Panasonic 50" Plasmas vs. Samsung 50" Plasmas - Opinions?

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by joegs300

I hate that washed out look. If you REALLY want to see black.. turn your black level to Dark on your panny.. it looks so beautiful but the black crush is there. never seen black crush look so nice. =]

LOL ! Your right & that's some funny shiz.... I'd get the panny if I were the OP & choosing between the two.

[SkillzthatKillz]

get the panasonic or save up and get a pioneer, avoid samsung plasmas

[Twitch9]

Originally Posted by SkillzthatKillz

get the panasonic or save up and get a pioneer, avoid samsung plasmas

How can you say avoid Samsung plasmas, they are better rated than most panasonic plasmas except for the 800, but why pay $500 more for a THX setting that you can reproduce when you calibrate your tv anyway. I'm not saying i don't like Panasonic i almost bought the 800 but why pay so much more for a TV your probably going to replace in 2-3 years as the technology gets better.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

How can you say avoid Samsung plasmas, they are better rated than most panasonic plasmas except for the 800, but why pay $500 more for a THX setting that you can reproduce when you calibrate your tv anyway. I'm not saying i don't like Panasonic i almost bought the 800 but why pay so much more for a TV your probably going to replace in 2-3 years as the technology gets better.

As others have pointed out (and as you would know if you actually did proper research), there is a lot more to the 800 than the THX certification (which, by the way, is also more than just a setting).

You obviously own a Samsung plasma, and I'm sure it's a fantastic set - just try to know what you're talking about before hitting 'Submit Reply'.

[sokrman14]

Originally Posted by xneox

As others have pointed out (and as you would know if you actually did proper research), there is a lot more to the 800 than the THX certification (which, by the way, is also more than just a setting).

You obviously own a Samsung plasma, and I'm sure it's a fantastic set - just try to know what you're talking about before hitting 'Submit Reply'.

Twitch and I were just on the same side of an argument regarding polk speakers the other day, so I respect him, but you are right here. The 800u is a much better set than just a THX certification. The Samsung plasmas just dont perform like the pannys.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

Twitch and I were just on the same side of an argument regarding polk speakers the other day, so I respect him, but you are right here. The 800u is a much better set than just a THX certification. The Samsung plasmas just dont perform like the pannys.

Yeah, I came off a bit crude - sorry Twitch.


ETA - As for the other components in both your HT's - excellent. Beautiful setups - both I'd love to come even close to someday. Well done.

[Twitch9]

Originally Posted by xneox

As others have pointed out (and as you would know if you actually did proper research), there is a lot more to the 800 than the THX certification (which, by the way, is also more than just a setting).

You obviously own a Samsung plasma, and I'm sure it's a fantastic set - just try to know what you're talking about before hitting 'Submit Reply'.

I'm sorry but i do know what i'm talking about, i have been doing HT installs for over 10 years and keep up with new technology and study almost every set on the market today. If you understand anything about calibration the THX setting can pretty much be achieved on almost any higher end plasma on the Market today, it is an out of the box feature that conforms to George Lucas standard for a video setting. Now that has been said, i agree the Panny 800u has many more features than the Samsung plasma and a better image overall, but for me and most of the people i deal with it's not worth the extra $500-1000 for a TV that would be hard to notice the difference for the average HT owner, that plasma is more for the videophile who has to have the best Panasonic plasma they make plus is it worth all the extra $ for a bit deeper blacks. I have owned LG, Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, and Samsung TV's over the years and if calibrated correctly you can make the image look almost identical with every brand. I don't understand why Samsung gets a bad rap when it comes to plasmas for most consumers it is a great TV for the price point and overall has a excellent image. I get my sets for free and that's why i have a Samsung right now next year it will be something different.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

I have owned LG, Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, and Samsung TV's over the years and if calibrated correctly you can make the image look almost identical with every brand.

That is NOT true.

[Leopold BUTTERS]

I have a samsung plasma, the 550, and i love it, the picture is beautiful. So I would say samsung, but I have heard panisonic makes awesome plasmas as well. So really, just go with what brand you like more, i am sure you would love either or.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

I'm sorry but i do know what i'm talking about, i have been doing HT installs for over 10 years and keep up with new technology and study almost every set on the market today. If you understand anything about calibration the THX setting can pretty much be achieved on almost any higher end plasma on the Market today, it is an out of the box feature that conforms to George Lucas standard for a video setting. Now that has been said, i agree the Panny 800u has many more features than the Samsung plasma and a better image overall, but for me and most of the people i deal with it's not worth the extra $500-1000 for a TV that would be hard to notice the difference for the average HT owner, that plasma is more for the videophile who has to have the best Panasonic plasma they make plus is it worth all the extra $ for a bit deeper blacks. I have owned LG, Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, and Samsung TV's over the years and if calibrated correctly you can make the image look almost identical with every brand. I don't understand why Samsung gets a bad rap when it comes to plasmas for most consumers it is a great TV for the price point and overall has a excellent image. I get my sets for free and that's why i have a Samsung right now next year it will be something different.

