I just pre-ordered the TH-50PX80U from Panasonic Direct through my work EPP program at 24% off panasonics msrp from their site. Ships out early April from what the site said. It will be a long month and a half. I think it's a good deal. I went to BB and saw the TH-42PX80U next to the in my opinion overrated Kuro with MY EYES and I couldn't see much difference at all with the blacks. They had the U2 concert footage playing with shots of the crowd with the lights off. I'm hoping the 50" will be just as good as the 42". Anybody feel the 50" will be any different from the 42" other than the size? I sit 8 to 9 feet away from the tv.

I just pre-ordered the TH-50PX80U from Panasonic Direct through my work EPP program at 24% off panasonics msrp from their site. Ships out early April from what the site said. It will be a long month and a half. I think it's a good deal. I went to BB and saw the TH-42PX80U next to the in my opinion overrated Kuro with MY EYES and I couldn't see much difference at all with the blacks. They had the U2 concert footage playing with shots of the crowd with the lights off. I'm hoping the 50" will be just as good as the 42". Anybody feel the 50" will be any different from the 42" other than the size? I sit 8 to 9 feet away from the tv.

Why didn't you snatch up one of the last true Kuro's??

There is no way i could get a 50" kuro even close to what i paid for the Panasonic and to me there really wasn't a difference in quality.

I just pre-ordered the TH-50PX80U from Panasonic Direct through my work EPP program at 24% off panasonics msrp from their site. Ships out early April from what the site said. It will be a long month and a half. I think it's a good deal. I went to BB and saw the TH-42PX80U next to the in my opinion overrated Kuro with MY EYES and I couldn't see much difference at all with the blacks. They had the U2 concert footage playing with shots of the crowd with the lights off. I'm hoping the 50" will be just as good as the 42". Anybody feel the 50" will be any different from the 42" other than the size? I sit 8 to 9 feet away from the tv.

I'll try and answer your hypothetical question with a hypothetical answer. Since the 50' is not available yet and can not be compared side by side, one would assume that since they are the same model but just different size panels, it would stand to reason that the PQ would be comparable. The real answer will come in about 6 weeks.

There is no way i could get a 50" kuro even close to what i paid for the Panasonic and to me there really wasn't a difference in quality.

OMG, don't make statements like that on this forum without passing out the blood pressure and anti-anxiety meds first. A statement like that can cause a series of mini-strokes throughout the AVS forum community.:eek:

Why? I have been reading this forum for a long time and still can't see that big of a difference between the two. I guess I'm one of the hillbilly six pack drinking fools that don't know anything about what i like when i look at a TV.
I'm just the dumb one that feels saving $300.00 or more on a TV that is just as good. To me that sounds pretty smart. I only say this because in another thread that I don't have the link to one of the pioneer crazies made the dumb reference to people who want to save money and get a good tv. There i said it now I feel better after all these months of listening to the so called video viewing experts that sit at night telling everyone how smart they are about how a tv should look to everyone.

Why? I have been reading this forum for a long time and still can't see that big of a difference between the two. I guess I'm one of the hillbilly six pack drinking fools that don't know anything about what i like when i look at a TV.
I'm just the dumb one that feels saving $300.00 or more on a TV that is just as good. To me that sounds pretty smart. I only say this because in another thread that I don't have the link to one of the pioneer crazies made the dumb reference to people who want to save money and get a good tv. There i said it now I feel better after all these months of listening to the so called video viewing experts that sit at night telling everyone how smart they are about how a tv should look to everyone.

Your opinion and reasoning is just as valid as any others on this forum and it probably represents about 99% of the potential TV buyers out there. Do what's best for you and spend your money as you see fit. I'm not even a hillbilly (none in NJ and PA) and I think the same way. I do drink beer once in awhile though.

OMG, don't make statements like that on this forum without passing out the blood pressure and anti-anxiety meds first. A statement like that can cause a series of mini-strokes throughout the AVS forum community.:eek:
What's the earliest time the Panny TH-50PX80U might arrive at the big box stores? The reason I asked is a guy at Best Buy told me last night that they should be in the system around March 11th. I'm just trying to "time" the sale of my Sony LCD with the probable arrival of the 50 in Panny.

