Panasonic TC-P58S1 vs Samsung PN58B550

[EightySix Four]

Both are on sale at BestBuy for $1,599.99, which when combined with their 0% interest is a pretty solid deal (I already have a BB credit card).

I looked at both of them at the local store and the Samsung definitely looked better (the display Panasonic was yellow tinted for some reason) but there are many complaints about buzz on-line with the Samsung. Neither is in stock anywhere near me but they said they can order me one in.

Any thoughts?

 

[Bitek]

Either are solid units, but I would go w/ the panny s1. Don't put too much in what you see in the store. Its always poorly lit, the sets are not really tweaked, and the video feeds are usually from component repeaters. In the end it sounds like the sammy have a slight edge on color accuracy, but the panny does not suffer any buzzing and the cs from panny is much better.

Another thing to consider is that the new gen stuff will be out soon. If you have the money and time to wait, the panny G series should be really good. Doesn't sound like the s2 will be much over the s1, so might as well take the deal now if that suits your specs.

 

[sivart]

Either one would be great. I'm waiting for my Sam's club to clearance the 54" Panasonic Plasma for $850 like they have been doing in other parts of the country.

 

[Bitek]

Either one would be great. I'm waiting for my Sam's club to clearance the 54" Panasonic Plasma for $850 like they have been doing in other parts of the country.

Wow, 850... this is the s1? I'm saving for a 2010 panny g25 (50-54), but $850 is a smokin deal.

 

[EightySix Four]

Either are solid units, but I would go w/ the panny s1. Don't put too much in what you see in the store. Its always poorly lit, the sets are not really tweaked, and the video feeds are usually from component repeaters. In the end it sounds like the sammy have a slight edge on color accuracy, but the panny does not suffer any buzzing and the cs from panny is much better.

Another thing to consider is that the new gen stuff will be out soon. If you have the money and time to wait, the panny G series should be really good. Doesn't sound like the s2 will be much over the s1, so might as well take the deal now if that suits your specs.

I appreciate the input, I went ahead and bit the bullet after discussing it with the SO over valentines dinner and picked up the Samsung. If the buzzing is audible/annoying I'll pick up the panny. They had a second S1 inside the store in the Magnolia room and it was also tinted yellow. One of the reviews I read on the S1 also complained about the yellow tint depending on angle (odd for a plasma) so the 550 won me over.

I'd been waiting to pick up a TV for a few months and was ready. The deal was good and I'm on first name basis with the GM of the local store and got a bit of a discount on top of the sale price. They didn't have it in stock but I'm going to pick it up from the local distribution center tomorrow.

I'll make sure and give you guys a solid review when I get it and give it some break-in time. Does anyone use one of monoprice's mounts? Those things are cheap! A ultra-thin mount from bestbuy is $140, at monoprice it is less than $20. I'm almost worried about it holding my new TV lol.

 

[sivart]

Wow, 850... this is the s1? I'm saving for a 2010 panny g25 (50-54), but $850 is a smokin deal.

It was the S14 series. My store still had 4 on the shelf, but still at $1297

I don't need a new TV, but for that price I'd upgrade my 3 year old plasma

 

[EightySix Four]

While I'm currently keeping the contrast and brightness down, the TV looks quite amazing. I used the settings from one of the reviews I read and the white balance is near perfect. Thus far no buzz.

 

[BornStar]

My dad has a 58in Panasonic on the Monoprice tilt mount and it has held it fine for 6 months now. It was a little nerve wracking taking our hands off it for the first time even though it had held my 42in Sharp for several years before.

 

[EightySix Four]

How do you guys feel about the whole plasma break-in thing? It's brutal not playing 2.21:1 movies or playing my xbox on this beast

 

[sivart]

Download this, let it run and break in over in a few days at the most.