[loki993]

Ok so my "old" sony sxrd finally blew its second bulb. Also it was starting to show a bit of green tint on the right side of the screen, it wasnt terrible noticeable but Im afraid that with a brand new bright bulb its going to be a lot worse. So here I am its probably time for a new TV. I want an OLED but they're far too expensive right now and plasma is the second best thing. Problem is picking seem to be slim and I may have held off too long.

What is out there that I should be looking for? I think I prefer the sammys to the LGs, but that's strictly from reading here. There is a sammy f5300 at a best buy near me and it looks decent enough, though that screen seems a bit dim. Im sure though that's because all the TVs there have the brightness cranked to max though...I know not to judge a TV by how it looks in a store.

Another one would be the f8500 but I dont think there are any around here left.

Any other Plasmas that a place may still have in stock that I should be looking for?

 

[fierce_gt]

you've pretty much mentioned them all.

samsung will have the f5300, h5000, or f8500
LG still might have a couple on the shelves, but i've been far less impressed with them.

imo, the f8500 is the only long term worthy purchase. the others are cheap enough though, that if you only plan to use them for 2-3yrs until oled [hopefully] becomes affordable, it still makes sense.

i hate to say it, but you have definitely waited too long. 2013 was the best year for buying a plasma. there was at least one great model at every price range. nothing new(really) has come out since

 

[loki993]

Yes it would be a placeholder until I can get a OLED that I feel is reasonably priced. Then it goes in the office or bedroom. Id love an 8500 but I don't think Ill be able to find one.

Problem is I went to best buy to look at the TV again and the picture on it really does look horrible...now I know your not supposed to judge a picture by how it looks in the store, but really. There were white backgrounds and they looked grey, they colors were all off the picture wasn't sharp at all. Is this because the things been running constantly on the wall at best buy or what? Seriously every LCD in the store looked better than it and I know thats not supposed to be true.

 

[turnne1]

Ok so my "old" sony sxrd finally blew its second bulb. Also it was starting to show a bit of green tint on the right side of the screen, it wasnt terrible noticeable but Im afraid that with a brand new bright bulb its going to be a lot worse. So here I am its probably time for a new TV. I want an OLED but they're far too expensive right now and plasma is the second best thing. Problem is picking seem to be slim and I may have held off too long.

What is out there that I should be looking for? I think I prefer the sammys to the LGs, but that's strictly from reading here. There is a sammy f5300 at a best buy near me and it looks decent enough, though that screen seems a bit dim. Im sure though that's because all the TVs there have the brightness cranked to max though...I know not to judge a TV by how it looks in a store.

Another one would be the f8500 but I dont think there are any around here left.

Any other Plasmas that a place may still have in stock that I should be looking for?

Samsung 64H5000 is the prime pick


Warren

 

[katzman]

Samsung 64H5000 is the prime pick


Warren

Go to the store and ask for a remote for that TV. When you get it, play around with ALL the settings, modes. Start with mode: Skip Dynamic, Vivid or anything like that. Make sure all the "features" are off, some have a room light feature that dims the picture if the room is bright, OFF! In each mode adjust the contrast from lowest to highest and look for a change in white level, if you don't see any, it could be the set. Same with color control. Turn the color all the way down so the picture is black and white. If there's still color to the picture, again, could be the set. If the salesman tells you he doesn't have a remote, ask for his manager or tell him to "shove the set" because he obviously doesn't care if he makes a sale or not!

 

[loki993]

Samsung 64H5000 is the prime pick


Warren

Interesting. I haven't seen any of those so the issue with that may be finding one. The 5300 at BB near me is 679 and its NIB.

edit...well is the Samsung site is to be believed there are 5 walmarts near me that they clain to have H5000s in stock.

