Deciding what plasma to get.

[Jimbo]

I've always been under the impression that the two p's (panasonic and Pioneer) made the best plasmas.... although I know Pioneer was talking about getting out of the tv business, they may have already.

In turn.... I've always been under the impression that the three s's made the best lcd's (Samsung, Sony and Sharp)

I've got a Samsung LCD and love it, but if going the plasma route would have likely gotten a Panasonic.

This is the last year for Pioneer plasma's.
They have quit making them now.
They had a 42" a 50" and a 60 " at one time.

I had a Pioneer Elite Pro150FD for two years, then started having trouble with it, it quit twice in 3 months.

I am awaiting a New Pioneer Elite Pro 151FD from Pioneer as a replacement (the 151 was this current years model, so the black levels are even better than the model I had that had incredible Black levels on it.
Should be here next week.

They tried to find parts to fix the original one and called to tell me that it would be an unreasonable amount of time for them to get the parts to repair it so they located a 151 for me instead.

 

[Jimbo]

To make a suggestion to the OP.

Had I not been able to get the Pioneer Elite set back and working, I was getting money back and I would have bought a Panny V10 series.

From what I've seen, thats the next best plasma out there from what I have.

 

[classic cartoon fan]

This week I think I'm going to go for it. The V10 is looking and sounding pretty nice.

The only other question I have is; Should I get an extended warranty? And if so, for how long?

 

[teachsac]

This week I think I'm going to go for it. The V10 is looking and sounding pretty nice.

The only other question I have is; Should I get an extended warranty? And if so, for how long?

Extended warranties have come in handy for me. I had to replace the light engin on my Mits last year. 3 years minimum.

S~

 

[JAG72]

I picked up the Panny G10 in September and love it. Not sure how much difference there is in he G10 and V10 but if you are only looking at a 50" there is quite a bit of a price difference ($700 difference at Best Buy right now)

 

[rad]

This week I think I'm going to go for it. The V10 is looking and sounding pretty nice.

The only other question I have is; Should I get an extended warranty? And if so, for how long?

An alternative is, if you were going to put it on a credit card, is to see if the card you're using has a feature that doubles the manufactures warranty as a benefit.

 

[gadgtfreek]

This week I think I'm going to go for it. The V10 is looking and sounding pretty nice.

The only other question I have is; Should I get an extended warranty? And if so, for how long?

As someone who had an A board replaced at 14 months on my 2008 Panny Plasma, I'd say YES.

I bought an expensive Panny in home 3yr, but the Square Trades are rpetty nice.

 

[lparsons21]

Picked up one of these yesterday morning, couldn't refuse with the price...

Panasonic - VIERA / 58" Class / 1080p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV - TC-P58S1

MAN what a huge TV....and its still in the box, haven't had a chance to set it up yet....

I got the TC-P54S1 and couldn't be happier. Both SD and HD content look great from all sources. And out of the box, it would fit in the back seat of my Buick so I could take it home.

 

[lparsons21]

Extended warranties have come in handy for me. I had to replace the light engin on my Mits last year. 3 years minimum.

S~

I agree, but the ones the big box dealers like to sell are awfully high priced. I've used Warrantech/Repairmaster in the past, but am looking at Mack Camera and CPS. Much cheaper, with good reputations.

 

[classic cartoon fan]

I agree, but the ones the big box dealers like to sell are awfully high priced. I've used Warrantech/Repairmaster in the past, but am looking at Mack Camera and CPS. Much cheaper, with good reputations.

How does the process work to get a warrenty through someone else? And you don't have to buy any warrenty at all from the big box guys?

 

[gadgtfreek]

Square Trade is very easy.

 

[lparsons21]

How does the process work to get a warrenty through someone else? And you don't have to buy any warrenty at all from the big box guys?

You do a google search on the company you're looking for, here's a couple of examples for search strings :

cps warranty
Mackcamera warranty

That should show some places to buy them online. You buy the warranty you want based on the selling price of the item and what it is (ex; Plasma TV, 1199). When you register you give them the date of purchase, s/n, model etc. If/when you need service, you either go online or to their website to start the process.

For instance, I just got a quote for $150 for a 3 year warranty on my new plasma that I paid $1199 for. That warranty starts AFTER the end of the mfg warranty, effectively giving me 4 years of warranty. Note that most don't do it that way, and none do it for their 5-year ext. warranties.

And no, you don't need to do a thing about it at the big box store.

 

[lparsons21]

Square Trade is very easy.

They are easy and have a good reputation, so do CPS and MackCamera. The latter are usually cheaper and one of them (I think CPS) offers a 3-year warranty that starts at the end of the mfg warranty. That makes a total of 4 years...

 

[classic cartoon fan]

Thanks for all the help. All I seem to have is questions, not answers, but that's why I signed up for these forums.

 

[lern4483]

Panasonic all the way! TC-P54V10

Thanks for all the help. All I seem to have is questions, not answers, but that's why I signed up for these forums.

Just my two cents:

I baught from Vanns.com a Panasonic TC-P54V10 4 months ago.

Picture is spectacular. Its seems to have immproved since day one.

Vanns also threw in a Panasonic Blu ray machine for free. Nice promotion.

I had looked at several sets. Being an LCD guy for so long Plasma was foreign

to me...

No regrets....

Hope this helps..

 

[SatPilot]

FYI for reference.

Just got a 58V10 for $2100 at Best Buy in the nw suburbs of chicago. Not bad considering they list it for $2700.
Panasonic - VIERA / 58" Class / 1080p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV - TC-P58V10

Tapeworks Texas has a great price for a Mack 5yr warranty.
5 YEAR (TV ONLY)

 

[nitemare]

I just bought a Samsung 550 - 50'' Plasma. Amazing picture. Fanastic colors.

Paid only $959. I dont see the point on spending extra money for a name like Panasonic.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Good buy, but just so you know, the Pannys are nice too and have better blacks. Plus the cust serv is a tad better.

Nothing dumping on your tv, because it is great, just letting you in on why Panny is not "overpriced".

 

[fleetfarmer]

But just so you know the supposed "better blacks" on the panny probably aren't even noticeable to anyone.

It's not as if a panny guy goes to a friend's house that has a samsung and right away says - Holy crap ! The blacks on your TV really suck !!

 

[nitemare]

For the big price difference between Panny vs. Sammy, it better be ALOT better, not just a little bit.