(B&M) Panasonic Plasma HDTV TC-50PU54 (50-inch 1080p 600Hz Plasma) - $499 + 2 yr warranty @ COSTCO

Can you buy online if you are a non member? Any slick deals on Costco membership?

Quote from mcs82 : Yeah I'll thumbs down this until the add is up or a code is given.

The BF ad is active in-store. As far as I know, BF isn't active on the website. Basically, if you want it for $499, go to the store (mine has it for that now. Saw it yesterday) or pay more on the website.

Good price

is the 499.99 price already valid? if it is we need a tv for thanksgiving...

Thanks op! we were able to pick up 2 sets in queens, NY.

Quote from cluedweasel : The BF ad is active in-store. As far as I know, BF isn't active on the website. Basically, if you want it for $499, go to the store (mine has it for that now. Saw it yesterday) or pay more on the website.

Thank you! I tried online and they want $100 shipping anyways I will have to go to the store anyways.

Quote from michael_8 : Can you buy online if you are a non member? Any slick deals on Costco membership?

You can walk in with a member, have them scan their membership card, and pay with your debit or Amex. Around the suburbs of Chicago, I bet 50% of the people I know are members. Otherwise, I am pretty sure Costco will cancel your membership no questions asked if you tell them you are not happy. Join, buy, cancel. Kind of crappy, but you can do it.

IN store price, Greater Boston, $500 now.

Bought one to try side by side with a dissapointing JVC we bought there last month for the same price.

Square warranty seemed like a no brainer as well.

Do the U54 Costco versions still leave off the anti-reflective coating on the glass?

Quote from billcsho : If you buy a TV with Discover, AE, and many credit cards, you will get the 2nd year warranty for free anyway. I am not sure if you can get the third year on this deal if you pay with AE.

AMEX will add on an extra year of warranty, making it three total years from Costco.

Quote from yourwhiteshadow : what's the true refresh rate on this? only care for 3:3 or 5:5 24p playback.

Plasma doesn't use the same refresh technique as LCD. A single plasma pixel can refresh in a single microsecond.
The 600Hz Sub drive is how fast panasonic's image processing looks at each frame of video. Technically... 25 frames for every 1/24 second would get processed by the sub drive. 600/24 = 25, So i guess it would be 25:25 if someone was counting. Luckily, most of that is marketing jargon.

The VT & GT line have a genuine 60 & 96 Hz panel mode to remove flicker on a 24 frame source. This would be known as 4:4. The rest of the lines have 60Hz & 48Hz listed. So the exact answer you're asking for is 2:2. The frame interpolation SHOULD take care of the rest. I have a VT25, and the 96/24Hz refresh looks amazing. The lower end 48Hz mode panels aren't quite so lucky. You would need to look into the ST, VT, or GT lines to get either 96Hz(VT or GT), or the new 48Hz(ST50) panel that fixes the flickering issues.

TLDR: This panel doesn't have a great 48Hz panel, you need to step up into the GT, VT, or ST50 Panel to get a good solid 2:2, or 4:4 mode. It would be fine for the average consumer, If you're extremely picky with your 24Hz sources, keep looking.


Hope that answers your question.

I am a noob. Why is this a good deal when you can get 50" 1080P LED for $300 on BF?

Quote from RHCCapri : Do the U54 Costco versions still leave off the anti-reflective coating on the glass?

Nop, neither the costco version or non-costco version has anti-reflective coating. If you have a lot of light going into ur living room u better get another pana with anti-reflective coating, of get some blinds =D I have a old pana without anti-reflective, and next to it I have three huge sliding glass doors (I don't get direct sun light though) and it works fine.

Quote from kyunbit : I am a noob. Why is this a good deal when you can get 50" 1080P LED for $300 on BF?

link?...woot: sounds good to me "50 for $300. but brand and model can make a big different.

Quote from kyunbit : I am a noob. Why is this a good deal when you can get 50" 1080P LED for $300 on BF?

I need one for Thanksgiving gathering...

Also, this $300 1080P Led for $300 on BF... I am interested in this and will definitely buy at least 1 if I don't need to wait in line, it is a decent brand like a panasonic or samsung. please give details thanks.

Repped, thanks man!