60" Panasonic VIERA TC-P60GT50 600Hz 1080p Plasma 3D WiFi THX HDTV - $1699 + FS + No Tax

Quote from ETP : I did not even think about the brightness until I read this thread/LOL Went into Sams today and looked at the wall of fire. Yep the bright TV was the Samy 8000 and then the Samy non 3d, then the LG/Sharp, and then Visio (Hitachi had a good picture for a cheap LED). The Plasmas had the least bright picture. However the images up close were better on a plasma and at a distance I think the Samy was best. Some of the plasmas are getting thinner BTW (1.9). If the burn in problem is fixed the plasmas are very cheap as well as the Sharp LED units. Hitachi is coming back in stock with a cheap 3D 55". $995? The Sharp 90" was a sight to see for 10K. I am so confused with all these choices and want to make the right decision. It seems the quality on some of the LEDs has went down hill this year with many brands. However I am not ready to drink the plasma cool aid just yet. Pass the sugar please.

Do research on tech forums, cnet etc. I have never owned a plasma until now and I love mine, at first I was like you when looking at them in the store the plasmas looked SO dark & dull, I was worried, but I did a ton of research and bit the bullet on a 60gt50 at BB, figured if I got it home and hated it I could return for an led, I really thought I would not like it... but it looks awesome!! I have a very brightly lit room, I have no curtains or blinds and the tv is bright enough, I love it. No regrets

Quote from ETP : Thanks, I was looking at this, the Samsung Plasma and the 8000. How much for the 3D glasses as both sites do not list them?

Plug in 'Panasonic 3D Glasses' in search window and scan for the Sears deal ($29.97 per pair). Sears was OOS last time I checked, but one poster was kind enough to attach a PDF showing the deal later down the thread. I printed the PDF and Best Buy matched the price. MSRP is $80, which is expensive, but they're at least rechargeable v. having to replace the battery.

Quote from spierce : It's obvious by now that the guy is a troll. His numbers are complete BS, from electricity to lifespan to performance. He has no idea about the technology behind the TVs. Either he is willfully ignorant (doubtful) or a troll (far more likely).

He lost me at the Blu Ray v HD-Dvd statement. Blu Ray won out because Sony bought off the movie studios, not due to it being a superior technology.

As for lifespan comparisons I suggest the following article before anyone becomes too concerned

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-3319...s-mailbag/

Quote from Vaporizor : I just returned the 50ST50, all their models make a terrible buzzing noise on a lower volume, or if you will be using it as a monitor. FYI.

I own the 65VT50... The "buzzing" you are referring to does exist...but it is part of the technology not something specific to Panny.

Also, I have never, ever noticed it except when I am specifically listening for it AND the picture is almost all white... Then it is minor.

Just go to AVSForums and see what people are saying about the Panny Plasma models. Even professional reviews state basically "until the OLED hits main stream with 4k resolution...This is about as good as it is going to get." OLED will take about 5 years with enough content 4k to start to be considered main stream.

So saying the buzz is too distracting is sort of like saying that the LED black levels ...well make that Grey levels as that is about as good as an LED can get ...is distracting.

Go...audition the TV's yourself and make the call..there are for sure pro's and con's to both LCD and Plasma technologies... Neither has it perfect. OLED is supposed to be "the technology"... But if you don't want to wait 5 years for an upgrade...you may want to grab a ST, GT or VT when at a good price.

Quote from Zetroc : He lost me at the Blu Ray v HD-Dvd statement. Blu Ray won out because Sony bought off the movie studios, not due to it being a superior technology. As for lifespan comparisons I suggest the following article before anyone becomes too concerned http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-3319...s-mailbag/

Actually, Sony won for allot of reasons...the biggest I attribute to the PS2 with Blueray. If you look at the launch...you will see HD threw in the towel right after that. They did loose the BetaMax war...and learned allot from that.

Quote from maximumballer : Wow you guys are seriously calling LED sets LCD. okkayyy, its like calling a plasma and a LCD a TV. How do you distinguish it by calling it by its specific technology duhhh. So why dont we call a BMW the same as a Hyundai because they both are in the automobile category. If you don't want to take my advice on the price difference to buy a high end plasma over a high end LED at about the same price, then by all means do so, but don't confuse other readers by categorizing LED with older LCD technologies. I'm only trying to help people understand how many advantages there is to buying a LED over a plasma, thats it.

There is no such thing as an LED TV... That is marketing hype. There are only LCD TV's with different backlighting methods. Of which LED is almost all EDGE only...

That is not to say there is not pro's and con's of LED and Plasma technologies...there are. But Plasma has the nod for straight PQ. LCD be it LED or other back lighting technologies can't compare. Now that is not to say PQ is the end all be all OR that there are not reasons to get LCD. Do the research but beware the fanboz in both the Plasma and LCD courts.

Quote from Drinal01 : Quote from maximumballer : Wow you guys are seriously calling LED sets LCD. okkayyy, its like calling a plasma and a LCD a TV. How do you distinguish it by calling it by its specific technology duhhh. So why dont we call a BMW the same as a Hyundai because they both are in the automobile category. If you don't want to take my advice on the price difference to buy a high end plasma over a high end LED at about the same price, then by all means do so, but don't confuse other readers by categorizing LED with older LCD technologies. I'm only trying to help people understand how many advantages there is to buying a LED over a plasma, thats it. There is no such thing as an LED TV... That is marketing hype. There are only LCD TV's with different backlighting methods. Of which LED is almost all EDGE only... That is not to say there is not pro's and con's of LED and Plasma technologies...there are. But Plasma has the nod for straight PQ. LCD be it LED or other back lighting technologies can't compare. Now that is not to say PQ is the end all be all OR that there are not reasons to get LCD. Do the research but beware the fanboz in both the Plasma and LCD courts.

Called bb.com and they said paulstv is not on their list of retailers they price match. So all these stories of successful PM occurred in the stores, not on the phone ? Thanks.

Quote from itisole : Called bb.com and they said paulstv is not on their list of retailers they price match. So all these stories of successful PM occurred in the stores, not on the phone ? Thanks.

I just asked a representative over chat and they will price match with Pauls. Going to pick one up tomorrow!

Just wanted to give a quick update. I went and purchased this tv at Best Buy and had it price matched to Pauls. It was really easy and I dealt with one of the guys in the Magnolia section. There happens to be a Paul's right across the street so perhaps that's why it was so easy. Anyways, big thumbs up on this one, it finally got me to move forward with the purchase. This TV is AMAZING too!

Okay, y'all. I took the plunge tonight as well, after getting word today that Amazon has pricematched Paul's today: http://slickdeals.net/da/mem-i/p5...126/r-9999. I still got it from Paul's to support the mom-n-pop chains, plus Amazon now collects CA sales tax. Order total:

1899.99 Panasonic TCP60GT50
-200.00 SAVE200 coupon
+005.00 CA eWaste
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1704.99 Grand Total