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Panasonic ST50 vs Samsung E550?

post #1 of 33
3/22/12 at 11:45am
Thread Starter 
Hello, I've been looking for a good TV for a while now. I'm between the Panasonic P50ST50 vs Samsung PN51E550. For my budget and from what I can tell, those two are probably the best choices currently out there. Any suggestions or thoughts?

My wife and I watch a lot of movies and our room has windows on the side of the room (covered by curtains), so I am also trying to be aware of glare as well.

Another concern too are the 3D glasses. Has anyone noticed a difference between the two as far as comfortability on your eyes? I've watched a few minutes of a 3D movie on my brother's Panasonic and my eyes felt like they were being pulled in, almost like they were crossing. Anyone else experienced something like that?

I appreciate your input and advice, Thank you!
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post #2 of 33
3/22/12 at 12:18pm
I have not seen the E550 yet, but last year the st30 was superior to the D550, so going off that and the amazing reviews the ST50 has, i would confidently recommend the ST50 over the E550.

As for 3D glasses, panasonic i think just realeased their new bluetooth glasses, but i havent heard anything on them yet. I will say samsungs 2012 glasses are really comfortable.

As for 3D quality, they will likely be the same, but again since no one has commented on owning a pair of 2012 panasonic glasses, there havent been comments of the quality either. The st30 has good 3D in my opinion. Perhaps go into the 3D setting on ur bros tv and adjust the 3D depth to see if that helps ur issue.
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post #3 of 33
3/22/12 at 12:36pm
From what I've seen, the PN51E6500 is probably closer in specs and price than that E550 to the ST50. I chose the E6500 over the ST50 mainly because the Samsung came with two 3D glasses and the new Panasonic glasses haven't even been released yet. In previous years, Samsung's 3D glasses have scored higher ratings in comfortability but I believe the new Panasonics will be very similar (and also interchangable) with Samsung's. The ST50 has been receiving excellent praises in PQ and improved brightness, so I've very interested in seeing some side by side comparisons.
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post #4 of 33
3/22/12 at 2:33pm
I'm interested in these two as well, largely based on reviews from last year on the ST30 and D550. The new ones compare favorably but are about $200 apart right now on Amazon and BB ship-to-store. Plus the extra you need to spend on the glasses with the Panasonic.

I'm looking forward to some in-depth or customer reviews of the E550. And I'm still trying to figure out how you actually use the new web browser on this particular model, especially if you're using the remote from your cable box or TiVo and not the display.

Rhys
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post #5 of 33
3/22/12 at 2:59pm
Which one between the UT50 & the E550? I was originally thinking of get the 42st30 but waited and figured I'd get the 42st50 but it ain't happening! So I decided I would go up and get the 50ST50 but after measuring it's going to be to tight of a fit. So now I'm considering the 42UT50 and the 43E550 if it ever gets released! I'm thinking the E550 might be the better choice?
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post #6 of 33
3/22/12 at 3:23pm
I think that you should look at them in the store and play with the settings while you're at it.
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post #7 of 33
3/22/12 at 6:32pm
My BB has the 50ut50 but it's up high so no playing around going to happen! Have not seen any new Samsung plasmas yet.
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post #8 of 33
3/23/12 at 8:02am
Thread Starter 
I've seen the new Samsung in the store, but same issue, no playing available. And the new Panasonic ST50 isn't in the store yet, at least not that i've scene.

The ST50 is more, especially when you add in the cost of the glasses, but if it's really better than the E550, than maybe it's worth it? Has anyone gotten to see them both live? If so, thought?
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post #9 of 33
3/23/12 at 10:46am
I wouldn't be suprised if the ST50 compares more favorably to the E7000 series plasmas from Sammy this year...
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post #10 of 33
3/23/12 at 11:23am
I agree Mfrey.

