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Panasonic Plasma 50X1 or 50S1?

post #1 of 46
10/11/09 at 9:55am
Thread Starter 
New to the forum and have a couple of questions. First, some general information:
1. 8-9 ft from TV
2. Will be watching mainly regular tv (sports, news, regular broadcast shows)
3. An occasional movie (one every couple of months). This may change given the opportunity to watch on big screen.
4. Currently have a Samsung 24' tube (yeah, I know...but it does have a great picture). No HD yet but will get HD upon purchase of TV.
5. Don't plan on any computer use but may change my mind in the future.... I can always go with a blu ray player, correct?
Now, my questions:
1. Should I go with a 50' S1 or a 50" X1? or ...
2. should I consider a Samsung 650 plasma if I can get it around the same price as the S1 (My only problem here is that I do have some light in the room and from what I have read, reflection can be a real problem. Please excuse my disorganized format. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/help.
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post #2 of 46
10/11/09 at 10:20am
I had the same dilemna up until about a month ago. There are a lot of threads here devoted to 1080 vs 720, and I think I read every last one of 'em. I was able to get the 50S1 for about $100 more than the 50X1, so for me it was a no-brainer. But even at $200 difference, I planned on going with the S1 for peace of mind and to satisfy my OCD tendencies , and I'm so glad I did . I knew if I had gone with the X1 I'd be sitting there going 'what if', or 'I think I can see SDE a little bit'.
I'm afraid I can't help you regarding the Samsung.
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post #3 of 46
10/11/09 at 10:46am
Since only ABC, FOX and ESPN-HD broadcast their regular TV and sports in 720p and all of the others broadcast in 1080i there is no reason to suffer a 50% loss of resolution detail when watching CBS, NBC and the PBS channels by purchasing a 720p TV.
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post #4 of 46
10/11/09 at 11:05am
The S1 looks a lot better than the X1 in several categories. Just get the 50S1. The only reason to choose the X1 would be if you absolutely cannot afford an S1. The X1 is for people who value saving money over having better picture quality.
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post #5 of 46
10/11/09 at 11:13am
As a new owner of an S1, I think you should go for a 1080p plasma. Here's a link from another thread here. Basically, at 8-9 feet with a 50" TV, you'll benefit from a 1080p. If you were farther away, 720 and 1080 would "look" the same.

I think the Samsung 650 series has a better PQ, but I couldn't accept the issues they're having with buzzing. Not saying that everybody gets it, but if you do, there's no real fix. You just have to get another one and I didn't want that fight. I chose Panny because the S1 is very, very nice and Panny's don't have threads dedicated to issues like buzing.
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post #6 of 46
10/11/09 at 11:16am
Thread Starter 
thanks so much for all the responses. They were extremely helpful. You guys are great.
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post #7 of 46
10/11/09 at 12:57pm
I would just go for the S1,,,,

I was on the fence myself, but went with the S1, the price I got it for was cheaper than the 720p one....Gonna use the proceeds for a BD player....


Now I can enjoy FULL 1080p enjoyment....
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post #8 of 46
10/11/09 at 1:17pm
Forget abut 720p and 1080p, get the S1 because is a better panel.
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post #9 of 46
10/11/09 at 5:38pm
I went for the S1 over the X1 because of the Neo panel on the S1. I'm sure that I would have been happy with the X1, but I felt that the S1 panel was going to have better picture quality.
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post #10 of 46
10/12/09 at 3:14am
I just got a 42" S1. I was going to go with the X1 but I lucked out and found a great deal for basically the same price. I also am sitting 8 feet away like you. IMO both these sets will look great for you. I personally would have bought the X1 on my very limited budget and used the service menu offsets posted here for max quality. But I did see a noticeable difference when comparing the two one on top of the other at my local Sears. The S1 picture quality and blacks made me really lean towards saving up and getting that model instead. And I can tell you that I am thrilled so far with the 42" S1 I bought, and you would probably love a 50" one even more.
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post #11 of 46
10/12/09 at 4:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyWalters View Post

The only reason to choose the X1 would be if you absolutely cannot afford an S1. The X1 is for people who value saving money over having better picture quality.

