Sony 46' XBR4 or Panasonic 50' TH-50PZ85U - Blu-ray Forum

ICR1984 · 03-18-2008, 06:47 AM

I am curious as to which TV to buy. Because of employee pricing at BB I can buy the Panasonic for $400 cheaper than the Sony. My friends at work have told me that they prefer the plasma.

I will watch dvd's (blue ray) more than regular TV viewing.

What would you guys suggest?

Joon · 03-18-2008, 06:49 AM

Panasonic. Plasmas are better then LCD's but the market has clearly gone towards LCD. Cheaper and no possible burn in. There is .01% chance of burn in new plasmas now, but the damage was done.

jibucha · 03-18-2008, 07:14 AM

Hello

While it is the Panasonic Plasma that is the better picture quality; especially for any serious watching, you should simply have the same Blu-ray Player on each display and watch them for yourself, using the same movie of your choice; ten minutes or so should be sufficient.

I have taken the time to do this simple comparison on several occasions with exactly the same displays that you are referring to at some of the local stores, with poor quality store broadcast feeds, and found it still quite easy to determine which had the better picture quality, which makes me question why anyone with a concern for a quality picture does not take the time to do the same simple comparison of displays of interest to them; it really is not so difficult as it seems. Doing such comparisons during a sports event with high activity is the easiest, as motion artifacts are easily apparent, even with what I would deem poor quality HD.

I hope that this is helpful to you; just trust yourself to make the best decision that you are capable of; but, take the time yourself, on several occasions to allow yourself to make your own informed viewing decisions.

You do not need to be looking for anything in particular, just watch whatever chapter of a movie that you either like or are familiar with passively, and whatever is relevant will come to you naturally.

If it helps, I have found the Blu-ray Movie Immortal Beloved to be simply outstanding for this purpose; if you would like to use an outstanding disc that is inexpensive and of the highest cinematography that I am presently aware of.

If you wish to be careful, do a factory reset on each display before you begin and make certain that both compared displays are in the same mode. Of course, using a cinema mode or movie mode is the most sensible, unless you have another preferred mode that you will always be using; then, that mode might be best, given that it is what you would actually be using.

Relax and trust yourself; you can see after all!

Thank You

Kuraudo · 03-18-2008, 04:57 PM

Why not 52" xbr4

?
Black levels on xbr4 are .006 FL

Sonny · 03-18-2008, 05:02 PM

Get the 800/850 Panny in a month 30,000.1 native 24fps native THX certified

john_1958 · 03-18-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICR1984

I am curious as to which TV to buy. Because of employee pricing at BB I can buy the Panasonic for $400 cheaper than the Sony. My friends at work have told me that they prefer the plasma.

I will watch dvd's (blue ray) more than regular TV viewing.

What would you guys suggest?

Panasonic has gone downhill in past 8 years when it comes to picture quality

Bango · 03-18-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny

Get the 800/850 Panny in a month 30,000.1 native 24fps native THX certified

Why do you have so many damn TVs....lol

Irishwiseguy2006 · 03-18-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_1958

Panasonic has gone downhill in past 8 years when it comes to picture quality

Are you serious!!??? compared to any LCD the Panny's are unbelievable. IMO This of couse is based off wanting to see a movie like its a movie and not glorified color set at 100 like you see in stores.

Blu n Gold · 03-18-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joon

Panasonic. Plasmas are better then LCD's but the market has clearly gone towards LCD. Cheaper and no possible burn in. There is .01% chance of burn in new plasmas now, but the damage was done.

How are LCDs cheaper?

Sonny · 03-18-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu n Gold

How are LCDs cheaper?

Cause allot of CHEAP A** brands make LCD's thats how

Irishwiseguy2006 · 03-18-2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny

Cause allot of CHEAP A** brands make LCD's thats how

Could you be refrencing Vizio? LOL

john_1958 · 03-18-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishwiseguy2006

Are you serious!!??? compared to any LCD the Panny's are unbelievable. IMO This of couse is based off wanting to see a movie like its a movie and not glorified color set at 100 like you see in stores.

oh i'm quite serious compared to Panasonic 47X54J Panasonic PT-53XD64 53" 16:9 CRT Projections
I was more impressed back then
.