Bridug, I think it's still too early in the season. We'll find more at the stores next month.
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post #11 of 33
4/2/12 at 6:16pm
I think the E550 is shaping up to be a budget sleeper. It has the same Real Black Panel/Filter than the D7000 had last year. CNET's 2011 editor's choice.

The key question is whether it has the same picture processing and settings as the D7000 from last year; picture quality of the D7000 was stunning IMO). My sense is that the D550 will have fewer picture settings, but no one knows for sure yet. I too am between the E550, E6500 and ST50.

I love the ST50 but hate the silver stand (WHY?!?!??!?!?!?). Despite the praise thus far for the ST50, I'd gladly get a Samsung Plasma if I wasn't so concerned about buzz.

Amazon already took back a D7000 for buzz, and I'd feel weird asking for another return for another "buzzing" set. I had read so many things about Samsung buzz, but figured it was people nitpicking--turns out there weren't.

I think I may wait a few weeks to see some more reviews on the E550. So far no "buzz" feedback on the E550 Amazon reviews....there are already reviews on the E6500 buzzing on Amazon.

The ST50 has glowing reviews from experts and users alike.
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post #12 of 33
4/2/12 at 6:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ultraviolet353 View Post

I think the E550 is shaping up to be a budget sleeper. It has the same Real Black Panel/Filter than the D7000 had last year. CNET's 2011 editor's choice.

The key question is whether it has the same picture processing and settings as the D7000 from last year; picture quality of the D7000 was stunning IMO). My sense is that the D550 will have fewer picture settings, but no one knows for sure yet. I too am between the E550, E6500 and ST50.

I love the ST50 but hate the silver stand (WHY?!?!??!?!?!?). Despite the praise thus far for the ST50, I'd gladly get a Samsung Plasma if I wasn't so concerned about buzz.

Amazon already took back a D7000 for buzz, and I'd feel weird asking for another return for another "buzzing" set. I had read so many things about Samsung buzz, but figured it was people nitpicking--turns out there weren't.

I think I may wait a few weeks to see some more reviews on the E550. So far no "buzz" feedback on the E550 Amazon reviews....there are already reviews on the E6500 buzzing on Amazon.

The ST50 has glowing reviews from experts and users alike.

Excuse my ignorance but what exactly does the real black panel/filter do? Does it just help with the black level? What about screen glare? Does it help with that?

Thanks,

-Guru
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post #13 of 33
4/2/12 at 7:01pm
It works two ways:--diminishes/mutes reflections and maintains blacks in bright rooms.

I have seen the D7000 in a bright room and the picture quality was stunning in my opinion. It also handled reflections nicely. Nothing will eliminate reflection, but the D7000 Real Black Panel (now on the E550)performs well for what it intends to do.

I looked at an ST50 today at Fry's and it looks likes it will perform brilliantly in bright rooms. It was next to the E6500 and while both lloked great, the ST50 looked a little brighter to me with deeper black and richer colors (both playing generic Samsung HD loop).

I am leaning towards the ST50, but I hate the silver stand--love the design of the Sammy's and the D7000 pic quality was sick, but I am so gun shy about buzzing sets, and would need to be convinced (with more reviews) that maybe I will get lucky and get a non buzzer.
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post #14 of 33
4/2/12 at 7:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ultraviolet353 View Post

It works two ways:--diminishes/mutes reflections and maintains blacks in bright rooms.

I have seen the D7000 in a bright room and the picture quality was stunning in my opinion. It also handled reflections nicely. Nothing will eliminate reflection, but the D7000 Real Black Panel (now on the E550)performs well for what it intends to do.

I looked at an ST50 today at Fry's and it looks likes it will perform brilliantly in bright rooms. It was next to the E6500 and while both lloked great, the ST50 looked a little brighter to me with deeper black and richer colors (both playing generic Samsung HD loop).

I am leaning towards the ST50, but I hate the silver stand--love the design of the Sammy's and the D7000 pic quality was sick, but I am so gun shy about buzzing sets, and would need to be convinced (with more reviews) that maybe I will get lucky and get a non buzzer.

