PLEASE HELP ME CHOOSE BETWEEN THESE 2 HDTV's: - Blu-ray Forum

colgra01 · 11-25-2008, 12:08 AM

I am torn between the:

Pansonic TH-50PZ800U Plasma

OR

Sony Bravia XBR6 52'' LCD

They both look awesome and have received great reviews. My main use for the tv will be to watch blu ray movies of course and watch sports and Hi-Def cable television watching. No gaming. This will be hung above my fireplace (I already have it mount ready as their is currently a 42" panny above it now that will be going upstairs.)

I really appreciate anyones insight into why I should choose one over the other. THANK YOU!

lojack1976 · 11-25-2008, 12:28 AM

My vote is for the Panny. It has the superior picture without a doubt.

tunerfreak87 · 11-25-2008, 12:37 AM

The XBR for sure, but the Panasonics look good also.

My_Two_Cents · 11-25-2008, 12:46 AM

No contest: Get the Pany plasma!

Since you are replacing a plasma, you will not be happy with the poor off-axis picture (especially since you are mounting over a fireplace), motion blur and grey blacks of the LCD relative to plasma. The 800U is one of THE best sets currently on the market, with a picture only slightly inferior to that of the Kuro.

colgra01 · 11-25-2008, 12:56 AM

Thanks guys for the feedback so far, looking forward to more. My current panny has been solid but is only 720p. I am looking forward to the 1080p capabilities for blu-ray and hi-def (althugh i know a lot of people argue that i wont see that much of a difference in hd programming, but definitely will in Blu-Ray)

And what about blu-ray player? Is the PS3 really the best?

HDTV1080P · 11-25-2008, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colgra01

I am torn between the:

Pansonic TH-50PZ800U Plasma

OR

Sony Bravia XBR6 52'' LCD

They both look awesome and have received great reviews. My main use for the tv will be to watch blu ray movies of course and watch sports and Hi-Def cable television watching. No gaming. This will be hung above my fireplace (I already have it mount ready as their is currently a 42" panny above it now that will be going upstairs.)

I really appreciate anyones insight into why I should choose one over the other. THANK YOU!

Even though the Panasonic has a great picture at 60HZ with deep black levels, I would rather own the Sony XBR6 since the Panasonic has a ignoring flicker issue at 48HZ when watching BLU-RAY's that some reviewers have said is a "unwatchable flicker"
See the following link
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=952557&postcount=448

Hammie · 11-25-2008, 04:14 AM

I might suggest that it depends on your viewing area.

I currently have a Samsung LCD but am in the process of exchanging it for the 800u. My reason is that the LCD will show more of its flaws in darker rooms. At least is has for me.

I had the store manager come to my house to see my complaint and give his opinion. He said that plasma would suit my environment better. You may think he said that he was trying to get more money. However, he recommended the Panny 85u for $600 less than my Samsung. I ended up going with the 800u because I heard better things about it over the 85u.

Now, granted, I have not seen the 800u in my house, but it did look better than the Samsung in the store, which is a local one and not a big B&M one.

lojack1976 · 11-25-2008, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Even though the Panasonic has a great picture at 60HZ with deep black levels, I would rather own the Sony XBR6 since the Panasonic has a ignoring flicker issue at 48HZ when watching BLU-RAY's that some reviewers have said is a "unwatchable flicker"
See the following link
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=952557&postcount=448

He can turn off the 48hz mode if it bothers him. And since we're talking the cons of the Panny, let's talk the cons of the Sony. Quotes from Cnet, "Expensive; some color accuracy issues; black levels fluctuate somewhat in dark scenes; below-average screen uniformity; dejudder modes produce artifacts." How about "We were quite impressed by the depth of black produced by the KDL-52XBR6, but its color had us scratching our heads. Despite delivering nearly perfect primary color accuracy in test patterns, in real life the display let us down. Most other aspects of its picture were solid, including that 120Hz video processing, but in the end, we didn't think it significantly outclassed our current 52-inch LCD favorite, the Samsung LN52A650, especially for the price." Sounds like the Sammy should be a consideration over the Sony. How about a Cnet quote about the Panny? "Thanks primarily to the accuracy of its THX picture mode, the TH-50PZ800U is one of the best-performing plasmas we've ever tested. It can't quite match the depth of black evinced by Pioneer's Kuro plasmas, such as the PDP-5080HD, but it most other areas, including color accuracy and uniformity, it's superior."

