50" Philips Ambilight or 50" Panasonic Plasma

[Seattle_Lite]

So heres the deal.... I'm debating whether i should get the 50" Philips or the 50" Panny from Costco.

Philips
# Resolution: 1366 x 768p
# Brightness: 1500 cd/m2
# Contrast Ratio: 10000:1

Panny
# Resolution: 1366 x 768p
# Brightness: ?
# Contrast Ratio: 3000:1

I like the looks of the Philips better, but I hear so much about the Panny. Any opinions?

[wiscy]

The Panny is stripped of tuners. But it will probably have better blacks.

The ambilight 2 feature of the Philips might be cool for about 5 minutes. But it can always be turned off and maybe it is more than just a gimmick.

At the end of the day I feel the dual HDMI inputs, tuners, cablecard make the Philips worth the difference. I feel it has better looks as well. I can't tell from the web site if the Panny has the same black bezel as the 50PX50U or if it's charcoal gray. I prefer black.

Don't forget this is costco as in zero risk. Just order one and if you don't like it simply bring it in to a store and get a full refund including your shipping amount. No box needed as it's taken away anyway during white glove delivery.

[Seattle_Lite]

thanks for your opinion!

[TahoeJR]

As much as Phillips is promoting the Ambilight feature, it really detracts from the fact that they offer an all around strong product.

[lipcrkr]

One word: Panny

[Casey Jones]

I think you should add to the list of positives for the Philips the Automatic feature of the aspect selection. This works on component as well as DVI and HDMI. It senses the black bars and fills the screen automatically. Something many other panels dont do.Just think no more black bars regardless of the source!This panel has all the connectivity you could ever want and probably more than you will ever use. And no fans, so no buzzing ,humming, whirring, just silent operation.

[AudioArchitect]

Its amazing Philips is still in business with their absolutely horrible quality control. Panasonic with no hesitation.

[dtrell]

[QUOTE=lipcrkr]One word: Panny[/QUOTE]
one word, vizio P50HDm...6** less than the panny and it has PIP, TWO HDMI ports, and RGB input. it looks very close to the panny in standard mode. the panny looks better in vivid mode, but vivid mode is VERY pixelized.

[shasta]

[QUOTE=dtrell]one word, vizio P50HDm...6** less than the panny and it has PIP, TWO HDMI ports, and RGB input. it looks very close to the panny in standard mode. the panny looks better in vivid mode, but vivid mode is VERY pixelized.[/QUOTE]

While I have to agree that this panel has dose a decent job with Hd and DVD sources, however in my opinion it's still not in the panny's class and dose an awful Job with SD broadcasts. To me the savings isn't worth the sacrifice, panny's the better choice.

[jtntsfr]

Is the 50 inch ambilight being sold at Costco? I haven't seen it online or at my local one.
If you have could someone PM me the price. TIA :rolleyes:

[Casey Jones]

Audioarchitect,

I own a Philips and it works just great, as do many others on this forum. As far as quality control issues you might want to pin that problem on many other brands just read some of the posts on this forum for proof of that. Buzzing , humming, whirring, changing black levels, banding, man I dont have any of that!

[optivity]

Any Panasonic TH-50PX50U, TH-50PX500U or TH-50PHD8UK but stay away from the TH-50PM50U... too many features are stripped from this model and I doubt that individuals who buy it will be happy over the long-term.

[Seattle_Lite]

The 50" Ambi-light Philips is like $3400 at Costco-com

[wabkab]

[QUOTE=optivity]Any Panasonic TH-50PX50U, TH-50PX500U or TH-50PHD8UK but stay away from the TH-50PM50U... too many features are stripped from this model and I doubt that individuals who buy it will be happy over the long-term.[/QUOTE]
What would you really lose if your intent was to use Direct TV HD as your source and you used an AVR that upconverted and switched all to HDMI(or component)?

[Seattle_Lite]

Has anyone heard anything about SD with the Philips? Or how SD is with the Panny?

[asiparks]

might be worth your while going to the costco home store in Kirkland. They have a huge setup at the back with all the plasmas from the website so you can check them out in person. Like others have said, it's a no risk purchase, if your credit card can handle it, get both and side by side them, return the one you like least....

[simplyjaz]

Is Philips really worth the $3400? Is there something better I can get for $3500 or less? I can create my own lighting feature on any plasma...I need a good plasma.

[thruxton]

[QUOTE=simplyjaz]Is Philips really worth the $3400? Is there something better I can get for $3500 or less? I can create my own lighting feature on any plasma...I need a good plasma.[/QUOTE]

$3400 for a 50 is not a lot.

I'm considering that much for a 42" from Toshiba. :cool:

[Bushman4]

Create your own Ambi-light for a Plasma.
Don't base your decision on a gimmick or toy (as this has been called in this thread)
Base your decision on the quality of the Plasma itself and you will come up with the right decision.

[jtntsfr]

[QUOTE=Bushman4]Create your own Ambi-light for a Plasma.
Don't base your decision on a gimmick or toy (as this has been called in this thread)
Base your decision on the quality of the Plasma itself and you will come up with the right decision.[/QUOTE]

It is neither a gimmick or a toy, but a proven feature that prevents eye strain. I wish I had a link to the reports I have read regarding ambiant lighting and the effects on the eye when viewing a video source. i will look for it and provide it as soon as I find it.

[lipcrkr]

[QUOTE=thruxton]$3400 for a 50 is not a lot.

I'm considering that much for a 42" from Toshiba. :cool:[/QUOTE]

I've seen the Toshiba 42HP95 as low as 27 at BB a couple of weeks ago and 22 online. You don't have to pay 34 for the Toshiba, it's generally lower than even the Panny PX50U which has less features. The Tosh is comparable to the 500U. The Tosh uses Panny panels.