~50" 1080p Plasmas?

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Roflcopter_Down

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With the inevitable massive price cut in all HDTVs, it will be a good time to buy one, especially if you got out in time and have the money. :D

I want to replace the craptastic HD projector I have in my bedroom with a ~50" 1080p plasma to watch Blu-ray movies, HD rips and maybe play some vidya games on the PC or PS3/360.

What are some good ~50" 1080p plasmas to be watching?
 
Pioneer Kuro is the best overall but next up (and not so outrageously priced) would be the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U (cnet review).
 
I recently got a Panasonic Viera 42" plasma for the bedroom and LOVE it. Picture is crystal clear, no audio lag, nothing short of perfect.

The only bad thing I can think of about it besides it wasn't free is that it didn't come with the tilting wal-mount bracket.
 
The TH-50PZ800U looks pretty good, I'll keep my eye on it.

The problem with 42" is that I think it would be too small from my bed.
 
I'm using a Pioneer Elite Pro Kuro Pro-111FD (50''). If you want the best 50'' dispplay on the market right now, that's the one.

Blu-ray watching is unbeleivable on that Kuro. Blacks are great, and insane ANSI CR no CRT could ever match. :)
 
needmorecarnitine said:
might as well wait a little longer. 2009 Panasonics will introduce Neo PDP technology

http://panasonic.net/plasma_progression/index.html

24.7mm deep, half the power consumption
Click to expand...

Note the small print. Expected available after the new factory is completed in 2009. So it might be year or more before these new panels hit the market and the will likely be the most expensive plasmas available as well. Also the ultra thin panels are monitors only. No tuner.

You can always wait for the next greatest thing but if you did that you would wait forever, and the next greatest thing will be much more expensive when it comes out.
 
Roflcopter_Down said:
The TH-50PZ800U looks pretty good, I'll keep my eye on it.

The problem with 42" is that I think it would be too small from my bed.
Click to expand...

When my friend bought his TH-50PZ800U, he told me the price difference between the 42 and the 50 was only $200. I don't know where you'll buy your plasma at, but IMO, the additional inches were worth the extra cost if you ask me. It looks fantastic.
 
yea, they will come from the new factory

As for pricing, they have it in their entire lineup (by 2010 Panasonic says) so unless they want to price themselves out of the market, I think they will be competitive.

The OP doesn't make any mention of needing a tuner (though he does say he wants an HDTV). He mentions bluray, hd rips and gaming. I think lots of people would be OK with a monitor only as many people who would consider buying a new plasma and want to watch broadcasting, would have either cable or satellite. I think that buying a tuner card for your pc would even be a better idea than the one panasonic sells because it would likely be a lot cheaper and you would have a DVR (and no additional box to deal with)

If the OP wants to buy a current plasma knowing about these, thats his choice. Just passing info along
 
Ok in 2010 they will probably be well priced. But that hardly matters for someone looking to purcahse soon, which I assumed the OP was interested in. There is always something better in the future.

In 2010 we will probably be looking forward to an affordable FED screen in 2012.

In 2012 we will be looking forward to dirt cheap OLEDs in 2014.... and so on...
 
they will be well priced in 2009

Panasonic already owns the plasma market. They are competing against LCD displays. You can find 40" 1080P LCDs for under $1000 easily now. 2009 should have at least a few 40" models for under $1000 list price with some selling for under $700 for bargain hunters.

Panasonic will be able to get a premium but they won't price themselves out of the market. They probably want to expand the volume and that would be hard if they raise prices significantly over 2008 models. Doesn't matter if they get a lot better because LCDs are getting better also.

Edit: You can find sub $700 40" 1080p LCDs right now


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...19078&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1201306784758

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11308031&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=〈=en-US&s=1


What kind of competition will Panasonic be facing when the Neo PDP displays are for sale?
 
Cool Vibrations said:
When my friend bought his TH-50PZ800U, he told me the price difference between the 42 and the 50 was only $200. I don't know where you'll buy your plasma at, but IMO, the additional inches were worth the extra cost if you ask me. It looks fantastic.
Click to expand...

