$2000 budget, need a 54''-58'' plasma, HELP!

welcome to avs forum and plasma comes in a 50" or 58" or 60" and another thing to consider is your distance in which you will see your tv as this is the big factor as to what route to go, screen size or Picture Quality.


in order Pioneer elite > pioneer > panasonic > samsung. in terms of picture quality.


you need to make sure of 2 things.


1) what you want most Picture Quality or screen size


2) exact cash you want/ or can spend



Quote:
Originally Posted by gokart508 /forum/post/16869549


I did a little research, i have been looking at the PN58B550 and the TH-58PZ800U, any thoughts?

Click to expand...

I and several others have the PN58B540 (Sams and Costco) and have been blown away by the PQ. If you are a member at either you can purchase knowing that a return would be simple if you are unhappy, (I'm extremely happy with mine). I started looking at a 46" Sony Z series LCD and ended up with a 58" monster that has excellent PQ for very little more.


Good luck


Edit: I think but I'm not sure that Costco carries the 800 series as well.



Quote:
Originally Posted by gokart508 /forum/post/16869549


I did a little research, i have been looking at the PN58B550 and the TH-58PZ800U, any thoughts?

Click to expand...

You'll be happy with either of these, frankly. PQ is very close between the Panasonics and the latest Samsungs. Most of the reviews rate the 2009 Panny's and Sammy's equally overall (giving each the nod in certain categories which each fan club likes to quote as if its the final word, ignoring the reviews overall conclusions). Those that tell you as if a matter of accepted fact that one is above the other are just reflecting their personal biases. So between these I would judge it based on your prioritizes other than PQ. Everyone's prioritizes are different so this will be your call. For example:


-- Some prefer Panasonic's history of reliability. There are a couple known bugs (see the various posts here regarding buzz or the Cinema Smooth feature) affecting a minority of the Samsung units (though if you believe some Panny fans, its affecting virtually all of them). If you otherwise love the Samsung and are worried about these, just get from a place with a good return policy. The strong likelihood is you won't need it. If you are otherwise neutral on the two sets and this is a concern for you, go for the Panasonic.


-- Some prefer the design of one set over another, or its features like the swivel stand which are not available on the large Panasonics but is standard on all size and model Samsungs.


-- The 800U has a THX picture setting mode. Some love it, some hate it. The Samsung is almost universally well regarded for its great color out of the box. Neither of the two models you are listing will include a good 1080p/24fps playback option - both will work fine playing content back at 60Hz using 3:2 pull-down. The 800U has a highly flawed 24fps option that is effectively useless and the Samsung's Cinema Smooth feature starts with the 560 model and above (BTW, if you shop around you can get the 560 or 650 in a 58 version in your price range; similarly, you might find the Panny 850U for near your price range too).


-- Which aspect of PQ is more important to you personally. As a general rule, the Samsung will produce better color and the Panasonic deeper blacks (which help the perception of contrast). Many people fall in love with the color of the Samsungs and others are very focused on the picture they can achieve with the Panasonic black level after calibration. Again, overall both are pretty darn close overall.


Good luck. You're deciding between good and good so I wouldn't stress too much about it and go with your gut.