Want to buy a plasma 50", which one?

[headachebr]

Hi guys, I am new to this forum and I found a lot of interesting stuff here!
I am glad this exists! :bow:

Well, I am thinking of buying my first plasma TV at the moment.
I have been looking at the Viera TH-50PZ85U 50" 1080p. :pop222:
It's currently $1740 with free shipping.

I was wondering if that is a good buy or not...
Or do you guys have any suggestions of what I should buy instead?

:thankyou3

[Wolfpacker96]

Well, I've been looking at those and CNET likes them some.

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-viera-th-50pz85u/4505-6482_7-32887120.html?tag=prod.txt.1

Sears has it for $1999 which is the cheapest large store I've seen it at.

They also have a sweet more expensive one, "850", but it's out of my budget.

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-viera-th-50pz850u/4505-6482_7-32896587.html?tag=prod.txt.1
Good luck!

Just be careful where you buy it. Alot of these places have a hefty restocking fee. I've seen 25%! :wow: So just be careful. Where did you find this price? It looks really good.

[headachebr]

I found it at butterflyphoto.com

I've bought a Sony HDR-SR11 with them and they were very helpful over the phone. Even gave me 50% discount on a camera case, which wasn't on the website. ;D

So you are saying that this TV that I wanna buy is the best one available for the price?

Edit: omagad! They lowered the price even more! :rofl2:
http://www.butterflyphoto.com/product.html?postId=1103314&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Panasonic-_-Plasma+TV-_-PANTH50PZ85U&zmam=8564958&zmas=1&zmac=120&zmap=PANTH50PZ85U

[Wolfpacker96]

Well the Panny's have the best reliablity rating on Consumer Reports (2% reporting problems). You can see the review for the 46" model of that TV on CNET

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-plasma-hdtvs/

and you can see that like it fairly well. I'd say you can't go wrong with that set.

[Wolfpacker96]

They also have a $200 rebate for the installation. If the "white glove" delivery is what that pertains to, might as well get that too!

[skylolow]

Panasonic have always been near or at the top for Plasma's in most reviews. The other top plasma's are by Pioneer (pricey though). I say go for it.

[ohheck]

I've had my 50" Pioneer Elite Kuro for about 6 months now and absolutely love it. I paid $2100 for it in February. That said, the Panasonic plasmas are very good and they are now producing the panels for Pioneer. :grandpa9:

[headachebr]

Okay... My father just called me saying that there is this Vizio VP504 at Costco for $1,399.99

I looked at the specs and it looks kind of like the Viera, but I couldn't find any reviews.

What do you guys think? :D

[skylolow]

Vizio isn't bad. They actually make an excellent TV for the money. But it isn't going to be as sharp as the Panasonic or Pioneer for picture quality. Both are at the top of the food change by far for black levels on plasmas. Chances are also the Panasonic and Pioneer (depending on models) will have more inputs and adjustments over the Vizio.

[Wolfpacker96]

A google search brought up this site:

http://www.productwiki.com/vizio-vp504/

I'm sure there are other sites as well. I just bought a set myself and got a 720p plasma. I compared a 1080p playing a blu-ray right next to a 720p set playing blu-ray, and I couldn't tell a difference in the picture from right next to the TV. Especially not enough of a difference to pay the $400 difference in price. But hey, that's just me.

[Rick-F]

It might be worthwhile to read the review of the new (2008) Samsung Plasma

[afma142]

I saw the cnet review.. I wouldn't base it all off their opinion though...

[CCM]

I'm waiting to see what the Vizio 505XVT will look like. It was supposed to be out in August, but I believe it has been delayed. Has anyone heard any buzz on the XVT?

[Rick-F]

You might want to at least look at a Samsung plasma. Check the review of the PN50A550 here:

http://displaycalibrationonline.com/

I own a Panasonic 50" plasma and a new Samsung plasma-- I never thought I'd say this, but the Samsung has a better picture than the Panny. But the Panny is 4 years old and has never had a problem, not one; I can only hope the Samsung does as well-- but it sure has a great picture.

[Electronicss]

I would suggest doing some research on Panasonic and Sony. I have found positive reviews and good deals on both brands.