Trying to choose between these two tvs...

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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889102144

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889187079

I spent a lot of time at BB today comparing these two sets (I know, not an ideal environment, but what are you gonna do?). Disregarding NewEgg's sale price, the Panasonic was a tad cheaper, but the Samsung had better image quality (could have been the signal/settings, but nevertheless...). Not a huge difference as the Panasonic still looked fantastic, but enough to justify the $100 price difference imo.

But this is about more than just the brand, because there is also this. For a few hundred more I could go 1080p. I'm wondering it it's really worthwhile though. I'll admit I'm out of the loop right now tech wise (I'm still using a ten year old, 27" Sony Trinitron), but would the increase in resolution really be noticeable, especially at that size? I'm assuming 1080 content will still look great scaled down on a 720 set, but what about SD content? I'll be using the PS2 a lot, and I've read that SD content will look worse on a 1080 set than it would at 720.

Oh, and you LCD fans need not apply. There are plenty of nice looking LCDs out there, but plasma has always looked better to me. :)
 
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Samsung all the way, I've owned 6 different LCDs in the past few years, every single one of them had some technical problem, clouding, banding, flicker, something... until I got the Samsung. Awww baybee those are saweet. Something about them, they are just the highest quality LCD on the market.
 
I've always heard as a general rule that there isn't much difference between 720p and 1080p until you get above 50 inches. I'd also recommend between those two the Samsung, they are quality. Have had my monitor over two years and haven't had a problem with it.

If your looking for something cheaper Vizio is definitely a quality brand as well.
 
Personally I would go Panasonic. They are much better brand and tv. I sold TV's at Best Buy (I am now in the Media Department:D). Samsung TV's were BY FAR the most serviced TV's that we carry and the newer models look and feel like junk. If you end up going with the Samsung hopefully you get a good one or get a service plan on it to guarantee it.
 
[quote name='Mattte']I've always heard as a general rule that there isn't much difference between 720p and 1080p until you get above 50 inches. I'd also recommend between those two the Samsung, they are quality. Have had my monitor over two years and haven't had a problem with it.
[/quote]
Yeah, and I've heard that distance is important to. The closer you sit the better a higher res set will look. My biggest concern is ultimately how SD content will look (namely, the PS2 and Gamecube).

[quote name='NJMane']Personally I would go Panasonic. They are much better brand and tv. I sold TV's at Best Buy (I am now in the Media Department:D). Samsung TV's were BY FAR the most serviced TV's that we carry and the newer models look and feel like junk. If you end up going with the Samsung hopefully you get a good one or get a service plan on it to guarantee it.[/quote]
Now that's a first. Samsung has always received solid reviews in my experience.
 
I'd choose the Panasonic myself. Samsung's are pretty solid but Panasonic is #1 in the Plasma.

Plus you save 100.00 by goign with a better TV? SOLD! :D
 
I'm pretty sure that Samsung's TVs were made with gaming in mind and generally look better out of the box for pretty much anything. But I also think that Panasonics are more reliable but it's probably a negligible difference either way.
 
I have the 50" version of that plasma. and it's right on par with last years Kuro's. Pioneer are the top of the plasma food chain, but this years Panasonic models are quite improved over last years models. Not to mention they are quite favorable to Pioneer due to the price difference. As it stands right now, I think this years Panasonics are the 2nd best pdp's on the market right now.
 
720p vs 1080P
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6810011-1.html?tag=feat.2

After you read the article, you can decide which is best for you. For the size of the TV I was getting and what I was going to be using it for, 720p was my best option. Also read Consumer Reports for brands. They listed Panasonic as the least problematic TV last year.

Check out slickdeals.net on that Panasonic. Their's a way you can stack promos and rebates to get the TV for $800 plus tax.

PS. I've owned that Panny your looking at for 2 weeks now. I'm enjoying it.
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176188
(read page 2)
 
I vote for the Panasonic

This is just my experience but I purchased a nice 50" samsung and was, originally, very happy with it. After about 5 or 6 weeks however, the unit wouldn't turn on. It had power and such, it just wasn't firing up. I called samsung and they setup an appointment to have a tech look at it (no cost since it was obviously under warranty).

I had to wait a week for an appt only to find out that the guy didn't have the part he needed in order to fix it. Part gets ordered and eventually replaced - waited 2 weeks but the TV was finally working again. It worked for a few days at least. About 3 days after being repaired the same issue returned. Ugh

I go through the hoops again. Call Samsung and have an appointment setup - this time only a 3 day wait. Same guy comes out. Makes a comment about how this is actually a fairly common issue and normally xxx part fixes it (the one he had already replaced) but if it continues to fail it means the xxx is actually the problem. No surprise to me, the part has to be ordered so he couldn't fix it on the spot.

I'm fairly frustrated at this point. The TV only worked for about half the time I had owned it and it wasn't comforting to hear that "its a fairly common issue". I pack the TV up and truck it back over to Costco where I had originally purchased it. They of course return it with no questions asked and I used the money to then purchase a Panasonic. All of this occurred a few years ago and the panasonic is still running strong - I've never had one issue.

So maybe I just had a lemon because I've heard very good things about Samsung. In fact, that was the reason I purchased a Samsung - they were suppose to be among the best. And I admit that when I did have issues Samsung tried to correct them and were very nice to deal with. But it certainly wasn't worth the hassle. Besides that, I love my Panasonic way more than the Samsung. I'm actually almost glad the Samsung had issues!

Anyway, all that being said, I vote for the Panasonic however I'm sure you'll be happy with either of them. Just make sure you purchase the extended warranty or buy from a place like Costco. Good luck!
 
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