That's me right now. It is not that I don't have the money, I just don't want to spend the money in this economy. I started looking at the 42" 720p TC-P42X1, but then found I could get the 50" 720p TC-P50X1 for $200 more. Now AVS may talk me into a 50" 1080p TC-P50S1 for another $200 more!

The only 1080p inputs I may have are PC gaming as we do not have HD sports, bluray or a PS3/xBox360. What other differences are there between the X1 and the S1?

I keep asking, do I really want to spend a grand on a tv? For some reason the 46" 1080p TC-P46S1 cost the same as the TC-P50S1 Sears. 46" is a better size for my current entertainment center, but it really should be less than the 50" darn it. Where are you guys getting 1080p sets for the same price as a 720p?
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post #12 of 46
10/12/09 at 1:36pm
Home - look at Best Buy's ad for this week. 50" S1 for under $1000.00.

I don't believe that the 720p v. 1080p makes a huge difference, all things being equal.. Unfortunately, all things are not usually equal. The S1 is better in numerous other ways and will probably keep you happy for a lot longer.
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post #13 of 46
10/12/09 at 2:59pm
Thanks DrFreeman60,

I am seeing the 50" S1 for a grand everywhere, the Best Buy advantage being 36 months interest free financing. Or I can get it at my local Sears this coming Monday for 15% off with 24 months interest free.

I really would like the TC-P46S1 for the price of a TC-P50X1. I am having a Goldielocks moment. 50" too big, 42" too small, 46" is just right!

Other than 1080p and the Neo panel what are the differences between the X1 and the S1?

Why are the TC-P46S1 and the TC-P50S1 the same price everywhere?

TC-PXXS1 owners, have any of you seen the pattern of diagonal lines that have been reported on TC-P50X1 sets?
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post #14 of 46
10/12/09 at 6:38pm
I had to have the S1 for the 1:1 pixel mapping alone. The X1 overscans and there is no way to turn it off. Plus the S1 just looks sharper/clearer overall. Since I watch a lot of Blu-ray and 1080i programming it was a no brainer.
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post #15 of 46
10/13/09 at 9:58am
I am trying to choose between these two TVs as well. I have the P50X1 right now, but I'm considering returning it for the P50S1 because I'm on my second X1 and the buzzing in both of them is intolerable. Any high contrast or really bright image and it buzzes like crazy from the back, I can hear it from 12 feet away. I thought I had a bad set so I returned it and it's not any better.

Is it likely that the buzzing will not be an issue on the S1, or am I just too sensitive?

Also, should SD content look as good on the S1 even with the higher resolution? I was pleasantly surprised by SD quality on the X1.
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post #16 of 46
10/13/09 at 1:56pm
How are you getting 15% off at Sears next Monday?
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post #17 of 46
10/13/09 at 2:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by porkozone View Post

How are you getting 15% off at Sears next Monday?

We have what they call a "hometown" Sears. It was not open for the Friends and Family sale two Sundays ago, so they are having the sale 10/19. Sears had 15% off Panasonics over 46" for their Friends and Family sale so we are assuming that the small stores will have the same discount on 10/19, but my Sears said that they have not received any papers on the sale yet.
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post #18 of 46
10/13/09 at 4:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HomeAppraiser View Post

We have what they call a "hometown" Sears. It was not open for the Friends and Family sale two Sundays ago, so they are having the sale 10/19. Sears had 15% off Panasonics over 46" for their Friends and Family sale so we are assuming that the small stores will have the same discount on 10/19, but my Sears said that they have not received any papers on the sale yet.

Make sure you bring the ad in with you. The A-holes at my local Sears insist that there never was such a sale! Panasonics (over 46") were never an additional 10% off.

I didn't think I could get more angry with that company that I was, but when I went in and talked to the electronics section manager it happened. First I had to wait 45 minutes because everyone who could help me was at lunch. Then I told him about the sale, and how I had called in and they told me there was no such sale, but I had seen the deals people got over from other Sears around the country the next day on that same sale I had asked about. He says there was never any sale, he hadn't seen anything. I said if I print out the ad will that make a difference? His answer "First off, you can't because I know there was no such sale...".