PanasonicPlasmaMan · 11-25-2008, 05:07 AM

I would choose no Tv over the 800u. The Panasonic has my vote

ixlegitballinxl · 11-25-2008, 05:08 AM

i'd go with the Sony!

brett_day · 11-25-2008, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colgra01

I am torn between the:

Pansonic TH-50PZ800U Plasma

OR

Sony Bravia XBR6 52'' LCD

They both look awesome and have received great reviews. My main use for the tv will be to watch blu ray movies of course and watch sports and Hi-Def cable television watching. No gaming. This will be hung above my fireplace (I already have it mount ready as their is currently a 42" panny above it now that will be going upstairs.)

I really appreciate anyones insight into why I should choose one over the other. THANK YOU!

panasdonic hands down! the 800u is a beast of a tv! Panny plasma's are second only to the kuro's and it is a very, very close second

dean2uk · 11-25-2008, 06:20 AM

i would go for the Pansonic plasma every one knows they are second to the pioneer even tho some would not admit it as they never had the money to buy one of the best sets at the time of them buying there one so therefore the one they could afford is the best one out there lol

go for the pansonic

Static · 11-25-2008, 10:32 AM

Absolutely the Panasonic, without a doubt.

intimidator32 · 11-25-2008, 10:49 AM

my vote is for the panny

you will always get a more natural picture and some of the lcds will burnout your eyeballs

colgra01 · 11-25-2008, 12:35 PM

You guys are really seriously awesome with your feedback. This was exactly my hope when joining this forum. Thank you. Looks like the Panny it is!! My room is somewhat dark and there are side viewing angles , so that is also a consideration. I am not sure about the 48hz thing that was mentioned though that i can turn off? can someone please explain that further?

mustang-gt-2002 · 11-25-2008, 01:02 PM

sony

if you have the money. you may like the samsung's a lot of people say they like them as much as the sony. I love my LN46A650

if you go with samsung you maybe able to go bigger for the same money. if you got the room. good luck

gtmorgan23 · 11-25-2008, 01:15 PM

plasma all day

colgra01 · 11-25-2008, 03:43 PM

48hz flicker? can anyone tell me if this is a legitimate concern? what is it exactly?

donutman925 · 11-25-2008, 03:51 PM

Get the Panasonic. I would not even consider the Sony a worthy contender to this TV.

LifeOfAPirate13 · 11-25-2008, 03:52 PM

Plasma baby! Even though I dont own a panny I love my samsung plasma! Def the way to go for blacks!

11-25-2008, 12:08 AM	#1
colgra01 Junior Member Member since:Nov 2008	PLEASE HELP ME CHOOSE BETWEEN THESE 2 HDTV's: I am torn between the: Pansonic TH-50PZ800U Plasma OR Sony Bravia XBR6 52'' LCD They both look awesome and have received great reviews. My main use for the tv will be to watch blu ray movies of course and watch sports and Hi-Def cable television watching. No gaming. This will be hung above my fireplace (I already have it mount ready as their is currently a 42" panny above it now that will be going upstairs.) I really appreciate anyones insight into why I should choose one over the other. THANK YOU! Last edited by colgra01; 11-25-2008 at 12:26 AM.

11-25-2008, 12:35 PM	#15
colgra01 Junior Member Member since:Nov 2008	48 flicker? You guys are really seriously awesome with your feedback. This was exactly my hope when joining this forum. Thank you. Looks like the Panny it is!! My room is somewhat dark and there are side viewing angles , so that is also a consideration. I am not sure about the 48hz thing that was mentioned though that i can turn off? can someone please explain that further?