I just pre-ordered the TH-50PX80U from Panasonic Direct through my work EPP program at 24% off panasonics msrp from their site. Ships out early April from what the site said. It will be a long month and a half. I think it's a good deal. I went to BB and saw the TH-42PX80U next to the in my opinion overrated Kuro with MY EYES and I couldn't see much difference at all with the blacks. They had the U2 concert footage playing with shots of the crowd with the lights off. I'm hoping the 50" will be just as good as the 42". Anybody feel the 50" will be any different from the 42" other than the size? I sit 8 to 9 feet away from the tv.
I just bought this same TV (TH-50PX80U) and it is getting delivered to me next Weds. I am with you as far as comparing this TV to ther models. I was at the store and compared it to 1080P models right next to it, Samsung, Toshiba, etc and I couldn't really see the difference. I would rather also save the few hundred bucks and get a top quality TV (maybe not the best) at the same time. Also, I have been using my old school, CRT Sony projection HDTV since 2004 so just about any Plasma or LCD looks good in comparison.

Since I am already typing this, I do want to ask the experts a question about Plasma. Will playing XBOX on this plasma lead to burn in over time? I've read that the burn-in issue with plasma has essentially been resolved.

Nevermind the gaming question I asked earlier. I found some good info from searching the forums.

I just pre-ordered the TH-50PX80U from Panasonic Direct through my work EPP program at 24% off panasonics msrp from their site. Ships out early April from what the site said. It will be a long month and a half. I think it's a good deal. I went to BB and saw the TH-42PX80U next to the in my opinion overrated Kuro with MY EYES and I couldn't see much difference at all with the blacks. They had the U2 concert footage playing with shots of the crowd with the lights off. I'm hoping the 50" will be just as good as the 42". Anybody feel the 50" will be any different from the 42" other than the size? I sit 8 to 9 feet away from the tv.


Congratulations A251383,

I for one think you are gonna really like your new set. It would be nice if folks here would quit comparing everyones purchase to the Pios. Yes we all know they may be the benchmak but companies like Panny produce a very good product. My older gen PX50 has brought me years of enjoyment!! And the NEW gen Pannys are even MORE impressive by far .... so enjoy, should be a killer set. I was VERY impressed with the whites these sets now produce. Very bright and clean,and the blacks are actually black now with no 'green' bias!!! ;)

What's the earliest time the Panny TH-50PX80U might arrive at the big box stores? The reason I asked is a guy at Best Buy told me last night that they should be in the system around March 11th. I'm just trying to "time" the sale of my Sony LCD with the probable arrival of the 50 in Panny.

I was in the same boat, waiting for BB to get the 50PX80U in stock. I called a few area stores, and nobody seemed to have a clue. Seeing as though they don't even have it listed on their website as coming soon, i bet they wont have them in till the end of the month.

I bought the bullet and ordered mine online. My tax refund has been eating a hole in my savings account for too long.:D

Why? I have been reading this forum for a long time and still can't see that big of a difference between the two. I guess I'm one of the hillbilly six pack drinking fools that don't know anything about what i like when i look at a TV.
I'm just the dumb one that feels saving $300.00 or more on a TV that is just as good. To me that sounds pretty smart. I only say this because in another thread that I don't have the link to one of the pioneer crazies made the dumb reference to people who want to save money and get a good tv. There i said it now I feel better after all these months of listening to the so called video viewing experts that sit at night telling everyone how smart they are about how a tv should look to everyone.

Don't worry, there's avery small % of Pioneer fanboys on this site that get together to pray to their god "Kuro". :rolleyes: To them any other panel is pure crap. :D:D:D Most people informed or not can see that the Pioneers are very good, and do have the edge in blacks and processing, but like me, most do not see that edge as even close to being worth Pioneer's MSRP. As a result Pioneer is out of the Panel market. ;)

As a result Pioneer is out of the Panel market. ;)

really? i thought they were just going to buy glass from another company and then build their own panels incorporating proprietary technology, including LCD's.

really? i thought they were just going to buy glass from another company and then build their own panels incorporating proprietary technology, including LCD's.

There's been some talk about them selling or sharing their proprietary technology with other companies. Their long term goal as stated, is to be out of manufacturing after this year. Within a year or so you'll have Pioneers built with parts from any number of other companies. How much of their own technology finds it's way into those panels, who knows.

There's been some talk about them selling or sharing their proprietary technology with other companies. Their long term goal as stated, is to be out of manufacturing after this year. Within a year or so you'll have Pioneers built with parts from any number of other companies. How much of their own technology finds it's way into those panels, who knows.

There's more than a little misleading information here. I don't want to get into details because this isn't the thread for it. For those who are interested, check out the thread about the Kuro change. You'll learn lots, but the key change will be the glass will be bought from Panasonic. Kuro will continue to innovate as they have with their own technology - processing, etc.

