$1500 in hand. What is the best 50" plasma I can buy?

[davidxiphoid]

I just received my ok for a check to replace the broken LCD i had under warranty. In actuality it's closer to $1900 but I'm a convert to Plasma and know I can get a good one for around $1500 since seeing my Dad's Samsung and one of my friends Panasonic Plasma that that is the way to go.

With the extra I plan on upgrading my receiver but back to the TV. Looking for opinions on the best Plasma for that price? I would love to get a KURO but I know those are getting harder to find and would more than likely need to have one delivered. Just looking for advice. I plan on buying a new TV by the end of the week.

[HiDefRev]

Panasonic TC-P50G10. For $1500 there is no better HDTV.

[garageinc2001]

For 1500 you could probably find 2 50" Panny S1's and put one over the tub or something. lol Happy shopping though. I can guarantee Panasonic will win the vote here.

[davidxiphoid]

If i can't find a Kuro, which is looking to be the case after calling several places, The TC-P50G10 is the TV I was looking into. If i don't care about the Viera option, is there something else that comes close? or should I just not worry about that small stuff regardless?

[davidxiphoid]

I've heard people having issues with the g10 and flickering for 24P content. any truth to this? is it something I should even care about ? (meaning I don't know if it's good or bad, but that seems to be the only complaint with the G10).

[jaydoc24]

If you are a Sam's Club Member, you can hit up their auction site. They are selling their remaining Kuro models there and they can be had for around $1100 plus delivery...usually $1300-$1400 range.

http://auctions.samsclub.com/Scripts...&prodname=kuro

Take you extra hundred and buy a few Blus.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

I've heard people having issues with the g10 and flickering for 24P content. any truth to this? is it something I should even care about ? (meaning I don't know if it's good or bad, but that seems to be the only complaint with the G10).

If you move up to the Panasonic V10 series it is 100% flicker free at the 96HZ setting.
If you leave the Panasonic G10 in the default 60HZ setting there is no visible flicker on the screen but it adds 3:2 pulldown judder to BLU-RAY movies. If you want to use the 48HZ multiplies of the original frame rate method on the G10 with BLU-RAY movies then yes every review for that model has mentioned either a "unwatchable flicker" or visible flicker.

Quote from CNET website on the G10 review

" The company also includes a "24p direct in" setting that's available when the TV detects a 1080p/24 source, typically from a Blu-ray Disc. As with the PZ800U and 850U models from last year, choosing the "48Hz" setting, as opposed to the standard 60Hz setting, causes the display to refresh at 48Hz to match the 24fps cadence of film. And as with last year's sets, selecting 48Hz on the G10 causes flicker--more intense in brighter areas, but visible pretty much constantly--that basically renders the image unwatchable. We don't expect any of the videophiles toward whom this setting is aimed to stand for the flicker, so we kept the G10 set to 60Hz. It's worth noting that the step-up V10 series refreshes at 96Hz, according to Panasonic, so the flicker shouldn't be a problem on those sets."
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-tc-p50g10/4505-6482_7-33497901-2.html?tag=txt;page

Quote from HD Guru website on the G10 review

" The TCP50G1 accepts 1080p/24 signals that may be displayed at 48Hz or 60 Hz. Like last year’s TH50PZ850 reviewed here, the 48 Hz rate suffers from image flicker and is deemed unwatchable. Use the 60 Hz mode."
http://hdguru.com/panasonic-tcp50g10-50-plasma-review/416/

[maygit]

First choice would be the panasonic V10. If you cannot find that in your price range, the Samsung 850(PN50B850) plasma is amazing and sure to be in that price range.

[davidxiphoid]

Thanks for all your advice and opinions. I am now a proud owner of a Pioneer Kuro PDP5010FD!

I'm assuming I got a good deal with it being JUST under $1500 (literally $1495) including shipping and tax from Sams Club auctions.

Now I need to get a good extended warranty. Can someone point me the right way?

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

Thanks for all your advice and opinions. I am now a proud owner of a Pioneer Kuro PDP5010FD!

I'm assuming I got a good deal with it being JUST under $1500 (literally $1495) including shipping and tax from Sams Club auctions.

Now I need to get a good extended warranty. Can someone point me the right way?

Back in 2007 that Pioneer PDP-5010FD 8th generation model had a original list price of $5,000. If that is a brand new model for only $1,495 including shipping then you got a excellent deal. That model has a cable card slot to allow people to subscribe to premium cable channels without a cable box and it also has a on screen free TV guide. The built in RF A/B switch is nice for people that have both a outdoor TV antenna and cable TV.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

Thanks for all your advice and opinions. I am now a proud owner of a Pioneer Kuro PDP5010FD!

