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64-65" Plasmas - Deciding between Panasonic and Samsung

post #1 of 55
5/19/11 at 11:19am
Thread Starter 
I'm looking to purchase a 64-65 inch plasma. It looks like most people agree that the Panasonics and Samsungs are the best TVs in this space. (If you exclude the significantly higher priced Pioneer Kuros)

So I've narrowed it down to 5 options:

1. VT30 (Panasonic TC-P65VT30)
2. D8000 (Samsung PN64D8000)
3. GT30 (Panasonic TC-P65GT30)
4. D7000 (Samsung PN64D7000)
5. ST30 (Panasonic TC-P65ST30)

I believe I've placed them in order of picture quality, based on what I've read and how they are priced. I know everyone says to check them out in a store, but honestly, that never seems to help me much. If I stand in front of any of these TVs, I'll probably say Yeah, it looks good. I find it hard to compare one vs another in a store environment. I'd honestly rather just take the aggregated advice from people who know more about this subject than I do.

I care about price, but I don't want it to be the main driving factor. I really want a great looking TV. My question is, how far apart are these models in picture quality? Is it night and day between the 3 Panasonic models? Is there a certain must-have feature that I would lose by going with one of the cheaper models?

I've looked at the bullet point comparisons, but it's hard to tell which features make a significant difference and which are marketing hype. I want to stand in front of my TV and think Wow, that looks great.

I currently have a 2006 Sony SXRD KDSR50XBR1. That would be my baseline. It looks pretty good to me, but the blacks are disappointing, especially when watching at night. The reflections in the TV from the windows are also annoying. I went to a friend's house a year ago, and he had a Samsung TV that smoothed the motion to a ridiculous degree. I can't describe it, but when a person on TV turned their head, the motion was just really smooth. One person in the room said he hated it because it looked to surreal, but I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Is that a specific feature that I should look for? Or is that something that looks cool at first, and then gets annoying quick, so you end up turning it off?
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post #2 of 55
5/19/11 at 11:51am
I think your ranking more accurately reflects price, not picture quality. For example, the Samsung d7000 and d8000 have identical picture quality. It's the same TV with a few added (and probably unnecessary) features on the d8000.

As for comparison between Samsung and Panasonic, the Panasonics are significantly more expensive. Even the Panasonic ST is actually more expensive than the Samsung d7000. The price disparity is even bigger when you factor in the free 3D gear that Samsung provides.

It is still largely unknown whether that extra $$$ translates into better PQ for the Panasonics. There is another thread floating around here comparing the vt30 to the d8000. Chad B, a pro calibrator, recently reviewed them side-by-side and found the PQ nearly indistinguishable.

CNET has yet to review either set, but is slated to do so soon. This should provide a nice apples-to-apples comparison.

I suspect that, just like last year's models, the Panasonics will be found to have slightly better PQ than the Samsungs, but this difference will not even be perceivable by most folks, and certainly wouldn't justify the price premium unless you absolutely want the best quality, even if you can't really see it, no matter the cost.

It sounds like you want great PQ, but also a great value. If that's the case, I think the Samsung d7000 is the obvious choice.
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post #3 of 55
5/19/11 at 12:49pm
I am looking at these same TVs so I am interested to see what people have to say. I had heard the the D7000 was basically the same as the D8000. I wonder what the actual differences are. I tried to compare them on the website and the only thing that I saw different was the contrast ratio. If this is true then why are people saying that the D7000 and D8000 have identical picture quality?
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post #4 of 55
5/19/11 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mac13 View Post

I am looking at these same TVs so I am interested to see what people have to say. I had heard the the D7000 was basically the same as the D8000. I wonder what the actual differences are. I tried to compare them on the website and the only thing that I saw different was the contrast ratio. If this is true then why are people saying that the D7000 and D8000 have identical picture quality?

It's a marketing ploy. "Contrast ratio" is a dubious number to begin with. I don't believe a single person on this board has seen any difference in PQ between the two. It's the same panel, but you get a slightoly different bezel finish, stand, internet browser, remote, and ARC-support ("Audio Return Channel for running audio via HDMI from the TV to a receiver, which most people don't need).
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post #5 of 55
5/19/11 at 1:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mac13 View Post

I am looking at these same TVs so I am interested to see what people have to say. I had heard the the D7000 was basically the same as the D8000. I wonder what the actual differences are. I tried to compare them on the website and the only thing that I saw different was the contrast ratio. If this is true then why are people saying that the D7000 and D8000 have identical picture quality?

From what I've read about the D7000 versus the D8000 is the D8000 has a web browser and the D7000 doesn't. Seems to be the only real difference between the two displays.

John
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post #6 of 55
5/19/11 at 1:33pm
If you're going to keep this tv for 5 years like your last one and watch 6-8 hours of tv a day, I'd stay with Samsung and not have to worry about the blacks raising on any Panasonics.
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post #7 of 55
5/19/11 at 1:41pm
The D8000 also supposedly has the LCE feature, which no one know what it does exactly.

