Panasonic P50ST30 versus Samsung PS51D550

giddavr

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Apr 18, 2007
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265
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Location
Nidadavole, AP.
I urgently need to buy a 50" 3D Plasma as I have sold off my Sony 50" 3LCD RPTV.

I need useful input from members who have actually seen both TVs, not necessarily in a side by side demo.

With the following caveats in mind which is the better performer?

1. Price is not a consideration. Cost of 3D glasses is also not a consideration.
2. Ambient Light Levels are low and controllable.
3. Will be used for watching TV programs including Sports, Bluray movies both in
3D and 2D. 2D to 3D conversion need not be taken into consideration, as
only original 3D content will be viewed in 3D.

I have no access to either TV,being in a small remote town.

I have done extensive research online, and am unable to come to any useful conclusion as there seem to be equal supporters and criticizers of both TVs.

Please dont reply if u haven't actually seen their performance.

So which is the Better Plasma, after considering the caveats above?

If both are equally good, then the panasonic's 3year warranty will ecome the deciding factor.

Thans in advance
 
Below is the list which represents the winner in each category.. You got to decide..

Black level - ST30
Colour reproduction - D550
Less IR - ST30
Bright room condition - ST30
Motion resolution - even
Upscaling SD - D550
Reflection avoidance - ST30
Warranty - ST30
Service - D550

3D - Dont know.
 
Below is the list which represents the winner in each category.. You got to decide..

Black level - ST30
Colour reproduction - D550
Less IR - ST30
Bright room condition - ST30
Motion resolution - even
Upscaling SD - D550
Reflection avoidance - ST30
Warranty - ST30
Service - D550

3D - Dont know.

Value For Money - D550 :yahoo:
Brightness in 3D - D550 :yahoo:
Light and cheaper 3D glasses - D550 :yahoo:
+1 inch - D550 :yahoo:
 
Value For Money - D550 :yahoo:
Brightness in 3D - D550 :yahoo:
Light and cheaper 3D glasses - D550 :yahoo:
+1 inch - D550 :yahoo:


Problems with IR - D550:mad:
Highly reflective panel -D550:mad:
Cheaper( it definetely looks cheaper)-D550:p
problem after 1.2 year no warranty -D550:annoyed:
Buyers unsatisfaction(refer thread on problem)-D550:sos:

So go for st30 best value for money -:clapping:
 
while I appreciate ur replies , u have basically failed to understand my question.

u r all giving various pro and cons all of which have been floating around on the web.

please take a minute to understand my question... since i specifically asked for opinions from only those who have actually seen the sets, i presume u have seen them.

since we r all HT buffs i believe u can act as surrogates in choosing the TV.

My question is after having seen both TVs... (think for a minute that both TVs cost the same, both come with 3pairs of 3D glasses free, room lighting is not a factor and u will use them to watch movies & TV, no gaming involved)

which would u buy? panny or samsung.
 
while I appreciate ur replies , u have basically failed to understand my question.

u r all giving various pro and cons all of which have been floating around on the web.

please take a minute to understand my question... since i specifically asked for opinions from only those who have actually seen the sets, i presume u have seen them.

since we r all HT buffs i believe u can act as surrogates in choosing the TV.

My question is after having seen both TVs... (think for a minute that both TVs cost the same, both come with 3pairs of 3D glasses free, room lighting is not a factor and u will use them to watch movies & TV, no gaming involved)

which would u buy? panny or samsung.

Panny without a doubt.
 
Panny without a doubt.

hi, thanks for ur input.

i definitely want to go with 3D. Unfortunately the groupbuy for ST30 is almost at standstill.

can u please talk to ur dealer about the best offer price for 50 ST30D, (1 pair of glasses is standard) and i presume the company diwali offers of Logitech KB & scratchcard will be given. Any extra glasses?

I live in Nidadavole, which is between Vijayawada & Rajahmundry in AP.
 
hi, thanks for ur input.

i definitely want to go with 3D. Unfortunately the groupbuy for ST30 is almost at standstill.

can u please talk to ur dealer about the best offer price for 50 ST30D, (1 pair of glasses is standard) and i presume the company diwali offers of Logitech KB & scratchcard will be given. Any extra glasses?

I live in Nidadavole, which is between Vijayawada & Rajahmundry in AP.

sent u a pm about p50vt20
 
hi guys...hasn't anyone realised/seen the fact that St30d brightness is too low??? am i the only one who thinks so(along with folks at cnet)....every one is recommending st30 but no one is speaking about brightness...it way low....i saw the model three time in 3 different showrooms....i was almost going to book it..but this stopped me from doing so....
 
hi guys...hasn't anyone realised/seen the fact that St30d brightness is too low??? am i the only one who thinks so(along with folks at cnet)....every one is recommending st30 but no one is speaking about brightness...it way low....i saw the model three time in 3 different showrooms....i was almost going to book it..but this stopped me from doing so....

hey girish. you could post pics if you have? i haven't seen the st30 in the flesh but i saw a 50vt20 and it doesnt look dull, was quite bright! i think you should check out the tv in a friends or colleagues place.
 
hi guys...hasn't anyone realised/seen the fact that St30d brightness is too low??? am i the only one who thinks so(along with folks at cnet)....every one is recommending st30 but no one is speaking about brightness...it way low....i saw the model three time in 3 different showrooms....i was almost going to book it..but this stopped me from doing so....