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11-25-2008, 12:28 AM	#2
lojack1976 Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Aug 2008 Location:7 Cities, VA Home Theater Gallery:62 Blu-ray collection:203	My vote is for the Panny. It has the superior picture without a doubt.

11-25-2008, 12:37 AM	#3
tunerfreak87 Active Member Member since:Nov 2008 Blu-ray collection:60 Blu-ray reviews:2	The XBR for sure, but the Panasonics look good also.

11-25-2008, 12:46 AM	#4
My_Two_Cents Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Wherever I may roam.... Home Theater Gallery:40 4K collection:35 Blu-ray collection:507 DVD collection:19 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:4	No contest: Get the Pany plasma! Since you are replacing a plasma, you will not be happy with the poor off-axis picture (especially since you are mounting over a fireplace), motion blur and grey blacks of the LCD relative to plasma. The 800U is one of THE best sets currently on the market, with a picture only slightly inferior to that of the Kuro.

11-25-2008, 12:56 AM	#5
colgra01 Junior Member Member since:Nov 2008	Thanks guys for the feedback so far, looking forward to more. My current panny has been solid but is only 720p. I am looking forward to the 1080p capabilities for blu-ray and hi-def (althugh i know a lot of people argue that i wont see that much of a difference in hd programming, but definitely will in Blu-Ray) And what about blu-ray player? Is the PS3 really the best?

11-25-2008, 04:14 AM	#7
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	I might suggest that it depends on your viewing area. I currently have a Samsung LCD but am in the process of exchanging it for the 800u. My reason is that the LCD will show more of its flaws in darker rooms. At least is has for me. I had the store manager come to my house to see my complaint and give his opinion. He said that plasma would suit my environment better. You may think he said that he was trying to get more money. However, he recommended the Panny 85u for $600 less than my Samsung. I ended up going with the 800u because I heard better things about it over the 85u. Now, granted, I have not seen the 800u in my house, but it did look better than the Samsung in the store, which is a local one and not a big B&M one.

11-25-2008, 05:07 AM	#9
PanasonicPlasmaMan Special Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:California Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:25 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:18	I would choose no Tv over the 800u. The Panasonic has my vote

11-25-2008, 05:08 AM	#10
ixlegitballinxl Banned Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Magic Kingdom, FL Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:631 Trading Score:22	i'd go with the Sony!

11-25-2008, 06:20 AM	#12
dean2uk New Member Member since:Oct 2008	i would go for the Pansonic plasma every one knows they are second to the pioneer even tho some would not admit it as they never had the money to buy one of the best sets at the time of them buying there one so therefore the one they could afford is the best one out there lol go for the pansonic

11-25-2008, 10:32 AM	#13
Static Member Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray reviews:1	Absolutely the Panasonic, without a doubt.

11-25-2008, 10:49 AM	#14
intimidator32 Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:lexington, ky Home Theater Gallery:17 Blu-ray collection:90	my vote is for the panny you will always get a more natural picture and some of the lcds will burnout your eyeballs

11-25-2008, 01:02 PM	#16
mustang-gt-2002 Senior Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Madison, WI. Home Theater Gallery:33 Blu-ray collection:66	sony if you have the money. you may like the samsung's a lot of people say they like them as much as the sony. I love my LN46A650 if you go with samsung you maybe able to go bigger for the same money. if you got the room. good luck

11-25-2008, 01:15 PM	#17
gtmorgan23 Senior Member Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Austin Texas Home Theater Gallery:20 Blu-ray collection:98	plasma all day

11-25-2008, 03:43 PM	#18
colgra01 Junior Member Member since:Nov 2008	48hz flicker? can anyone tell me if this is a legitimate concern? what is it exactly?

11-25-2008, 03:51 PM	#19
donutman925 Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:MA, USA	Get the Panasonic. I would not even consider the Sony a worthy contender to this TV.

11-25-2008, 03:52 PM	#20
LifeOfAPirate13 Expert Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Chicago, IL Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:18	Plasma baby! Even though I dont own a panny I love my samsung plasma! Def the way to go for blacks!

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