Helping a friend decide - Blu-ray Forum

BStecke · 05-15-2008, 04:12 PM

I've got a friend who's trying to decide between the Panasonic TH-50PZ85U plasma and the Samsung LN-T4671F LCD. I'm doing my own research, but if anybody has any opinions that would save me some time, I'd appreciate it. I read the review for the Panasonic on Cnet, but that wasn't too helpful as they lingered on the fact that color accuracy was a bit off and the NR settings weren't that great, but he's getting it ISF calibrated and, if he listens to uncle BStecke, won't be using the noise reduction settings. So . . . like I said, I'm doing my own research, but if you can help me be lazy, I'd appreciate it.

I'm leaning toward the plasma as I've never really had a fondness for LCD. He'll be using it mainly with his PS3, mostly Blu-ray but some games.

Also, I'm not taking price into consideration at all. He's young, single, and a manager at Best Buy, so he's got extra money, plus he gets the discount, so I'm not making any recommendations based on price. Looking strictly at quality.

One question, right off the bat, as I'm surprised I'm not seeing it . . . is the Panny 120Hz?

Johk · 05-15-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BStecke

One question, right off the bat, as I'm surprised I'm not seeing it . . . is the Panny 120Hz?

No the TH-50PZ85u is 60 Hz... 120 Hz is for LCD displays...

The TH-50PZ85u (and the PZ80u) don't do native 24p (they use 3:2 pull down), only the PZ800 and 850 do since they can also run 48 Hz.

If possible, get the TH-50PZ800u or th TH-50PZ850u

For my part, I have the TH-50PZ80 and I'm really satisfied so far (in Canada, the prices are still ridiculous for these new tvs compared to what you have at amazon.com, I paid 2350$ instead of 2800$ and I had to bargain with the manager for the price, if I were I the US I could have bought the TH-50PZ800u for $2,660...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BStecke

He's young, single, and a manager at Best Buy, so he's got extra money

Wow, perhaps I should quit my job and work at best buy... I'm young and I'm chemical engineer working for a pharmaceutical company and I would love to get extra money!!!

BStecke · 05-15-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johk

No the TH-50PZ85u is 60 Hz... 120 Hz is for LCD displays...

Good to know. Obviously it's been awhile since I shopped for a TV!

richteer · 05-15-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BStecke

I've got a friend who's trying to decide between the Panasonic TH-50PZ85U plasma and the Samsung LN-T4671F LCD. I'm doing my own research, but if anybody has any opinions that would save me some time, I'd appreciate it. I read the review for the Panasonic on Cnet, but that wasn't too helpful as they lingered on the fact that color accuracy was a bit off and the NR settings weren't that great, but he's getting it ISF calibrated and, if he listens to uncle BStecke, won't be using the noise reduction settings. So . . . like I said, I'm doing my own research, but if you can help me be lazy, I'd appreciate it.

I'm leaning toward the plasma as I've never really had a fondness for LCD. He'll be using it mainly with his PS3, mostly Blu-ray but some games.

The plasma (ANY plasma!); against a Panasonic plasma, I wouldn't even consider an LCD TV. If shekels allow, try to stretch to a higher model which has native 24p.

darrinveit · 05-15-2008, 05:59 PM

Ditto the above recommendations. If he can afford it, going to a higher level model on the Panny will be money well spent. The LCD picture just simply doesn't compare to a plasma.

TheFutureIsBlu · 05-16-2008, 03:20 AM

Go with the Panasonic TH50PZ85U! It's a GREAT TV. I promise your friend will love it!

LeoneFan · 05-16-2008, 03:48 AM

Friends don't let friends buy samsung products.

sokrman14 · 05-16-2008, 05:00 AM

I work for BBY also, and the fact that a manager doesnt know any of this product at all is disturbing. The managers (all of them) should know the product at least as well as the employees. Please tell him that for me.

richteer · 05-16-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoneFan

Friends don't let friends buy samsung products.

:s/samsung products/LCD TVs/

(That's one for all my fellow UNIX geeks here.)

raginranger · 05-20-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoneFan

Friends don't let friends buy samsung products.

okay and you base this off what? i'm guessing you've never looked at a samsung tv

BStecke · 05-20-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokrman14

I work for BBY also, and the fact that a manager doesnt know any of this product at all is disturbing. The managers (all of them) should know the product at least as well as the employees. Please tell him that for me.

This hasn't been my experience in any Best Buy store I've worked or shopped in.

Marine Mike · 05-20-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BStecke

This hasn't been my experience in any Best Buy store I've worked or shopped in.

+1 - Managers are expected to just have a basic understanding of the products. Their primary role is to manage the employees not answer customer questions.

05-15-2008, 04:12 PM	#1
BStecke Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jun 2007 4K collection:182 Blu-ray collection:567 DVD collection:1 Digital collection:1 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:6	Helping a friend decide I've got a friend who's trying to decide between the Panasonic TH-50PZ85U plasma and the Samsung LN-T4671F LCD. I'm doing my own research, but if anybody has any opinions that would save me some time, I'd appreciate it. I read the review for the Panasonic on Cnet, but that wasn't too helpful as they lingered on the fact that color accuracy was a bit off and the NR settings weren't that great, but he's getting it ISF calibrated and, if he listens to uncle BStecke, won't be using the noise reduction settings. So . . . like I said, I'm doing my own research, but if you can help me be lazy, I'd appreciate it. I'm leaning toward the plasma as I've never really had a fondness for LCD. He'll be using it mainly with his PS3, mostly Blu-ray but some games. Also, I'm not taking price into consideration at all. He's young, single, and a manager at Best Buy, so he's got extra money, plus he gets the discount, so I'm not making any recommendations based on price. Looking strictly at quality. One question, right off the bat, as I'm surprised I'm not seeing it . . . is the Panny 120Hz?

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05-15-2008, 05:59 PM	#5
darrinveit Junior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Parker, CO	Ditto the above recommendations. If he can afford it, going to a higher level model on the Panny will be money well spent. The LCD picture just simply doesn't compare to a plasma.

05-16-2008, 03:20 AM	#6
TheFutureIsBlu Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Medina, WA Blu-ray reviews:1	Go with the Panasonic TH50PZ85U! It's a GREAT TV. I promise your friend will love it!

05-16-2008, 03:48 AM	#7
LeoneFan Senior Member Member since:Jan 2007	Friends don't let friends buy samsung products.

05-16-2008, 05:00 AM	#8
sokrman14 Special Member Member since:Mar 2006 Location:Omaha, NE Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:32 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	I work for BBY also, and the fact that a manager doesnt know any of this product at all is disturbing. The managers (all of them) should know the product at least as well as the employees. Please tell him that for me.

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