Did you look at the set on any houses? I don't hear that it is dim from any owners. I own VT20 and never thought it is dim too compared samsung.
 
Don't ever buy a Panasonic, its a junk company in my view. They don't care about customer value and neither innovate

And don't go by popular reviews like whathifi.com and other enthusiasts.

These folks are just pana fanboys and give high ratings and good words for anything panasonic.

My view on Panasonic
- very highly priced (i don't see the quality in products though)
- they are not slim and badly designed exteriors
(across TV and Blu-ray players, Samsung and LG has better designs)
- they are not feature rich (samsung and LG has more features)
- don't provide wide variety of formats support (avi, mkv etc)
(samsung and LG will play any Damn format you throw at them)
- THEY JUST DONT ADD FEATURES AND INNOVATE LIKE SAMSUNG AND LG

In my view the quality is also not any better from others, they are just perceived so, as the FAN Boys say so.

I am telling all these, by owning a latest Pana Bluray player and evaluating the Pana Plasma TV before purchasing a Samsung.
 
Don't ever buy a Panasonic, its a junk company in my view. They don't care about customer value and neither innovate

And don't go by popular reviews like whathifi.com and other enthusiasts.

These folks are just pana fanboys and give high ratings and good words for anything panasonic.

My view on Panasonic
- very highly priced (i don't see the quality in products though)
- they are not slim and badly designed exteriors
(across TV and Blu-ray players, Samsung and LG has better designs)
- they are not feature rich (samsung and LG has more features)
- don't provide wide variety of formats support (avi, mkv etc)
(samsung and LG will play any Damn format you throw at them)
- THEY JUST DONT ADD FEATURES AND INNOVATE LIKE SAMSUNG AND LG

In my view the quality is also not any better from others, they are just perceived so, as the FAN Boys say so.

I am telling all these, by owning a latest Pana Bluray player and evaluating the Pana Plasma TV before purchasing a Samsung.

I wouldn't call them junk but they only want to do bare minimum work to stay in competetion.

For a TV, they want to provide only one thing - picture quality
For a Bluray, they want to provide only one thing - picture quality

They are not even improving year after year.. Afterall how much can you perfect the PQ, at some point they should think about usability, aesthetics and features. I have seen panasonic being the least featured of the lot.

Coming to pricing, particularly in india, they lose it ALL the time. Year after year, the 50" panasonics are exorbitently priced compared to the competetion.

50VT20 for 2L mrp last year?? Are you kidding me? No wonder they are selling it at 60k (75k minus all offers) now.

But having said the above, VT20 is still so much value for money at this price. Thats the only reason I purchased it and it is evident in my house.

Had I purchased it in its selling price of 1.6L last year, I would have been out there looking for blood of the panasonic CEO.

The question is whether to buy 51D550 for 65 odd or 50ST30 for 90k odd. Honestly they dont sell for 1.5 times the price elsewhere. I will not buy ST30 at this price. I haven't yet recommended anyone to buy it at the said price.

See comparative prices below.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIE...E77O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319516706&sr=8-1

Amazon.com: Samsung PN51D550 51-Inch 1080p 600Hz 3D Plasma HDTV (Black): Electronics

Having said that, ST30 is NOT dim. It holds black level better in bright light than D550. Reflections are controlled better. These attribute make D550 unfit for certain rooms and leave you without a choice. Decision is yours end of the day.
 
I Believe every company has a DNA and Design Philosophy

- it will reflect from a simple thing like remote to a high end 3D TV.

Below are 2 examples of Pathetic Design Philosophy and DNA of Panasonic
(There are many, limiting to 2 for this thread discussion)

1: Viera Cast Vs Samsung Smart Apps (software design)

Viera is slow and UI is very basic
Viera doesn't have as many apps as Samsung and also performance is very very slow

Samsung is trendy, lot more apps, and amazingly Fast

2: USB Dongle (Hardware design)

Seriously, this is how someone designs a USB Dongle :) r they kidding me :)
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DY-WL10-Wireless-Adapter-Blu-ray/dp/B003960G1U
 
I Believe every company has a DNA and Design Philosophy

- it will reflect from a simple thing like remote to a high end 3D TV.

