Panasonic 50" 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV TC-P50ST30

[NorthStar]

Sept 17, 2011 7:55:15 GMT -5 RadTech said:

I was told by a Bestbuy associate that for every inch you increase in screen size (16:9) you gain 6% more visible viewing area. So if the associate is right , Theresa just increased by 10 inches or 60% more viewing pleasure if what I was told is right. I tried to research but couldn't find a link.

Excellent point Rich!

* If Theresa (or anyone else for that matter) wants to find out all the differences between two different size HDTVs, all she have to do is to write down in the 1st box (Display 1) the (diagonal) of her old Sony HDTV, and in the 2nd box (Display 2) the of her new Panasonic HDTV.
You'll see exactly all the measurement differences between the chosen two, and also with a very clear picture in their superimposition.

* HERE => www.displaywars.com/

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- Theresa's new 50" Panny HDTV has a 56.25% larger viewing area,
compared to her previous 40" Sony HDTV.
Very substantial and rewarding; in particular with 2.35:1 aspect ratio movies.
...Because those movies on her smaller 40" screen are very small (miniature) indeed.

[Deleted]

Yes, Bob, thanks for the site and it is indeed a phenomenally different. 40" seemed huge compared with the 27" it replaced and this one is as much of an improvement.

[Deleted]

I was dismayed that it seemed I could not control the overscan of the screen which cut off content by the edges, especially irksome with computer content. I finally discovered a setting that sets it to display all the pixels, all the way to the edge. I am so relieved.

[NorthStar]

In my Samsung plasma HDTV it's called Screen Fit.

Under the Picture setting for the Aspect Ratio.

* You know Theresa, I would have bought that Panasonic exact same model, but the 60" class,
if it wouldn't have cost so much here in Canada.
- You guys in the US have much better deals than us here in Igloo country.

[Deleted]

You do get something in return for higher prices though.

[NorthStar]

I didn't want all those Applications, and useless features; so I went with the cheapest Samsung model.

But I kind of regret it now, because I believe the D6500 (D6900 in Canada) plasma Series have the edge on picture quality.
That would have cost me an additional $580 though.
{The PN59D6900 Samsung plasma model is now $1,999.99 here in Canada, and it includes the full 3D Kit, with all the 4 Shrek movies in 3D. With taxes that would have been $2,240 total.}

*** The Panasonic TC-P60ST30 is $2,499.99, also with the 3D Kit. (Again, here in Canada; and with tax = $2,800! )
[My sammy PN59D550 costed me $1,660.00 total with tax included, and 3D Kit.]

And the Panny TC-P50ST30 (same model as yours) is $1,499.99 here in Canada (without the 3D Kit). With tax it comes to $1,680.

So can you see the tremendous deal you just got!

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By the way, the two top guns, the Panasonic TC-P65VT30 and the Samsung PN64D8000 (both plasma models) are selling here for $4,999.99 and $3,499.99 respectively (before tax)!

Just look at the huge price difference! The Samsung plasmas are a much better deal (value wise) compared to the Panasonic ones.
And the reviews of both those are equivalent in overall Performance.
But the Samsungs won in Design and overall Value.

The Pannys might have a slight edge on Black level, but the Sammys won for Color fidelity.

[Deleted]

I'm happy that you got the one that you wanted. I doubt that I'll use any of the internet applications. Didn't get it for them.

[NorthStar]

Well, what we want and what we can afford are usually two variously spaced things...

Not for everyone, but for most of us anyway.

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2011 17:36:40 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

.....variously spaced.....

That perfectly describes the quadrants of your brain!

[NorthStar]

Thank you Chuckie, that's very nice of you!

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2011 17:36:40 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

Well, what we want and what we can afford are usually two variously spaced things...

Not for everyone, but for most of us anyway.

For me too! I'm pretty restricted as far as what audio/video equipment I can afford. I got the second cheapest 50" from Panasonic. My Sony was the cheapest 40" 1080P from them and I kept it three years. I had thought of getting a 46" but am happy that the folks here encouraged me to consider something larger. My BD player is three years old and was Sony's cheapest at the time, no SACD's for me at least not yet. My audio setup, except for fronts and subs, is entirely Emotiva (and not the high end amps), the cheapest separates available. With speakers I felt driven to get the best drivers instead of the cheapest and I overspent on them. If the Emo 8.3s and 6.3s had been on sale when I decided to get back into audio/video I would have bought them with a Rythmik and never gotten into active crossovers. Ah, perhaps in an alternate time line....

[Deleted]

Cheap is not necessarily bad. I bought my sister a 32" Panny LCD for her bedroom. It is an excellent TV, much better than the two year old Sony it replaced. I bought the Panny entry level DMP-BD75 for under $100 and it's video is superb on both Blu-Ray and DVD's. I understand it as has the same video processor as the more expensive models. ;D

[Deleted]

I think when I get a new BD player it'll either be a Sony, because of SACD and inexpensive, or the Oppo 93, because of it's universality.

