55" Panasonic VIERA TC-P55VT50 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV $1600 + Free Shipping

Quote from srjay : 3d glasses seems expensive..http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-T...TY-ER3D4MU

the $19.99 Samsung ones at Best Buy work great with the 2012 Panasonics

Quote from cacophonix : IR issues are reported more in 2012 panasonic models (ST/GT/VT60). Read up on the web.

I have the ST50.....as well as a couple of Samsung plasmas...C8000 and E8000

The IR is not an issue on the Panasonic ...and it is in line with the Samsung TV's I have

price matched with amazon took less than 15 mins on the phone, need to burn $300 in GC's I have with me

Quote from cacophonix : IR issues are reported more in 2012 panasonic models (ST/GT/VT60). Read up on the web.

Image retention should not be a problem for a TV that has been broken in.

People who unbox the TV, crank the brightness to 100%, and then leave a static game screen running will have issues. Even LCDs with LED backlighting can have IR. My 2008 Macbook Pro's screen is lighter, even when it's turned off, where the menu bar is displayed at the top of the screen and has been for years.

Quote from dnique1221 : yeah, my TV died 2 years ago on a Monday morning. I called Pauls TV(in Natick), when i got home from work at 10pm, the NEW tv was set up, on the table I bought AND my old TV was gone. Very happy with Pauls!

The first online experience was great even though it could be a disaster if timing wasn't right. We just came back from their store to check out other TVs and found no one to acknowledge us when we walked in. That's why I prefer online shopping.

Quote from dnique1221 : yeah, my TV died 2 years ago on a Monday morning. I called Pauls TV(in Natick), when i got home from work at 10pm, the NEW tv was set up, on the table I bought AND my old TV was gone. Very happy with Pauls!

The first online experience was great even though it could be a disaster if timing wasn't right. We just came back from their store to check out other TVs and found no one to acknowledge us when we walked in. That's why I prefer online shopping.

For those interested in Panny 3D glasses for your 2012 Panasonic xT50 series 3D plasma HDTVs, check out this previous SD post and see if you can get a pricematch at BB for $30, seemed to have worked like a charm for many:

http://slickdeals.net/f/5737472-P...9-99-Sears

They are much better in terms of quality and functionality for your new Panny 3D VT50s...block side light better, rechargeable using micro USB cable supplied in the package, pretty comfortable for watching a couple of movies at a time and they seem to fit decently over prescription glasses.

No cases, though, in case that's a dealbreaker for some of you.

Cheers!

And they look more attractive than the Samsungs...if cosmetics mean anything to you.

Quote from HarleyF150 : Thanks to Chris2 and Woodygg for your information and suggestions. Repped you both! Anyone else willing to make any suggestions, I'm listening. Thanks!

I would advise you to purchase the larger GT set instead of the smaller VT. Especially given the fact that you are already dropping down from a 65". Downsizing all the way to a 55" VT would be a significant negative vs any relatively subtle improvements a VT might provide over the GT with emphasis on the word "might". The GT is darn close enough in quality and at least not too huge a drop from your present 65" LCD.

If you were a hardcore videophile**, it might be a different story. But even then, I strongly suspect the size difference of 55" vs 60" would still trump every other consideration.

**those who typically upgrade their panel every 1-3 years, those who consider it an absolute must to have a reputable calibrator come in to calibrate their panels and are gladly willing to pay the typical going rate of about $500 for the services of reputable calibrator, etc.

As far as brightness, yea, either one can be plenty bright if you need it to be (though still dimmer than LED/LCD at full blast, but that kind of insane brightness is only useful for direct daylight room brightness scenarios).

Pulled from AVS, a nice quick synopsis of Panasonic 2012 model year differences:

Quote : ST50 upgrades from the UT50: (adds NeoPlasma Panel, Infinite Black Pro, Anti-Reflective Louver Filter, 8-Train Speakers, WiFi) GT50 upgrades from ST50: (adds 24,576 Equivalent Steps of Gradation, 1,080p Pure Direct, THX® 3D Certified Display, Dual Core Processor, one more HDMI input, narrower bezel). VT50 upgrades from the GT50: (adds Infinite Black Ultra, One Sheet of Glass Bezel design, 24p Cinematic Playback 96 Hz/48 Hz, and ISFccc Calibration Mode/Advanced Calibration, Viera Touchpad Controller)

The ST50 is $1150 at Paul's with save50 coupon. I'd probably still buy that unless money grows on trees or you're the type to measure your black level daily.

There've been a lot of reports that the GT50/VT50 have more gaming lag than ST50 too.

Not bad advice either. Many consider the ST50 models to be the best value play model within the 2012 Panasonic lineup.

Can anyone please tell me where you see these coupon codes on the website at paulstv? I am trying to get Amazon to price match the one I ordered a few days ago but they wont do it unless they can find the coupon code.

Quote from Loan_Crusader : After the terrible CS I'm dealing with getting my 55"Led fixed, I would never trust panasonic with a purchase this big again. Panasonic does not stand behind their products. I'm on a month an still waiting.

Not discounting your bad experience, but repair facilities and dealers still site Panasonic as the best to deal with in terms of getting cooperation for issues and for access to replacement parts, etc. At least better than having to deal with LG or Samsung. Now, that's not to suggest that Panasonic is great either. Just comparatively better than most of them.

Quote from vengeancerr1 : Can anyone please tell me where you see these coupon codes on the website at paulstv? I am trying to get Amazon to price match the one I ordered a few days ago but they wont do it unless they can find the coupon code.

http://www.paulstv.com/coupons_12-28-12.asp

Quote from VarmintCong : The ST50 is $1150 at Paul's with save50 coupon. I'd probably still buy that unless money grows on trees or you're the type to measure your black level daily. There've been a lot of reports that the GT50/VT50 have more gaming lag than ST50 too.

Varmint, where have you heard this? Do you have any links that may be of help?

Quote from LingL : The first online experience was great even though it could be a disaster if timing wasn't right. We just came back from their store to check out other TVs and found no one to acknowledge us when we walked in. That's why I prefer online shopping.

Wow I'm surprised because my local store has like one salesperson for about every 5 TV's I would have loved to just had a few minutes alone lol. Although it is in an Art Van and it's impossible to get past there salesforce just to get to Pauls!

Quote from cacophonix : IR issues are reported more in 2012 panasonic models (ST/GT/VT60). Read up on the web.

I have the 55GT50 no ir and zero buzzing. Super picture and the 3D is much better than I would have imagined I did believe it was gimmicky until I got this TV and now it's WOW! (the $20 Samsung glasses work perfect)