By the way, since price is a factor, you may also want to consider the PN64D550, if you don't care about the Samsung apps, WIFI (can attached a separate dongle) or better reflection screen filters.

This should be your more affordable choice without sacrificing too much.
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post #8 of 55
5/19/11 at 2:22pm
Per others on this board, the Local Contrast Enhancement is just a software enhancement to the Dynamic Contrast Control feature that is present on the d7000. Most videophiles and calibrators would recommend turning off the Dynamic Contrast control anyway, so the LCE is a non-issue. Nobody has reported any PQ improvement due to LCE, as far as I'm aware.

Regarding the d550, this indeed might be a better value if you are setting up in a low-light area (basement) and have no need of the superior anti-glare features (or the wifi widgets). I could care less about the widgets, but I am definitely pleased with the d7000 anti-glare filter in my living room. Also, the d7000 is a couple of inches thinner and looks awesome from a purely aesthetic standpoint.
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post #9 of 55
5/19/11 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mirak View Post

It is still largely unknown whether that extra $$$ translates into better PQ for the Panasonics. There is another thread floating around here comparing the vt30 to the d8000. Chad B, a pro calibrator, recently reviewed them side-by-side and found the PQ nearly indistinguis

CNET has yet to review either set, but is slated to do so soon. This should provide a nice apples-to-apples comparison.

I suspect that, just like last year's models, the Panasonics will be found to have slightly better PQ than the Samsungs, but this difference will not even be perceivable by most folks, and certainly wouldn't justify the price premium unless you absolutely want the best quality, even if you can't really see it, no matter the cost.

It sounds like you want great PQ, but also a great value. If that's the case, I think the Samsung d7000 is the obvious choice.

. Thanks. I appreciate the down to earth response. Can you point me to where I can find the Chad B review?
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post #10 of 55
5/19/11 at 2:40pm
The D7000 is a hot item this year. PQ looks amazing and has the black filter.
I also think the ST30 is a great Value too. I would take the D7000 though.
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post #11 of 55
5/19/11 at 2:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ed3120 View Post

. Thanks. I appreciate the down to earth response. Can you point me to where I can find the Chad B review?

See signature of this post.
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post #12 of 55
5/19/11 at 3:06pm
If you read all the "good" reviews they have the Panasonic VT30 as the best TV for 2011.
Another interesting note...the 65VT30 weighs between 40 and 50 pounds more than the Samsung D8000. How can that be? Bigger power supply, thicker glass and more solid chassis..I think all of your choices are great btw.....not a bad one in the bunch.
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post #13 of 55
5/19/11 at 3:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mirak View Post

Per others on this board, the Local Contrast Enhancement is just a software enhancement to the Dynamic Contrast Control feature that is present on the d7000. Most videophiles and calibrators would recommend turning off the Dynamic Contrast control anyway, so the LCE is a non-issue. Nobody has reported any PQ improvement due to LCE, as far as I'm aware.

Regarding the d550, this indeed might be a better value if you are setting up in a low-light area (basement) and have no need of the superior anti-glare features (or the wifi widgets). I could care less about the widgets, but I am definitely pleased with the d7000 anti-glare filter in my living room. Also, the d7000 is a couple of inches thinner and looks awesome from a purely aesthetic standpoint.

2.2" (D550) - 1.5" (D700) is not exactly 2"... more like .7". For most folks, it should be a non-issue.

I agree that the D7000 looks much better (mostly the bezel) for a much higher price (~$600). I went back and forth between the two, and finally settled on the D7000.
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post #14 of 55
5/19/11 at 3:48pm
the 64 inch D7000 is the best bang for the buck the PQ is just as good as the VT30
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post #15 of 55
5/19/11 at 4:03pm
Keep in mind for 24p being fed to the TV (like movies), that while the D7000 and D8000 will properly support the 24p input with CinemaSmooth enabled (well, properly support it better I guess would be more accurate), doing so will cause a black level rise. So Samsung still hasn't fixed their screwup there.

The VT30 at least doesn't suffer a rise when going to 96Hz. Then again, since Panasonic still hasn't fixed their black level rise screwup there either, it's hard to say which one to go with.

2011: Another year where the manufacturers still won't fix sh1t they choose not to care about.

Chuck
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post #16 of 55
5/19/11 at 4:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chucky2 View Post

Then again, since Panasonic still hasn't fixed their black level rise screwup there either, it's hard to say which one to go with.

I don't think we know yet whether Panasonic has fixed the black level rise this year.
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post #17 of 55
5/19/11 at 4:49pm
Really? I'd thought that had been confirmed?
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post #18 of 55
5/19/11 at 6:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hiresolution View Post

....Another interesting note...the 65VT30 weighs between 40 and 50 pounds more than the Samsung D8000. How can that be? Bigger power supply, thicker glass and more solid chassis..

The VT30 has an additional layer of outer glass that the Samsung does not have, and i think the VT30 has a 3rd speaker (subwoofer) so that accounts for a large part of the heavier weight. Panasonic build quality is better too, more solid.
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post #19 of 55
5/19/11 at 6:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chucky2 View Post

Really? I'd thought that had been confirmed?

