Hi all -

Hoping to find someone who has had experiences with both of these models and a reasonable comparison. You can just give your 2-cents as well!

I'm looking to purchase either of these in the near future. It will be mounted i right next to (perpendicular) a sliding glass door. I will use solar shades to reduce glare for daytime - but most of my TV watching is done nighttime anyway.

Will be used for everything - TV/DVD/Blue-ray/Gaming (xbox360).

I have seen both models up close - but never compared side by side. Both look incredible. I realize they are on opposite sides of the spectrum - lcd/plasma - and both have their pro/cons. But I was just looking for some experiences, advice, insight, etc..

Thanks in advance for any help towards ending my frustration!

Since I could not afford the pioneer kuro I wanted, it came down to those two for me as well. I chose the Samsung myself, because I thought the picture looked crisper and the colors seemed to "pop" more. My friend owns the panasonic and is very nice too, but it throws off a lot of heat and uses double electricity mine does. I really don't think you can go wrong with either. Your taste in picture may be different than mine, so get the one that looks best to you. Good Luck!

Since I could not afford the pioneer kuro I wanted, it came down to those two for me as well. I chose the Samsung myself, because I thought the picture looked crisper and the colors seemed to "pop" more. My friend owns the panasonic and is very nice too, but it throws off a lot of heat and uses double electricity mine does. I really don't think you can go wrong with either. Your taste in picture may be different than mine, so get the one that looks best to you. Good Luck!
I think your wrong on the electricity use my friend. According to this link

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6475_7-6400401-3.html?tag=mncol;txt

The Samsung costs 68.81 a year to run. And while The PZ850 isnt on the list the PZ 800 is with a cost of 59.77 ayear.

Sounds like you listened to a salesman at BB or CC. And all flat panels throw off heat. How much heat IDK but I would suspect probably about equal among the brands.

Thanks for your replies so far...

I see the Pioneer Kuro 5020 on Internet sites for 3k now. About 800 - 1k more than I can get the Pan/Sam for, but such a beautiful set.

Sounds like I have a tough decision. If anyone else has insight, please share.

Have you checked prices from the forum sponsors yet? Peple like Cleveland Plasma, Invision Displays, Plasma Concepts ETC.?

Yes I have looked at most of the sponsers - most of them are around 3k for the Kuro 5020. I can get the 50PZ850 for 2k through a friend.

Anyone, anyone? haha

Is the pio going to give you a picture thats worth 1000 dollars more than the Panny? Thats the question you need to answer for yourself ;)

Is the pio going to give you a picture thats worth 1000 dollars more than the Panny? Thats the question you need to answer for yourself ;)

Problem is - my only experience with any of these models are my research on here reading everyones opinions/facts or quickly viewing them in the store, which anyone knows is not a good determining factor!

Half of me wishes I never stumbled upon AVS, but the other half is thankful I have....

Now I know, as soon as I finally make the purchase and bring it home, I will be more than happy with it - tv, dvd, xbox, etc... Its just getting there is my problem!

If you go to CNET they also show both tvs power use when calibrated. The samsung was $44.32 and panasonic was $88.30. You are looking at the default settings which I don't use. Actually I used CNET,AVS, and CONSUMER REPORT when shpping for my tv. I only went to BB and CC to look at each, never talked to any salesmen. Bought from BIG RIVER best deal.

If you go to CNET they also show both tvs power use when calibrated. The samsung was $44.32 and panasonic was $88.30. You are looking at the default settings which I don't use. Actually I used CNET,AVS, and CONSUMER REPORT when shpping for my tv. I only went to BB and CC to look at each, never talked to any salesmen. Bought from BIG RIVER best deal.
Link please for the chart your are referring to. I would like to see it myself and not just take your word for it. I provided a link to back up my claim, its the least you can do :)

Just go to CNET and look at the reviews of each tv, at the end of each review they show power consumption default,calibrated, and power save. Not trying to put down the Panasonic it is an exellent set, just not for me.

And if a properly calibrated TV is supposed to save the consumer money on the power side of things, How can a calibrated Panny Plasma cost $39 dollars per year more to operate than 1 out of the box? Makes no sense, as every calibrater will tell you a properly calibrated display uses less energy.

Just go to CNET and look at the reviews of each tv, at the end of each review they show power consumption default,calibrated, and power save. Not trying to put down the Panasonic it is an exellent set, just not for me.
wheres the link? I provided a link to back up my claims, you are providing no proof. You want me to go do research to back up your claim? Are you nuts? I provided a link to a chart that show the power consumption, you provide nothing.

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-viera-th-50pz850u/4505-6482_7-32896587.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-viera-th-50pz850u/4505-6482_7-32896587.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody
Thank you that wasnt so hard now was it? I was wrong. But wheres the link to the Sammy review? :D

Squirt you will find that most people on this forum will ask for links to facts to back up your claims. A post with facts or links to facts has much more credibility than one that doesnt. No hard feelings ok?

C'mon it's an extra $30-40 over a year. Not even worth looking up almost.

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-ln52a650/4505-6482_7-32887597.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody Sorry, very new to this. No hard feelings.

C'mon it's an extra $30-40 over a year. Not even worth looking up almost.
I was going to point that out as in 4 dollars a month compared to 8 dollars a month but I let that slide. I wanted squirt to just post links to what he knew were facts. In other words I could have done the research myself, or pointed out the cost per month/per week/per day,it would cost but in the long run it benefits him/her to know that the AVS hardcore folks want facts to back up posts. I was just trying to help squirt get used to what to expect if he/she posts on here regulary. :D

I should note that I care more about PQ and Performance rather than power consumption per year.... :)

I have been going back and forth myself for several weeks.

I think you won't be dissapointed with either model. The plasma does have some reflection issues with light during the day but its not that bad. To me though the LCD is too bright. I would not let the power stop you from getting the plasma. Its not that much different to make power con a decision factor IMO.

I went with the plasma.:D Have had it for 2 days now and have no regrets.
Watched some football earlyier and smooth as silk motion.
Just watched Satriani live off HD net and wow, can't believe the detail and proper display of blacks really make this baby shine. PQ is amazing and BLUs are just unreal.

Thanks for your reply... Refelctions will be somewhat of a problem, but i figured both were the same as the 650 LCD has an ultra clear panel.

Congrats on your purchase though...

I was deciding between these two TVs are well. At this point, you can find them for about the same price. So many video enthusiasts prefer plasma over LCD that I had begun leaning toward the Panasonic 850U. I couldn't find an 850U in a local store but I did look at the 800U at two different stores. In the latter store it was showing a Blu-ray movie and I made sure the color was in THX mode. I also pumped up the brightness, color, and black adjust a bit to make it look better to my eyes. But it just couldn't compare to the picture on the Samsung 52a750 which was set up near it. (The 750 has the same picture as the 650, it just has some additional networking features.) The Samsung was clearer, brighter, the colors more vibrant. Blacks were excellent. The only area where I could see the Panasonic being better was in viewing angle--viewing from off-angle doesn't affect plasmas while it does make LCDs look worse. But even in this regard, the Samsung wasn't bad. After seeing those two sets head-to-head, I couldn't go with the Panasonic. I ordered the Samsung 52a650.