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2011 55" or 2012 50"

post #1 of 16
4/6/12 at 5:05pm
Thread Starter 
Finally upgrading from my 9 year old 36" Toshiba 4:3! I'm sick of reading reviews and I THINK I have it narrowed down...

Panasonic TC-P55ST30 55" Class Viera Widescreen 3D Plasma HDTV - 1080p, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, 600Hz, HDMI, USB, Energy Star

Or

Panasonic Smart Viera® 50'' UT50 Series Full HD Plasma HDTV ENERGY STAR®
Model# TC-P50UT50

Ok guys, I think I've decided on one of these two models. The 55 is a 2011 model and the 2012 is a 50".

The other difference is that the 50 is a smart tv.

Price is the same, what would you do?

Help a brother out huh?
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post #2 of 16
4/7/12 at 7:48am
Neither. I'd get the ST50 (2012 model). The UT is an entry level plasma, and a step down from the ST series (ST has better panel and better filters). If you can't afford an ST50, then I'd go ST30.
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post #3 of 16
4/7/12 at 11:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillP View Post

Neither. I'd get the ST50 (2012 model). The UT is an entry level plasma, and a step down from the ST series (ST has better panel and better filters). If you can't afford an ST50, then I'd go ST30.


Actually the U series is the entry level 1080p pdp. The UT for 1080p 3D. The real difference is the lack of an AR filter on the UT. If you have a room with controlled lighting it shouldn't be much of an issue, if you don't, I'd go with the recommendations of Bill P.


Ian
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post #4 of 16
4/7/12 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
We tend to keep the living room pretty dark so lighting shouldn't be an issue for me.

I'm thinking that the 50 might be better for me only because it has the smart tv capabilities and I think being able to stream netflix is a plus for me.
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post #5 of 16
4/7/12 at 12:38pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the responses by the way guys.
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post #6 of 16
4/7/12 at 12:54pm
i'd rather have a 55st30 over a 50ut50 but that's just my opinion.
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post #7 of 16
4/7/12 at 1:12pm
Nobrainer : go bigger and for the same price equals a deal!
PQ difference ? You won't be able to tell the difference! I couldn't
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post #8 of 16
4/7/12 at 1:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace1965 View Post

Nobrainer : go bigger and for the same price equals a deal! PQ difference ? You won't be able to tell the difference! I couldn't

Wuuut? There is a huge difference in PQ between the UT50 and the ST30.
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post #9 of 16
4/7/12 at 2:26pm
sorry! it sounds like that but I meant PQ between the ST30 and ST50
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post #10 of 16
4/7/12 at 2:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chavezz1234 View Post

We tend to keep the living room pretty dark so lighting shouldn't be an issue for me.

I'm thinking that the 50 might be better for me only because it has the smart tv capabilities and I think being able to stream netflix is a plus for me.

The 2011 ST30 also has all the streaming services. I would take this over the 2012 UT50. The ST30 is a little dim but it has better panel than the UT50 does and its picture quality is terrific.
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post #11 of 16
4/7/12 at 3:21pm
I don't want to get into a pissing contest here like in the threads about the ST30 verses the S30, but what I've seen so far from the UT50, except for the fact that it is highly reflective, it has an excellent picture that can certainly compete with the ST30's. However, for those who feel differently, by all means knock your self out and go for the ST series.

Ian
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post #12 of 16
4/7/12 at 7:56pm
I'm confused. Is the UT50 supposed to have as good PQ as the ST30? The same, better, or worse? I need to know this because I want a 42" only for my bedroom and I'm tired of waiting.

One last note is that I can care less about some AR filter because it's going in a room with no windows.. and the fact that it'll only be turned on at night. I prefer to buy new but if the UT50's picture is gimped compared to last year's ST30 then I'll have to seek one out.
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post #13 of 16
4/7/12 at 8:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PathofNeo View Post

I'm confused. Is the UT50 supposed to have as good PQ as the ST30? The same, better, or worse? I need to know this because I want a 42" only for my bedroom and I'm tired of waiting.

One last note is that I can care less about some AR filter because it's going in a room with no windows.. and the fact that it'll only be turned on at night. I prefer to buy new but if the UT50's picture is gimped compared to last year's ST30 then I'll have to seek one out.

Why not find one on display and judge for yourself? Or you can wait until the reviews come out.


Ian
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post #14 of 16
4/7/12 at 8:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyWalters View Post

Wuuut? There is a huge difference in PQ between the UT50 and the ST30.

Huge? That's ridiculous.

ST30 looks slightly better.
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post #15 of 16
4/7/12 at 9:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PathofNeo View Post

I'm confused. Is the UT50 supposed to have as good PQ as the ST30? The same, better, or worse? I need to know this because I want a 42" only for my bedroom and I'm tired of waiting.

One last note is that I can care less about some AR filter because it's going in a room with no windows.. and the fact that it'll only be turned on at night. I prefer to buy new but if the UT50's picture is gimped compared to last year's ST30 then I'll have to seek one out.

If you couldn't care less about the AR filter and you need a 42" set, I don't see you being disappointed with the 42UT50. The 42ST30 is going to be a pain to find anyway. Heck I can't even find a 42UT50 right now, they are all gone from the usual places I check.

I think people forget that Panasonic still has to compete with other manufacturers. It doesn't make much sense to gimp the UT that much when the new ST50 has significantly improved over the 2011 models. Panasonic didn't even gimp the ST50 in relation to the VT50 apparently. So if they aren't worried about product differentiation for their 2012 flagship model, why would they care if their new low end model is good enough to beat their old mid-level model? I'll even go as far as saying the entry level U50 (no T) will be an impressive and underrated set.
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post #16 of 16
4/8/12 at 7:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iron Condor View Post

If you couldn't care less about the AR filter and you need a 42" set, I don't see you being disappointed with the 42UT50. The 42ST30 is going to be a pain to find anyway. Heck I can't even find a 42UT50 right now, they are all gone from the usual places I check.

I think people forget that Panasonic still has to compete with other manufacturers. It doesn't make much sense to gimp the UT that much when the new ST50 has significantly improved over the 2011 models. Panasonic didn't even gimp the ST50 in relation to the VT50 apparently. So if they aren't worried about product differentiation for their 2012 flagship model, why would they care if their new low end model is good enough to beat their old mid-level model? I'll even go as far as saying the entry level U50 (no T) will be an impressive and underrated set.

Good point.


Ian
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