Panasonic Viera TC-P50S30 vs. TC-P50ST30

[BDS23420]

Im not into the 3D really, but does the PQ on the ST look better than the S??

does anyone know and could anyone help.

all I want is a 50" Plasma 600HZ 1080P HDTV


please someone help!

[neoshredder27]

ST has the NeoPDP Panel which is supposed to be better and similar to the GT series. The only thing it lacks is THX. So reports seem to show that the ST is better than the S series.

[volcomsocal]

The ST has a better filter than the S too.

[BDS23420]

this is the only thing that throws me off from both......

the S has no 3D - dont really care about 3D

the ST has 3D and is $400 more expensive which matters to me right now, I dont want to spend that much money if im not even going to use the 3D...

but it it worth the extra money for the overall tv???

[DJ Matt]

Why not go with a 2010 model then...

[BDS23420]

Originally Posted by DJ Matt

Why not go with a 2010 model then...

I cant find it anywhere where the price is cheaper, last time I saw it, it was back up to normal price.

please post a link if you can find it!!!

[basketb]

Originally Posted by BDS23420

I cant find it anywhere where the price is cheaper, last time I saw it, it was back up to normal price.

please post a link if you can find it!!!

Don't know what the current prices are for any of those TVs, but my local Costco had both the 46" GT24 and 50" GT50 for less than $900 (one was $899, the other $879, forget which was what).

[linkgx1]

Originally Posted by basketb

Don't know what the current prices are for any of those TVs, but my local Costco had both the 46" GT24 and 50" GT50 for less than $900 (one was $899, the other $879, forget which was what).

Costco has the GT50?!

[volcomsocal]

Originally Posted by BDS23420

this is the only thing that throws me off from both......

the S has no 3D - dont really care about 3D

the ST has 3D and is $400 more expensive which matters to me right now, I dont want to spend that much money if im not even going to use the 3D...

but it it worth the extra money for the overall tv???

Don't think of the ST30 as a "3D tv". Panasonic can call it whatever they want. They could call it a Viera Connect tv. And if you don't care about internet features, you'd be saying, "I just want a good plasma without internet functions". So, really it's how they market the tv. You're going into buying a tv with the wrong perspective. Look at all the features of Panasonic's lineup except the 3D part, and then choose the right model. The ST is a better tv, with or without the 3D capability. Its "insides" are better than the S "insides". And hey, you just happen to get 3D functionality with it.

Look at it this way... let's say Panasonic makes 5 different plasma models, which they do. VT, GT, ST, S, and X. Last year, only the top 2 models had 3D. This year, the top 3 models have 3D. The problem is, the 2 models below the ST are not good. The X is only 720p, so throw it out the window. Manufacturers are making it so they force the consumer to buy the 3D tv if they want a quality product, whether the consumer wants the 3D functionality or not. Get it?

[linkgx1]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Don't think of the ST30 as a "3D tv". Panasonic can call it whatever they want. They could call it a Viera Connect tv. And if you don't care about internet features, you'd be saying, "I just want a good plasma without internet functions". So, really it's how they market the tv. You're going into buying a tv with the wrong perspective. Look at all the features of Panasonic's lineup except the 3D part, and then choose the right model. The ST is a better tv, with or without the 3D capability. Its "insides" are better than the S "insides". And hey, you just happen to get 3D functionality with it.

Look at it this way... let's say Panasonic makes 5 different plasma models, which they do. VT, GT, ST, S, and X. Last year, only the top 2 models had 3D. This year, the top 3 models have 3D. The problem is, the 2 models below the ST are not good. The X is only 720p, so throw it out the window. Manufacturers are making it so they force the consumer to buy the 3D tv if they want a quality product, whether the consumer wants the 3D functionality or not. Get it?

Which is an excellent marketing function. In the past the customer would just buy the tv and never return to the manufacturer again. Now, they have a chance for return customers if they buy the 3d glasses.

[BDS23420]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Don't think of the ST30 as a "3D tv". Panasonic can call it whatever they want. They could call it a Viera Connect tv. And if you don't care about internet features, you'd be saying, "I just want a good plasma without internet functions". So, really it's how they market the tv. You're going into buying a tv with the wrong perspective. Look at all the features of Panasonic's lineup except the 3D part, and then choose the right model. The ST is a better tv, with or without the 3D capability. Its "insides" are better than the S "insides". And hey, you just happen to get 3D functionality with it.

Look at it this way... let's say Panasonic makes 5 different plasma models, which they do. VT, GT, ST, S, and X. Last year, only the top 2 models had 3D. This year, the top 3 models have 3D. The problem is, the 2 models below the ST are not good. The X is only 720p, so throw it out the window. Manufacturers are making it so they force the consumer to buy the 3D tv if they want a quality product, whether the consumer wants the 3D functionality or not. Get it?

ok well that sums it up haha the ST it is....Ill be buying in 3 weeks so I hope the TV comes down in price.....i dont see it going up any but you never know.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by BDS23420

ok well that sums it up haha the ST it is....Ill be buying in 3 weeks so I hope the TV comes down in price.....i dont see it going up any but you never know.