LennDawg · 03-18-2008, 06:18 PM

XBR!!

I got one, and I love it. Wouldnt trade it for anything. Except of course the bigger XBR

chasarms · 03-18-2008, 06:23 PM

I shopped and researched for nearly a year before buying my Panasonic. I looked at every LCD available in the St. Louis market and, IMO, there is no LCD out there that can produce the PQ of my television. Once I noticed the artifacts on an LCD screen, I couldn't shake it. It is the most distracting thing for me to watch.

The only TV I have ever seen that looks better, IMO, is the Pioneer plasma TVs. At the time, I was really struggling over whether the Pioneer was worth the extra $800. They do look better, but it is not leaps and bounds better.

But, then BB rolled out the "buy a Panasonic plasma and a Panasonic BD, get $500 off of the TV" deal. Basically buy the display, get the BD player free. When it became a $1,300 swing, it was an easy choice.

I can't imagine being happier with my purchase. My family loves that television.

PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD · 03-18-2008, 06:48 PM

Plasma > LCD . I am sorry but thats the truth

kuliddar · 03-18-2008, 07:18 PM

The Panasonic plasma is better period. No LCD comes close to the image quality you will get from that set. Like others I did a lot of research (more than a year) before pulling the trigger on a panasonic plasma and it was one of the best investments I have done. My viewing habits are 40% cable viewing (HD and standard feeds), 40% movies and 20% video games. I play a lot of "guitar hero" or some "resistance fall of man"for hours only to get some minor image retention (not burn in) to not at all. Retention goes away a few seconds after you fill the screen with something else (ex: discovery channel).

If you had said I only play video games, I might of said go LCD but frankly even now its not relevant anymore. If you decide to get an LCD kiss any sports viewing goodbye too because the response time for 37"+ screens totally kills your eyes. When I was doing test viewing I couldn't even watch a hockey game decently on a LCD. But man does Hockey, F1 and Nascar look amazing on Plasma.

As the poll shows, its pretty divided but once you do tests and research you will see that, at the moment, plasma is the best way to go.

hienesey · 03-19-2008, 02:03 AM

For $400 difference, I would probably go with the Panasonic. I hope the glare isn't too bad on those.

kuliddar · 03-19-2008, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hienesey

For $400 difference, I would probably go with the Panasonic. I hope the glare isn't too bad on those.

Ah the glare thing now....sigh....I have a wall that is 90% windows and another behind the tv (on the side) that reflects on a frame that is facing the tv. Hmmm look at that...no glare

Blu Jacket · 03-19-2008, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LennDawg

XBR!!

I got one, and I love it. Wouldnt trade it for anything. Except of course the bigger XBR

Testify!!!

richteer · 03-19-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LennDawg

XBR!!

I got one, and I love it. Wouldnt trade it for anything. Except of course the bigger XBR

The XBR is a fine TV, to be sure, but give me a Pioneer or Panasonic plasma any day...

View Poll Results: Sony 46' XB4 or Panasonic 50' TH-50PZ85U
Sony 46' XBR4	60	44.12%
Panasonic 50' TH-50PZ85U	76	55.88%
Voters: 136. You may not vote on this poll

03-18-2008, 06:47 AM	#1
ICR1984 Junior Member Member since:Mar 2008	Sony 46' XBR4 or Panasonic 50' TH-50PZ85U I am curious as to which TV to buy. Because of employee pricing at BB I can buy the Panasonic for $400 cheaper than the Sony. My friends at work have told me that they prefer the plasma. I will watch dvd's (blue ray) more than regular TV viewing. What would you guys suggest?

