Panasonic gt50 vs samsung plasma pn60e8000 or 7000

Let me try and help a bit here. I've had both the E8000 and VT50 (gt50 PQ is almost identical) in home. Ddin't have them side by side but in my opinion there are trade-offs to both. And it really depends on what matters most to you. I found the VT50 to have much better black levels and shadow detail, without question you can see more detail in dark scenes with the VT50, where the E8000 crushes black. On the downside if you don't feed the VT50 an excellent source it is not that great at improving signals. This is an area that the Samsung really shines in. It does an outstanding job at removing noise and presenting clear sharp images with all sources and especially typical compressed HD cable. I found the VT50 to sometimes really struggle with HD cable sources. While at times the image can look outstanding, it can also quickly become soft and a bit blurry. I also experienced problems with motion on the VT50, again at times excellent but on vertical pans would see choppiness and occasional flicker. As for color representation they are both strong, because of the VT50 deeper blacks, colors seem a bit deeper and more saturated on the VT50. If your set will be in a bright room, the VT50 seems to go a bit brighter. If I were a big-time movie watcher of blu-ray or other high quality source, the VT50 would be the way to go. If you watch mostly HD cable, maybe more shows and sports than movies, the Samsung should do fine. There are other factors to consider if you read through the dedicated threads, such as DSE, buzzing, vertical lines, IR, etc. No set is perfect, hope this helps. Best of luck.
Edited by jav1 - 7/1/12 at 3:39pm

The stores don't really calibrate the models, so who knows what the Panasonic was set at.
At least it needs to be put into THX mode, but it probably was in Standard mode in the store (very dim in comparison)

I own a GT50 and from what I gathered many seem to believe it doesn't need calibrated or just don't feel they need to. I use either THX Cinema and Custom. If you go to CNET and look at the review posted, the reviewer posted his calibrated settings, which I think does look a tad better than THX imo.

I'm not sure what size you got, but the 60" GT50 is $2,000 + tax at Best Buy while $1,900 at Amazon I'm assuming that's around a $250 difference in price.

Also, the GT50 and ST50 are identical TVs subtracting the THX mode, so if you got a 60" ST50 you'd pay $1,600 at Amazon which is around a $550 difference from 60" GT50 at Best Buy.

And make sure to check with your credit card companies but a few of them I think American Express and another one like Visa or something offer free extended warranties on electronics purchased with your credit card. Keep an eye out for that too.

I'm curious to see how you like your GT50 after your first few hours. I too purchased one yesterday, given all the praise, but now I'm tempted to take it off the wall and swap it out for the Samsung.

Great post jav1

The Samsung's do have superior picture processing power.
They make the processors for ALL the Apple ipads and phones so
it makes since that tech is used in their panel's also.
The movie fit mode 1 and 2 work wonders when I don't want black bars
and want to go full screen and it's still wide screen
and only clips a bit off the top and bottom.
Even with downloaded AVI files playing off a 'data dvd' look fantastic!

+ 1

I just pulled the trigger on a 64E7000. It should arrive on July 6th. Due to all of the burn-in issues with panasonic and my unbelievable lucky streak with Samsung, I couldn't justify jumping makes.

I really love the look of the GT/VT but i'm too much of a gamer to coddle the panasonic and treat her right. My C8000 and D7000 both kept up very well with my gaming habits and I hope the E7000 is up to the task as well.

Best Buy had a reasonable promotion where they threw in a Samsung Soundbar for free. I already have a surround sound system so the Soundbar will be returned for a $200 credit once I take delivery and am happy that the E isn't a loud buzzer.

I will post my results once i get the TV all set up on Friday.

Please do follow up once you get it. I'm also considering a 60e7000 or 6500. I currently have a VT25 which I'm sick to death of babying. I don't play games according to my schedule since buying this TV.. I play according to the TV. Keep rotating games, no session longer than 2hrs, run some other content for awhile etc etc otherwise huge amounts of visible image retention.

Sorry for the little rambling there, but after seeing the cnet accidental IR test I'm a little hopeful on the samsung this year as I'm a big gamer as well.

Please do update us =)

Any other thoughts on the Samsung 64E7000? Hoping to buy this weekend but I'm starting to wonder if the Panasonic GT50 is the way to go...

