Panasonic - Samsung Plasma

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Panasonic - Samsung Plasma

Erica12

31 posts

Geek

#116850 12-May-2013 00:20

Ok guys,

I really need to decide on a tv before Friday, I really like the look of the two plasma's but just don't know enough about tv's to decide what one, all I know is i want full HD and they both have it, like a VGA connection for my work laptop so I don't have to stare at a 15 inch screen when it's late evening trying to finish work can just project it onto the tv =) also want to project my computer games onto the TV that is if i ever get enough free time =(

The Plasma at Dick Smith's

Panasonic 50" (127cm) Full HD Plasma TV TH-P50U50Z
http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/GE3513/panasonic-50-quot-127cm-full-hd-plasma-tv-th-p50u50z

Looked nice in the shop but hard to see it's potential in such a bright shop.

And the one from JB HI-FI

Samsung PS51E531 Plasma TV

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/samsung/51-inch-full-hd-plasma-tv-sku-27232/

What would be the better tv?, have heard good things about Panasonic and Samsung or if there is other tv's $1000 or under that are even superior to these two could you please reply with a link so I can look

Thanks

=)

1 | 2

MikeB4
18775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12765

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#816057 12-May-2013 07:35

I have owned a Samsung 55" and currently a Panasonic 65" , both are very good units. When we were looking at upgrading the 55" we looked at a lot of units, we liked the Samsung units except for one thing, there screens have a pink hue which is quite noticeable an affects a lot of the whites and other light shades. When decided on the 65" VT Panasonic for superior picture quality. The Samsungs do have better "smart TV" features than the Panasonics thought if that is important to you.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

sidefx

3775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1295

Trusted

#816079 12-May-2013 09:08

I have a Panasonic ST50 and love it.

You might consider the UT50 over the U50; looks like it's currently 998 at Magness Benrow. I think it has a better panel than the U50, slightly better smart TV functions and 3D - you might think meh about the 3D like I did, but my kids love it and once we had it the mrs and I both got into it somewhat too ;-)

Looks like the UT50 has been down to ~900 on sale before so you could try haggle them down a bit - for example I've had luck in the past getting Harvey norman to match and even better their previous sale prices despite their sales people initially telling me that their current "sales price" is the lowest they can go. Some chains sale pricing tactics are a joke...

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

Dunnersfella

4100 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 887

#816080 12-May-2013 09:26

Pretty easy - the Samsung you've linked to doesn't have a VGA port according to Samsung's website... making the Panasonic the winner by default.
I agree with the UT over the U though, the motion performance is quite a lot better! I was dubious initially, but when I watched the credits of a Freeview show rolling, the UT smoked the U, as the credits remained readable, whereas the U did not.
Note, the U has been replaced by the 2013 S, but that may not be a go'er for you, as there's next to no 2013 coming with VGA inputs by the looks of things.

grant_k

3539 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 124

Trusted

#816103 12-May-2013 10:45

I looked at the Samsung and Panasonic Plasmas side by side in Noel Leeming and ended up going for the Panasonic. Their screen suppresses reflections better than the Samsung, and the colours are also more natural. Mine is an ST50 and has both VGA and HDMI ports, although I'm not sure if you can still buy this particular model as we got it last October.

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

#816104 12-May-2013 10:52

Just checking - does your work laptop have HDMI out?

sidefx

3775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1295

Trusted

#816107 12-May-2013 10:56

Even if it doesn't it looks like you can get an hdmi to vga converter for about $45 so that would be an option?

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

CutCutCut

1039 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 53

#816109 12-May-2013 11:00

My borther got the Panasonic U50 couple of months ago, he's really happy with it. I noticed a little bit of motion blurring on it too, if he'd waited a week he could've had the UT at the same price. Even if you have to pay a little more I think I'd go for the UT50 if it has the VGA you require.

Erica12

31 posts

Geek

#816226 12-May-2013 15:09

Thanks for all the replies, so helpful =) =)

I guess with in regards to the VGA unfortuantely my work laptop doesn't have hdmi connection so im stuck with vga for the meantime until I get a upgrade.

Had a look at tv's in Dick Smith but don't think i got a fir look at the Plasma's with so much light in a store,
I saw a very nice LED for $999 aswell http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/GE3525/panasonic-47-quot-119cm-full-hd-led-lcd-tv-th-l47e5z, loooked super nice sharp image with good blacks in the shop would this be a better option than the Panasonic Plasma's?