Right now, the difference between the 2 42" models and that model above is $700 to $1000 at Best Buy and Circuit City.

I am probably going to get this model tomorrow or the next day, TH-42PZ80U since it is $999 at Circuit City.
 
needmorecarnitine said:
they will be well priced in 2009


What kind of competition will Panasonic be facing when the Neo PDP displays are for sale?
Click to expand...


Really. So can I buy a $700 1080p Plasma from Panasonic right now? Why not? Isn't that what they are competing with? $700 LCDs? It doesn't really work that way.

You said yourself that Neo won't permeate the line until 2010. Until all Panasonic plasmas are Neo, they will be the premium offering. I would bet you will see only a trickle of Neos late in 2009 and they will carry a hefty premium. This is the way consumer electronics always works. Early adopters who must have the latest and greatest pay a big premium.

With the global economic meltdown, everything is slowing down. You might not even see a Neo PDP in a local shop until 2010.

If your goal is economical new electronics product sometime soon, it isn't the wisest course of action to sit salivating waiting for an unproduced product from an unfinished factory, to pay a premium when it finally hits the market sometime.

Your best bet is to find the good product already widely available on the market that you can find a really good deal on as it is no longer the latest hot thing...
 
Snowdog said:
Really. So can I buy a $700 1080p Plasma from Panasonic right now? Why not? Isn't that what they are competing with? $700 LCDs? It doesn't really work that way.
Click to expand...

yea smart guy. That is exactly what I said. Because some LCDs are being sold for under $700 means that Panasonic has to sell theirs plasmas for under $700 also.



Snowdog said:
You said yourself that Neo won't permeate the line until 2010. Until all Panasonic plasmas are Neo, they will be the premium offering. I would bet you will see only a trickle of Neos late in 2009 and they will carry a hefty premium. This is the way consumer electronics always works. Early adopters who must have the latest and greatest pay a big premium.
Click to expand...

Define what you consider a hefty premium and I will consider your bet


Snowdog said:
With the global economic meltdown, everything is slowing down. You might not even see a Neo PDP in a local shop until 2010.
Click to expand...

Do you want to bet on that also?


Snowdog said:
If your goal is economical new electronics product sometime soon, it isn't the wisest course of action to sit salivating waiting for an unproduced product from an unfinished factory, to pay a premium when it finally hits the market sometime.

Your best bet is to find the good product already widely available on the market that you can find a really good deal on as it is no longer the latest hot thing...
Click to expand...

If he wants it soon, then yes, waiting for next years models isn't a good idea. I already posted two examples of cheapo tvs above and there have even been 42" 1080p Panasonics for less than $800. The OP knows that hdtvs are going thru "massive" price cuts and he if wants to buy discount low end stuff now instead of waiting, its his choice.

I don't know how much $1200 means to him or how much he cares about picture quality or how long he plans on keeping the tv. I was informing him of upcoming changes. There will probably be more info by CES. In the meantime, prices of current tvs will continue to drop so its not like he will miss the boat on hdtvs.

How do you figure LG and Samsung will react to Panasonics new products? Apart from what consumers find appealing about the new sets, I assume that Panasonic figures that they can make these Neo PDPs for less than current sets. If true, they can do whatever they want with the difference. I think that they will sell with the same MSRPs as current sets as even then, they will be significantly more than competitors.

Here is a Panasonic presentation at IFA 2008 where they say that NeoPDP sets will hit shelves in spring 2009:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/n...sonic-Ultra-Thin-TVs---BD-Players-Revealed/p1
 
needmorecarnitine said:
yea smart guy. That is exactly what I said. Because some LCDs are being sold for under $700 means that Panasonic has to sell theirs plasmas for under $700 also.
Click to expand...

Really, where can I get 1080p panasonic plasma for $700??

On the premium. My bet is a 50" Neo will come in at $3k or more.

From your link:
"while no prices for the new products have been revealed expect NeoPDP sets to carry a significant premium"
This will be the top of the line. My prediction on the premium. Here is the 50" line today:

PZ80: $2000
PZ85: $2200
PZ800: $2500

I expect a neo 50" will come in at $3000 and it will stay there until production ramps and they satisfy early adopters demand. This has always been the way it works.