Go to the store and ask for a remote for that TV. When you get it, play around with ALL the settings, modes. Start with mode: Skip Dynamic, Vivid or anything like that. Make sure all the "features" are off, some have a room light feature that dims the picture if the room is bright, OFF! In each mode adjust the contrast from lowest to highest and look for a change in white level, if you don't see any, it could be the set. Same with color control. Turn the color all the way down so the picture is black and white. If there's still color to the picture, again, could be the set. If the salesman tells you he doesn't have a remote, ask for his manager or tell him to "shove the set" because he obviously doesn't care if he makes a sale or not!

Ill have to check...

 

[Lils Roro]

Frys claims to have the 64H5000 in stock at certain store locations and no longer sell it online. Price = $2,100 unless you can find a display model. I'd get the f5300B from BB. At that price, the alternative is the 60" smart LG for around $1,000 which can still be found online (I forget the model number).

 

[loki993]

Yeah I dont have a Frys anywhere near me and a quick look around the net has the h5000s for a lot less but still like 1200 almost, what 40 percent more than the 5300. That may be tough to justify unless the picture is a lot better which I have my doubts about. At that point it may be better trying to seek out an f8500 and pay up for that, but I fear those are long gone. Ill check a few of those wal marts but Im sure its gotta be either some inventory error or their floor models.

 

[HLdan]

Samsung 64H5000 is the prime pick


Warren

True, but it's getting pretty scarce and some retailers only have a floor samples.

 

[fierce_gt]

Yes it would be a placeholder until I can get a OLED that I feel is reasonably priced. Then it goes in the office or bedroom. Id love an 8500 but I don't think Ill be able to find one.

Problem is I went to best buy to look at the TV again and the picture on it really does look horrible...now I know your not supposed to judge a picture by how it looks in the store, but really. There were white backgrounds and they looked grey, they colors were all off the picture wasn't sharp at all. Is this because the things been running constantly on the wall at best buy or what? Seriously every LCD in the store looked better than it and I know thats not supposed to be true.

buy from a place that has no-hassle returns. the last time I bought an lcd, I returned 4 of them because they all looked terrible at home, even thought they looked good at the store.


I think it's unlikely you'll be disappointed with the h5000 or f5300 at home, but at the same time, I thought the f5300(never seen the h5000 here) looked just fine in the store. Although, I've kind of 'adjusted' my opinion of how TV's should look at the store. I've far more critical of black levels than I am whites. at home, I've literally NEVER seen a tv look 'dim'. to me, it's like making sure the car I'm buying can go 60. it's just a waste of time, because they ALL can. so, in case your needs are different, it's nice to have that easy return if needed. you really do need to judge with your eyes in your home.

 

[Terry102]

If you can control the lighting, id go with the 60f5300B. Its pointed out that its the same TS02 panel that's found in the 5000 series. Both the 5000 and 5300 dont have an anti glare filter. Though, the lack of an anti glare filter also makes the image pop more, but is only best viewed in a light controlled room.

The 60f5300 has enough contrast to be bright enough in a fairly lit room.

I saw the 51f5300 over a year ago at BB, and it looked like garbage to me. Now that I just picked up the 60 version, which has the better TS02 panel, the picture is beautiful at home. Even before doing any real calibration.

There is cons to the pentile panel, but as long as your viewing distance is 6+ feet, its not an issue for most. There's also a bonus, which is very nice black levels.

At 679.99, its possibly the best value for size and PQ. The 51(not pentile) can be found on ebay and their website, through BuyDig but its now gone up to 700.

 

[davela72]

First post here but I wanted to throw thhis out there. If you're looking for the Samsung, check out your local Sears. I was at one recently and they still had one of the 51" 5300s for $549, pretty much on clearance. They also had an open box 60" but I don't remember the price off hand. The last time I looked online at the Sears site, the 51" isn't even listed on there any longer.

The store associate gave me a strange look when I was inquiring about the plasmas. He said hardly anyone even pays attention to those in the store.

'

 

[turnne1]

Frys claims to have the 64H5000 in stock at certain store locations and no longer sell it online. Price = $2,100 unless you can find a display model. I'd get the f5300B from BB. At that price, the alternative is the 60" smart LG for around $1,000 which can still be found online (I forget the model number).

