I've been lurking on the board for a few months while researching several different plasmas.

I had been waiting on the new Panasonic PZ series, but this week I saw that several retailers are offering the Samsung 5084 for several hundred dollars less than a competitive price on the 50PZ85. I've read a number of posts on this forum about the Samsung and took a look at it yesterday evening. Trouble is, it seems difficult to get an accurate representation of the PQ from a retail store. I ultimately plan on waiting until the stores have the Panasonic on display so I can try to compare them head-to-head, but I don't know if I'll be able to draw a definitive conclusion simply from looking at them in the store.

On paper, the Panasonic has several advantages, such as the contrast ratio, pixel orbiter, etc. I've also heard concerns about Samsung's quality of service, despite their 2 year warranty. But are the differences worth several hundred dollars? And is there added risk from purchasing a "brand-new" Panasonic, without the benefit of weeks or months of user reviews?

All opinions and advice are appreciated. I know that the fans of both brands have strong opinions, but I'd love to hear any arguments or advice for either set. Thanks!

Without being able to look at the 85u, it's hard for anyone to say. At the current prices, the 5084 looks to be a good deal, but will the picture be improved enough on the 85u to make up the difference in price? Who knows right now. Read over both manuals, too, and see which one you like the features on better. Also, read through the extensive 5084 thread on here for positives and negatives about that set.

Thanks. I'll take a look at the manuals. The main thing that stands out right now is the Samsung's 10,000:1 contrast ratio vs. the Panasonic's 30,000:1. I imagine that should have a significant impact on the PQ, but again, it's hard to say without a direct comparison...

I just purchased the 5084, I was thinking of waiting for the Panny's as well but with the prices on the 5084 right now I thought I would try it out. The only main difference that I see is the contrast ratios, at least on paper. The Sammy has the pixal orbiter and various other screen burn in prevention methods also. Right now C.C. has the 5084 for $1000.00 less then they show the Z85 for(look for the coupon code on the C.C. page). I am sure that the price will drop on 85 but it will probably be a few months. Will the z85 be $1000.00 better set than the 5084? After watching the Fifth Element Bluray last night on my new 5084 I find it hard to believe that it could be that much better! Some people are very brand loyal and make their desicion based on that. I tend to buy which ever set suites me the best. I have had Pionner, Sony, LG and now Samsung sets over the last 10 years and have liked them all. C.C. should have the Z85's soon in store. If you can find one have them hook up a Bluray player to each one to check out, you really can't judge the sets based on the crappy video loop that they play. Good Luck!

I was also interested in the Samsung 5084 and the Panny's 50px80. I leaning toward the px80 so far, because I heard it has better contrast then the samsung's and is brand spanking new. If it was between Panny's pz85 vs sammy's 5084, there's no doubt I would get the PZ85.

Right now C.C. has the 5084 for $1000.00 less then they show the Z85 for(look for the coupon code on the C.C. page). I am sure that the price will drop on 85 but it will probably be a few months. Will the z85 be $1000.00 better set than the 5084?

I basically have the same perspective, but this is also a set I'd like to keep for several years and would hate to have regrets about not purchasing the latest and greatest technology. That said, the changes from last year's models to this year's seem pretty incremental and certainly not worth the nearly $1000 difference, as you mentioned.

I've actually been looking at CC and comparing with Amazon; from what I can tell, Amazon offers the same price as CC with the coupon code, but you're not paying tax from Amazon, which would make that a better deal. Is this what you encountered, or were you willing to pay the extra cash for the convenience of dealing with a local shop?

I basically have the same perspective, but this is also a set I'd like to keep for several years and would hate to have regrets about not purchasing the latest and greatest technology. That said, the changes from last year's models to this year's seem pretty incremental and certainly not worth the nearly $1000 difference, as you mentioned.

I've actually been looking at CC and comparing with Amazon; from what I can tell, Amazon offers the same price as CC with the coupon code, but you're not paying tax from Amazon, which would make that a better deal. Is this what you encountered, or were you willing to pay the extra cash for the convenience of dealing with a local shop?

Look on Ebay for an 8% off coupon they sell for 99cents and they do work(I used one). You can't use it along with the$100 off code but it is a bigger savings. I did want to buy locally in case I have a problem in the first 30 days or didn't like it, there is no hassle returning it. Along with the 0% financing untill 2010.

are the 5084's speakers as bad as people have said? I don't have a theater system, so i'll only be using the TV speakers

Isn't the Samsung 5084 on it's way out to be replaced by a newer model? I've noticed the pricing on the 5084's have dropped dramatically.

Given I have the 50PZ77U I'd go for the PZ85 over the 5084 without a second thought about it even with a $1k price difference.

are the 5084's speakers as bad as people have said? I don't have a theater system, so i'll only be using the TV speakers

Yes the speakers are pretty bad. There are 2 speakers on each side but the way the are designed they fire out the side and not the front. My living room opens up to the kitchen area so the TV has no wall behind it. The basement is almost done and the TV will be wall mounted, maybe with a wall behind them it might improve the sound. I have a nice surround setup so it wasn't a deal breaker for me but you may want to go to the store and turn up the volume to hear for yourself.

Isn't the Samsung 5084 on it's way out to be replaced by a newer model? I've noticed the pricing on the 5084's have dropped dramatically.

Given I have the 50PZ77U I'd go for the PZ85 over the 5084 without a second thought about it even with a $1k price difference.


Why would you pay $1000 more for the PZ85? I am just curious if you have seen them yet or could give us some opinions between the 2.

I myself think that Panasonic Screens in general have a better Picture Quality over Samsung.

I hope the $1000 difference you are talking about is some form of retail pricing.

I myself think that Panasonic Screens in general have a better Picture Quality over Samsung.

I hope the $1000 difference you are talking about is some form of retail pricing.

The pricing I am referring to is the retail price on the Panny. Chris I see that you show the Z85 in stock at your store, have you had a chance to set one up and play around with it? It would be great for this thread if someone that has had a chance to spend some time with the Z85 could give us some insight on it's performance.
Thanks

I myself think that Panasonic Screens in general have a better Picture Quality over Samsung.

I hope the $1000 difference you are talking about is some form of retail pricing.

Given the best prices I can get on both TVs, the difference would be about $600.

Another thing I noticed when comparing the 5084 to the Panasonic PX75U, which was right above it in the store: the Samsung had some wavering going on in the picture, which I thought was a bit odd. Like wavy vertical lines moving across the screen that were fairly pronounced. I attributed this to the quality of the store's feed, but has anyone experienced this on their set or seen it elsewhere?

Another thing I noticed when comparing the 5084 to the Panasonic PX75U, which was right above it in the store: the Samsung had some wavering going on in the picture, which I thought was a bit odd. Like wavy vertical lines moving across the screen that were fairly pronounced. I attributed this to the quality of the store's feed, but has anyone experienced this on their set or seen it elsewhere?

Mine has been fine.. Probably the stores feed.

Got my set last November. I stsrted to get a gray veritical bar on the left side of the set. Call Samsung (Tuesday) they set up an appointment with a tech in 3 days . The tech was very knowledgeable and it was fixed in 45 minutes that Friday. the logic board was the problem. FYI the set has only 5 boards ( X board, Y board, Power supply board, Logic Board and RF Video Interface). Pretty happy with it. Yes, the sound is not that great, but I don't use the speakers on the T.V.