No way was the Panny brighter - not a chance & no way does it do color accuracy better

The st50 is inferior to the d8000 & 7000
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post #15 of 33
4/2/12 at 7:40pm
In no way am I suggesting this was scientific analysis. It just looked that way to me in Fry's playing identical generic content (which admittedly is a poor test). Brightness is also heavily dependent on settings which I did not play with.

I was very impressed with the ST50, but I actually put more stock in the reviews by D-Nice, David Katzmeier and the user reviews on these boards and Amazon. The E6500 looked great as well.



and I owned a D7000 so I agree it is a stunning TV (that buzzes). You seem to love Samsung Plasmas. What are your thoughts on buzzing? Do you think the buzzing varies from model to model? I would pick up another D7000 in a heartbeat if I was guaranteed to not have buzz. It just seems so widepsread when you comb these boards and read amazon reviews. And my experience with the ST30 had no buzzing at all--but returned it because it was too dim (to my eyes) for my bright room. So I am back to square one deciding between a few models.
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post #16 of 33
4/2/12 at 7:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RicFlair View Post

No way was the Panny brighter - not a chance & no way does it do color accuracy better

The st50 is inferior to the d8000 & 7000

Again, says the guy who compares displays on the showroom floor at Best Buy.
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post #17 of 33
4/2/12 at 7:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ultraviolet353 View Post

I think the E550 is shaping up to be a budget sleeper. It has the same Real Black Panel/Filter than the D7000 had last year. CNET's 2011 editor's choice

I don't think this is correct. I saw the e550 on display at best buy over the weekend and it did not preserve blacks or diffuse reflectivity nearly as well as a panasonic st30 near it or a d7000 down the row.
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post #18 of 33
4/2/12 at 7:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dpippel View Post

Again, says the guy who compares displays on the showroom floor at Best Buy.


Yeah, he sure ducked tail and ran in this thread when called out...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1402569
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post #19 of 33
4/2/12 at 8:01pm
Thanks Winston that is very helpful info. I do not see the E550 on BB's site yet. Are you sure it was the E550 and not the D550?

Interesting that it is bested by the D7000 by a lot. They are "supposed" to have the same filter. I will have to check it out myself but if that is the case then the E550 comes off my list and then it really comes down to the E6500 (gun shy about BUZZ and am not a fan of Spider stands) or ST50 (hate the silver stand, minor, but it really bugs me--The ST50 would have looked killer with a black stand).

Definitely leaning towards the ST50 as I just get the sense I will really love it, and will eventually ignore the stand).

I do find the general consensus on these boards tend to be correct, and the ST50 just seems like it's poised to be a forum and reviewer darling.
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post #20 of 33
4/2/12 at 9:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by winston9332 View Post

I don't think this is correct. I saw the e550 on display at best buy over the weekend and it did not preserve blacks or diffuse reflectivity nearly as well as a panasonic st30 near it or a d7000 down the row.

I'd have to 2nd that also. I seen the 65st30 and 64e550 near each other in BB. ST30 had better blacks and less reflections but also dimmer. The e550 was brighter and maybe sharper?
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post #21 of 33
4/3/12 at 7:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RicFlair View Post

No way was the Panny brighter - not a chance & no way does it do color accuracy better

Well already a few top calibrators have said that the ST50 is brighter than the Samsungs so you're wrong on that one.


Quote:


The st50 is inferior to the d8000 & 7000

Besides perhaps color accuracy, name the other areas where the ST50 is inferior to D7000/D8000.
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post #22 of 33
4/3/12 at 7:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by winston9332 View Post

I don't think this is correct. I saw the e550 on display at best buy over the weekend and it did not preserve blacks or diffuse reflectivity nearly as well as a panasonic st30 near it or a d7000 down the row.

