[BFC56]

Ok, I have narrowed my choices to either the Panasonic TCP58S1 or Samsung PN58B540. I know there is a large price difference, but I have been able to negotiate the salesman down to within a few hundred. The Panasonic being more. Now what do you think I should go with. From everything I have read, the hands down decision is the Panasonic?

Thoughts, comments?

Thanks

 

[rikee]

Go with the S1. I just went to BB and the buzzing sound coming from this TV are so loud, I could hear it easily with the ambient noise in the store.
Regarding picture quality, I'm very happy with my 54S1

 

[fuzzy32]

My vote goes for the Panasonic.

 

[killdemwitit]

I have had a 50S1 for a week now and love it.

 

[firechkn]

Go for the Panasonic. I just returned a Samsung PN50B850 due to buzzing and dead pixels and just put my order in for the the Panasonic TCP58S1. I figure I get more size at roughly the same price. This fits my budget nicely, can't wait to get it Wednesday and do some testing and calibrations after some break-in of course.

 

[BFC56]

Thanks for all the replys. I just picked up the Panasonic 58s1 today. I hope to put it up this weekend.

Cheers!

 

[firechkn]

Congrats, I get mine today

Are you going to run the slides or just watch it? I want to calibrate it so I'll be doing the slides for 120 hrs. I'm impatient having waited this long so I want to harden the phosphors ASAP.

 

[BFC56]

I think I am just going to watch it. I have read, for hours, about doing the slides and do not think they are necessary if you are careful with your viewing. I have a 3 year old 50" Panasonic plasma that I simply plugged in and started watching. It was not until I found this forum that I heard about 'breaking in' a tv. I actually checked my settings on my current 50" and it was set on Vivid. Needless to say if anything bad was going to happen to it, it would have already. No burn in or IR.

What made you decide to do the slides?

 

[firechkn]

I don't want to go off topic, but it is recommended if you are going to calibrate your set that you should put 120 hrs on it first, be it slides or just regular TV as long as it fits the screen and you are careful. I just want those hrs fast and I feel the slides at night and while at work is the safest way to get there. Of course I will watch TV when I'm home.

You can do a search about this topic here or elsewhere.

 

[57]

The reason to not calibrate right away is to ensure you don't have infant mortality and pay for calibration on a TV that then breaks, needs replacement, etc. There is really no other reason to wait, as the settings do not really change significantly with time (at least nothing 100 hours affects). Several ISF calibrators have stated such on this forum including MichaelTLV.

FAQ on Burn In / Break In. http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=21270

 

[Michael TLV]

Greetings

Yup ... early mortality. No one wants a lemon, but the break in time is good to determine if that is going to happen. Usually in that first 30 days.

If you really want to get it done, then just find a calibrator guy that will give you a warranty covering that potential. TV breaks in the first 60 days ... he comes back to redo the work on the new tv ... no additional cost.

Or calibrate it now and come back in 6 months time to retweak it again for no additional charge. I don't think any good calibrator would balk at such a proposal. Reasonable ... and the return trip lasts all of 15 minutes anyway.

Very little happens from brand new out of the box to the six month part. Sure there is marginal drift ... meaning a couple of clicks one way or another. The measuring devices can see it ... the human eyes cannot. Well beyond human perception.

And was this shift due to it being brand new? or just 6 months worth of wear and tear? Who knows. Come back in another 6 months ... a couple more clicks ... not much more.

Regards

 

[firechkn]

True, I've calibrated my sets with DVE from day one and noticed very minor adjustment needed over the years. Some prefer to breakin with slides over days others may just watch it over weeks. No one wants a lemon for sure and with only 14 days return policy for me I'll prefer to do it ASAP.

 

[BrianAtDH]

I'm also trying to decide between these two sets. I'm leaning towards the panasonic, mostly because of the "buzzing" noise I've heard on the Samsungs. But there is a price premium to pay for Panasonic.

 

[jeff1960]

I just pulled the trigger and bought a 54S1 . it'll be here tomorrow. I'm excited to get it and am expecting it to blow the socks off of my trusty Sammy HLN4365 DLP.

Any suggestions for the best material to fine-tune the picture? I think I have a DVD somewhere that was recommended when I bought the DLP . .. . 6 years ago. Is there anything better out there now?

Happy New Year!!

Jeff

 

[Sam]

I bought a Panny 58S1 to replace my 42" Hitachi and I could not be happier. The Hitachi is now relegated to bedroom use for the wife's regular work out.

I am very satisfied with the Panny especially it's rendition of blacks (which I had been missing).