Good choice. Add another recommending spending the extra $$ on the ST. You'll have a significantly better overall picture versus the S, and the ST has been getting good reviews so far. And who knows? Maybe you'll want 3D down the road. I'm in the same boat, as I couldn't care less about 3D, but to get a good set today you'll get it whether you want it or not.

[BDS23420]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Good choice. Add another recommending spending the extra $$ on the ST. You'll have a significantly better overall picture versus the S, and the ST has been getting good reviews so far. And who knows? Maybe you'll want 3D down the road. I'm in the same boat, as I couldn't care less about 3D, but to get a good set today you'll get it whether you want it or not.

o I know once I buy the tv the glasses will come in the near future haha its just I didnt want to spend an arm and a leg on a new tv

[volcomsocal]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

the ST has been getting good reviews so far.

Although that might be true, it's not a perfect tv. In the past few weeks since the ST30 has been available to purchase, more and more imperfections have arose. Fluctuating Brightness, off-centered screen, uneven black borders around edges of the screen, dithering, motion artifacts, and possibly still some floating blacks. It's unfortunate but true.

If the GT30 comes out in the next 2 weeks, I'll check it out at my local Best Buy and consider buying it. If the GT ends up being no more than $350 more than what I paid for my ST30, I might get it.

I'm not trying to scare you away from the ST30, just telling you that it's not a perfect tv. But no tv is perfect, and for how much the ST costs, it's still an excellent tv when compared to the competition.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Although that might be true, it's not a perfect tv. In the past few weeks since the ST30 has been available to purchase, more and more imperfections have arose. Fluctuating Brightness, off-centered screen, uneven black borders around edges of the screen, dithering, motion artifacts, and possibly still some floating blacks. It's unfortunate but true.

If the GT30 comes out in the next 2 weeks, I'll check it out at my local Best Buy and consider buying it. If the GT ends up being no more than $350 more than what I paid for my ST30, I might get it.

I'm not trying to scare you away from the ST30, just telling you that it's not a perfect tv. But no tv is perfect, and for how much the ST costs, it's still an excellent tv when compared to the competition.

Is this documented in some professional reviews, or simply the anal rantings of the posters on AVS? Regardless, I would still recommend it over the S30.

As for me, I'm holding out for the 60" GT30.

[linkgx1]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Although that might be true, it's not a perfect tv. In the past few weeks since the ST30 has been available to purchase, more and more imperfections have arose. Fluctuating Brightness, off-centered screen, uneven black borders around edges of the screen, dithering, motion artifacts, and possibly still some floating blacks. It's unfortunate but true.

If the GT30 comes out in the next 2 weeks, I'll check it out at my local Best Buy and consider buying it. If the GT ends up being no more than $350 more than what I paid for my ST30, I might get it.

I'm not trying to scare you away from the ST30, just telling you that it's not a perfect tv. But no tv is perfect, and for how much the ST costs, it's still an excellent tv when compared to the competition.

I've learned that the hard way. Thanks to the AVS forum I though my TV would be like dating Megan Fox...only to find out she's not as hot in the house as she is on the interwebs.

[volcomsocal]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Is this documented in some professional reviews, or simply the anal rantings of the posters on AVS? Regardless, I would still recommend it over the S30.

As for me, I'm holding out for the 60" GT30.

Both. There are some anal people on avs, but not all of them are like that. The ST has been reviewed by some respected people, not just some random guy new to the scene. And I would never recommend the S30.

Originally Posted by linkgx1

I've learned that the hard way. Thanks to the AVS forum I though my TV would be like dating Megan Fox...only to find out she's not as hot in the house as she is on the interwebs.

That's just the reality of tech toys. Nothing is perfect. Not even the iPhone.

[linkgx1]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Both. There are some anal people on avs, but not all of them are like that. The ST has been reviewed by some respected people, not just some random guy new to the scene. And I would never recommend the S30.



That's just the reality of tech toys. Nothing is perfect. Not even the iPhone.

True. But I'm not used to buying techy stuff so it's all new to me!

[BDS23420]

so the ST looks like the better choice out of the two.....is there another Plasma 50" that is better/cheaper???

[fairchild]

Originally Posted by BDS23420

so the ST looks like the better choice out of the two.....is there another Plasma 50" that is better/cheaper???

Not likely both "better" and less expensive as far as new 2011 models. Some of the newer Samsung, LG might provide comparable performance and possibly be priced lower though.