03-18-2008, 07:14 AM	#3
jibucha Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Trading Score:45	Panasonic Plasma & Sony LCD Hello While it is the Panasonic Plasma that is the better picture quality; especially for any serious watching, you should simply have the same Blu-ray Player on each display and watch them for yourself, using the same movie of your choice; ten minutes or so should be sufficient. I have taken the time to do this simple comparison on several occasions with exactly the same displays that you are referring to at some of the local stores, with poor quality store broadcast feeds, and found it still quite easy to determine which had the better picture quality, which makes me question why anyone with a concern for a quality picture does not take the time to do the same simple comparison of displays of interest to them; it really is not so difficult as it seems. Doing such comparisons during a sports event with high activity is the easiest, as motion artifacts are easily apparent, even with what I would deem poor quality HD. I hope that this is helpful to you; just trust yourself to make the best decision that you are capable of; but, take the time yourself, on several occasions to allow yourself to make your own informed viewing decisions. You do not need to be looking for anything in particular, just watch whatever chapter of a movie that you either like or are familiar with passively, and whatever is relevant will come to you naturally. If it helps, I have found the Blu-ray Movie Immortal Beloved to be simply outstanding for this purpose; if you would like to use an outstanding disc that is inexpensive and of the highest cinematography that I am presently aware of. If you wish to be careful, do a factory reset on each display before you begin and make certain that both compared displays are in the same mode. Of course, using a cinema mode or movie mode is the most sensible, unless you have another preferred mode that you will always be using; then, that mode might be best, given that it is what you would actually be using. Relax and trust yourself; you can see after all! Thank You

03-18-2008, 06:23 PM	#14
chasarms Active Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:St. Louis Blu-ray reviews: 1	I shopped and researched for nearly a year before buying my Panasonic. I looked at every LCD available in the St. Louis market and, IMO, there is no LCD out there that can produce the PQ of my television. Once I noticed the artifacts on an LCD screen, I couldn't shake it. It is the most distracting thing for me to watch. The only TV I have ever seen that looks better, IMO, is the Pioneer plasma TVs. At the time, I was really struggling over whether the Pioneer was worth the extra $800. They do look better, but it is not leaps and bounds better. But, then BB rolled out the "buy a Panasonic plasma and a Panasonic BD, get $500 off of the TV" deal. Basically buy the display, get the BD player free. When it became a $1,300 swing, it was an easy choice. I can't imagine being happier with my purchase. My family loves that television. Last edited by chasarms; 03-18-2008 at 06:26 PM.

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03-18-2008, 06:49 AM	#2
Joon Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray collection:208 Trading Score:1	Panasonic. Plasmas are better then LCD's but the market has clearly gone towards LCD. Cheaper and no possible burn in. There is .01% chance of burn in new plasmas now, but the damage was done.

03-18-2008, 04:57 PM	#4
Kuraudo Active Member Member since:Feb 2008	Why not 52" xbr4 ? Black levels on xbr4 are .006 FL

03-18-2008, 05:02 PM	#5
Sonny Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:1	Get the 800/850 Panny in a month 30,000.1 native 24fps native THX certified

03-18-2008, 06:18 PM	#13
LennDawg Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Blu-ray collection:265 Trading Score:2	XBR!! I got one, and I love it. Wouldnt trade it for anything. Except of course the bigger XBR

03-18-2008, 06:48 PM	#15
PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA, USA	Plasma > LCD . I am sorry but thats the truth

03-18-2008, 07:18 PM	#16
kuliddar Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Saint-Hubert, Qc 4K collection:6 Blu-ray collection:253 Blu-ray reviews: 84	The Panasonic plasma is better period. No LCD comes close to the image quality you will get from that set. Like others I did a lot of research (more than a year) before pulling the trigger on a panasonic plasma and it was one of the best investments I have done. My viewing habits are 40% cable viewing (HD and standard feeds), 40% movies and 20% video games. I play a lot of "guitar hero" or some "resistance fall of man"for hours only to get some minor image retention (not burn in) to not at all. Retention goes away a few seconds after you fill the screen with something else (ex: discovery channel). If you had said I only play video games, I might of said go LCD but frankly even now its not relevant anymore. If you decide to get an LCD kiss any sports viewing goodbye too because the response time for 37"+ screens totally kills your eyes. When I was doing test viewing I couldn't even watch a hockey game decently on a LCD. But man does Hockey, F1 and Nascar look amazing on Plasma. As the poll shows, its pretty divided but once you do tests and research you will see that, at the moment, plasma is the best way to go.

03-19-2008, 02:03 AM	#17
hienesey Active Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Dallas, TX Blu-ray collection:291 Trading Score:35	For $400 difference, I would probably go with the Panasonic. I hope the glare isn't too bad on those.

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