Below are 2 examples of Pathetic Design Philosophy and DNA of Panasonic
(There are many, limiting to 2 for this thread discussion)

1: Viera Cast Vs Samsung Smart Apps (software design)

Viera is slow and UI is very basic
Viera doesn't have as many apps as Samsung and also performance is very very slow

Samsung is trendy, lot more apps, and amazingly Fast

2: USB Dongle (Hardware design)

Seriously, this is how someone designs a USB Dongle :) r they kidding me :)
Amazon.com: Panasonic DY-WL10 Wireless LAN Adapter for select Panasonic Viera HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc Players: Electronics

no offence, rajudhs, but this, to me, looks like a rant.

Needless to say, u have every right to express how you feel about a particular company, and I do concur with you that when it comes to external design and features, Samsung and LG have done better. This is clearly not an area of focus for Panasonic, though they've improved a little this year.

All of us have personal preferences but simply trashing a company which has over the years built a strong following amongst enthusiasts (and who's plasmas get almost universally rave reviews) on all parameters including picture quality, takes away a lot of credibility from your post.
 
no offence taken Reds4ever :)

The purpose of these forums is to say what you feel, so shouldn't hold back,

just because a company is reputed. Remember that there is no Gr8 company, and every Gr8 company falls if they don't innovate.

In My view Panasonic, rips customers Off by exorbitant prices and less value

And just expressing my opinion, doesn't matter how much good will they have with some folks and sections of users.

They don't seem to value that, by their prices and inferior products.

look at below thread on Blu-ray BDT 210, 110 and 310 latest products that have HMDI issues that world wide people reporting. i own a 210

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1318879&page=104
(this is just an example)

Whathifi review of BDT 210 was (Quality is Pure Gold , flowing though this product, Blah Blah :) )

There is a very Biased opinion in some sections of users, just because it was a great company in past

but i dont think its the same anymore.at least for now
 
If one had to choose between the panasonic 42st30 vs the samsung pn51d550 as both are similarly priced.

Are the Pq/Black level/Non reflective qualities of the panasonic 42st30 justified over the extra 9 inch extra screen/better color reproduction?

Which would you experts choose given the choice between 42st30 and pn51d550 ?
 
If one had to choose between the panasonic 42st30 vs the samsung pn51d550 as both are similarly priced.

Are the Pq/Black level/Non reflective qualities of the panasonic 42st30 justified over the extra 9 inch extra screen/better color reproduction?

Which would you experts choose given the choice between 42st30 and pn51d550 ?

In my view, extra screen size adds enormously to viewing pleasure. I initially purchased a 42 LED Cinema 3D TV which I've since replaced with a 50" VT20. Perhaps in a couple of months, 50" might seem small too. My viewing distance, btw, is 8-9 feet.

At home, you'll not have another TV to do a side by side comparison, so subtle differences (noticeable in the showroom) will not matter as much. That said, reflective nature of the Samsung could be a deal breaker for some if you have a window opposite.

If lighting can be controlled, were I in your position, I'd buy the D550. It's best, however, to check with the feedback from actual owners.
 
If one had to choose between the panasonic 42st30 vs the samsung pn51d550 as both are similarly priced.

Are the Pq/Black level/Non reflective qualities of the panasonic 42st30 justified over the extra 9 inch extra screen/better color reproduction?

Which would you experts choose given the choice between 42st30 and pn51d550 ?

If 51d550 fits your room conditions as mentioned, go for it.
Else as I suggest, Go for the 50VT20. Its around 75k with Tata sky HD+ and Keyboard thrown in. It has 3 years warrenty too.
 
I wouldn't call them junk but they only want to do bare minimum work to stay in competetion.

For a TV, they want to provide only one thing - picture quality
For a Bluray, they want to provide only one thing - picture quality

They are not even improving year after year.. Afterall how much can you perfect the PQ, at some point they should think about usability, aesthetics and features. I have seen panasonic being the least featured of the lot.

Coming to pricing, particularly in india, they lose it ALL the time. Year after year, the 50" panasonics are exorbitently priced compared to the competetion.

50VT20 for 2L mrp last year?? Are you kidding me? No wonder they are selling it at 60k (75k minus all offers) now.

But having said the above, VT20 is still so much value for money at this price. Thats the only reason I purchased it and it is evident in my house.

Had I purchased it in its selling price of 1.6L last year, I would have been out there looking for blood of the panasonic CEO.

The question is whether to buy 51D550 for 65 odd or 50ST30 for 90k odd. Honestly they dont sell for 1.5 times the price elsewhere. I will not buy ST30 at this price. I haven't yet recommended anyone to buy it at the said price.

See comparative prices below.

Amazon.com: Panasonic VIERA TC-P50ST30 50-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV: Electronics

Amazon.com: Samsung PN51D550 51-Inch 1080p 600Hz 3D Plasma HDTV (Black): Electronics

Having said that, ST30 is NOT dim. It holds black level better in bright light than D550. Reflections are controlled better. These attribute make D550 unfit for certain rooms and leave you without a choice. Decision is yours end of the day.

Quite true, BLASTO u are one of the the best advisor's here on Hifivision, keep it up bro':clapping:
 
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