Ok , Iam not new to plasma's and looking to upgrade to a 50" for the bedroom (budget minded) . Ive had my eye on the three listed below :
LG 50PA5500 = $650 (current price)
LG 50PA6500 = $750 (current price)
Samsung PN51E30 = $750 (current price)
Current in house Samsung 42" 2-1/2 yrs old and Panasonic 42" 4+yrs old (and familiar with a Samsung 63" 2011 model that my brother owns) . My experience has been positive (but not perfect) with Samsungs , and the Panasonic was our first plasma and I was never really that impressed with it from the start even when new (maybe due to its age and older plasma tech).I have been very happy with Samsung's picture (even though it was a 720p) , but my Samsung B450 did eventually get the pick and green on screen , although not too badly) , and my brothers 63" looks stunning (although it was a direct/warranty/upgrade replacement for his Samsung 2010 model that had the buzz power supply and the pink and green screen)
With the above in mind , this time Iam looking into an LG (as my niece has a 2yr old 50" LG plasma that been problem free). Ive done my homework on both 5500 and 6500 (and I also called LG) , finding both models to be the same(?) give or take a possible added input difference ; with a "possible" some people finding a better black level(? but not truly proven) on the 6500 .
I do like my past experience with Samsung picture quality , but also found recent complaints about premature screen glass cracking due to the glass being too thin in this years models (which is kinda scaring me away at this time) .
So right now the LG pa5500 seems to be the way to go price point wise (with alot of happy customer reviews) , but with some complaints about heavier dithering or blocking ( and/or maybe not as good visually compared to the equal new model (E530) Samsung (by some user comments) .
The only place in my area that even has a decent amount of plasmas on display is PaulsTV and Ive compared the differant models memtioned , but thier input source on thier display's is not the greatest and still making it hard to do a quality comparison .
I know there is minor good and bad points in brand differances , but any added comments would be apperciated.
I too am somewhat on a time restraint before the prices change back to full retail . Iam committed to buying from Dell now due to a promotion the had a week ago where as Ive purchased a $400 gift cacd and receive an added $75 gift card for free ( making the end prices mentioned above even better).
Iam more than willing to give the newer model LG a try (and kinda looking forward to it) . Again , any added comments before I pull the trigger on a PA5500 would be highly appreciated (but still slightly thinking Samsung in the back of my mind

) , as I'd perfer to do this 50" purchase only once , and as this tv will have to do me for about the next 3-4 yrs . Source material will be FIOS HD and alot of heavy Bluray movies (from a Panny BD85)
TIA
Edited by stereo55 - 6/23/12 at 2:13pm