The great TV debate / Timing is everything / To buy or not to buy the Panny ZT65

[scootermaster]

So, I haven't owned a television in nigh 12 years. I moved in to a new place, and figured it's time to buy one.

This was almost 2 months ago.

I figured "hey, I'll just get whatever the best Panasonic 2013 plasma is!"

Again, this was two months ago.

So, now, it's finally coming to pass that the ZT series -- which looks like an AMAZING TV -- is like, a real TV. Except it'll be around some time in May.

Or, y'know, in two months.

Oh, and it's going to be over $4000. Four Gs for the last plasma Panasonic may ever make. In two months. Maybe. I could wait for it to be cheaper, but then I'm waiting even longer.

Now, yes, I know 4k is "aways" away. And I know OLED is "aways" away. Having said that, I'm starting to think that maybe the ZT isn't the way to go here.

I'm trying to decide between my desire to have a TV "now", my desire for good PQ, my desire to be at least somewhat future proof, and my desire to save a little money (which is, by far, the least important of the bunch).

I'm starting to think that a "stopgap" TV (i.e. something in the $1200-$1600ish range) that's available now might make more sense. I could have it for a few years, and then reevaluate when the new technologies come out, and make my big "splash" then.

I'm interested in your opinions. Please having something more exciting to say than "I bet 4k will take X years for it to be mainstream! Look at 1080p!". The point is that if I'm going to spend $4000 on a 1080p plasma now, I probably won't mind spending $5000 on a 4k TV in 2 years.

So, other than Sharp Elites (which I assume are just as expensive), what are the next best TVs out there? (I'm obviously considering the VT and GT series too).

Or should I wait for the ZT?

I just kinda want a TV, and waiting for 2 months to spend THAT much money on what really is looking like a dead technology (and I don't just mean plasma in general) is starting to feel like a bad play. The days of owning TVs for 20 years (like our parents) are clearly over, but if you can see the new tech on the horizon, maybe it makes sense to wait for that? I don't know....

Thoughts?

 

[iRONic]

I'm trying to buy a new 65" plasma without 3D or 'Smart' features and I'm failing.

You should just get a 65" 3D TV for ~$2300 now.

 

[kornphlake]

I'm confused, you haven't owned a TV in 12 years and after all that time you're looking for the best of the best? It's your money, do what you want, but it sounds like you're after the best so you can say you have the best, not because you "need" the best. If you "needed" the best, you'd already have a television that would make most of us jealous.

 

[JackBurton]

I paid $7K for a 60" plasma in 2008 and still love it. For $4K, I'd say pick up the ZT65 and in 5+ years when a 70-80" 4K OLED comes out for $5K, you can move that TV to another room. Until then, you'll have a fantastic TV to enjoy.

That's what I plan to do with my. I don't think I'd ever sell it. I'll just move it to another room when an 80"+ 4K OLED hits <$10K.

 

[scootermaster]

I paid $7K for a 60" plasma in 2008 and still love it. For $4K, I'd say pick up the ZT65 and in 5+ years when a 70-80" 4K OLED comes out for $5K, you can move that TV to another room. Until then, you'll have a fantastic TV to enjoy.

That's what I plan to do with my. I don't think I'd ever sell it. I'll just move it to another room when an 80"+ 4K OLED hits <$10K.

I feel like that's gonna happen in less than 5 years, which is, I guess, the point. That, and I'm not sure I want to wait another 2+ months for this TV to even materialize. But I guess there's no way of knowing when either will happen.

I'm confused, you haven't owned a TV in 12 years and after all that time you're looking for the best of the best? It's your money, do what you want, but it sounds like you're after the best so you can say you have the best, not because you "need" the best. If you "needed" the best, you'd already have a television that would make most of us jealous.

Um, yeah.