I had set my mind on buying a DLP, becuase of teh bigger screen you get for less money, however I went to my local BB and saw the PQ on the plasma and it blew me away. Everything was so crisp and clear. I have now my heart set on a Plasma. The difficulty that I am facing is which one to buy. I have a a budget of around $1800 (including shipping). I am sitting now at a distance of about 10ft, which is flexible as I can move closer. I want as big as possible for the money I have with excellent PQ. My choice of brands are Panasonic, Samsung and Pioneer.

I would like at least 50", I will be using the tv for everything i.e SD tv, HD tv, Gaming(xbox 360) and movies(dvd).

I like the all black bezels than the silver ones,however, I can compromise on that aspect. I have never bought such a big ticket item over the internet and I am still hesitant buying ot online, however I can get the best prices online, can someone recommend and good online authorized retailers.Also, is there much difference between the return policy of say BB,CC or any other Online retailer. What benefit will I get paying the premium to the local BB,CC.

Lastly thanks in advance.

I'd get this one

http://www.visualapex.com/plasma/Pla...ber=TH-50PH9UK

You can wall mount it or get a stand (doesn't come with either). Also, it doesn't come with an hdmi card (about $100) so add that in. This would be the model if you don't plan on using the tv's speakers, but rather a receiver with separates.

Thats a good price but, I think it is a commercial model, I would like to have a consumer model, as I don't have external speakers and I read somewhere that the commercial models have less features.

Any other models?

ok, this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889187045


then this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889187031

and Pioneer also makes great plasmas, but are more expensive.

I'd seriously look at the Samsung models. In the past I would have said Panasonic without hesitation, but I think Samsung may be beating them. Mind you I think they are slightly more - maybe $100? Also, for both lines I believe any unit that supports PC input via VGA will cost you more, so take that into account as well.

Clearly, given the choice and price withstanding, Pioneer is the best choice given the three you listed. However, given that you're looking for larger and have a budget, I don't think any of their sets will fit your scenario.

Basically these, no?

http://www.onecall.com/ProductSearch...4967216&Ne=821

I'd go with a 50" Panasonic plasma. A few places online have had last years models for around $1500-1700 lately.

Which, btw is crazy. I think it was 3, maybe 4, years ago that I paid something like $1400 for my 23" from Dell. And at the time that was a deal!

Thanks guys for the links. So people here are recommending Panasonic. Ok so what is the difference between last years model the 600U and this years model the 75U. Which is better

Thanks

600Us had cable card support as well as a VGA input.

I do not believe the regular 75Us this year have either of those (nor did the 60Us). However, a 755U (??) may have both of those added should one come out.

I think the glass panel is different as is the picture rendering technology.

Samsung are similar. I think the 5064 is this years model for the base (= 75U), and I think they have a slightly higher model with VGA input (don't know model number. I could be off by one digit though - 5054 sound right?

With the newer 75U, you get a black bezel color (the older 60U and 600U have some silver and black in the bezel color design), and a 10th generation plasma display from Panasonic.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-k0yDYQ9...13350PX75U#Tab

With the older 600U, you get split-screen Picture/Picture (except for HDMI sources, no split-screen is available). You get an upgraded sound system. You get TV Guide Onscreen programming guide (receives updated info over-the-air for local channels). You get a PC VGA input.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ails/463999168

I could have waited for the 75U, but got the 600U because I wanted the split-screen and PC VGA input as the prices were coming down on the 600U. I sort of wished I waited another 2 months to save an extra $200-$300 more but at least I got to enjoy it a little earlier.

I just got a 50" Pioneer Plasma. Up your budget by a couple hundred and you can more than likely get Best Buy to "price match" their $2599 model down to $2100.
It looks amazing and kills my brothers 50" LCD. hahaha

You can add everything the comsumer models have (speakers, inputs). But the commercial version has something you don't have on the consumer models do not....several end user adjustable settings for improved picture quality. If you want the best picture quality without highing a ISF calibrater, the commercial version is the way to go. Lots of tweaking.

Not to mention a five-year warranty vs. a one-year warranty.

Newegg has their 50" commercial version for $1499. Absolutely a great price.

Is there any particular advantage buying from panasonic directly. I have also heard people talking about getting some kind of employee discount. Do any of you know which website do you have to go, and how do you know which company does panasonic give employee discounts.

Although, the commercial model has 5 years warranty, which is very nice,however its not in home service, you have to send it to the repair center, which I think is a hassle. Don't you guys agree?

I recently bought a Panasonic 58" 600U and love it. I would encourage you to buy it online as you will get a better price and most likely avoid a few hundred $'s in taxes (assuming you purchase from a store outside the state you live in).

Even if you buy it at Best Buy or CC it is going to come down to in-home warranty. Only advantage might be that you could have it a few days sooner if they have it in stock at the store. But then you have to have a way to get it home unless you want BB delivery.

