if you plan to do gaming.)

3. The LG sets are known to get IR more frequently/easier than the other brands. (again this is mostly going to happen with gaming or extended content with black bars)

For your price quote in that size, you can't expect to get a really high quality plasma. For 2010 models from worst to best check out for Panny: S2 < G25 < GT25 < VT25. For Samsung: C550 < C7000 < C8000.

[Speed3driver]

Black levels are not great either. I saw this unit displayed next to toe Sammy 550 at video onky. Fairly comparable. But the Sammy seemed to have better blacks resolution and color accuracy. Like I said though very comparable. Both are solid sets. May want to check prices on the Samsung 58" 550/590 or the Panny S2.

[Sonny]

It's hard to find and kinda decent display 50" , never mind a 60". The LG is about it really. $1,500 WOW for a 60" plasma ..... I have a 60" display and I got it dirt cheap and it was still way over twice that. I can remember what I paid for my 65" panasonics....

[basserx]

Panny P55ST30 from amazon just over the price point

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIER...081179&sr=8-10

[Monkey]

Thanks for all the feedback, I appreciate it.

[basketb]

Does your friend really need a 60" TV? I'd imagine that if 50" are sufficient as well, she could get a much better TV (PQ-wise) for the same amount of money. Also, do not disgard 3D TVs right away. Their 2D image may be better than that of 2D TVs. Just because it says 3D on the box doesn't mean she has to watch any 3D content.

[veromozart]

Anyone considering buying a new tv should probably do it fairly quickly, who knows what is going to happen to the prices with all the new problems in Japan. Problems are already becoming evident in the auto industry. They seem to be preparing for a shortage of parts.

[basserx]

Originally Posted by veromozart

Anyone considering buying a new tv should probably do it fairly quickly, who knows what is going to happen to the prices with all the new problems in Japan. Problems are already becoming evident in the auto industry. They seem to be preparing for a shortage of parts.

I was thinking the same thing, with the disaster in Japan, we will most certainly feel the effects here in the states. My heart gos out to them with this tragedy.

[Sonny]

I'm at BB and there is a Sammy PN59D550C1FXZA 3D plasma on sale for $1,709.99
If the OP or anyone else is interested?

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by veromozart

Anyone considering buying a new tv should probably do it fairly quickly, who knows what is going to happen to the prices with all the new problems in Japan. Problems are already becoming evident in the auto industry. They seem to be preparing for a shortage of parts.

Maybe. It depends on whether there is parts manufacturing in the affected zones that gets shipped to the panel manufacturing facilities. All of the panel manufacturing facilities that I've checked are in southern Japan (south of Tokyo) and therefore won't be affected, except perhaps by rolling blackouts. However, only the panels are manufactured at these facilities. The backlighting and other circuitry is added to the panel at other locations and some of those might be in the affected zones.

However, the dollar has been higher against the Yen (meaning it buys more Yen) in the past few days. As I write this, it's at 82.41 Yen, higher than it's been in many months. Therefore, U.S. price increases should really not be necessary, but if there parts shortages resulting in low model yields, what we'll lose is any discounting.

[44Magpie]

I've got the Panny S2 65" set and couldn't be happier with it. Friends that come over to watch a blu ray on it are amazed and two of them have bought the same set after seeing mine. Perhaps I should ask for commission from Panasonic!

[fairchild]

S2 is a nice set no doubt, the only thing that I don't like about it is the black level fluctations (floating blacks). It's very noticeable on my set while watching with low light which is how I like to watch movies. Letterboxed bars makes it very noticeable, especially in dark movies.

I have alot of dark movies so I've been able to see my set floating from the first time I watched a movie. (Batman Begins, the Dark Knight, Harry Potters, Underworlds, etc)

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by fairchild

S2 is a nice set no doubt, the only thing that I don't like about it is the black level fluctations (floating blacks). It's very noticeable on my set while watching with low light which is how I like to watch movies. Letterboxed bars makes it very noticeable, especially in dark movies.

I have alot of dark movies so I've been able to see my set floating from the first time I watched a movie. (Batman Begins, the Dark Knight, Harry Potters, Underworlds, etc)

What year is your TV? Oh and I'm at Frys as I write this and they have the S2 for $1949!

[bigpapy]

I have the LG 60PZ550 and the PQ is very good same is the samsung the black levels are a little bit weaker but for the price I can't complain.

[fairchild]

Originally Posted by Blue Bull

What year is your TV? Oh and I'm at Frys as I write this and they have the S2 for $1949!

It's a 2010 Panasonic S2.

[44Magpie]

Originally Posted by fairchild

S2 is a nice set no doubt, the only thing that I don't like about it is the black level fluctations (floating blacks). It's very noticeable on my set while watching with low light which is how I like to watch movies. Letterboxed bars makes it very noticeable, especially in dark movies.

I have alot of dark movies so I've been able to see my set floating from the first time I watched a movie. (Batman Begins, the Dark Knight, Harry Potters, Underworlds, etc)

Must be a problem on your set since I don't have it and neither do my friends that have the same set.