I have researched pretty extensively the differences between plasma and LCD. I thought I had decided on the TH-50PX75U. Now while I read many great things about this set I am a little concerned about the amount of glare. While I do not watch in a bright room (it gets very little direct natural light) I am still concerned.

Is it worth getting a smaller set (46-47) and go with LCD? It is either that or two other plasma screens I have been looking at. The Panny PZ77U or the Sammy 5064. I have to go and look at the Sammy to see what the glare is like since I read the anti-glare filter is not great. Or should I not even worry about it.
Thanks for the advice in advance.

SDG

You are going to get very mixed responses regarding the anti-glare coatings. Some think they work great at reducing glare, others feel that they soften the overall image too much.

I have a 42PZ77U with the anti-glare coating, and I love it. My TV is only about 4 feet from the largest window in my house, and the glare on the screen is negligible.

Since this is your first HDTV, I seriously doubt you will ever notice the supposed softening of picture quality that some claim this type of coating does. I certainly don't see it.

I say get the PZ77U. Less glare and 1080p.... don't blow your budget though.

That's my problem. Is it worth the $500 from the Samsung 5064 to the Panasonic. The problem is I am not sure that I will be able to tell by going to the store and looking at either one.

Thanks for the response.

You are going to get very mixed responses regarding the anti-glare coatings. Some think they work great at reducing glare, others feel that they soften the overall image too much.

I have a 42PZ77U with the anti-glare coating, and I love it. My TV is only about 4 feet from the largest window in my house, and the glare on the screen is negligible.

Since this is your first HDTV, I seriously doubt you will ever notice the supposed softening of picture quality that some claim this type of coating does. I certainly don't see it.

I say get the PZ77U. Less glare and 1080p.... don't blow your budget though.

Not bad advice. I think the glare issue for most people is slightly exagerrated since there ends up being very few times when you are actually using the set in bright daylight. Of course, if you will be doing this then it makes sense to worry more. Otherwise, Overall PQ of the TV is the MOST important consideration. Dont "settle" for anything and dont buy a TV just because of glare reduction. Get the biggest and best set you can comfortably afford and be done with it. Shop carefully but dont get "analysis paralysis" which prevents you from enjoying HDTV since you never end up buying anything.

The Panasonics are excelent sets and are good values, BTW. ;)

Well paralysis will not be an issue. I am going to buy something soon. I think I agree with you that I should go with the biggest best set. From what I can find about both of these sets is that they both have great picture quality and the Samsung is rated very high on CNET. I am going to take a look at it in the showroom tomorrow. Unless I see a big difference. I do not think it is worth it to spend the extra $400-500 for the Panasonic.

Thanks for the response.

Here is just one of the many, many threads that compares the two sets


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=865918&highlight=77u+5064

the Samsung is rated very high on CNET.

Yes, the newest Sammys are good looking TVs as well. ;)

This is really starting to drive me crazy. I can not find a store near me that has the Sammy in the showroom.

I have researched pretty extensively the differences between plasma and LCD. I thought I had decided on the TH-50PX75U. Now while I read many great things about this set I am a little concerned about the amount of glare. While I do not watch in a bright room (it gets very little direct natural light) I am still concerned.

I bought the TH-px75u about a month ago and I never had any problem with glare.

I don't know if these "plasma glare issues" are greatly exaggerated, or if I just put the TV in just a good spot?

The TV is facing a window with only the window blinds closed (No drapes or curtains) that allows a good amount of daylight in during the day.

And there's also a ceiling fan light right above it.

The only problem I occasionally had with glare was when I would see the light from the ceiling fan's light bulb reflecting off the TV, but this problem was only seen at certain angles.

Neither sunlight nor the window ever caused any glare during the day or night.

So I don't think the TV would give you any problems in terms of glare.

It may give you problems in terms of durability and reliability; seeing as mine died after only a week of use and I'm in the process of getting a new one...

Can anyone quickly tell me the difference between the TH-50PX77U and the TH-50PZ77u?

Can anyone quickly tell me the difference between the TH-50PX77U and the TH-50PZ77u?

The PZ has a native resolution of 1080p

The PX is 768p

Can anyone quickly tell me the difference between the TH-50PX77U and the TH-50PZ77u?

720p vs. 1080p

That's my problem. Is it worth the $500 from the Samsung 5064 to the Panasonic. The problem is I am not sure that I will be able to tell by going to the store and looking at either one.

Thanks for the response.

I think you just answered your own question then.

I can tell you that I think the Panny is worth it, because I can see the difference between it and the Samsung. But I'm not buying your TV for you. :)

If you can't see the difference, then it's probably not worth it.

Thanks. Not much of a difference in price considering the difference.

If you have a tube TV now and don't care about glare then the plasma TV probably won't drive you crazy. To ME it's really not a huge deal. But some people get bugged by glare.

I have a very small tube TV (27") and every now and then I will see a reflection of one of the lamps. I am not really bothered by it that much and this was not an issue until I saw the PX75U and was a little bothered by it.

Do you normally have the lamp on when viewing your television?

It depends. There are times when all the lights are off. But I would say generally yes it is on a lot.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I decided on the Panasonic 50pz77u.

I just have another question about the est way to connect the DVD player (Sony about 4 years old). I currently have it set up using an S Video cable from the player to the TV and I am not all that pleased with the picture. Should I be using a different type of cable? Would HDMI give me a better picture? The only other ports ar ecomponent ports. Does that mean I need a new DVD player. Not a big deal if I do. I can always move this one to another room. But I was hoping to wait until I can buy a blue-ray.

Pick Toshiba HD DVD player - it will most likely upconvert standard DVDs better than many upconverting SD DVD players.
And you can also grab HDDVD movies for cheap as everybody gets rid of their stock in favour of Blu Ray.