I ordered mine from OneCall and it was delivered via ABT. Technically he was only supposed to deliver it curb-side. But I was the last stop and he was in no hurry. He helped me wheel it into the garage with his dolly, unbox it, and carry it inside. The corner of the box had some minor tearing but I just marked the delivery sheet (as per OneCalls & the driver's instructions) as box damaged - possible concealed damage. That gave me 72 hours of use inside to discover any issues and have it be the shipping company's fault. The boxes have shock sensors on them, as well. If they get too much impact they will leak red dye into a cylinder. They were perfectly fine on mine and the TV was pristine.

I saved almost $500 off the price vs what it was in local stores, still bought from an authorized dealer, paid no tax, and got free delivery. On top of that it was a seamless transaction without some idiot BB employee trying to sell me $100 monster cables and other worthless shit.

Long story short, regardless of what you decide to purchase. Buy it online.

Thanks for the post. I feel much confident after reading your post. Tell me if you called them and placed the order or did you place the order online. Also did you buy any EW, if yes then how does that work, if not they why- is it useless or do you intent to buy it from another vendor. I have heard that you can buy E.W from panasonic, does anyone have any experience with that.

Thanks

I don't have experience with that, but most times the EW from a manufacturer is better than what vendors offer.

Vendors tends to be 3 years or the life of the machine. So if they replace it rather than repairing it, it finishes the warranty regardlesss of how much time you had remaining.

Manufacturers warranties tend to be good the whole 3 years, regardless of whether they have to replace (rather than repair) your machine.

But you'd have to read the fine print on both to be sure, as it does vary from vendor to vendor and from manufacturer to manufacturer.

I called and placed the order. I had some questions I wanted answered first and because I wanted a price-match. OneCall will price-match any authorized dealer (if in doubt - just ask them via their online chat).

My full story is in a thread I started here about DLP vs. plasma when I was trying to decide. To quickly recap I had decided on the 60U which they were price-matching to Vanns.com at $2479.88 (58" model). While in the process of ordering it they sold out so he gave me the option of the 600U for $100 more at $2579.88. The price jump was worth it to me and it was $220.11 cheaper than their online sale listed price. The same one was $2999.99 at Best Buy & Sears.

I did opt for their 3 year warranty though I've gone back and forth on if I should have. I can't afford to easily replace this TV and I figured between free shipping, no tax, and the reduced price it was worth it. Since I opted for it at time of purchase it was also added to the 18 month no payments, no interest offer I got. Their protection plan even covers against power surges. In addition, if you don't use it ever you can call them within 90 days before the coverage expires and they'll give you store credit for half the value of the extended warranty. I figure I can use it on something like a remote, cables, camera lens or something if & when the time comes.

I don't know what the pricing/options are for extended warranty through Panasonic but you could look into that prior.

Almost all, if not all, EW plans are going to do in-home service as the primary option. These sets are too big and bulky to be dragging around for repairs.

I just got a Mack Warranty online (I think it was 4 years for $121) for in-home repair coverage with my 50" Panasonic Plasma. I figure $30/year was worth the peace of mind.

I live in Delaware so there would be no tax for me. I also will call them up prior to placing the order as I want to be sure and also to get a good deal. i would love to get the 58" however, I think with E.W. I will be way over my budget, then there is the otehr option of waiting a couple of months and saving up some more $$$ and getting the bigger 58".

Nefarious. Question for you, how did you get the 18 months no interest deal? Do you have to have a good credit score to apply for it, or do they consider a lower credit score.

How much does your montly payment come up to?

I saw the pictures you posted on your other thread, however isn't the 600U supposed to be silver and black, you pictures it all looks black.

Can you post more pictures?

Thanks

OneCall was running promotion at the time for the 18 months. Another poster (possibly even in another thread) was asking me about it and I encouraged him to ask for it from a manager. I don't know if he did or how it turned out.

I got my first statement the other day but honestly didn't look closely enough to remember. You'd just have to take the total and divide it out really to figure out what you'd have to pay monthly to have it done in time.

It is silver & black. I took the pics w/ a Canon Digital Rebel XT so just opened up the ISO for a longer period of time. I did that because the only source of light in the room was the image from the TV and I didn't want to use flash. In a darkened room you don't notice the sliver at all. I would definitely prefer it to be all black but wasn't going to wait a year or pay $2k more to get it.

I'll take some pics tonight and post them. I've since hooked up my over the air HD antenna and am giddy with the results. I get all the major networks, CW & two public broadcasting channels in HD through it. One of the public broadcast ones airs HD concerts (had Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 on the other night) and it was even in 5.1 over a $35 amplified antenna! Hockey finals looked astounding. Leno, Letterman, CSI, The Office all look great. The local ABC looks the worst but I think it just their poor quality as every other one looks phenomenal.

You did not answer this part. I don't have a great credit score, and I don't want to apply and then not qualify. So if you could answer this, it would be great.

Thanks