Which Plasma? Panasonic ST30 or Samsung E550? - A final Call.

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In Pune it is offered at 74K (dealer price, MRP=78K). After some haggle, it comes down to 70K or so. We have 5% octroi (revised rate) here. So in Bangalore, you should get it at around 68K.
 
arnprasad said:
Hi..My TV has crashed..want the best price in Bangalore of immediate buy of 51E550
Click to expand...

Your Samsung crashed and you still want another piece of same company - what loyalty man !!

BTW did you consider and compare any 50" Panasonic plasma as well, share your views...
 
Here are the reasons. Pls let me know if I am wrong:

1) I already have/had a 46 incher and want a bigger tv
2) Since my 76K lasted only three years..Do not want to spend more than 80K this time around
3) in LCDs there is no 50/51 inchers and I cannot afford 55 inches
4) So in the given options of 50 inch Plasms - Samsung E550 is affordable. Even if I add 12K for 3 yrs warranty - its still under 85K
5) Comparable Panasonics from last year like the 50ST30 seems to be out of stock
6) Current year Plasmas since new are being sold close to MRPs...so for 75-80K I will not get the ST and above models.

Taking all the above into consideration let me know if you have any better suggestions!!
 
arnprasad said:
Here are the reasons. Pls let me know if I am wrong:

1) I already have/had a 46 incher and want a bigger tv
2) Since my 76K lasted only three years..Do not want to spend more than 80K this time around
3) in LCDs there is no 50/51 inchers and I cannot afford 55 inches
4) So in the given options of 50 inch Plasms - Samsung E550 is affordable. Even if I add 12K for 3 yrs warranty - its still under 85K
5) Comparable Panasonics from last year like the 50ST30 seems to be out of stock
6) Current year Plasmas since new are being sold close to MRPs...so for 75-80K I will not get the ST and above models.

Taking all the above into consideration let me know if you have any better suggestions!!
Click to expand...

Great logic and thinking... and guess what, I am in same boat as you :)

1. Budget decided - actually 70K but I will get additional discount so we can start at 75-80K for reference like yourself.
2. Size Decided - 50"+ preferred (can go for 46"/47" LED also), but saw Plasmas and read a lot here and hence tilting towards 50" Plasmas - what would you suggets)
3. Options with prices I will get them at (additional discount)-
46" LEDs - Sony 520,720 (65-70K), Samsung 5600R (68-70K), LG 5500/5700 (68-70K)
50/51" Plasmas -> Samsung 470 (55k), Samsung E550 (65-68K), Panasonic 50ST30 if I get it. 50ST50 is being sold for 105-110k I guess so I might not get it less than 90-95K anyways.

Your thoughts... have you seen E550 demo and your feedback vis a vis the 46" you had.
 
rajatk said:
Great logic and thinking... and guess what, I am in same boat as you :)


2. Size Decided - 50"+ preferred (can go for 46"/47" LED also), but saw Plasmas and read a lot here and hence tilting towards 50" Plasmas - what would you suggets)
46" you had.
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Hi,

I really do not know if you are a videophile. most of the folks on these forums fall in that category. They get into a dark room, play reference material and keep on looking for loopholes/ or things to appreciate. If you are one of them - then there are plenty of discussions on whether Plasma is good or LCD is good.

For a layman it does not matter if its a LCD or Plasma. It does not matter if the tv pictures displays perfect black or not because unless you are in a dark room you may not notice. Regarding other discussions like viewing from an angle and all that - in practical life if you sit on a sofa and watch TV - it wont matter at all. Whether your TV displays perfect color or not - you will not be able to tell unless there is another TV for comparison next to it.