I'm really confused as well. I have the 60e7000 but thinking of swapping for the vt50. I think I would rather have the better black levels and shadow detail.

if you pick the samsung tablet with the bundle at best buy with the e7000 it has the peel remote which is actually pretty cool and you can control all your devices and the tv. You can control your dvr menus also. The tablet has an IR blaster built in so theres no delay like a wifi remote, it also found me some shows that I didn't know were on. I don't use it a lot but it's kind of cool.

I also get a pretty annoying buzz from the 60e7000. I can definitely hear it from my viewing distance. It's wierd though because my dad can't hear it. It's pretty annoying though.

You have 30 days (60 if you're RZ silver) to return the TV or price match it, including amazon. You can call them up and ask for a return exchange if you decided to switch it out for a samsung (although you shouldn't in my opinion) and they'll schedule the guys to go back out with the new one and take away the old one, and refund you back if its less expensive.

I keep all the good Panasonics in THX Bright Room mode playing Avatar at my store, with the lights above the TV it needs to be in that mode to look good. But for the most part, any of the TVs that aren't in Magnolia have to be in Dynamic or Vivid because of the intense lights, so the pictures on them looks like crap.

A word of advice, once you get to Silver Status for Reward Zone (Spend $2500 in one year), go back in the store and set up your free calibration. Most people don't realize you get one free after you get to RZ Silver, and it improves the picture tremendously.

Ya I just exchanged my 60e7000 for the 55" vt50. They delivered the Samsung free and are also coming to get it when they bring the vt on Monday which I think is great because I just did the exchange just now. Shopping at Best buy is a great experience and is worth the extra money. I also was able to get them to price match Amazon for the vt50 which gave me another $100 off. the Samsungs are the same price everywhere so price matching doesn't help with them. They didn't even ask a single question about why I wanted to swap.

Samsung and Sony TVs (the good ones anyway) are all UMRP (unilateral pricing) and cannot be marked down anywhere. So Best Buy has them for the same price as amazon, etc.

ya thats why I was saying price matching doesn't matter with samsung this year.

Well my E7000 was delivered yesterday & all I can say is wow! Haven't calibrated it yet but out of the box it's amazing... Only issue I'm having is my wife suggested bringing it back & getting the 64"!

Hello,
I have had a TC-P60GT50 for around a month now and have not even had a trace of IR let alone burn in.. I have actually had 2 of them due to BB stripping two screws on the pedestal of the first 60GT50. (1st one July, 2012, 2nd April 2012 Build Date) While I simply asked for two screws, it went from a new Pedestal being brought over to bringing out a whole new TV. As I had gone through 150 hours, I really did not want to go through break in again. As for the break in, all it really consisted of was keeping it to 1.78:1 source material and not using torch modes. In truth, upon finding out I was getting a replacement 60GT50, I did try video games, 3D Movies et al and did not even have a trace of IR.

Comparative to the number who have purchased a VT/GT/ST/UT Series, I think my experience is quite normal. Like with most things . those who have experienced IR have certainly been more outspoken. However, it seems a number of those affected were using vivid and or had the brightness and contrast cranked during the first couple hundred hours. In truth, I specifically purchased the TV from Best Buy to purchase their PSP as it is one of the very few that does cover burn in. I am now seriously considering getting my money back on the PSP as I honestly do not think IR/burn in is going to be an issue.

It really is a shame as these 2012 Panasonic Plasmas are truly special. I still do not understand how or why the 60GT50 ended up with IR or Burn in while the 55VT50 ended up clearing up in regards to the Cnet Article as they have the identical panel. In addition, after reading almost all of the VT/GT/ST Owners Threads, the numbers are relatively small of those who have experienced IR or Burn In.

It is great that the 2012 Samsungs seemed to have had hardly either, but I do think the 2012 Panasonic issue has been somewhat blown out of proportion. Also, I got ridiculously lucky and ended up paying $1750 for my TC-P60GT50 as there was a free Panasonic 3D BDP Promotion at the time of purchase. Due to the Night Manager inexplicably changing the price from $1899 to $1750 and charging $149.99 for the BDP whereas the price should have remained $1899 and the BDP would have zeroed out. Regardless, due to this, I was able to return the BDP and put the $160 (after taxes) towards the 4 year PSP. Even better, the PSP went down to $329 from $499, It is only because of this that I might keep the PSP.
Cheers,
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