51" Samsung PN51E550 1080p 600Hz 3D Slim Plasma Smart HDTV with Built-In Wi-Fi + 2 Pairs of 3D Glasses $698 + Free Shipping

I currently own The Pansonic Viera 42" Plasma 3D TC-P42ST30

I've been looking to upgrade to something that is slightly bigger AND can play mkvs (The Samsung TV plays MKV off a usb stick or mkvs renamed to .mp4 or .avi)

Anyone have any thoughts on the picture quality between what i own now and this TV? My concern is because in a cursory google search, it seems this is a low end 2012 model.

Pauls would be nice if no tax to WA state

697.99 at ABT http://www.abt.com/product/59620/...gn=froogle as well.

For more options, Sears SHOULD price match this, but you'd have to pay tax. You can negate the tax somewhat by using Lands End or Sears gift cards at 7% from Cardpool

UT50 for $650 is a better deal I think. But both UT50 and E550 probably aren't as good in daytime as the ST30, which has a daylight filter if I remember.

I feel bad for all you Sales tax payers. I live in WA State and pay sales tax but if I am making a purchase over $100 I just scoot on over to Portland, OR :p. Only a 10 minute drive and I work in Portland, Anyways.

i bought this tv last week but also have the 530 which supposedly is the same screen. i could not for the life of me get the 550 to look as agood as the 530. i took the 550 back and kept the 530. the reviews all seems good i'm just not sure i want to chance another one.

Quote from VarmintCong : UT50 for $650 is a better deal I think. But both UT50 and E550 probably aren't as good in daytime as the ST30, which has a daylight filter if I remember.

I bought a 50UT50 on sunday, I have 3 windows on 2 different walls (one actually faces the tv) in my relatively small front room (16x16) and I get VERY little glare. I only notice it when the tv is off. I love this TV, but I was scared to buy it because of all the people claiming it has reflective issues. Makes me wonder if any of them actually own it! By the way, if you see the 50UT50 as an open box at your best buy, offer them $529 for it. That's what the mananger gave me mine for, and it wasn't missing anything - no damage.

Quote from mprayii : I bought a 50UT50 on sunday, I have 3 windows on 2 different walls (one actually faces the tv) in my relatively small front room (16x16) and I get VERY little glare. I only notice it when the tv is off. I love this TV, but I was scared to buy it because of all the people claiming it has reflective issues. Makes me wonder if any of them actually own it! By the way, if you see the 50UT50 as an open box at your best buy, offer them $529 for it. That's what the mananger gave me mine for, and it wasn't missing anything - no damage.

I didn't notice reflections but the TV has looked really dark in the 3 different stores I saw it. So I think you lose a lot of black level in daytime.

The warning of extreme glare I'm seeing across reviews really keeps me from pulling the trigger on this otherwise great deal.

Quote from VarmintCong : UT50 for $650 is a better deal I think. But both UT50 and E550 probably aren't as good in daytime as the ST30, which has a daylight filter if I remember.

Is there another deal running for the UT50? The 55 or 50 incher?

Anyone know what the life expectancy of this TV is?

Also, those that have the unit, have you experienced any burn in issues?

does anyone know how this compares to the PN51E7000? I was going to buy the E7000 about a month back when Best Buy was running their promo for this TV and a $200 gift card. Never pulled the trigger and this looks very temping for my bedroom with low light.

pulled the trigger - what clinched it for me was no tax in CA for Paul's...thnx op...

Can anyone point me to the best calibration settings for this one?

Really good deal.

(Not thread crapping, but if you plan to play games or run anything with a static picture, expect some possibility of burn in. Samsung does have a rep for having the least burn in potential of all plasmas, but the possiblity is still there depending on the length of time the picture is static. Also, don't believe the people that say plasmas don't burn in, they do. There's a reason why in the options there is a screen wipe mode, just for such occasions. If burn in doesn't occur then why the screen wipe mode?)