So in my opinion what really matters to laymen are:

(1) Bigger the TV for the same price is definitely better

(2) Full HD is definitely better if your screen size is bigger than 40 inches

(3) If you have a home theater set up - the speakers on your TV are useless

(4) Since samsung TV comes with one year warranty - you have to shell out another 12-20K for 3 year warranty compared to Panasonic plasma -so always add 15K to samsung price when you compare with Panasonic - I realized this the hard way this week

(5) if you buy a 3D TV I believe the current year models have universally compatible eyewear - so it is possible to pick up a pair of glasses for around 1K compared to 3-4K last year for customized glasses


I hope this helps - again most of the folks on these forums are very learned men and know what they are talking about - Just that most of those issues may not really matter in real life. Like when you watch TV with your wife and kids - the last thing on your mind is blackest of blacks or accurate color rendering - the only thing that matters then is who has control of the remote control!!!!
 
arnprasad said:
Hi,

I really do not know if you are a videophile. most of the folks on these forums fall in that category. They get into a dark room, play reference material and keep on looking for loopholes/ or things to appreciate. If you are one of them - then there are plenty of discussions on whether Plasma is good or LCD is good.

For a layman it does not matter if its a LCD or Plasma. It does not matter if the tv pictures displays perfect black or not because unless you are in a dark room you may not notice. Regarding other discussions like viewing from an angle and all that - in practical life if you sit on a sofa and watch TV - it wont matter at all. Whether your TV displays perfect color or not - you will not be able to tell unless there is another TV for comparison next to it.
Click to expand...

Good points - I am gonna use it for regular viewing (HDs + SDs on Tata Sky HD, Sitcoms, News, music channels,some movies and sports) from 10-12 ft distance in a room with almost no direct sunlight (the window/ glass door is far off on 1 side). To a novice like myself, in a regular showroom LED looked sexy / bright and Plasma dull and faded, I know it would also be because of the settings these guys would have done.

So in my opinion what really matters to laymen are:

(1) Bigger the TV for the same price is definitely better
Click to expand...
Absolutely Agree

(2) Full HD is definitely better if your screen size is bigger than 40 inches
Click to expand...
100% with you.

(3) If you have a home theater set up - the speakers on your TV are useless

(4) Since samsung TV comes with one year warranty - you have to shell out another 12-20K for 3 year warranty compared to Panasonic plasma -so always add 15K to samsung price when you compare with Panasonic - I realized this the hard way this week
Click to expand...
Are you sure about 15k thing - extended warranty should not be so expensive. Which TV you asked for? And of course you would recommend 3 years warranty...

(5) if you buy a 3D TV I believe the current year models have universally compatible eyewear - so it is possible to pick up a pair of glasses for around 1K compared to 3-4K last year for customized glasses


I hope this helps - again most of the folks on these forums are very learned men and know what they are talking about - Just that most of those issues may not really matter in real life. Like when you watch TV with your wife and kids - the last thing on your mind is blackest of blacks or accurate color rendering - the only thing that matters then is who has control of the remote control!!!![/QUOTE]

Awesome post - completely agree with many of your points. So you are going for Plasma because it is more bang for the buck (large screen)?
 
I checked with the samsung call center and she said 12K for 3 years is for 40/46 inches. She also said they dont have warranty for Plasma.

today when the Samsung engineer called to confirm if I was going for the replacement panel - he confirmed they do give warranty for Plasma also.

So I think 15K is a good estimate - that too on the lower side for the 50inch size plasma.

Regarding myself - I am not sure. If Samsung E550 is say 73K+15K warranty = almost 90K for an average Plasma TV, I would rather wait for Panny 50ST50 since it has received glowing reviews universally. It may be around a lac initially, but I am hoping it will come down to 90 levels soon.

Although personally I dont mind being TV less for few months, I do not want to watch the London Olympics on my current 21 inch CRT either - so I am a bit lost here.
 
rajatk said:
To a novice like myself, in a regular showroom LED looked sexy / bright and Plasma dull and faded, I know it would also be because of the settings these guys would have done.

?
Click to expand...

Plasma is like a gorgeous lady with beautiful skin - but without makeup may be with few freckles.

LCD is the same lady who tries to hide her freckles with lots of makeup

So its obvious the artificial looking bimbo is whom we will get attracted to

Also I too have always found plasma dull and boring in showrooms - but that is only because you have a LCD next to it. Plasma being all alone at home am sure will look ok.
 
arnprasad said:
Plasma is like a gorgeous lady with beautiful skin - but without makeup may be with few freckles.

