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I'm joining the plasma world...

1231 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by trikturner, Jan 25, 2008

NightToDay

Discussion Starter · Jan 25, 2008

and need some final bit of advice between basically 3 50 inch sets I'm looking at. Right now I'm considering the Panasonic TH-50PX77U, the Samsung HP-T5064, and the Pioneer Kuro 5080.

I'm not too worried about 1080p because I personally don't see the $1000 extra difference for a 50 inch. I know the panasonic doesn't have a port for the computer, which would be nice, but isn't a big deal. I'll be mainly using this for movies (dvd and bluray) and also for the xbox360/PS3.

I guess basically I'm asking is the pioneer really worth the extra ~$700 difference? I know its a gorgeous screen, but is it that much of a bigger difference than say the panasonic? And any recomendations between the three?

This is kinda long but hopefully you get the idea. Just looking for some last bit of help and I'd really appreciate it. Thanks

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1 - 14 of 14 Posts

smoke89screen

· #2 · Jan 25, 2008

I just chose the 5080 over the Samsung 5084 last week. I think I would have been happy with either set, but the 5080 just "did it" for me. I actually got it cheaper than the Samsung because of the sale last week. I was going to buy it last week anyway the sale just saved me some cash. I wouldn't have a regret about buying it at the normal price.

The best thing you can do is go to the store and check them all out with your own eyes. If you know all their features and options meet your needs; trust your eyes....

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trikturner

· #3 · Jan 25, 2008

I am a lurker and am about to pull the trigger as well... was at BB today and the 5080 was IMHO the best of the lot (even vs TH50PX77U) . If you are considering paying the premium for the Kuro, for that price you could possible get a 50" 1080p Panasonic. At BB I asked if they could give me last weeks deal on the 5080... well they couldnt match but did knock off a chunk of change that puts it in same price range as costco's panny 50" 1080p. What to do?

At BB 5080 was best set on the wall but no 50" 1080p Panny on the wall to compare PQ. Could not really appreciate the 50"Panny at costco given lighting and crappy signal. My quetsion is: would you go for 1080p panasonic (to get into 1080p now rather than later) given it is same price as 768p pioneer?

Sorry for piggybacking on the post but did not want to create another Panny vs. Pio thread.

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BOSTON-HD

· #4 · Jan 25, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by trikturner /forum/post/12925576

I am a lurker and am about to pull the trigger as well... was at BB today and the 5080 was IMHO the best of the lot (even vs TH50PX77U) . If you are considering paying the premium for the Kuro, for that price you could possible get a 50" 1080p Panasonic. At BB I asked if they could give me last weeks deal on the 5080... well they couldnt match but did knock off a chunk of change that puts it in same price range as costco's panny 50" 1080p. What to do?

At BB 5080 was best set on the wall but no 50" 1080p Panny on the wall to compare PQ. Could not really appreciate the 50"Panny at costco given lighting and crappy signal. My quetsion is: would you go for 1080p panasonic (to get into 1080p now rather than later) given it is same price as 768p pioneer?

Sorry for piggybacking on the post but did not want to create another Panny vs. Pio thread.

The nice thing about buying the Pioneer 50" or any HDTV for that matter is that BB will give you 90 days for a price match. I bought mine like 45 days ago & last week they credited my BB account $273.00 because of the $1999.99 from last weeks sale.

Do you know it's going back down to $1999.99 again? No, but I'm sure it will to move the old stock out.

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discopaul

· #5 · Jan 25, 2008

The 5064 is an excellent television. You'll love the natural look and details.

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trikturner

· #6 · Jan 25, 2008

Is the 5064 a Samsung??? I actually was quite impressed by the Samsung used for the bluray stand at BB... from 3 feet away it looked like you were peering through a window. In any case I have narrowed it down to a Panny or Pioneer.

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creemail

· #7 · Jan 25, 2008

I like the Pioneer 5080HD as the main choice. You should be happy with either of those models.

Chris

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discopaul

· #8 · Jan 25, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by trikturner /forum/post/12925820

Is the 5064 a Samsung??? I actually was quite impressed by the Samsung used for the bluray stand at BB... from 3 feet away it looked like you were peering through a window. In any case I have narrowed it down to a Panny or Pioneer.

Yes, the 5064 is a Samsung. Interesting to see that you describe the PQ on a Sammy the way I frequently do, that is that "looking out the window" effect. That's the kind of realism I want from my TV and that's what I'm getting.