Fry's in store price is half of the online price for the H5000


I bought the 60" smart 6650(?) for my mother and step father a couple of months ago for $599( delivered) from PC Richard




Warren

 

[turnne1]

I saw the 51f5300 over a year ago at BB, and it looked like garbage to me. Now that I just picked up the 60 version, which has the better TS02 panel, the picture is beautiful at home. Even before doing any real calibration.

.

interesting that you say that...as I heard the exact opposite...that the 51" was really the gem of the series....I assume due to the non pentile array allowing to display a true 1080P


Warren

 

[turnne1]

True, but it's getting pretty scarce and some retailers only have a floor samples.

Check Frys( in store)


I frankly would not be afraid of buying a floor sample for the right price...assuming its condition was good




Warren

 

[loki993]

Check Frys( in store)


I frankly would not be afraid of buying a floor sample for the right price...assuming its condition was good




Warren

Really? Id think a floor sample plasma that's been running 24/7 for who knows how long would be a bad idea. There is a place here, pauls tv, that does still have some f8500s, but the people there that Ive talked to say they all have screen burn. I havent seen one myself..I may look but it definitely seems like a risky proposition.

As for the other ones no joy on the H5000s..no one has them around here. So it looks like its the f5300 or nothing.

Another question..is the f5300 picture going to be any better than say a higher end LCD? If I was for the new models to come out in a few weeks I can get a good deal on some LCDs. Its definitely going to be more money that the F5300 though...how much more though is the question.

 

[Necromncr]

Really? Id think a floor sample plasma that's been running 24/7 for who knows how long would be a bad idea. There is a place here, pauls tv, that does still have some f8500s, but the people there that Ive talked to say they all have screen burn. I havent seen one myself..I may look but it definitely seems like a risky proposition.

You can easily check if the TV has a burn-in if you put color slides on a USB stick and ask the seller to display them.

I was also trying to buy a floor plasma and all but one had a logo burn-ins. One even had a menu-burn in and a slightly chipped glass. Fourth one was perfect and I am very happy with it.

So if you decide to go for the floor model be careful, and inspect the TV both for burn-ins and physical damage.

 

[Necromncr]

Yes it would be a placeholder until I can get a OLED that I feel is reasonably priced. Then it goes in the office or bedroom. Id love an 8500 but I don't think Ill be able to find one.

Problem is I went to best buy to look at the TV again and the picture on it really does look horrible...now I know your not supposed to judge a picture by how it looks in the store, but really. There were white backgrounds and they looked grey, they colors were all off the picture wasn't sharp at all. Is this because the things been running constantly on the wall at best buy or what? Seriously every LCD in the store looked better than it and I know thats not supposed to be true.

Unsharp image and off colors does not sound normal (when you say off do you mean inaccurate? washed out?), but it could be due to difference in image settings.

As far as your complaint about white background looking a bit dim on a plasma compared to an LCD - that is expected. Comparing an image consisting of mostly white background under bright store lightning is the best possible scenario for an LCD, and the worst possible one for a plasma.

The difference could be seemingly drastic indeed, especially if the mode is set to "Cinema" or similar on a plasma. The "Dynamic" mode on plasmas is there precisely for this reason. In big box store setups, with bright lightning, people are usually automatically attracted to the bright displays. Plasma manufacturers created the torch dynamic mode so that the plasmas could compete in sheer brightness.

In an average home, though, and especially in a dim or dark room, it's usually necessary to tone the TV (both LCD and Plasma) WAY down so that it does not appear fatiguing and cause eye strain.

 

[DTRLPF]

It is really sad all the good plasma's are going away. Never seen a better picture than what I had with my Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U that is about 7 years old now and still running great.

 

[Lils Roro]

It is really sad all the good plasma's are going away. Never seen a better picture than what I had with my Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U that is about 7 years old now and still running great.

Yes. The best TV I have for picture is a 5 year old LG 50PJ350 720p plasma. When playing 1080i, it will put LCD's to shame. It is the reason I recently got a 60" F5300 from BB, which so far I've been very happy with.