There's more than a little misleading information here. I don't want to get into details because this isn't the thread for it. For those who are interested, check out the thread about the Kuro change. You'll learn lots, but the key change will be the glass will be bought from Panasonic. Kuro will continue to innovate as they have with their own technology - processing, etc.


I've read the thread and there's nothing misleading about my take on this for those with the ability to read between the lines, and press releases. For those that think Kuro will continue to innovate as they have in the past, and push Pioneer plasma tech forward, well it's they who are misleading themselves. ;)

For those that think Kuro will continue to innovate as they have in the past, and push Pioneer plasma tech forward, well it's they who are misleading themselves. ;)
well, as long as we're "reading between the lines", it sounds like sour grapes and wishful thinking on your part.

pushing the limits of plasma technology is a good thing for the industry and fans of plasma displays in general, and results in each manufacturer constant upping their game. might want to consider that before rushing to dance on Pioneer's imaginary grave. :rolleyes:

Quit hi-jacking the thread.

well, as long as we're "reading between the lines", it sounds like sour grapes and wishful thinking on your part.

pushing the limits of plasma technology is a good thing for the industry and fans of plasma displays in general, and results in each manufacturer constant upping their game. might want to consider that before rushing to dance on Pioneer's imaginary grave. :rolleyes:

Not dancing at all, and I agree, it's not a good thing at all for any plasma fan. However, I'm also not going to act like some "Pioneer fanboy" and try and convince myself that somehow this is good for Pioneer, it's not.

Has it shipped yet? I am about to pre-order a TH-50PZ85U from Panny EPP. They are quoting early April shipping...

I haven't got any notification of it being shipped yet. I did email the EPP site to ask if they knew when in April it will be shipped but no response yet. I just emailed today so i don't expect any response today. I just hope soon. I would like to get it during the NCAA tournament. I read in another thread where someone ordered the 42px85 and they said even though it said pre order and shipped early april they were told it was being shipped that day so i'm hoping the same will go for mine.

I got my new TH-50PX80U today and it looks great. I know the plasma experts might cringe when I say this but I can't see any immediate differences between this TV and my old Sony projection HD TV. Is it because I just don't look for some of the subtle differences? Also, I did a search but can't find anyone who posted optimized settings for the color, brightness ,etc.

I am also finding myself paranoid about burn in; I am afriad to even have a show on with black bars on the side for more than a few minutes without consciously feeling I need to change it to a "full" screen channel.

One more thing, I am not crazy about the stand; its looks cheap but I guess the TV is what matters. Also it was a pain in the ass to put it on the stand , I recommend two people to do this!

What's EPP mean?

What's EPP mean?
Employee purchase price. I think. Some jobs get a discount with Panasonic.

I emailed panasonic to see when my TV will ship and they said it will ship on 3/15 and not in April. Can't wait now.:D I should have it before to much of the NCAA tournament goes by. :D:D:D:D

I emailed panasonic to see when my TV will ship and they said it will ship on 3/15 and not in April. Can't wait now.:D I should have it before to much of the NCAA tournament goes by. :D:D:D:D

congrats... please post and let us know what you think because i'm about to order the z85u from epp here at work in a week or so. and take some pics... =D

My TH-50px80u is scheduled to arrive on the 17th! Very excited!

I just installed one over my in-laws mantle. Nice!

Just got off the phone with the delivery guy and it will be delivered tomorrow around 1:00.:D

Has anyone else looked at this box only to be disappointed? I went to CC eager to make a deal and was really dissatisfied on the quality of the picture. It looks washed out and almost blurry.

I haven't seen 50" but the 42" looked great in person. No reason to think the 50" would perform any different. Could have been poor source feed or default crappy store display settings.

I bought this TV based on past performance of Panny plasmas and upgrades made to the 2008 model line.

Maybe you could go back and look for the 42" model. See if it looks any better. I know some people post that the sales guys let them adjust picture settings in store. You could also try that.

I haven't seen 50" but the 42" looked great in person. No reason to think the 50" would perform any different. Could have been poor source feed or default crappy store display settings.

I bought this TV based on past performance of Panny plasmas and upgrades made to the 2008 model line.

Maybe you could go back and look for the 42" model. See if it looks any better. I know some people post that the sales guys let them adjust picture settings in store. You could also try that.
Xraysight, I tried that. The guys went as far as hooking up a BR dvd to the unit. We played with the settings for an hour, but to no avail - the colors looked washed out. A Samsung 720 was right next to it, and the color was 100x's better. How's vibration effect a plasma? Could calibration be an issue?