I was very tempted to print the thing out, come back, and have at him, but I just ended up buying from another company.
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post #19 of 46
10/13/09 at 5:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AaronMilwaukee View Post

I am trying to choose between these two TVs as well. I have the P50X1 right now, but I'm considering returning it for the P50S1 because I'm on my second X1 and the buzzing in both of them is intolerable. Any high contrast or really bright image and it buzzes like crazy from the back, I can hear it from 12 feet away. I thought I had a bad set so I returned it and it's not any better.

Is it likely that the buzzing will not be an issue on the S1, or am I just too sensitive?

Also, should SD content look as good on the S1 even with the higher resolution? I was pleasantly surprised by SD quality on the X1.

Too sensitive. They buzz less than Samsungs and Pioneers in my personal ownership experience.
SD will look a little better on the x1.
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post #20 of 46
10/13/09 at 5:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omni009 View Post

Make sure you bring the ad in with you. The A-holes at my local Sears insist that there never was such a sale! Panasonics (over 46") were never an additional 10% off.

I didn't think I could get more angry with that company that I was, but when I went in and talked to the electronics section manager it happened. First I had to wait 45 minutes because everyone who could help me was at lunch. Then I told him about the sale, and how I had called in and they told me there was no such sale, but I had seen the deals people got over from other Sears around the country the next day on that same sale I had asked about. He says there was never any sale, he hadn't seen anything. I said if I print out the ad will that make a difference? His answer "First off, you can't because I know there was no such sale...".

I was very tempted to print the thing out, come back, and have at him, but I just ended up buying from another company.

Which model did you get?

I had a similar experience to yours with a Kennmore appliance. We drove 50 miles on F&F Sunday to a BIG Sears to get the "additional 10%" off Kennmore AND 12 months no interest as advertized online. At the register they said we could only have 10% off OR the financing! We walked out and bought a Maytag with better features for less money than the discounted Kennmore and Best Buy gave us 18 months no interest.
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post #21 of 46
10/13/09 at 5:37pm
I just got 50s1 at sears with a sears card for 899 this past weekend.....no brainer...
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post #22 of 46
10/13/09 at 5:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cold_fusion View Post

I just got 50s1 at sears with a sears card for 899 this past weekend.....no brainer...

Yes but then you have to pay that off in a hurry or get hit with 26%+ interest! I don't like that they have 10% OR special financing. If Sears had the TC-P46S1 for just fifty bucks less than the TC-P50S1, I'd go for it. But I am in no hurry.

How do you like your TC-P50S1? Is the power draw much more than your old tv?
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post #23 of 46
10/13/09 at 6:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HomeAppraiser View Post

Yes but then you have to pay that off in a hurry or get hit with 26%+ interest! I don't like that they have 10% OR special financing. If Sears had the TC-P46S1 for just fifty bucks less than the TC-P50S1, I'd go for it. But I am in no hurry.

How do you like your TC-P50S1? Is the power draw much more than your old tv?

I have a 50G10 myself, I helped my sister get the 50s1 and set it up for her last night...I think that the PQ of the S1 is on par with the G10 but it's like Panny turned off some of the settings on the S1....I bought my G10 six months ago for 600 more than I just paid for my sisters S1....obviously she got the better deal IMO as most of the added settings are trivial wrt the PQ of the viewing experience...

As far as the Sears card goes, I just signed up for it to get an extra 100 off...I fully intend on paying in full on the first payment so as to incur no interest or other charges....
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post #24 of 46
10/13/09 at 6:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HomeAppraiser View Post

Which model did you get?

I had a similar experience to yours with a Kennmore appliance. We drove 50 miles on F&F Sunday to a BIG Sears to get the "additional 10%" off Kennmore AND 12 months no interest as advertised online. At the register they said we could only have 10% off OR the financing! We walked out and bought a Maytag with better features for less money than the discounted Kennmore and Best Buy gave us 18 months no interest.

