Hi all,

I am going to get a new 50" plasma and in a 2500 price range. I have the Samsung 5084, Panasonic 750U and the Pioneer 5080P as my options.

First: Is there any comaprison between the three on another thread? If so, then just point me too it .. and forgive the creation of an unnecessary thread ...

I have gone to the stores and checked all 3 out.
The panny and samsung were right beside each other in my local CC ... and I found the panny to be really dull (picture-wise) in comparison... I really liked the samsung. (Is it the difference in contrast ratio ??). some ppl say that Panny makes better blacks (is that true) ..

At sears these are selling as FPT5084X (are these the same as FPT5084??). My local sears has placed them right next to a XBR4 and the picture looked really, really grainy when compared to XBR4 (and seen from under 2 ft) ..
Is that a one-off thing or a general Plasma vs LCD thing ??

I have also seen the 5080HD and I liked the picture ... the one thing I am sceptical is that resolution of the TV might does not really make it future-proof. Am i right to be thinking this ??

Also I think that FPT5084 has better speakers ...

I am slightly inclined on the samsung ... any expert advice on the comparison would be really appreciated ...

Im in the same boat, between the panasonic & samsung. Leaning toward the samsung. Samsung has nicer looking outside and PQ appears to be nicer as well. I too, just want to be making the right choice in TV's. Can't wait to see some imput from someone who knows.

is it the samsung 5084 that also has an anti-glare coating similar to the panasonic z77u?

A couple of threads that might help...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=896911
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=906525
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=909526
good luck...

thanks a lot for you posts SMA...... (and I really mean A LOT)

after reading them :
Pio 5080 is out as its expensive, has low resolution, has HDMI handshaking issues
Panny 700/750 are out ... (Thank god .. the "dim" look was not just MY EYES :) )
Samsung 5084 seems to be a good choice with a higher warranty, more HDMI input , high contrast ratio and better price point.....

Having said that, the biggest revelation was the Panny 77u ... got to check it out in a store ... It still does have lower CR and fewer HDMI inputs than 5084... but definitely worth a look for the anti-glare surface

Thanks so much again ...