Plasma Dilema - 50 at 1080p or 58 at 768

I'm finishing off my basement and setting up a theater room. I now have a dilema. This is my first post, so I won't put pricing in since I'm not sure it's allowed. I will give general ranges though.

The length of my room will be approx 18.5ft and the width is at 14ft (9ft ceilings). My best guestimate is that the viewing distance will be between 12 and 14ft centered to the room. A side couch will be closer, but I'm planning based on the primary seating position.

Here's my dilema. I have the opportunity to get a great price on last year's Panny 58PX60--let's say less than $2,400. However, I can also get a pretty good deal on the TH50PZ700U--let's say a shade over $2,500. Safe to say, I like the look of the new models better. While that is important to me, it is certainly less important than image quality. Even with good pricing, the TH58PZ700U is out of my range, so I can scrap that idea. I could get a TH50PX75U for a shade under $2,000.

Given the above, my concerns/questions are:

Based on my expected viewing distance, would I be better off with the larger 58" or the 50" that has 1080p. I know a lot of folks don't buy into the 1080p hype, and I've got my questions about it as well (assuming most normal viewing situations and smaller screen size). However, this would be a 58 and it sounds like when you get 50 and over this issue can come into play more. So, at 12 to 14 feet, any opinions on whether the 50" at 1080p would be better than the 58" at the lower resolution. I do know the contrast ratio of the new 1080p panny is lower than the 58" model I've quoted. I've read some post that argue that's more important than resolution anyway (all else being equal). I've got a 42" Toshiba - last years model - upstairs. When I sit within 6 ft. the pic gets grainy (current digital cable source - dvd is pretty good). Primary source will be HD cable, and DVD player. Though, if I got the 50 1080p, I was planning on buying the new OPPO upconvert DVD player--HD and BlueRay are still a bit out of my range. Speakers on the unit don't concern me--so if there's any difference in speaker performance on the display itself, that won't affect my decision.

I realize a lot of this boils down to personal choice. This will be used primarily for movie viewing - no gaming or pc use planned. Like everyone, I'd like the best image for my money. I don't want to oversize the display for the room though. 58 would be great, but not if it doesn't fit the room or if based on the viewing distance the 1080p would be better.

Thanks for any input any of you provide. I'm all ears. Love this forum. Been a long time reader and first time poster.

Thanks for the replies thus far. I kind of anticipated these response, but it always feels good for someone to support your initial conclusions. I went to BB to look at the 58 and it is impressive. They don't have the 1080's on display yet and even once they get them, the salesperson said they won't have 1080 signals hooked up to them until August--kind of weird if you ask me.

Certainly I like the bigger screen. As you say it will feel much bigger in the room. I'm just concerned with picture quality. Even though it's a heck of a price, it's still decent money. As I said, for me, the 58 1080p is just out of the question. It would be just north of $3,550, and I've got other stuff to buy - new a/v receiver, hdmi dvd player, wall speakers, etc.

The anti-glare on the new units is also not a feature I'm intersted in since my viewing room won't have any windows.

Any comments re: giving up contrast ratio as well by going with the 50" 1080p?

My biggest concern, again, is that I would get lured in to just the screen size. I don't want to look back and say, "Wow, I got this really big picture....and guess what....it looks like crap in this room."

Thanks again for the replies.

ahhhh "CR". Now I got it. Told you I was a newbie. I read a post somewhere where some institute judged relative factors most affecting picture quality. I think CR was #1 or #2 in terms of importance and native resolution was #4.

I too, however, would love to hear from someone who has actually looked at a couple of these from side to side for comparison purposes. Given how new the 1080p Panny's are, that may be a lot to ask for. I do recall viewing a cnet review that basically said the same thing--unless your within 6 feet and the screen is 50 or bigger, don't bother with the 1080p.

Again, that's my whole dilema. I am talking bigger than 50 with the 58, but I also won't be within 6ft. We can quote tech studies all day long too, but I'd like some real life impressions or experiences. Problem is....I've got to make the purchase decision fairly soon. I've got to say, I love technology and am glad that this is a dilema. 30 years ago the choices were few.

For what it's worth, cnet has a review on the new anti-glare coated pannys. I glanced through it a couple days ago and I beleive they said it works very well.

Thanks for the great replies. And I hear you about paying more last fall. I've had my 42 Toshiba for just over 1 year and the 58" Panny will be the same price. Kind of sucks to think you paid that much only a year ago, but the alternative is to wait forever and never have a nice set.

Seems like the consensus is to go with the Panny 58.

Thanks for the great replies. And I hear you about paying more last fall. I've had my 42 Toshiba for just over 1 year and the 58" Panny will be the same price. Kind of sucks to think you paid that much only a year ago, but the alternative is to wait forever and never have a nice set.

Seems like the consensus is to go with the Panny 58.

Thanks for the replies.

I realize the 58" 1080p's are coming out, but they are expensive compared to what I can pick this one up for. Is it ok to post prices in this forum? If money were no issue, I would almost certainly get the 58" 1080p.

I have an opportunity through a dealer friend of mine to basically pick one of these up at his cost. He's folding his business into another and I won't have the opportunity to snag either at his cost once he does.

With that said, the TH50PZ700U 1080p would still cost me just over $3,600. I can get the TH58PX60U for almost $2,300 on the dot. The TH50PZ700U would run me just under $2,600.

Now, if the difference in price between the 58" 1080p and the 58PX60U were only $300, I'd spend the extra dough. The difference, however, is $1,300. For some additional info, I also have a wife who is pretty understanding about purchases, but she'd be tough to sell on the 1080p....especially if there's no real benefit to us having it.

For me, the silver on the 58PX60U, while not the most appealing to the eye, is doable. I don't mind it that much. Certainly not for $1,300. However, if you were to tell me that my viewing experience would be greatly enhanced with either the 50" 1080p or especially the 58" 1080p, that's a different story. If that were the case, then I would probably purchase the 50" 1080p for an additional $300. But then again, giving up another 8" diagonal would probably mitigate the benefit of having the 1080p on the 50" in the first place. You see my dilema?

I saw an article on cnet.com that talked about this issue. They really only compare the 50" sets though. They basically agreed with the Imaging Science Foundation that said the most important factors for picture quality are these (in order of importance):

1. Contrast Ratio
2. Color Saturation
3. Color Accuracy
4. Resolution

This somewhat adds to the dilema, but in some ways makes it easier....I guess. The TH58PX600U has a contrast ration of 10,000:1. The new 1080p is 5,000:1. According to the ISF, that's the most important aspect of picture quality. Seems like going from 10,000 to 5,000 is a big deal, but what do I know?

Wow...erdmanbd...that is a good deal. They have any left?

Thanks again to all who are following up on this topic. I appreciate it.

Dealeo,

Why the deleted post? Just curious.

erdmanbd...Did you get that for under $2,100 with sales tax included? If so, that is a steal and I'd love to know where you bought it. Thanks.