I would have gotten the P50X1 at Sears if they had honored the deal. I ended up buying a very nicely discounted P42S1 from Best Buy. I gave Sears a couple of shots because their prices were pretty good. But that last experience sealed the deal for me with them. Everything about this was just wrong, from the wrong info to begin with, to the long wait, to the guy's overall attitude, and especially his declaration with authority that there never was any such deal. And he said he knew all about the F&F sale! I guess I didn't really look at their ad and see the 10% off, it must be an elaborate hoax, and all these other people from the deal forums with posted receipts are just liars then...lol.
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post #25 of 46
10/13/09 at 7:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omni009 View Post

I would have gotten the P50X1 at Sears if they had honored the deal. I ended up buying a very nicely discounted P42S1 from Best Buy. I gave Sears a couple of shots because their prices were pretty good. But that last experience sealed the deal for me with them. Everything about this was just wrong, from the wrong info to begin with, to the long wait, to the guy's overall attitude, and especially his declaration with authority that there never was any such deal. And he said he knew all about the F&F sale! I guess I didn't really look at their ad and see the 10% off, it must be an elaborate hoax, and all these other people from the deal forums with posted receipts are just liars then...lol.


It really boils down to having the money up front to negotiate the deal....don't ever go in wanting a payment plan....save up until you can pay in full...you may have just gotten an arsehole sears rep too...as most of the ones I've dealt with were a little better than the best buy goof squad....
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post #26 of 46
10/13/09 at 9:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omni009 View Post

I would have gotten the P50X1 at Sears if they had honored the deal. I ended up buying a very nicely discounted P42S1 from Best Buy. I gave Sears a couple of shots because their prices were pretty good. But that last experience sealed the deal for me with them. Everything about this was just wrong, from the wrong info to begin with, to the long wait, to the guy's overall attitude, and especially his declaration with authority that there never was any such deal. And he said he knew all about the F&F sale! I guess I didn't really look at their ad and see the 10% off, it must be an elaborate hoax, and all these other people from the deal forums with posted receipts are just liars then...lol.

Yea I barely got a chance to look at the TVs since my wife stormed out of Sears after getting the run-a-round at the appliance counter. The TV people did verify an additional 10% Panasonics over 46" in addition to the 5% F&F sale.

Something that has not be brought up in 50X1 vs 50S1 is power requirements.

Rated Power Consumption 399 Watts vs 584 Watts. My current 185 watt 30" CRT, soundsystem, Direct TV, TiVO, DVD player, two PCs and floor lamps are all on the same 15amp breaker. Will adding the 50X1 or the 50S1 trip my breaker? I was considering the 526 Watt TC-P46S1 at max, but it is currently the same price as the TC-P50S1.
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post #27 of 46
10/13/09 at 10:36pm
Unlike LCDs where consumption is pretty constant, plasma power requirements fluctuate quite a bit. I really don't think you'll have a problem, most of your stuff is low powered.
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post #28 of 46
10/13/09 at 11:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HomeAppraiser View Post

Something that has not be brought up in 50X1 vs 50S1 is power requirements.

Rated Power Consumption 399 Watts vs 584 Watts. My current 185 watt 30" CRT, soundsystem, Direct TV, TiVO, DVD player, two PCs and floor lamps are all on the same 15amp breaker. Will adding the 50X1 or the 50S1 trip my breaker? I was considering the 526 Watt TC-P46S1 at max, but it is currently the same price as the TC-P50S1.

FWIW, the EnergyStar.gov site has the On Mode Power ratings for those models as:

50X1 - 210W
50S1 - 269W
46S1 - 207W
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post #29 of 46
10/13/09 at 11:14pm
As far as myself, and most others seem to be concerned, the difference is too apparent to choose the X1. Go for the S1, and you'll never regret it.

I bought the 58S1 on Sunday at my local Best Buy. Got it for $1619.99 (10% off with Reward Zone), and 3 years 0% interest. Sure, I've got the money handy, but why pay now if you have 36 months to do so at no extra charge? Needless to say, I'm a happy camper.
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post #30 of 46
10/14/09 at 12:53am
I had the same question and finally decided to go with the S1. I then ventured into an electronics store and ended up walking out with a 50" g15 and a panasonic blu ray player for $980, but I was seriously considering the sears deal. Their "people" told me that on the 15th of November they will be having another friends and family deal, but didn't know if the Panasonic offer would be back on the table.
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