So after a month or online research, I finally went into the store to see the TV. Before I went in, I was leaning toward the Panny 46PZ85U. As I walked in, a different TV caught my eye. It was the Sammy 46A650. I wasn't expecting it to look as good as it did. It was next to the Panny, and for what ever reason it looked quite a bit better. I changed the mode on both TVs to "Standard", and the Sammy still looked better. They were showing some SD demo disc, and the TVs were hooked up via component.


They I went to another store, and the Panny looked washed out. They were hooked up to an HD cable box, and both TVs were in "Standard" mode. The blacks on the Sammy looked way better than on the Panny (not sure if the TV was defective or something). But WOW.

typical effect of the high ambient lighting in the stores. At home the effects will more often then not reverse.

typical effect of the high ambient lighting in the stores. At home the effects will more often then not reverse.

Actually the lighting in the second store was not that bright (small store - dark furniture and red carpet), and the Sammy was next to a window.

best thing is to take it to your house test drive and see which you like most to your envioerment. also reset the picture settings in standard and vivid on both tv sets and see (but its a bad comparison begin with.) how much are you set it at with both of these panels?

Don't overthink it.

My pz80 does not look washed out at home. But I don't think there is much question that the a650 is a better all-around TV than the pz85, and prices usually reflect that.

One thing I should mention is the anti-glare on the Panasonic contributes to it not looking as sharp in the store, but I really like that feature.

Depending on where you have the TV, reflections can be very annoying. Not just from windows or lights, but seeing yourself, your couch, and pictures reflected clearly in dark scenes. Big issue with my old glossy RP.