I really don't care what you've been doing for the last 10 years - your post regarding the Panasonic 800u showed either a lack of knowledge about that set, or a blatantly defensive posture about your Sammy, period.

You need to back up a few steps and realize that the THX certification of the 800u sets is MORE THAN JUST A SETTING IN THE MENU.

[Twitch9]

Originally Posted by xneox

I really don't care what you've been doing for the last 10 years - your post regarding the Panasonic 800u showed either a lack of knowledge about that set, or a blatantly defensive posture about your Sammy, period.

You need to back up a few steps and realize that the THX certification of the 800u sets is MORE THAN JUST A SETTING IN THE MENU.

Very nice choice on sets, and if THX is more than just a setting please tell me why, i would love to here this. You do know THX is a standard that George Lucas specifies for Video and sound, the same Dolby and DTS do, it is a SETTING that's all, do some research and you will find out that i am right. Also THX is a feature people over pay for and have know idea what it really is. Answer me one question did you buy THX certified speaker wire and other cables. I'm not defending my Samsung i know there are better plasmas out there just not worth to me the extra money, and like i said i got my Samsung free and have no ties on promoting it to others, they ask my opinion and i tell them what i think.

Go to Wikipedia and look up THX, you will see it is just a standard created by 2 guys for quality and became a setting in receiver, speaker, Tv and so on.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

How can you say avoid Samsung plasmas, they are better rated than most panasonic plasmas except for the 800, but why pay $500 more for a THX setting that you can reproduce when you calibrate your tv anyway. I'm not saying i don't like Panasonic i almost bought the 800 but why pay so much more for a TV your probably going to replace in 2-3 years as the technology gets better.

I hope you aren't basing this off the latest CR ratings.

[Santeria]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

How can you say avoid Samsung plasmas, they are better rated than most panasonic plasmas except for the 800, but why pay $500 more for a THX setting that you can reproduce when you calibrate your tv anyway. I'm not saying i don't like Panasonic i almost bought the 800 but why pay so much more for a TV your probably going to replace in 2-3 years as the technology gets better.

lol where on earth does it say that sammys are rated higher then pannys?

when i did my hw i remember reading that pannys produce deeper blacks, but sammys have a bit of brighter color display. also that sammys csr sucks compared to pannys support, and that sammys have a bit more of an issue with IR then pannys do.

[JasonR]

http://plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasm...-pn50a650.html

[JJ]

Originally Posted by JasonR

http://plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasm...-pn50a650.html

Thats a slap in the face to a few around here. And just what I needed.

[Show spoiler]To go with a Kuro...

[joegs300]

Originally Posted by Santeria

lol where on earth does it say that sammys are rated higher then pannys?

when i did my hw i remember reading that pannys produce deeper blacks, but sammys have a bit of brighter color display. also that sammys csr sucks compared to pannys support, and that sammys have a bit more of an issue with IR then pannys do.

I think cnet.com has them rated higher, not quite sure tho..

[sokrman14]

I think the 800u vs the a650 is a more even comparison. The 85u would be comparable to the a550 in my opinion. Other than the fact that they are both 50" plasmas, I think it was "almost" an apples and oranges comparison.

[kabukijoe]

Originally Posted by JasonR

http://plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasm...-pn50a650.html

This is exactly what I was going to post...

but anyways I do own a PN50A650 and absolutly love it, the picture is amazing, and the the design of the tv is beautiful. My roommate bought a Panasonic 46 inch plasma (not 100% sure of the model but I know it's comparable) I personally think my Samsung's picture looks a little better. The picture looks a little more accurate to me. Both are very nice though

[DBlackGT]

Yeah both are extremely nice sets. And it really dpends on who rates it to determine which set is better. I know Home Theater Magazine loves the 85U while CNET.com rates the 650 higher. They are so close in picture/feature quality that it all boils down to personal preference in my opinion. And to be quite honest I would have gone with the Samsung over my Panasonic if it wasn't for the extreme aount of problems I had with the Samsung plasma's.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

they are better rated than most panasonic plasmas except for the 800

I'm still waiting to see where Samsung plasmas are better rated than MOST Pany plasmas? Yes, I saw the ONE article, but whaere are all of others that support this? Not trying to start anything ugly, I'm just trying to understand the comment. I've always been under the impression that in terms of overall picture quality, performance and reliability (for plasma), the rankings go:

1) Pioneer Kuro Elite
2) Pioneer Kuro
3) Panasonic (850U/800U---85U/80U)

4) Samsung


5) Everything else

Yes, the latest CR review has things rated differently, but we all know CR is NOT the place to go for electronics ratings.