Best Bang for you Boxing Day Buck: 40"-50" Flat Panels

[Pepsidewd]

As the flyers start to pour in, I am now more confused than ever. I am looking for a flat panel TV for my newly renovated basement to play video games, watch sports and action movies.

My original plan was to pickup a 42" Panasonic but with all the different options now I am confused. I am now thinking about a 50" Samsung or the 50" Panasonic. I would like to stay with plasma unless someone can convince me on an LCD.

I would love to hear your thoughts? Make me some suggestions. What is the best bang for my buck?

[mrtvgame]

As the flyers start to pour in, I am now more confused than ever. I am looking for a flat panel TV for my newly renovated basement to play video games, watch sports and action movies.

My original plan was to pickup a 42" Panasonic but with all the different options now I am confused. I am now thinking about a 50" Samsung or the 50" Panasonic. I would like to stay with plasma unless someone can convince me on an LCD.

I would love to hear your thoughts? Make me some suggestions. What is the best bang for my buck?

If you are going to do it right and then you must purchase the top end in whatever format you choose. Pioneer for the Plasma and either the 950 series of Samsung or the XBR8 Series from Sony. The XBR8 rivals the high end Pioneer Plasma which is still considered the best display on the market. Do some homework on these and then do some wheelin and dealin. Not at the big box stores but at the specialty shops.

If on a budget go with the Samsung 950 series and get at least 50 or bigger.

If $$ is no problem go with the Pioneer at 60 inches or the Sony XBR8 at 56 inches. You can probably get the Pioneer 60 for less than the Sony XBR8.

Now if you are Mr. moneybags, go for the Sony XBR8 70 incher, at $23,000.00

Here are some links to the products and check AVS forums for feedback on all of them:

Sony XBR 8: http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=1005738&navigationPath=32050n100473n100460

Samsung 950: http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=tv&type=tv&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LN55A950D1FXZC

Pioneer Kuro: http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/POCEN/Products/Home+Entertainment/Plasma+TVs+%26+Monitors/Elite+TVs/ci.New+PRO-151FD.Kuro

[rfdaddict23]

lol the OP is looking for the best bang for your buck plasma/lcd sets, and you suggest the 3 most expensive lines of TVs?! :lol: sounds to me like the OP is looking for a set that is $1000-$2000, not $5000+!

[MTL Guy199]

lol the OP is looking for the best bang for your buck plasma/lcd sets, and you suggest the 3 most expensive lines of TVs?! :lol: sounds to me like the OP is looking for a set that is $1000-$2000, not $5000+!

Lol. I agree, and I'm also in the same boat, not looking to drop 20 Grand on a TV, looking more at the $1000-$1200 range or so....

I'd appreciate any insight.

[mrtvgame]

lol the OP is looking for the best bang for your buck plasma/lcd sets, and you suggest the 3 most expensive lines of TVs?! :lol: sounds to me like the OP is looking for a set that is $1000-$2000, not $5000+!

Yeah, well why buy all of that crap out there only to want a change 2-3 years down the road and in effect pay more for it. Do it right from the start and you will be happy for many years to come. Besides when one is finishing a basement and has already dropped $35k plus, what's another 5k?

[radical53]

If you are looking for video gaming (possible while getting addicted for hours) you may have to go with the LCD to aviod ghosting. We purchased a plasma about 1 year ago (about the $1100 range) and if it is left on the same channel with an info bar for more than 1hr it ghosts (and thus has to be taken to a snow channel to whipe of the ghost. Shop wisely

[mrtvgame]

Lol. I agree, and I'm also in the same boat, not looking to drop 20 Grand on a TV, looking more at the $1000-$1200 range or so....

I'd appreciate any insight.

No problem but don't expect the world in that price range.

Stick with the Samsung 450 (720p) or 550 (1080p) series of LCD. Check the flyers posted here for the deals.

[Karlman]

As the flyers start to pour in, I am now more confused than ever. I am looking for a flat panel TV for my newly renovated basement to play video games, watch sports and action movies.

My original plan was to pickup a 42" Panasonic but with all the different options now I am confused. I am now thinking about a 50" Samsung or the 50" Panasonic. I would like to stay with plasma unless someone can convince me on an LCD.

I would love to hear your thoughts? Make me some suggestions. What is the best bang for my buck?


The best bang for your buck in a 50" is the Pioneer Kuro as FS will have it on sale at $2499. It is one of the very best TVs you can buy. Since the TV is for the basement, plasma would be the way to go due to less light than if you put the TV upstairs. Some people will argue that for playing video games you should watch out for burn-in or image retention. I've had no problems with my 42" Kuro playing PS3 everyday.

I would also recommend the Panasonic Z80 or the 800s.

[Moosehead13]

plasma all the way- best bang for your buck.

[jcon]

If you can afford it the Pioneer 5020 is the way to go at $2499.99

If not around $2000, I would say the Samsung PN50A650 or the Panasonic 50PZ85.

At around $1500 the Samsung PN50A550 is the way to go.

[TheHemming]

is there nothing decent in the $1000 range? I'll be in Niagara Region for Xmas/BD .... My brother is looking for a panel under $1000, and it doesn't have to be 1080p, he's okay with 720p and about 40-42"

[Pepsidewd]

Thanks guys... I am trying to do this on a budget... I have 1500$-2000$ to spend on a TV and sound system. Cheaper the TV the better the sound system and vice versa.

[Firestorm]

Check out the 46" W4100 at Future Shop for $1499.99 (LCD) or for Plasma the Panasonic Z80/Z85 series. I don't think the Z800 is in that price range.

[tiger7]

Save up if you want a decent set if you are looking for over 42".
Don't expect to get anything good for below $1200.

The Sony 46" W is pretty good at $1500.

[venividivici]

I am curious on opinions regarding the Samsung LN46A650? I know Gibby's has it on sale for $100 cheaper than Best Buy I believe for $1599.99 until Dec. 27th.

I realize the A650 has received rave reviews but I am not sure whether it is best to get it now or if the price will drop further anytime soon.

I am sort of torn on whether to just go out and get it as I would prefer this set over any of the others that could be had for cheaper due mainly to the 120Hz and the fact that it bouts a great picture quality.

[khulit]

Is it just me, or the boxing day deals are not that good nowadays? Most of the deals are just regular day deals, and not even worthy of lining up in the wee hours of the morning... some exceptions would probably be some mediocre items like a 50 inch plasma samsung (720p) for less than $1k, but these kinda deals have shown up before already and not even considered Boxing day deals...

[FlintBlade]

Toshiba 52" RV535 for $1399.99 at FS is pretty good imo.
Reg price $2499.99.