Execs in Europe and Japan claimed the 2011s will not rise beyond initial use, but it's not actually been confirmed by anyone. It may be months or years before we know exactly how much they rise and how well they've mitigated the problem.
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post #20 of 55
5/19/11 at 6:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tazz3 View Post

the 64 inch D7000 is the best bang for the buck the PQ is just as good as the VT30

No hardly ........read all 7 or 8 professional reviews and it's not really even close....the VT30 is superior in almost every aspect. If 3D is your deal then the VT30 is reference level. Samsung has not developed 3D to VT30 levels.
But you did say best bang for the buck....I agree 100% on that statement.
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post #21 of 55
5/19/11 at 7:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hiresolution View Post

If you read all the "good" reviews they have the Panasonic VT30 as the best TV for 2011.
Another interesting note...the 65VT30 weighs between 40 and 50 pounds more than the Samsung D8000. How can that be? Bigger power supply, thicker glass and more solid chassis...

Right, I forgot to mention that much sturdier chassis of the VT. So if you're going off road, I'd definitely give that model a look. Has better towing capacity, too. Be sure to watch out for those "bad" reviews (anything that doesn't find the VT to be the best).
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post #22 of 55
5/19/11 at 7:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mirak View Post


Right, I forgot to mention that much sturdier chassis of the VT. So if you're going off road, I'd definitely give that model a look. Has better towing capacity, too. Be sure to watch out for those "bad" reviews (anything that doesn't find the VT to be the best).

Lol, you know if it was only 10 pounds more I would make fat jokes, but it's closer to 50 yes 50 pounds.....just think about that for a moment. If the Samsung was made from unobtainium and carbon fiber I would at least feel better, but it's not....move both on their stands it feels like the Samsung is going to break.
I have no brand loyalty, I just call it like I see it.
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post #23 of 55
5/19/11 at 7:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by uglygolfer View Post

The D8000 also supposedly has the LCE feature, which no one know what it does exactly.

By the way, since price is a factor, you may also want to consider the PN64D550, if you don't care about the Samsung apps, WIFI (can attached a separate dongle) or better reflection screen filters.

This should be your more affordable choice without sacrificing too much.

You are sacrificing quite a bit from a picture performance perspective. It isn't about apps or other gimicky features. The filter on the 7 and 8000 have quite an impact/
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post #24 of 55
5/19/11 at 7:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hiresolution View Post

No hardly ........read all 7 or 8 professional reviews and it's not really even close....the VT30 is superior in almost every aspect. If 3D is your deal then the VT30 is reference level. Samsung has not developed 3D to VT30 levels.
But you did say best bang for the buck....I agree 100% on that statement.

Suppose 3D is NOT my deal?
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post #25 of 55
5/19/11 at 8:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hiresolution View Post

No hardly ........read all 7 or 8 professional reviews and it's not really even close....the VT30 is superior in almost every aspect. If 3D is your deal then the VT30 is reference level. Samsung has not developed 3D to VT30 levels.
But you did say best bang for the buck....I agree 100% on that statement.

Can you provide some links to the reviews? I'd like to read them. I haven't found many reviews. Thanks.
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post #26 of 55
5/19/11 at 8:30pm
I set Dynamic Contrast to LOW on my 64D8K and love the way it looks....on the 8000, Dynamic Contrast employs LCE.
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post #27 of 55
5/19/11 at 8:35pm
I'm getting the 65VT30 as soon as they launch a promo with glasses...
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post #28 of 55
5/19/11 at 8:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hiresolution View Post


No hardly ........read all 7 or 8 professional reviews and it's not really even close....the VT30 is superior in almost every aspect. If 3D is your deal then the VT30 is reference level. Samsung has not developed 3D to VT30 levels.
But you did say best bang for the buck....I agree 100% on that statement.

Where are you getting your info?
I've yet to see a single review by any major reviewer say that the VT30 was better in any aspect other than 3D.
I have spent hours and hours every day scouring forums and the net for reviews for the last three months about 2011 Tv's and have yet to see a single statement from any reviewer that supports your statements. I saw several Panasonic fans preaching Panasonic this and Panasonic that, post after post but as far as any actual reviews, your statement is just not true. Most will tell you they are very close in every aspect which is relevant. Each brand DOES have it's weaknesses and each brand DOES have strengths that's just the way it is. The most favorable review for the VT30 I have seen was from Chad B, and he currently prefers the Samsung. Panasonics main strength is it's black levels, and yes it's important but the difference between Panasonic and Samsung black levels are barely even noticed by the human eye, it's that close. As for your statement above you probably should provide links for others to read to support such a bold statement.
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post #29 of 55
5/19/11 at 8:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moshock View Post

I'm getting the 65VT30 as soon as they launch a promo with glasses...

Me too!
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post #30 of 55
5/19/11 at 8:50pm
I personally don't have any preference I'd just like for people to back up what they say when you post in a persons thread who's seeking knowledge about potential purchase. They want info not ones biased opinions. The safe bet here is to say that they are both quality sets and really you couldn't go wrong with either choice.
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