View Full Version : Need help, i'm trying to decide [owners input much appreciated]


adun79
06-05-08, 10:32 AM
Hello everybody, this is my first post and the first time i'm gonna buy an HDTV.

Sorry for coming with questions like these, I tried reading the owners threads looking especially for problems that you guys may have had with your TVs, but they're huge and i'm running out of time ( I have to decide today). I also went to CC, BB and other stores to see them in action but the settings and the ambient light were too bad for me to form an opinion.

The options would be the pannys 50PZ80U, PZ85U or the sammy PN50A550.

I'm not sure that I can post the prices, i'll just say that the first one is about $200 cheaper. I don't really care about the VGA input on the 85U, i can use converters. I'm only interested in the quality of the display, to be honest i saw a little difference in those two, but i don't know if it wasn't because of the settings.

At first i was only interested in the pannys, but I saw a very imperceptible bar floating from top to bottom while watching a 42PZ80U and a 42PZ85U, right next to each other and that kind of scared me. Is that a common occurrence?
Also from what i'm reading in some of these threads it looks like they have some problems with the reds and greens?

What I need to know the most is what are the common problems with these displays and the pros and cons of each one of these.

TIA

P.S. I'm considering (though I would rather not) spending $150 more for a PN50A650 or $400 more for a 50PZ800U if the PQ would be noticeably better so any info on that would be appreciated. I know it's stupid to ask somebody else about the picture quality but maybe some of you had the chance to see them calibrated and in proper viewing conditions.

mbrodie617
06-05-08, 01:01 PM
Between the 50PZ80U and the PN50A550, which one looks better to YOU? If something you saw on one of them scared you into thinking that all the happy owners in the owners threads aren't seeing what you are, then go with the Sammy. Worst case, you have 30 days to return it to CC or BB. Personally i would suggest spending a lot less money and using a forum sponsor to make your purchase from.

adun79
06-05-08, 08:06 PM
Thanks

Well I can't say which one looked better, they didn't even look that great, but I guess it had to do with bad settings and ambient light.

I'm not saying I saw something that owners of the pannys didn't, it may just have been the video feed. That's what I'm asking what the owners of these sets have experienced.

I just need opinions on the pros and cons, especially problems with them. Normally I would read the threads trying to find any valuable info but they're too long and like I said I needed to buy it today. I guess tomorrow would be ok too.

TIA

rich_gtp
06-05-08, 08:21 PM
I have a 550 and I love it!
Rich

raycar
06-05-08, 08:47 PM
I have a 50pz85u and couldn't be happier with it. I just did a basic DVE Blu-ray calibration and was amazed at how much it improved the picutre quality.

Plasmas are just awesome for watching HD sports and Blu-ray movies. I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the tvs you listed.

Enjoy!