i was thinking of buying a 50" inch panasonic plasma tv. Any suggestions whether i should or shouldn't buy it

Question

Since this tv cost a lot and i want to be sure it's really good before i buy it. Any pros or cons about it? or any suggestion or anything from people that own this tv or are planning to buy one?

Answer 1

Pioneer has a better picture.

Keep in mind all of the other stuff you will need to get with it in order to get that great picture. Mainly a HD signal. All of the other accessories are just to help keep the picture looking it's best.

But only about 30% of the signals out there are HD, and you have to pay extra for most.

Answer 2

Panasonics are decent plasma TVs. They are very popular. IMHO, think they are so popular becasue they are, in general, priced very competively.
I personally think Pioneer plasma TVs are better but that's just my opinion. I am sure many people would disagree with me. :-) If cost is an issue. I would consider other type of TVs. In other posts, I commented on the difference btwn DLP vs LCD vs Plasma. Without going into all the details here, I think the DLP TVs have a better cost vs size and performance. Another words, the most bang for your buck.

Answer 3

Panasonic plasmas are generally highly rated. The idea that HDTV material is rare is outdated. Nearly all prime time programs from the major networks are in HD, and many from the independents are also. All major sports events are broadcast in HD, and cable and satellite sysems both have several channels devoted to HD (HBO, Showiime, Discovery HD, HDNet, ESPN HD, etc.)

However, before committing to a plasma, consider the following points:

Picture quality of plasma is brighter, better color, better blacks than LCD. (There is something about looking directly at glowing phosphors!)

Sharpness is the same for equivalent pixel counts. Some newer LCDs have 1080 x 1920 resolution, most plasmas still in the 720 x 1280 range.

Plasma is heavier and uses more power than flat panel LCD.

There are reports that plasmas are not as reliable or they don't last as long, but that is no longer true with the latest models. Plasma phosphors dim slowly over time (but not as fast as CRT phosphors); but direct view LCDs use flourescent lamps which also dim and eventually burn out (some are replaceable). Projection LCD sets have bulbs of limited life, but are replaceable and the lifetime is a few thousand hours of viewing.

Plasmas are subject to burn-in. A stationary image left on the screen for a long time could produce a permanent ghost image. The most risk is when viewing a lot of 4:3 ratio pictures (non-HD), which are displayed with vertical dark areas on the left and right to fill in the wide screen. There are ways to minimize this, however. many sets have a "stretch" mode which widens the picture to fill the whole screen. This could also be a problem with extended playing of video games if there is a background image that remains stationary.

Plasmas come in larger sizes, although large flat panel LCDs are coming out, but they are expensive. LCD projectors can be 70".

LCD contrast and brightness can be reduced when viewing from off-center (both flat and projector, but sets will vary).


You may also want to consider a rear-projection LCD or DLP unit:

LCD (liquid crystal display) is available either as flat panel, rear projection or front projection TV; DLP is available as projection TV only. To learn the techincal difference, see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lcd_display...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dlp...

At present, DLP provides higher brightness and more contrast than most LCD. An exception is the Sony SXRD, which can match DLP contrast and black levels. You have to be wary of the "rainbow effect" in DLP displays: before buying a DLP TV, look at a picture with bright areas and scan your eyes across the screen. If you see a trail of colors, you can see the "rainbow" and you may want to avoid this set. Many people (including me) cannot see these, but some can. Both LCD projectors and DLP projectors are available in "1080p" resolution (they display 1920x1080 pixels on the screen). However, only the Sony SXRD is true 1080p; the DLP sets simulate this resolution with a tecnique called "wobulation". See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/wobulation...

These DLP sets do provide a high resolution picture that is a little "softer" than the LCD units, but some people find that preferable (more "film like").

Another thing I've noticed is that flat-panel TVs seem to have highly reflective surfaces, and that you can see reflections of windows, room lights etc easily. The rear projection sets seem to have much less of a reflection problem if this is an issue with you.

You should go look at the sets and decide what you like better. All the good sets are expensive and it is worth it to take your time and decide which one you like best.

Answer 4

This is probably a pretty good time to buy. The next best time wont be until next spring. Your TV selection is good. After you get one though, get it professionally calibrated. It will look even better than it does on the show floor.

Answer 5

panasonic are amongst the top makes of plasma in the world -along with pioneer lg sony fujitsu (who incidentally invented the flatscreen tv) and samsung-go for it-you won't be dissappointed.

Answer 6

You school go to Brandsmart USA, Best Buy, Sears, Sam's Club and check prices, because there are many new brands competing with big ones.
And my advise buy the two years warranty.

Answer 7

I HAVE THE 64 INCH AND IT IS GREAT YOU WILL LOVE THE QUALITY OF THE PICTURE IT HAS GO AHEAD AND BUY IT IT IS FOOTBALL SEASON