The 2013 Plasma Discussion Thread!

[just4kix]

>>>

Websites for Panasonic US and for Panasonic AP do not have info. on the new for 2013 GT60 models. Panasonic Europe has. So it is perhaps not surprising not to find information on the GT60 from Panasonic brandshops in India. (Surprisingly, a couple of them hinted that the GT50D might be available in the near future - these might be existing AP stock re-directed to India; which is fine by me).

If the GT50D and the GT60 are not coming to India, I will check out the ST60 if that is headed here. My guess is the 2013 models will take awhile to come, sometime around August or even later to cash in on the festive sales nearing Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali.

Except for Croma, I have seen plasmas to LCDs in the ratio of maybe 1:10 in the display walls of dealers in Bombay. Croma has a slightly better ratio of maybe 1:7. This is across all brands.

Regards
issigonis

Don't get me wrong. The GT50 is definitely a better TV than ST50 on tech specs and paper. But ST50 was/is a greater value for money than GT50. I think the same holds true for ST60/GT60. The ST60 is recommended as "best buy" and "best value for money" in the plasma category. It even gets more stars than VT60 because of this.

If ST60 is launched, I will advise you not to wait. Negotiate hard and buy it. Believe me that a difference of 5K in negotiation is not worth the suspense of waiting for a price drop and then finding that there is no more stock. That is what happened with ST50 last year.

It is a great pity that Samsung F8500 is not avaialble in 50-51" size. Not many can afford to go for the 64" model or accomodate a 64 incher even if they could afford it (like me for instance).

 

[issigonis]

Don't get me wrong. The GT50 is definitely a better TV than ST50 on tech specs and

>>> Not at all. Appreciate your point. Reason for preference toward the GT - GT has THX!

But ST50 was/is a greater value for money than GT50. I think the same holds true for ST60/GT60. The ST60 is recommended as "best buy" and "best value for money" in the plasma category. It even gets more stars than VT60 because of this.

>>> Agree completely.

If ST60 is launched, I will advise you not to wait. Negotiate hard and buy it. Believe me that a difference of 5K in negotiation is not worth the suspense of waiting for a price drop and then finding that there is no more stock. That is what happened with ST50 last year.

>>> As you must have surmised, my plan of action is very simple :

1. If stock exists, go for the GT50D (without being unreasonable) due to the possibility of discounts re. stock clearance - probability is almost zilch

2. If # 1 is negative, go for the next best option which seems to be an ST60 ( don't see how I will be able to land substantial discounts with a new model, newly launched:sad

It is a great pity that Samsung F8500 is not avaialble in 50-51" size. Not many can afford to go for the 64" model or accomodate a 64 incher even if they could afford it (like me for instance).

>>> Truth be told, the ideal size for me is actually a 42 incher; a 50 incher will just squeeze in and perhaps provide that extra in comfortable viewing to the viewers. Somehow apart from Panasonic, other brands leave me cold.

Regards
issigonis

 

[akasmarty2003]

64F8500 is what I meant.

does the remote look like this?
View attachment 10574

where it has been manufactured?

 

[vij]

It is a great pity that Samsung F8500 is not avaialble in 50-51" size. Not many can afford to go for the 64" model or accomodate a 64 incher even if they could afford it (like me for instance).

10 feet viewing distance is fine for a 64". These days there are enough HD channels and the upscaler in Samsung F8500 is good for the others.

 

[Dirac]

Re: The 2013 Plasma Discussion Thread! [Updated with Information]

Definitely st60 is the star among the lot with its top quality PQ and value for money.
At the same time if one could manage to get a bit more money, one should become a proud owner of the crown jewel of the plasmas--gt60.
It seems that this tv is an indication to the pinnacle of human excellance.

 

[nm_plasma_fan]

does the remote look like this?
View attachment 10574

Yes, thats the one! And for others, it doesnt come with any other remote. And this remote is really such a step forward, from the old school Monster remotes.

 

[nm_plasma_fan]

10 feet viewing distance is fine for a 64". These days there are enough HD channels and the upscaler in Samsung F8500 is good for the others.

Agreed. My distance is 10 Feet for the F8500 and its fine. The ignorant guests do think its too big, but who cares

 

[just4kix]

Agreed. My distance is 10 Feet for the F8500 and its fine. The ignorant guests do think its too big, but who cares

Guests are not ignorant. Everyone has a different point of view. That's all. Also, it takes some time to get used to a large screen at a closer distance.

 

[nm_plasma_fan]

Stand corrected.

 

[gautamkhadse]

Re: The 2013 Plasma Discussion Thread! [Updated with Information]

Gautam,

Excellent choice. Even I am planning on the F8500. It's superb value for money at 1.86. Not to mention the reviews and user acceptance have been positive.

