Author Topic: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV  (Read 16382 times)

Offline rpf

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Re: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV
« Reply #15 on: January 17, 2013, 02:46:13 PM »
After you do your initial looking/research, you could also go to Audio Breakthroughs in Manhasset. They have become a mostly home theater shop with the decline of the high end business for brick and mortar stores.

They will give you the best info, without any bull, and will likely meet any price you get from the big box stores. Will also deliver and set up (probably extra?).
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Offline Putz

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Re: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV
« Reply #16 on: January 17, 2013, 05:51:27 PM »
Try to get the TV into "Cinema" mode if you're viewing in the store. Both my plasmas looked their best when I tweaked them in that mode. Stop in when they're not busy and schmooze the sales guy into breaking out the remote.

Anti glare might be worth it if you have a bright room or do a lot of daytime viewing.

Flat screen sound is not going to be too good. If you're not going to do a 5.1 setup, pick up a cheap HTR and a center channel or sound bar.

Shipping is a scary proposition when there's a huge piece of Glass involved. They used to recommend not laying the box flat when transporting. Not sure if that still applies. Most CC purchases give you an extra year on the warranty.

I'm fine with my LG set. Lots of calibration settings in the menu to play with.

Offline BobM

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Re: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV
« Reply #17 on: January 18, 2013, 06:21:31 AM »
The price difference between a 55" and a 60" plasma is really huge. Just a little more screen space and a $500 difference.

I am now leaning toward a Panasonic TC-P55ST50 or a TC-P55GT50. There seems to be little difference between the 2 excep that the GT may have slightly better reflection reduction and it has more ability to tune the picture with controls. Seems to be about a $150 difference between the two.
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Offline BobM

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Re: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV
« Reply #18 on: January 20, 2013, 07:02:46 AM »
OK, so after much investigation and a wait for MLK weekend and Super Bowl sales to hit a peak I've purchased a Panasonic TC-P55GT50. The differences over to ST50 set is minimal, but the extra picture adjustability was worth it to me. Also, not drawn out in the on line reviews, but told to me by local salesmen was the GT's better glare reduction over the ST.

Bought it from www.buydig.com because outside of NJ there is no sales tax and free shipping. Now that's a win.

Also ordered a Panasonic DMP-BDT220 3d Blu Ray player from Amazon. It's all over but the delivery and setup now!
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Offline machinehead

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Re: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV
« Reply #19 on: January 20, 2013, 08:29:13 AM »
Yeah! Congrats!
Its cool ndude.

Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV
« Reply #20 on: January 20, 2013, 12:13:23 PM »
Congrats, enjoy it!
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Offline sleepyguy24

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Re: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV
« Reply #21 on: January 20, 2013, 07:58:19 PM »
Congrats! Nice job. That is one sweet plasma. Will it require calibration by a specialist to fully enjoy it? Are you going to put an aftermarket power cord on it? What HDMI cable will you use?

I've been fine with HDMI cables from Blue Jeans Cable and Monoprice. Power cord wise an old reapir tech told me he had good results with using the original Belden 17604 cable with his TVs. He gave me one to use on my Samsung. I then plugged the Samsung into a Tice Power Block for kicks. I think it made a difference. My mother-in law was complaining the colors were too vibrant or bright for her after I did the change so something must be working.

Enjoy the TV. I hope the actual game will be exciting. Ravens vs. 49ers might not be the most entertaining as both teams have really good defenses. You may see Ray Lewis light someone up in brilliant HD.

Offline BobM

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Re: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV
« Reply #22 on: January 21, 2013, 08:24:03 AM »
I've got a fairly generic HDMI cable, but it does have gold plated ends. One from the cable box and one from the DVD player.

I also have a Felix power conditioner that I plug the TV into. It uses the high current coil which you need for a plasma TV. This is the single best improvement I have made to my TV setup - truly recommended if you haven't done it already.
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Offline tmazz

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Re: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV
« Reply #23 on: January 21, 2013, 11:08:30 PM »
I've got a fairly generic HDMI cable, but it does have gold plated ends. One from the cable box and one from the DVD player.

I also have a Felix power conditioner that I plug the TV into. It uses the high current coil which you need for a plasma TV. This is the single best improvement I have made to my TV setup - truly recommended if you haven't done it already.


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Offline sleepyguy24

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Re: searching for a Super Bowl deal on a new TV
« Reply #24 on: January 30, 2013, 07:26:13 AM »
Morning everyone

Check out this site. I had totally forgotten about it until I stumbled upon it in another forum. Apologies if you know about this site already.

You can input your TV model # and make to obtain the settings most used by professional calibrator

http://www.tweaktv.com/tweak-my-tv/calibration-guide/panasonic-tc-p55vt50.html

I made the mistake onetime of making TV calibration adjustments in the day and when I watched the movie at night the pictures were so dark. I had to make readjustments again. I was using the Disney calibration disc.