I saw a new 51E550 at Fry's the other day and it's screen was very reflective, similar to the very reflective UT50 they had nearby, so i bet that "Real Black Filter" is more of a dark filter to help augment black levels, and not actually an Anti-Reflective filter.
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post #23 of 33
5/15/12 at 11:22pm
I read a comparison in a German forum 55STW50 vs Samsung 60E6500.

The Samsung has way better filter for daytime viewing. The absence of Banding, False Conturing, Line Bleeding makes the E6500 the clear winner for me.

In all other situation but fullscreen the Samsung is a bit brighter. Fullscreen the STW50 is brighter but it flickers pretty much, so no real advantage here too.

The Black Level is visibly better on the Panasonic (0,001 vs 0,002) but only with full black screen in full darknes. Otherwise no difference.

The Samsung buzzes much more than the Panasonic but after 30-40 minutes the buzz is gone.

Can somebody change the thread title to ST50 vs E6500 please
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post #24 of 33
5/16/12 at 10:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by samsungLE40B650 View Post

I read a comparison in a German forum 55STW50 vs Samsung 60E6500.

The Samsung has way better filter for daytime viewing. The absence of Banding, False Conturing, Line Bleeding makes the E6500 the clear winner for me.

In all other situation but fullscreen the Samsung is a bit brighter. Fullscreen the STW50 is brighter but it flickers pretty much, so no real advantage here too.

The Black Level is visibly better on the Panasonic (0,001 vs 0,002) but only with full black screen in full darknes. Otherwise no difference.

The Samsung buzzes much more than the Panasonic but after 30-40 minutes the buzz is gone.

Can somebody change the thread title to ST50 vs E6500 please

The more i read the more i feel Samsung is the better choice for me. But i thought that ST50 had better filter for daylight viewing than Sammy, but great if not.

Last year D8000's filter was onbar with VT30's filter and ST50 is using VT30's filter. So i assume Samsung has improved their filter and it should be onbar or better than Panny.

So Samsung actually have better brightness? Who did measure that? Full screen white is rare, only on some commercials etc. So i guess that goes for Sammy aswell
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post #25 of 33
5/17/12 at 1:19am
A user of a German Forum sent me the results. I dont know if it makes sense to post results coz the German models are a bit different from American
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post #26 of 33
5/17/12 at 3:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by samsungLE40B650 View Post

A user of a German Forum sent me the results. I dont know if it makes sense to post results coz the German models are a bit different from American

Well im in Finland and im sure we have same sets as you
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post #27 of 33
6/23/12 at 1:31am
Now more details are available:

The E6500 especially in the 51 inch version has much weaker black level than the very good 60 inch version. So I bought the 50 inch STW50 and now don't regret it anymore. cool.gif
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post #28 of 33
7/10/12 at 6:18am
The 60 inch panels in the E550 and E530 line are pentile screens with the RGBG pixel arrangement instead of the normal RGB stripe. You'll notice a checkerboard pattern on solid colors and light text and dark backgrounds suffers.
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post #29 of 33
7/11/12 at 10:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by steveliv View Post

The 60 inch panels in the E550 and E530 line are pentile screens with the RGBG pixel arrangement instead of the normal RGB stripe. You'll notice a checkerboard pattern on solid colors and light text and dark backgrounds suffers.


I doubt it's a PenTile RGBW™ technology panel.
It would be a big selling point just like the extra Yellow pixel is in the Sharp.

http://www.nouvoyance.com/technology-what.html
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post #30 of 33
7/11/12 at 12:02pm
Like I said in my post, it isn't RGBW but a RGBG pentile. It becomes painfully obvious when there are large areas of solid colors and you can see the checkerboard/screen door pattern. Also, it suffers when there is light text on dark background. If you take a look at this spec sheet -> http://ramsaysmarthomes.ca/info/Samsung%202012%20Panel%20Chart.pdf you can see the e530 and e550 60 inch panels are pentile matrix.
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