I got a quote of 1.85 without much efforts.

With no demo available and fresh stocks arriving, I don't think you should be too much worried about used stock. Though always be safe than sorry.

All the best.

Shaiju , do you wanna try and buy together . Maybe we can bargain for the price . If yes , let me know . I am planning to buy it by this month .

 

[Dhanan]

Recd. my 61F8500 two weeks ago in Mumbai. So far it has blown us away. Our watching distance is 10 feet, and we are loving it.

I paid 1.86 for it, but know another dealer who will beat 1.80 aswell.

NmPlasma...could you let us know its performance especially wrt

A. Viewing angles
B. Pic quality in a well lit or moderately well lit room.
C. Pic quality of SD content.
D. Any heat generation issues and buzzing sound from the TV.

Also do post some pics.

 

[shaiju_o_thomas]

Re: The 2013 Plasma Discussion Thread! [Updated with Information]

Shaiju , do you wanna try and buy together . Maybe we can bargain for the price . If yes , let me know . I am planning to buy it by this month .

Sure. Let's do that. I'll PM you.

 

[vij]

Agreed. My distance is 10 Feet for the F8500 and its fine. The ignorant guests do think its too big, but who cares

Guests are not ignorant. Everyone has a different point of view. That's all. Also, it takes some time to get used to a large screen at a closer distance.

You are right... but there is a good chance that his guests would do cartwheels and change their "perspective" and buy if tat "too big" tv was given for say price of a 42". Maybe they secretly wish for it...

Personally I have lesser adjustment issues seeing a 64" at 10 feet than seeing a 42" at <5 feet and I have seen enough people seeing 42" at < 5 feet

 

[just4kix]

NmPlasma...could you let us know its performance especially wrt

A. Viewing angles
B. Pic quality in a well lit or moderately well lit room.
C. Pic quality of SD content.
D. Any heat generation issues and buzzing sound from the TV.

Also do post some pics.

Viewing angle problem is virtually non-existent in plasma. You can view from as high as 175 and still face no issue wrt PQ. Of course, watching at such obtuse angles is out of the question, more or less.

However, when it comes to 3D, the angle of view is limited to get the 3D effect. In this case beyond 45 from dead centre perpendicular will cause to loose all 3D effect.

 

[shanmune]

Re: The 2013 Plasma Discussion Thread! [Updated with Information]

Definitely st60 is the star among the lot with its top quality PQ and value for money.
At the same time if one could manage to get a bit more money, one should become a proud owner of the crown jewel of the plasmas--gt60.
It seems that this tv is an indication to the pinnacle of human excellance.

Hi Dirac,
Even in 2012 line model, most of the reviewers found no difference between GT50 and ST50. For one specific question on ST50 vs GT50, David Mackenzie of hdtvtest.uk had said the same. Of course, this inference was made only after calibrating both ST50 and GT50. I even read that ST series is slightly brighter than GT/VT series while maintaining same black levels. Probably, the deal breaker for GT series might be THX setting.

 

[akasmarty2003]

does the remote look like this?
View attachment 10574

Yes, thats the one! And for others, it doesnt come with any other remote. And this remote is really such a step forward, from the old school Monster remotes.

can you pls. let us know in which country this beast has been manufactured / assembled.

 

[nm_plasma_fan]

NmPlasma...could you let us know its performance especially wrt

A. Viewing angles - most excellent. While dining I can see it from almost 170 degrees.
B. Pic quality in a well lit or moderately well lit room. - again most excellent. And I watch my tv in movie mode throughout the day. The dynamic mode and sports mode are way too bright, even for daytime viewing.
C. Pic quality of SD content. - very good. It is doing some upscaling and you can tell. T does quiet a good job.
D. Any heat generation issues and buzzing sound from the TV. - heat and buzz can be felt if you are right next to it. But even from 2-3 feet away, non whatsoever.

 

[nm_plasma_fan]

Current doubts: judder and sports mode. Still not able to find perfect setting to watch sports. Judder - the rolling stock prices on business news look shaky.

 

[vij]

Current doubts: judder and sports mode. Still not able to find perfect setting to watch sports. Judder - the rolling stock prices on business news look shaky.

A firmware update improved this in uk and us i think.

Stil waiting for my f8500... I have a question for you. Do you find any banding or Dirty screen effect when camera pans in football or cricket. I kn plasmas are less susceptible to those but curious.

 

[shaiju_o_thomas]

Current doubts: judder and sports mode. Still not able to find perfect setting to watch sports. Judder - the rolling stock prices on business news look shaky.

I guess Samsung has a setting for the video type. Try switching between Auto1 and Auto2.