LCD is the same lady who tries to hide her freckles with lots of makeup

So its obvious the artificial looking bimbo is whom we will get attracted to

Also I too have always found plasma dull and boring in showrooms - but that is only because you have a LCD next to it. Plasma being all alone at home am sure will look ok.
Click to expand...

What a great anology to explain this - superb :yahoo:
 
arnprasad said:
Plasma is like a gorgeous lady with beautiful skin - but without makeup may be with few freckles.

LCD is the same lady who tries to hide her freckles with lots of makeup

So its obvious the artificial looking bimbo is whom we will get attracted to

Also I too have always found plasma dull and boring in showrooms - but that is only because you have a LCD next to it. Plasma being all alone at home am sure will look ok.
Click to expand...

He He , but this statement means once the makeup fades off, LCD will be a normal woman like Plasma..:ohyeah:
 
The sad part is my TV has broken down and I need desperately this weekend for around 75-80K. Unfortunately none of the posts here have helped me.

Only the Sammy E550 seems to fit the bill.

Old pannys are not available and new ones are too expensive:mad:
 
Folks,

Any suggestions on LG Plasmas - almost everyone here seems to be in favor of Pannasoic or Samsung (2nd choice), why no one mentions LG here? They also have a huge variety in Plasmas I guess...

Any suggestions on 50" Plasma by LG?

R
 
Samsung 51E550 is now being quoted @ 76-78k - comes with free blue ray player though... Full HD, Smart TV, 3D and 1 yr warranty. 2 yr ext warranty makes it around 90k..

BTW I got a gr8 deal on Panasonic 50UT30 today @ 76k (although another dealer in another city quoted 87K last weekend) and it carries an MRP 100k+. UT50 has 2500 Hz, 3D, Full HD and ofcourse comes with 3 yrs warranty.

Would this not be better than E550?

BTW 50ST50 is being quoted for 100K and no one is sure about its availability.

50XT50 sells @ 61-65k. 600 Hz, HD Ready, 3 years warranty,

Comments /suggestions...
 
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If its between UT30 and E550, go with E550. But if its UT50, then I would think its a tough call........might favor UT50. If its ST50 then by all means go with ST50!!! The Panasonic 2012 series have a new brighter upgraded panel. Even the earlier X30 which was nothing much to write about, now has been upgraded to X50 and is one of the best entry level plasma's.

cnet : The Panasonic TC-P50UT50 plasma TV nearly matches the world-beating picture quality of the ST50 series, at an even lower price...............says it all!!!

But ALWAYS go and demo and see what you really like.
 
Thanks Akash - I am no videophile. I just need a big TV to watch tata sky and the occasional torrent download which due to big file sizes I download only DVD quality files.

Blu rays are rare as I dont want to download 13GB files. I bought few blu rays from china and most dont play.

Maybe during my next visit to the western world I may order 2-3 blu rays..thats all

Hence as long as blacks look black and greens look green I am fine. I am not looking for the blackest of blacks.

The greatest attraction to Panasonic is its 3 year warranty which for me is of paramount importance given my earlier tv died on me after 3 yrs.
 
arnprasad said:
Thanks Akash - I am no videophile. I just need a big TV to watch tata sky and the occasional torrent download which due to big file sizes I download only DVD quality files.

Blu rays are rare as I dont want to download 13GB files. I bought few blu rays from china and most dont play.

Maybe during my next visit to the western world I may order 2-3 blu rays..thats all

Hence as long as blacks look black and greens look green I am fine. I am not looking for the blackest of blacks.

The greatest attraction to Panasonic is its 3 year warranty which for me is of paramount importance given my earlier tv died on me after 3 yrs.
Click to expand...

Let me make it simple...........you can't go wrong with Panasonic's new 2012 line up. If budget is a constraint then go with UT50, if not then ST50 for sure!!! ST series features neo pdp panels + infinite black which really separates them men from the boys!!!
 
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