Later in 2010 when they have replaced the entire line with NEO tech, then you might find a deal.

I have seen nothing about any real significant image improvements. You can wait to next year and be an early adopter and pay twice as much for a thinner/lower power panel, but I wouldn't.
 
Snowdog said:
Really, where can I get 1080p panasonic plasma for $700??
Click to expand...

I was being sarcastic. Should I use a smilie in the future?

To spell it out more clearly, my example of 1080p LCDs for under $700 does not mean that Panasonic HAS to sell their 1080p plasma at the same price. I said they were "competing" against LCDs, not price matching them. My post saying that Panasonic 42" 1080p plasmas were sold under $800 is true.

As for your bet, do you claim that NO 50" Neo will have a sub $3000 msrp at launch (2009) or that one or more models will be available at $3000 and up?
 
Well, circuit city had a 7% off promo code for TV's so it brought the 42" 1080P Panasonic Plasma to $929 before tax, so I bought it. going to pick it up shortly.
Just waiting on a friend to come over and help me move my 30" CRT HDTV (165lbs) and go pick up the 42".
 
needmorecarnitine said:
I was being sarcastic. Should I use a smilie in the future?

To spell it out more clearly, my example of 1080p LCDs for under $700 does not mean that Panasonic HAS to sell their 1080p plasma at the same price. I said they were "competing" against LCDs, not price matching them. My post saying that Panasonic 42" 1080p plasmas were sold under $800 is true.

As for your bet, do you claim that NO 50" Neo will have a sub $3000 msrp at launch (2009) or that one or more models will be available at $3000 and up?
Click to expand...

My claim is that there will be no 50" Neo PDP below $3000 benchmark (give or take a bit. $2999 is more likely price for obvious reasons).

In 2009 the Neo will slot above the existing line.

I haven't seen an $800 42" Panasonic 1080p plasma. In fact I have seen below $1000. I see $1300 at Bestbuy right now. Where are you seeing these great Panasonic PDP prices? Links?

BTW If you are doing sarcasm, and emoticon helps.
 
I'll take that bet.

I find those deals on fatwallet.com. There are other places like slickdeals.net and the Hot Deals forum here (the one here doesn't have a lot of posts though).

Here are two examples:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/869541

This one was great, it came with Firedog In Home Calibration (no idea what quality the calibration is)


http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/872920

This thread is about a 720p model but others posted that some Costcos had 1080p models for $749
 
needmorecarnitine said:
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/872920

This thread is about a 720p model but others posted that some Costcos had 1080p models for $749
Click to expand...


The Panasonic Viera 42" I got was a 720p. It was $699 - $100 credit from Fry's. I don't mind at all that it's 720p vs 1080p as the distance at which I'd be watching the difference wouldn't be noticed anyway. That and the fact that it'd be in the bedroom means it won't be watched as much and to me the cost difference wasn't justified.

Still an awesome picture and VERY nice TV.
 
Snowdog said:
My claim is that there will be no 50" Neo PDP below $3000 benchmark (give or take a bit. $2999 is more likely price for obvious reasons).

In 2009 the Neo will slot above the existing line.
Click to expand...


TC-P50S1 $1,799.95

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Televisions/VIERA-Plasma-HDTVs/model.TC-P50S1



TC-P50G10 $1,999.95

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Televisions/VIERA-Plasma-HDTVs/model.TC-P50G10



:D

I fully expect the S1 model to be available, at least once, on sale for $1300 or less before Christmas

and those are full retail. Within two months or so from release, they should be $100~200 off everyday
 
Damn that's dirt cheap! Too bad they weren't at these prices this time last year, family probably would've gotten the Kuro over the 720P Panny we have right now.
 
needmorecarnitine said:
TC-P50S1 $1,799.95
and those are full retail. Within two months or so from release, they should be $100~200 off everyday
Click to expand...

Yep. I was wrong on the pricing. But they have watered down what Neo is.