ST50 looks super nice just a a little out my price range, the Dick Smith guy wouldn't budge on the $899 for the Panasonic Plasma but after reading this looks like I'm better to go for the Plasma from Magnes Benrow how would that compare to the Panasonic 47" LED for $999, mostly going to be used for sports/movies/gaming

grant_k

3539 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 124

Trusted

#816231 12-May-2013 15:22

Erica12: ST50 looks super nice just a a little out my price range, the Dick Smith guy wouldn't budge on the $899 for the Panasonic Plasma but after reading this looks like I'm better to go for the Plasma from Magnes Benrow how would that compare to the Panasonic 47" LED for $999, mostly going to be used for sports/movies/gaming

I haven't seen any LED TV that can match the anti-glare treatment of the Panasonic Plasmas. In most houses, this is a very important consideration, as there are usually windows somewhere in front of the TV.

Try to look at them both, if not side by side, then at least in the same store. Kneel down until you can see the ceiling lights reflected on the screen. Do this for both screens, and pick the one where the reflections are most muted. For me this was the Panasonic Plasma, and it also had more lifelike rendition of colours than the LED TVs.

Ask the salesperson to switch off all the contrast enhancement rubbish, and view it as close to natural colours as possible. In the Panasonic Plasma, this is called "True Cinema" mode, and quite possibly it will be called the same in the LED. Often, salespeople don't like turning off Demo mode or Dynamic mode or whatever they like to call it, because the colours aren't so bright. But they also are nothing like real-life, and I for one get sick of seeing over-saturated colours in shop windows. It's not what you want to be watching for nature docos like David Attenborough, that's for sure. If it's mainly for sports or gaming, natural colours don't matter, but the reflections (or lack of them) are still tremendously important.

Compare each of them according to what is most important to you.

CutCutCut

1039 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 53

#816254 12-May-2013 16:07

can be pretty hard to get a fair indication in the shop eh. I think the Panasonic plasma glare filter only starts on the ST line upwards, not the lower models. The u models I've seen definitely have glare which would be really bad in a bright room.

sidefx

3775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1295

Trusted

#816285 12-May-2013 17:25

CutCutCut: I think the Panasonic plasma glare filter only starts on the ST line upwards, not the lower models. The u models I've seen definitely have glare which would be really bad in a bright room.

Yeah I think it's true that the louvre filters are only on the ST50 and above. If you look through avsforums though there's a fair bit of discussion with some people apparently preferring the UT50 because it doesn't have the louvre filters. *shrug* Go have a look in the shop is probably the best idea, see what you think first hand.

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

robjg63

4161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1425

Subscriber

#816293 12-May-2013 17:46

We have a 4yo Panasonic 50" plasma and have a LED samsung that is less than 12 months old.
I would still choose the Panasonic plasma for picture quality.

Also - for what its worth Panasonic came out as one of the most reliable TV makes on Fair Go/Consumer a week or so back. Samsung... not so good.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

driller2000

936 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 374

ID Verified

#816416 12-May-2013 21:01

both great brands in my exp

had an old pana 42 plasma, which provided years of good service

replaced it with a samsung 59 plasma late 2011 (PS59D8000FV) - and i am still fully impressed with it

don't reckon you could go much wrong with either brand in their plasma range - accepting comments made by others re glare which will be room/viewing situation dependent

support comments re have a look at both - however note that the settings in stores will generally be crap with contrast, brightness etc cranked to max : / - and depending on the store, do take note of the feed - hopefully it will be a decent hd feed on both sets

have fun with your decision :)

Dunnersfella

4100 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 887

#817015 13-May-2013 20:33

Have a look through the 'what TV' threads on here and you'll see some good tips for comparing sets.
Be aware, only comparing BluRay's on TV's is not the best idea, unless you plan to solely watch BluRay's...
For instance, M*A*S*H looks terrible on big screen TV's... but sometimes that's what you'll end up watching. So if you have the chance, take a look at free-to-air TV on both sets. This will let you know how well each TV does with upscaling / deals with noise reduction in the picture. Then have a look at the BluRay performance, as well as how the picture looks when you're off to the side, as well as directly in front.

Asmith

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#817254 14-May-2013 10:40

I work for a company called Pricemaker, which runs a reverse auctions for new items – TVs are one of the categories.

Head over to pricemaker.co.nz, say what you're looking to buy, what kinda deals you've found etc, and retailers will place offers to try and make the sale. It's still early days; we've got a few retailers (100%, Magness and Farmers being the biggest), but you never know, might get a clincher.

Good hunting.

PS. Last week I bought a 50" Samsung LED (http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/GE2548/samsung-50-quot-full-hd-led-lcd-tv-ua50eh6000). Been using it inside with little to no glare problems. Am thoroughly satisfied, watched 3 episodes of Band of Brothers at 1080p over the weekend, was stunning. Only note though, no VGA, only digital audio out, and 1x USB cable.

PPS. I considered VGA to HDMI converter, but was recommended away from it. Apparently it's like trying to convert copper wire to fibre optics (paralleled reference to internet, obvs.)

1 | 2