[Deleted]

From AVS: You made the right choice. All the ST models have the new Inifinity Black 2 Panel that makes a huge difference in 2D PQ ( I, too, have no use for 3D but wanted the best 2d I could get). I was able to look at adjust the 42ST30 and the 50S30 side by side and there was no comparison.
Had my 42ST30 up and running since May and it looks great with no problems whatsoever.

[NorthStar]

OK Theresa, now that we are all certain that you have the very best value & performance HDTV in the entire Panasonic plasma line, and that your next BD player will be or a Sony or an Oppo with SACD playback (two great choices again); about your Blu-ray movie collection?

* By the way Theresa, did you read the full review by Tom Norton comparing the three Panny Plasmas; Panasonic TC-P50ST30, TC-P50GT30, & TC-P55VT30 - Three for the Show?
{Home Theater, September 2011 issue.} => He end up concluding:
"The GT30 is a good set, but apart from slightly spiffier asthetics, more cable clearance for a wall mount, an additional HDMI input, and a PC input, it offers little that you can't get in the ST30 for $400 less (the GT30 is $1,900 MSRP).
-----Of the three sets here, the ST30 is my sentimental favorite. It's by far the best value, and it gives up little to the VT30 in terms of picture quality apart from the later's superior black level (the VT30 is $2,800 MSRP)."

___________________

Also, the TC-P50ST30 ain't the second lower model from Panasonic, but it is the third model from the top; out of eight plasma models!

[thepcguy]

Sept 19, 2011 12:24:17 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

apart from the later's superior black level

The Holy Grail!

[Deleted]

Perfect black level and bright whites that don't bleed or block and wide gamut (100% Adobe RGB), that would be close to perfect. Perhaps in a few years when I need a new tv...

[NorthStar]

Sept 19, 2011 13:30:06 GMT -5 thepcguy said:

Sept 19, 2011 12:24:17 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

apart from the later's superior black level

The Holy Grail!

Yes, but only by a meager 0.002 ft-L (foot-lamberts).

1. The TC-P55VT30 measured Black Level was 0.006 ft-L.
2. The TC-P50ST30 measured Black Level was 0.008 ft-L.
3. The TC-P50GT30 measured Black Level was 0.008 ft-L.

* By the way, last year model, the TC-P50VT25 measured black level was 0.004 ft-L.
{The visible difference with the VT30's black level of this year on a full black field is subtle but unmistakable. Very disappointing as the newer Panasonic top gun, the VT30, instead of increased improvement in its black level performance, has a decreased performance!}

===> But we all know by now that all Panasonic plasma HDTV models from 2010 and 2009, have their black levels rising!!!

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*** Some LCD LEDs by Samsung have a Black Level of 0.000 ft-L.

[Deleted]

Not all improvements this year then?

[NorthStar]

Sept 19, 2011 15:43:10 GMT -5 @theresa said:

Not all improvements this year then?

Yes my dear, true fact! ...That's why last year models, the VT25s are highly recommended, not only because of that but also because they are on clearance at fantastic low prices.

BUT! They have rising black levels!!!

* According to Panasonic, no such thing with their 2011 models.
BUT! According to the pros, the black levels will ALSO rise this year in their 2011 models!!!
Because they use the exact same video processing components (for that particular Black Level feature), and they cannot be made for a constant black level over time!
- C-Net & other professional video calibrators are monitoring this very same exact issue... Time will tell, and time is now very near...

*** I read extensively about this from the very best people in the business, and I am 95% convinced that Panasonic has not yet resolved this very unfortunate issue!
And even from their top representative saying the contrary!

-> There are more troubles with Panasonic regarding the reliability issue from some of their products, including their Blu-ray players with the BD lens failing to read Blu-rays after a certain time!
And I know that for a fact! As I own the DMP-BD55 which is now inoperative! A wasted $400!
...And many other people have the exact same problem, with other Panny models as well!
And even some technicians from Panasonic have confirmed this fact!

I'm just sayin', because I trusted Panasonic before, and I was going to purchase the TC-P60ST30 plasma HDTV.
But the price was just too high (not competitive with Samsung and LG similar plasma models of similar performance).

Pionneer Elite Kuro plasmas were for a very long time the very best.
And then Panasonic was second.
And then Samsung last year catched them up.

NOW! The new Sharp Elites LCD LEDs are supposed to be BETTER than the Pioneer KUROS!

You've got to stay always in touch with the latest and most informative info by the very best informers in the business.
Always look sharp, staying on the very edge of technology and with all the pros and cons of this world we all live in.