In the market for a 50" 1080p Plasma

[Aisengard]

Normally I would just go with Panasonic, but with the news of them not even trying to fix their rising black levels problem, I think I'm going to steer away from them.

I don't need a great TV (looking to spend around $1000), I'm not a videophile, but I don't want my plasma to look like an LCD after a year, which from what I hear is what will happen to a 2008-2010 Panasonic model.

Any recommendations outside the Panasonic brand?

 

[JAG87]

Samsung? I mean what else is there in plasmas...

 

[Pacfanweb]

There's Pioneer at the top, then there's Samsung and Panasonic. Nobody else is close.

So if you don't want to spend the big bucks for a Pioneer, and you have eliminated Panasonic, that leaves Samsung, which is an excellent choice, IMO....that's the one I'd get if I were going to buy one right now.

 

[Aisengard]

Oh, I knew that much, I was more talking about which series to get...a 2009 series, or if those models have flaws and a 2010 series is significantly better, if a low-end Samsung is complete junk and not worth it, etc.

 

[EightySix Four]

I love my 58B550, but it does have buzz. It is only when you sit directly in front, and no one in my apt does, but I notice it every once and awhile.

 

[simonizor]

Panasonic VIERA 50" 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV
I have the 46" version of this TV and I love it. I have no problems with black levels. IIRC, it was a problem that was specific to a model number.

 

[balloonshark]

If it's available close to you the 1080p S1 46" is $700 at Sears http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...onic+plasma+tv

Credit goes to SD for the info.

 

[smitbret]

I've had the Samsung PN50B550 for about three months now. The longer I have it, the more impressed I become. I bought mine for $899. You could probably find some closeouts for less than that lying around. Plus, you can hack into the tv's firmware and upgrade it for free with a couple of button presses.

 

[Childs]

I have had my 50" G15 for around a year and haven't had any problems with it at all. When I bought it it was $1200, so I'm sure its cheaper now.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Oh, I knew that much, I was more talking about which series to get...a 2009 series, or if those models have flaws and a 2010 series is significantly better, if a low-end Samsung is complete junk and not worth it, etc.

There really isn't a "lower end" with Samsungs. They might have 4-5 different models of a 1080P Plasma this year, but the only difference between them is minor stuff, like number of HDMI ports, if it has USB, etc......as far as the display itself, they are all the same, the picture will be the same on all of them.

So unless you need some of those bells and whistles, I'd get the "lowest-end" Samsung.

 

[Narmer]

Stay away from Samsung. They have a buzz and use cheap component that can have you spending time and money for replacement parts after the warranty expires. I would recommend Panasonic.

 

[smitbret]

Stay away from Samsung. They have a buzz and use cheap component that can have you spending time and money for replacement parts after the warranty expires. I would recommend Panasonic.

....and Panasonics lose their black levels in a matter of months. Oh yeah, and if you stand behind or beneath the Panasonics they buzz, too. It's a rare plasma that doesn't buzz. The buzz from my plasma (or the other five plasmas I've looked at in the last few months) is never audible if you have the volume turned past 7 (1-50). The whole Sammy buzz thing was way overblown. A handful of people had excessively loud tvs and mentioned it on some message boards or chat rooms. Everyone read it and went scrambling and noticed, "Hey, mine buzzes, too," even though it was never loud enough to be noticed previously. Next thing you know...... MASS HYSTERIA!!!!!! If the buzz is bad enough, just take it back and get a new one.

 

[simonizor]

....and Panasonics lose their black levels in a matter of months. Oh yeah, and if you stand behind or beneath the Panasonics they buzz, too. It's a rare plasma that doesn't buzz. The buzz from my plasma (or the other five plasmas I've looked at in the last few months) is never audible if you have the volume turned past 7 (1-50). The whole Sammy buzz thing was way overblown. A handful of people had excessively loud tvs and mentioned it on some message boards or chat rooms. Everyone read it and went scrambling and noticed, "Hey, mine buzzes, too," even though it was never loud enough to be noticed previously. Next thing you know...... MASS HYSTERIA!!!!!! If the buzz is bad enough, just take it back and get a new one.

Have you had any experience with a Panasonic plasma? I've had mine for over a year and I have absolutely no problem with my black levels. As I said in my previous post, the problem was limited to the a specific model (the G10 or the V10, the one that I liked is neither of those). I have a 46PZ85U and I absolutely love it.

 

[smitbret]

Have you had any experience with a Panasonic plasma? I've had mine for over a year and I have absolutely no problem with my black levels. As I said in my previous post, the problem was limited to the a specific model (the G10 or the V10, the one that I liked is neither of those). I have a 46PZ85U and I absolutely love it.

I was just mocking Narmer's broad, sweeping generalization about the Samsung buzz. Panasonic makes a good tv. My point was that you probably won't go wrong either way.

 

[Riverhound777]

My Pioneer KRP-500 has a buzz too, but you can only hear it when the sound is muted. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[IcePickFreak]

Have had my PN50A550 Samsung 1080P plasma for over 2 years now. Gets heavily used and still looks amazing. I've heard of buzzing issues, but my experiences with it are only if I mute it and try listening for it. It hasn't crossed my mind since probably a few months after I got the set and despite being a bit paranoid about it never became an issue so I've all but forgot about it by now.

 

[tw1164]

Check out the new LG plasma PK550 Series, Sears had a 50" for <1k.

 

[gophins72]

just got this one:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+...&amp;skuId=9789343

at 0% finance for 2 years, made it a no brainer for me

edit: fixed broken link