The only super thin model (1") is the Z series.

You need to go to at least the V series to get 24P processing. :(

By the time you get to the G/S series they are pretty much a tiny upgrade on what we have now. Still fat. No proper 24p processing???

The power savings aren't looking all that super either. They were comparing to some 2007 models, so it looks like small incremental change going forward all along. Some tests at shows were not very conclusive. They were using slightly less power but appeared less bright.

Maybe a 2010 series when the provide 24P processing lower in the line (or a close out 2009 V series) and I have a stable job (My employer is in Chapter 11).

I still look forward to some reviews comparisons, but NEO is losing it's luster for me. It is more a minor evolution than the revolution it was painted as before. I suspect reviews will show very minor difference from 2008 models. A 2008 closeout model will probably be a much better deal.
 
Snowdog said:
Yep. I was wrong on the pricing. But they have watered down what Neo is.

The only super thin model (1") is the Z series.

You need to go to at least the V series to get 24P processing. :(

By the time you get to the G/S series they are pretty much a tiny upgrade on what we have now. Still fat. No proper 24p processing???
Click to expand...


depends on what you were expecting from Neo.

Seems to me like they were pushing more brightness, lower power consumption and thinness. To me, thinness isn't very important. I would take a thinner model vs a similar model that was thicker but I wouldn't be willing to pay a large premium for it. Maybe $50 or so

24P is more important to me. I haven't seen official MSRP for the V series but avsforum speculation is around $2200-2300 (for the 50" model). Looks like the Z will only be one model at 54"

Have you seen any reviews on the G or S series yet? I have seen links to X series reviews which are not Neo PDP


Panasonic is claiming the Neo PDP are the first plasmas with perfected "motion resolution" of 1080P and that 120Hz LCDs using CCFL backlights only offer about 600 lines of "motion resolution". I think this will be examined in some of the reviews.

http://hdguru.com/ces-2009-panasonics-new-plasma-and-lcd-model-series/354/



edit: I already see the 50" G10 on discount. $2000 MSRP. $1811 here (backordered though):

http://www.plasmaconcepts.com/plasma-tv-store/panasonic-tc-p50g10/PD1146.html

50" S1 $1800 list, $1557 same store, free shipping (that one is in stock). Looks like you will be able to get a 50" Neo (S1) for less than $1500 very soon considering it just hit the market days ago
 
From CNet Ask the Editors:

Yes, I do expect the new Panasonic plasmas to have better black-level performance than the current 800U--perhaps as good as or better than the current Pioneer Kuros--but the 800U is still superb in this department, and it costs around $2,000 for the 50-incher.
Click to expand...
If that's the case, perhaps I can stop saving like a madman to get a Kuro before they disappear.
 
needmorecarnitine said:
depends on what you were expecting from Neo.

Panasonic is claiming the Neo PDP are the first plasmas with perfected "motion resolution" of 1080P and that 120Hz LCDs using CCFL backlights only offer about 600 lines of "motion resolution".
Click to expand...

I was looking forward to big size and weight reductions. Seems out now.

I was looking forward to big power reductions. This seems to have been greatly exaggerated but comparing the power reductions to 2007 models, so it is not really that improved over last year. This is very important. I don't like wasting energy, or waste heat associated with pulling 500 watts.

It is looking more like a minor evolution, than the revolution it was being touted as.

Motion resolution as already near perfect on Plasma. I don't have an issue with this even on my LCD. Motion looks very sharp to me on my Samsung LCD TV. I have seen hideous motion blur on older LCDs, but lately this is a non issue on LCD for me, so last years much better than LCD plasmas would be fine.

edit: I already see the 50" G10 on discount. $2000 MSRP. $1811 here (backordered though):
Click to expand...

This is the incremental upgrade on the PZ85. What can you get that for? Worth the difference?

I am not buying a new display that doesn't do proper 24p (ie NOT 3:2 cadence). But it looks like any model below the V series does 3:2 cadence, same as last years model in this segment. Non starter for me on anything below the V. But I am not buying for a while, LCD will hold me over...
 
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