I can get either of these two TV's for around $2500. Which is a better deal?
At this point I would not be mounting the TV on a wall - the stand for the Hitachi is an additional $200 and it looks as if it would be a special order, as no stores seem to have it in stock. The Panny comes with a stand, so the Hitachi would end up being a little more expensive.
I like the idea of the additional 5 inches for the Hitachi. I was in Tweeter the other day and one of their salesmen said that he'd take the Panny if it was his money. Both of these screens have very favorable reviews and feedback everywhere I've looked online. I would be sitting about 10 feet away from the screen. I currently have a 30" Toshiba CRT HDTV that seems quite mundane now. This TV will me relegated to the bedroom.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
-Nate

Greetings,

I would really sugest going for the Hitachi. I have the 55HDT79 and picture quality is stunning. It's the same panel as the 55HDS69. Before i purchased i did a lot of comparison between both of them. the picture quality on hte Hitachi looks more realistic and natural. The panasonic if you focus on human faces it looks like they have no detail. no colour transition it almost looks like they are wax figures or paint by numbers. It is really noticeable on the panasonic. compare them both and check how human faces look, so unrealistic with minimal detail. Also Hitachi offers 3 HDMI and 3 component connections. A total of 6 High deff connections.
Panasonic only offers 2 HDMI

i really recommend Hitachi

Mextarzan,
Thanks for the reply. I'm going to try to convince my wife that it is time to move up - maybe we'll go look this weekend.

Greetings,

I would really sugest going for the Hitachi. I have the 55HDT79 and picture quality is stunning. It's the same panel as the 55HDS69. Before i purchased i did a lot of comparison between both of them. the picture quality on hte Hitachi looks more realistic and natural. The panasonic if you focus on human faces it looks like they have no detail. no colour transition it almost looks like they are wax figures or paint by numbers. It is really noticeable on the panasonic. compare them both and check how human faces look, so unrealistic with minimal detail. Also Hitachi offers 3 HDMI and 3 component connections. A total of 6 High deff connections.
Panasonic only offers 2 HDMI

i really recommend Hitachi
When you saw the displays all of the settings are set to default, which means that the picture was set to Vivid on the Panny 50PX60U. This will apear to give the Panny the "clay face" look and give the picture no detail.

When I saw them both side-by-side about 3 months ago (at their default picture settings), The Panny seemed darker in the blacks and shaper. The 55DS69 had vibrant colors, but not as sharp and the blacks were not as deep. Which meant the shadows and overall detail I give to the Panny. However, with both of these models I would give them a thumbs up! Feature-wise the Hitachi wins, w/ slightly more connectivity.

Cree

I've actually thought about the idea of getting two 42" plasmas for about the cost of one the above mentioned sets (about $2500). Right now, CC has the 42HDS69 for $1300, and it comes with a stand, which the 55" does not. Has anyone gone this route?

I've actually thought about the idea of getting two 42" plasmas for about the cost of one the above mentioned sets (about $2500). Right now, CC has the 42HDS69 for $1300, and it comes with a stand, which the 55" does not. Has anyone gone this route?
Seems like a good idea, but where are you going place it? What is your viewing distance? IMO, 42" flat-panels are more ideal for bedrooms. Anything 50" or bigger should be placed in a living room. My 42PX60U will be going into my bedroom, while I get a 50" bigger for the loft.

Cree

If you're concerned with size at all that Hitachi is like 5ft wide. (3" wider that the Panny 58") Not sure of the width of the 50" Panny.