It's been a crazy day and I apparently misread some information - I am editing this post accordingly.

I have been looking to replace my 65" Mitsubishi RP TV.

Choices have been narrowed down to

Panasonic TH58PZ800u (58" Plasma)
Samsung 63A650 (63" Plasma)


I mainly watch movies. The rest of the family watches cable, mostly hi-def with some SD. I play some PS3, my son like to play xBox360. Room can be bright, but I don't see how anything can be worse than my current RP setup when the room is bright. Either way, 90% of viewing is done after dark, so the room brightness is not an issue.

My understanding is that the Panasonic is the better TV, but the Samsung is not that far behind. For about a $500 difference, I would get a 63" vs a 58". Impossible to tell a quality or size difference in a store. I am concerned that the 58 will seem too small in my room, having become used a 65" screen.


Any advice on which way to go? Any factors to take into account? Should I just wait until after Christmas (assuming there will be big sales next week)?

--Joe

When you are use to a 65" screen, it is hard to downgrade and most people that do end up returning the smaller set they bought in exchange for the larger set they should have got in the first place. I would go with the 63" Sammie, it is a slick set and very comparable to the 58" Panny.

I have read that the 63" Sammy does not have the same level of picture quality a sthe 58" Sammy....no idea why and the reviewer couldn't figure it out either.
Just thought I'd throw that out there.

So I would stick with a Sammy or Panny 58".

I've seen the 63" Samsung next to the 58" Panny. Both nice sets, but I'd go with the larger display.

I think the extra 5" outweigh the ever so subtle difference in PQ.

^^^^ Right on......

I think the extra 5" outweigh the ever so subtle difference in PQ.
Totally agree - go bigger.

Thanks for the advice.

I had a flash of "cheap" and decided to go 58" even though I really wanted the 63". I am in BB where they said they would price match a reputable retailer. (They carry the Panasonic, but not the Samsung A650). They looked up the price online, agreed it was incredibly low but still legit. They check on stock, etc. Because the price is so low, they need manager to OK the deal.

After a long wait, the salesman comes back an apologizes. The price is "below wholesale" and the manager will NOT match price. The best they can do is about $400 more. I told them to forget it and left.

I start driving to the retailer that had the "super low" price on the Panasonic. On the way, I stop at PC Richard, which also carries both sets. I walk in and ask about both units. They have the Samsung 63" on display with a "big sale price" on it. That sale price is several hundred over the price I saw from another "reputable retailer." I mention to the guy that their sales price isn't so great. He tells me they will match whatever price I have. I show him the price online and 30 seconds later, I have bought the 63" A650. No argument about the price, no hassle.

My 50' cable from Blue Jeans arrived 12/24 and after the guests left and the presents were under the tree I took out my long drill bit and snaked the wire through the wall. I am worse than a kid at Christmas when it comes to new electronics. :)

All set up now with my new 63A650 and Denon 3808! The picture is a world better than my old Mits RP - and that had a great picture.

You were right about the size. I definitely would have regretted the smaller screen.

Again, the advice is much appreciated. Thanks and happy holidays!