I'm assuming I got a good deal with it being JUST under $1500 (literally $1495) including shipping and tax from Sams Club auctions.

Now I need to get a good extended warranty. Can someone point me the right way?

Congrats on the sweet display!!! I wouldn't mind adding a 5010 to my KURO collection.

[davidxiphoid]

Thanks Sonny! Can't wait to fire it up. I have my break in and spears and munsil blu ray disc ready to roll!

I was surprised to see that they actually shipped it out today. I may actually get it by the end of the week.

[Turnda643]

Congrats David on the Kuro steal!! Ill have to check out that Sam's Club outlet thingy when Iam reay to upgrade. Enjoy!! I know it wont be hard. lol

[bds59]

I have one of these and I KNOW you will enjoy it! I've had mine for 6 months now and am still in awe of the PQ!

[ShockWave]

Congrats!! Just in time for the great football games ahead. Well if College had a playoff LOL!

[davidxiphoid]

Getting my Kuro delivered tomorrow! Looks like I jumped on that Sams club thing at the right time. seems they only had 3 left to sell after I got mine and are now out of stock.

I welcome any tips or tricks on picture tweaks, break in etc, but right now I have a break in disc which Crackinheadz suggested that I will run during the day while Im at work, and will watch TV like I regularly do when I get home.

Do you guys think I should run the break in disc overnight as well? or just overnight and not during the day so I can keep an eye on it?

Also have the spears and muncil HD calibration disc that everyone seems to reccommend. So stoked! Can't wait to remove my wrecked Sony XBR4 and replace it with the Kuro.

[BLUCanadian]

unless you are trying to accellerate the breakin period in order to get it professionally calibrated ASAP, there is no reason to do the breakin as you have stated...
Just avoid black bars on top/bottom/sides & static logos/tickers for extended periods of time

[nugent]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

Getting my Kuro delivered tomorrow! Looks like I jumped on that Sams club thing at the right time. seems they only had 3 left to sell after I got mine and are now out of stock.

I welcome any tips or tricks on picture tweaks, break in etc, but right now I have a break in disc which Crackinheadz suggested that I will run during the day while Im at work, and will watch TV like I regularly do when I get home.

Do you guys think I should run the break in disc overnight as well? or just overnight and not during the day so I can keep an eye on it?

Also have the spears and muncil HD calibration disc that everyone seems to reccommend. So stoked! Can't wait to remove my wrecked Sony XBR4 and replace it with the Kuro.

I bought this set via Sam's back in May for my parents for apx. the same price delivered. The picture is beautiful! Congrats!

The set has a USB port on the left side. If you are going to do the break in slides I would just put them on a flash drive and run them off of that. No need in having a DVD player running just to do that.

The value of the break in slides is arguable. But, I am a geek about stuff like that and liked the concept of the screen being "broken in" evenly with the solid colors.

Lot's of what we do in this hobby doesn't always make sense, but it's part of the enjoyment.

Once I did the break in I just applied the settings from AVS. My parents are about 70 and had a 50" Sony SXRD prior to this. They are not videophiles by any stretch but they were both amazed at the picture on this set compared to the Sony.

Once again, congrats and enjoy tweaking and viewing!

[online365daysayear]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

Thanks Sonny! Can't wait to fire it up. I have my break in and spears and munsil blu ray disc ready to roll!

I was surprised to see that they actually shipped it out today. I may actually get it by the end of the week.

They did not use FedEx or UPS to ship They shipped using CEVA and I had to call and setup and appointment for a residentail delivery. They delivered my Kuro from Sam's Club two day ago and have been running the break-in DVD for two days now. Under $1,500 for a Kuro is a great price. I actually got mine after losing so many times for $1,311.46 with tax and shipping. Congrats on the Pioneer. I may have to look into an extended warranty too. Thanks for reminding me.

[online365daysayear]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

Getting my Kuro delivered tomorrow! Looks like I jumped on that Sams club thing at the right time. seems they only had 3 left to sell after I got mine and are now out of stock.

Do you guys think I should run the break in disc overnight as well? or just overnight and not during the day so I can keep an eye on it?

Happy that I got when before they sold out. That was close. I have been running mine 24 hours a days until the 150 hour break-in period finishes. I did the same with my parents Kuro and then applied D-Nice's settings from AVS. Picture looks fantastic.