Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Help me choose a plasma tv?

Does anyone here have either a Panasonic TH-50PX60U or a Samsung HP S5053 plasma TV? Both are 50 inch plasma's selling for about $1800. Does anyone have any experience with either of these, or can you direct me to any professional reviews of either? Thanks.

Bob, take a look at the December issue of Consumer Reports in the library. They ranked the 50PX60U a little higher than the S5053.

These guys seemed to like the TV quite a bit. Not sure how reputable "Plasma TV Buying Guide" is, though.

I own the 58 inch version (TH-58PX60U), and I couldn't be happier. Great picture, and alot better value than the Pioneer Elite Plasmas.

I have the samsung and i love the way it looks but if you do someresearch on it you might hear about some reviews about the tv buzzing. I have had mine for 60 days and it was fine the first 30. Now it has a slight electronic hum after i have it on for more then 2 hours. If the brightness and contrast is above 50% it gets really loud. I am thinking about haveing someone come out and look at it.

I just recently purchased a 42 Sharp Aquos. I'm really happy with it. I was originally looking at the pioneer 5070 but in the end decided on the Sharp LCD only because I also use my tv as a monitor for my HPTC. I'm really happy about with the Sharp though. Awsome pic!

We've had both a Sony and now a Panasonic ... no question the Panny is the better of the two *but* keep in mind the Sony was first generation.

We're very impressed with the Panny.

I just picked up a Sharp Aquos 37 inch LCD. I am really impressed with the pic quaity. I can't wait till I can get the Oppo player I have been wanting.

Congratulations Rick on your TV! That's exactly the model I wanted, now if I had the money for the 52" 1080p Aquas!

Just go ahead and buy the Oppo, 981, it is not too much anyway, and it is worth it. I got my 970 two days ago and it rocks, imagine the 981 in a 1080p display. I played Procupine Tree "Absentia" and Metallica's "Black Album" this evening in DVD-A - great!

Hitachi 55"

After researching TV's for over 2 years and finally getting the 61" LCOS I wanted last year, I would say the majority of reviews and opinions I have read say the best Plasma displays are Pioneer and Panasonic. The Panny gets you more bang for the buck, while the Pioneer you pay for that nice black piano finish.

Then from what I have seen I would say the new Hitachi plasmas are close behind those 2 and the Samsung and LG come next. I know several people with the Panny plasmas and they look great.

Buy the panasonic and you will not regret it.

Yup, I totally agree. Panny or Pioneer, funny thing with the older Pioneers is that the tuner was in a separte box for remote mounting. Are they still doing this? Haven't had much time to look lately.

I actually just bought the pannasonic px5060u? Don't remember the exact model number. I researched for a few months and when it went on sale at best uy for $1899, I picked it up. After getting it home, I followed the guide at the avsforum's for setting the display.

I`m using an oppo 981 and the movies look amazing. The xbox 360 looks a lot sharper than my old tv, and the HD channels broadcasted over the air are picture perfect.

The only problem is the built in tuner is not the greatest and it's hard to get in channels and the regular channels are not the greatest. Which is fine by me since I only really watch sports on TV and those come in HD.

Bob,

I have researched plasma TVs to death. Where the research always takes me is Panasonic or Pioneer. Best PQ, color, blacks and dependability. With either, you don't make a mistake.

When we moved to this house 6/04, I put a commercial (more later) 42" Panny above the fireplace. Wonderful.

I finished my basement and wanted a 58" Panny or 60" Pioneer. Settled on the Panny 58600U (has PC connectability). I was disappointed to have to get the consumer model (no commercial available in this size), but the thing is fabulous. Here are a couple of pics:





Anyhow, with the consumer model, you get a stand, a tuner and speakers (and you pay for all of that). With the commercial model, you don't get any of those things, but you need to buy a stand or wall mount. Panny's commercial (same excellent electronics & PQ as the consumer) models also have a black bezel, which has a cleaner look.

I would give you a big nudge to look at the TH-50PH9UK Visual Apex ($1713 and includes a 5 yr. warranty), Newegg (1799, but shipping is only $100) or Cleveland Plasma (1650). All of these folks are excellent etailers who get high marks on customer service and dependability. I got my 2 Pannys from Newegg and Cleveland.

Hope it helps.

Ray

Thanks everyone for the responses.

Ray, I am intrigued by your suggestion of the Panny monitor, especially because it comes with a preferred (to me) black bezel. However, I am uncertain as to whether a monitor will work or me. I will be using satellite for tv signal. I am assuming then, that I do not need a tv with an internal tuner of any type, leaving a monitor as a viable solution. The topography where I live prevents me from getting any over the air signals, and there is no cable service here. But I am puzzled as to why the monitors seem to cost more than the tv with tuners built in? Assuming I can get by without a built-in tuner, I would like to have the black bezel monitor set, but I wish I could save some money by buying what appears to be less tv. Also, does the Panny monitor not have an HDMI input?

also - nice pictures of your HT room. That is a beautiful set-up.

Now I know why that center is called the bigfoot, it's huge!

Bob,

I use satellite and the sat tuner (as would a cable box/tuner) eliminates the need for the TV's tuner. When I purchased my 42", the pricing difference was a bit wider between consumer & commercial. The other thing that appealed to me was the ability to use my speakers (and not pay for the TV speakers) and allow my Denon 3803 to do all of the video switching.

Panny's commercial models come with 3 sets of connections and I don't believe that HDMI is standard. However, I liked the way the 42" was set up for flexibility and future-proofing. Along the bottom of the TV, the connections can be swapped out becuse they are inserted like "blades". Kind of like swapping hard drives. Very simple & non-technical to do.

If you want HDMI, get a "TYFB8HM" with the "8" being the key portion of the part number.

If you have an interest, do a bit of research on the model number I gave you. Best place to start is the Panny website where you can download the manual.

I have a commercial Panny and love it. Only 42" ED but that was what I could stomach at the time. Wish I now had at least 720p... That being said, it's still a great set. Can't go wrong w/ any of the Panny line. I've seen some Samsungs and those should be fine too. If you were going to have choose between the 2, I'd go Panny.

Pioneer's also got a great line up. Got my father set up w/ his Pioneer Pro FHD1 1080p. Wow, now that's a TV.