That said, I hope your happy with either of the other 2.

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NightToDay

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 25, 2008

so it sounds like pretty much anything I pick is a winner at the moment. Just depends if my eyes decide the kuro is worth the extra cash.

Between the panasonic and the samsung, is there any real difference between the two tv's quality wise? Or am I basically going to get the same exact picture after I mess with the settings. I'm thinking that I might be looking a little too hard between the two since I'm not so sure I'll see much of a difference when looking at movies.

But anyways thanks for the advice, I'll have to stop in best buy/ Circuit city today to make another look, then prob buy tomorrow.

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audioexcels

· #10 · Jan 25, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by BOSTON-HD /forum/post/12925702

The nice thing about buying the Pioneer 50" or any HDTV for that matter is that BB will give you 90 days for a price match. I bought mine like 45 days ago & last week they credited my BB account $273.00 because of the $1999.99 from last weeks sale.

Do you know it's going back down to $1999.99 again? No, but I'm sure it will to move the old stock out.

I wouldn't be surprised to see it at $1500...it will be $2250 next week...and I believe BB has a 90 day pricematch guarantee...I think I will buy the set in a couple of months when the Panasonics are about set for release, and the Pioneers start getting overlooked and need to get cleared out at bargain prices...or I'll just wait until the 9G sets come out. I'm certain the Pio 5080 can be had for 1K-1.5K in the next 6 months...

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audioexcels

· #11 · Jan 25, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by NightToDay /forum/post/12926637

so it sounds like pretty much anything I pick is a winner at the moment. Just depends if my eyes decide the kuro is worth the extra cash.

Between the panasonic and the samsung, is there any real difference between the two tv's quality wise? Or am I basically going to get the same exact picture after I mess with the settings. I'm thinking that I might be looking a little too hard between the two since I'm not so sure I'll see much of a difference when looking at movies.

But anyways thanks for the advice, I'll have to stop in best buy/ Circuit city today to make another look, then prob buy tomorrow.

If you plan to get a set for a long time, get the Kuro and pricematch it when the price falls. If not, get a Samsung for its 2 year warranty OR Panasonic for its lack of issues vs. the Samsung's issues...

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audioexcels

· #12 · Jan 25, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by discopaul /forum/post/12925843

Yes, the 5064 is a Samsung. Interesting to see that you describe the PQ on a Sammy the way I frequently do, that is that "looking out the window" effect. That's the kind of realism I want from my TV and that's what I'm getting.

That said, I hope your happy with either of the other 2.

I get the same feeling...In spite I think the Pio is in a different league than the Samsung, one area of noteworthyness is that looking through the window effect...I just don't see this in any plasma as I do with the Samsung. I have only seen the 6010 and both Kuros.

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discopaul

· #13 · Jan 25, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by audioexcels /forum/post/12926694

I get the same feeling...In spite I think the Pio is in a different league than the Samsung, one area of noteworthyness is that looking through the window effect...I just don't see this in any plasma as I do with the Samsung. I have only seen the 6010 and both Kuros.

Well, isn't that the whole point!

You don't have to be some specialized expert because our senses have trained us for however long we've lived.

Here's an audio parallel of what I'm talking about. Most people can "intuitively" tell when they are listening to a HI-FI setup vs live musicians playing. The dynamics, transients, frequency range, etc add up to tell our brains what sounds live and what sounds like a hi-fi system. The goal however of a hi-fi system is to faithfully reproduce that live feeling.

There should be a parallel goal for video. To make the images as real as possible. The point of the technology is to get us there. Added technology for it's own sake ishould not be the point and is detrimental if it can't move closer to that ability.

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trikturner

· #14 · Jan 25, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by audioexcels /forum/post/12926678

I'm certain the Pio 5080 can be had for 1K-1.5K in the next 6 months...

That may be worth the wait... that way I can get my Pio 5080 and my PS3 for what I was about to spend yesterday at BB!!

What if you couldnt wait and needed to choose btw the panny 1080p and the pio Kuro 5080 which are about the same price... for the same money should I buy into the 1080p technology?

...understanding the argument (which I am not entirely convinced of) that it may be irrelevant given viewing distance (8-10ft). Just Panny 1080p tech vs 5080 768p tech for the same price.

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