Plasmas, Plasmas, Plasmas!

[Dirk504]

Here's a question. Why do people only talk about Pioneers or Panasonics when it comes to Plasmas? I know that they have incredible pictures. But I have a Samsung FPT5884 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (it's in my gallery) and it has an amazing picture also. I got it calibrated and the picture is simply amazing. My friend has a Panasonic 85 Viera and while his picture is really good, mines is just as, if not better than his. He even admitted that he was surprised by the picture of a Samsung plasma. Not to mention it's affordable. Are there any other brand of plasmas that won't doom us if we don't go the Panny or Pio route?

[JamesKurtovich]

I also have Samsung (50-in, 720p) and it's got an incredible PQ.. but if I ever upgrade I'm going with Panasonic because of its immense support from the HT crowd. Nothing wrong with Samsung!

[Tru2theBlu]

Originally Posted by Dirk504

Here's a question. Why do people only talk about Pioneers or Panasonics when it comes to Plasmas? I know that they have incredible pictures. But I have a Samsung FPT5884 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (it's in my gallery) and it has an amazing picture also. I got it calibrated and the picture is simply amazing. My friend has a Panasonic 85 Viera and while his picture is really good, mines is just as, if not better than his. He even admitted that he was surprised by the picture of a Samsung plasma. Not to mention it's affordable. Are there any other brand of plasmas that won't doom us if we don't go the Panny or Pio route?

Your set looks really nice. I have learned that you just have to enjoy what you have. If you worry about what everyone else has, and it's easy to do that on this site, then you will never be satisfied. When did you purchase that model?

[Dirk504]

Originally Posted by Tru2theBlu

Your set looks really nice. I have learned that you just have to enjoy what you have. If you worry about what everyone else has, and it's easy to do that on this site, then you will never be satisfied. When did you purchase that model?

+1 I truly agree with you. When I first joined this forum, I thought that if you didn't go with a Panny or Pioneer plasma then you weren't getting a quality TV. Luckily I did a ton of research and found out that Samsung offers great looking plasmas also, with a great warranty.

I purchased my set in March of 08. Haven't had one issue so far.... knock on wood lol.

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by Tru2theBlu

Your set looks really nice. I have learned that you just have to enjoy what you have. If you worry about what everyone else has, and it's easy to do that on this site, then you will never be satisfied. When did you purchase that model?

That's very true. It's very easy to get caught up with the hype of other products and feel like you need to upgrade or be part of a club of sorts ("Panny luverz"). But the truth is... a 60-some inch Samsung is an incredible TV. His set-up does look good.. though I recommend getting some shelving for the BD's.

[brett_day]

i chose panny over samsung because i had a very bad experience with samsung when my lcd crapped out and they refused to service the tv, even though it was just 8 months old, i vowed never to buy samsung again because they do not back their warranty and honestly i have never been treated like dirt as much as i was by their customer service when i needed their help.

Samsung have great TV's when they work, hope and prey that it never breaks, because you will have a whole different outlook on the company

[Dirk504]

Originally Posted by JamesKurtovich

That's very true. It's very easy to get caught up with the hype of other products and feel like you need to upgrade or be part of a club of sorts ("Panny luverz"). But the truth is... a 60-some inch Samsung is an incredible TV. His set-up does look good.. though I recommend getting some shelving for the BD's.

Trust me, I want a shelf bigtyme. But I live with my fiance' and she takes up the rest of the apartment. The room you see is basically my only domain lol. There really isn't any space for one yet.

[JasonR]

http://reviews.plasmatvbuyingguide.c...-pn50a650.html

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by Dirk504

Trust me, I want a shelf bigtyme. But I live with my fiance' and she takes up the rest of the apartment. The room you see is basically my only domain lol. There really isn't any space for one yet.

Congrats, when's the big day? I'm also engaged, though my wife-to-be hasn't moved in yet, she's already planning on invading the kitchen, bathroom, and my bedroom. I told her that the living room is mine until we move into a bigger place (currently in an apartment) and I can fully take a basement.

[Blu3]

I'm happy with my Hitachi 1080i. It's not the best, but it has a great PQ for what I paid for it 2 years ago ($1150 black friday sale, MSRP was $1800).

[teemacone]

I was set on buying a pio 60 until I walked into RC Willey and saw the new LGs. The LG 60PG60 is their top of the line model and has a fantasic picture. It was not quite as "true" looking as the pio, but for $2,000 less, I upgraded by blu ray player and had tons leftover for software and the kids. The picture is top notch and has tons of tweaks to the picture settings. There's even a THX mode which looks kickass at night. It was comparable in price to the samsung but I thought it had a clearer pic on hd channels/blu and comes with two more inches

[Dirk504]

Originally Posted by JamesKurtovich

Congrats, when's the big day? I'm also engaged, though my wife-to-be hasn't moved in yet, she's already planning on invading the kitchen, bathroom, and my bedroom. I told her that the living room is mine until we move into a bigger place (currently in an apartment) and I can fully take a basement.

We're getting married towards the end of the year (December). I can't wait either! She's beautiful, honest, cooks, and enjoys watching Blu Rays with me. What more can ya ask for lol!

[zombieking]

All the higher name brand plasmas perform well I'm sure. But Panasonic and Pioneer are the most reliable IMO

[dobyblue]

Consumer Reports with almost 200,000 sets marked show a 2% repair rating for Panasonic plasma, a 5% repair rating for Samsung plasma. They state that differences of 3% are irrelevant.

[MaleManGuy]

panasonics and Pioneers have always been the favorite TV's of the video-philes... pioneer in particular. Not comparing on price and feature basis, but picture quality. Pioneer has always had the best picture quality for a plasma TV with panasonic close to it. The PZ800 is miles better than the PZ85... next generation of plasmas will be better yet.
Of course, you can only get so good... the differences are becoming marginal... just be thankful you don't have an LCD TV..lol

[PS3+HDDVD OWNER]

Make no mistake about it, OP. Samsung can hang. I have the 850 series, and it is phenominal.

[LifeOfAPirate13]

I love my 50A650! I have seen the powerhouses of Panny and Pioneer but for the money and the savings I get I think my picture is just as good honestly maybe not mathematically but in terms of what I paid comparison wise I'd say its right there with the rest. Movies look great, games are fliud in motion, haven't had any problems at all.

[Bolaar]

Originally Posted by brett_day

i chose panny over samsung because i had a very bad experience with samsung when my lcd crapped out and they refused to service the tv, even though it was just 8 months old, i vowed never to buy samsung again because they do not back their warranty and honestly i have never been treated like dirt as much as i was by their customer service when i needed their help.

Samsung have great TV's when they work, hope and prey that it never breaks, because you will have a whole different outlook on the company

Well I hope your Panny keeps running as their support and repair is just as bad. I will never buy another product of theirs.

Samsung, I have no experience, but I will bet they are right up there in picture quality.

[BluRayNick]

Hey man Panny's rule!

[JamesKurtovich]

Question: does Panasonic sell the TH-50PZ80U in any major retail outlets? My only choices are Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, Sears, and Sam's Club. There is a Best Buy in Anchorage, but it's a very long way to go.