Deciding between 50" and 55" Plasmas

[Coal42]

Here's the situation -- after sitting on the fence for the past 12 months, I've decided to make the plunge and purchase our first plasma. I've narrowed it down to three models:

1) the 50" Pioneer Elite,
2) the 50" Fujitsu Plasmavision (P50XTA51UB), or
3) the 55" Fujitsu Plasmavision (P55XTA51UB)

I'm aware of the obvious differences (price, included stand, number of HDMI slots, etc.) and I know that all three are excellent sets. I'm sure that we'll be very happy with any one of them, but I wanted to get some opinions on what I should consider in making the final decision.

We will use it as our primary set, connected to DirecTV and with a viewing distance of 9'. We watch mostly HD programming, especially sports and DVD movies. We will also do some limited gaming (Xbox 360, PS2/3).

For our tests in the store, we viewed Underworld Evolution, Star Wars III, The Fifth Element and King Kong. The colors were amazing on both, with the Pioneer seeming warmer, with a softer feel. The Fujitsus seemed crisper/sharper, with cooler colors. We also watched the NCAA College World Series on ESPN HD, with the Pioneer providing richer, greener grass, although both pictures were outstanding. All sets provided amazing detail in the darker portions of Underworld and the Matrix Reloaded.

My wife prefers the 50" over the 55". I'm worried that it will seem too small once I get it home. My wife also likes the warmer colors on the Pioneer, but did acknowledge that the Fujitsus seemed clearer and that I have a more discerning eye. Price, luckily, is not a major factor. Also, we may have to wait for the Fujitsus (it seems like the black sets are extremely popular, so perhaps that's another vote for the Fujitsus) whereas we could have the Pioneer delivered tomorrow.

Given this, I was wondering what each of you would recommend. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[wtr_wkr]

Bigger is ~always better. (Keep in mind, they get smaller as they age.)

Make sure your compare digital SD and DVDs on them.

[Halfpipetrick]

I went with the 55" Fujitsu - still love it and do not regret it. The black level is better on the 50" no doubt but I like the larger size. If I were buying today however, I would probably wait for the 58" Panasonic and get an external scaler - maybe even wait for the new 65" 1080p Panasonic. JMTC.

[Coal42]

Thanks for your responses, wtk wkr and Halfpipe!

wtk wkr: I have compared SD and DVDs on the units. To my eye (which may have also been influenced by the salesman, who claimed that the Fujitsus have a special processor), the Fujitsus seemed to handle SD better than the Pioneer, The Fujitsus seemed to smooth out the granularity that comes with watching SD on a HD set. Neither looked great, but compared with the ability of other sets to handle SD, none of the sets looked bad or below par.

As for handling DVD input, I preferred the way that the Fujitsus handled the material. The Pioneer was warmer and gave a slight greenish tinge to gray areas (think the walls in Underworld). The Fujitsus seemed more accurate to my eyes, more true to life. My wife preferred the Pioneer, which she described as a painting or a comic book in the way that the colors seemed to pop off the screen. I found that the Fujitsus appeared like a glass or window into the world.

Halfpipetrick: I'm in So. Cal. too (Santa Monica), Where did you get your 55"? Did you get it with the black or silver bezel? Luckily, I don't have the dilemma of selecting a larger size than the 55" - it's the largest that my house can handle. I'm leaning towards the 55" if only for the fact that I will be watching somthing and think "I should have gotten the 55" because this would be clearer or bigger or easier to see." Ah, the choices, the decisions.

[Halfpipetrick]

[QUOTE=Coal42]Thanks for your responses, wtk wkr and Halfpipe!

wtk wkr: I have compared SD and DVDs on the units. To my eye (which may have also been influenced by the salesman, who claimed that the Fujitsus have a special processor), the Fujitsus seemed to handle SD better than the Pioneer, The Fujitsus seemed to smooth out the granularity that comes with watching SD on a HD set. Neither looked great, but compared with the ability of other sets to handle SD, none of the sets looked bad or below par.

As for handling DVD input, I preferred the way that the Fujitsus handled the material. The Pioneer was warmer and gave a slight greenish tinge to gray areas (think the walls in Underworld). The Fujitsus seemed more accurate to my eyes, more true to life. My wife preferred the Pioneer, which she described as a painting or a comic book in the way that the colors seemed to pop off the screen. I found that the Fujitsus appeared like a glass or window into the world.

Halfpipetrick: I'm in So. Cal. too (Santa Monica), Where did you get your 55"? Did you get it with the black or silver bezel? Luckily, I don't have the dilemma of selecting a larger size than the 55" - it's the largest that my house can handle. I'm leaning towards the 55" if only for the fact that I will be watching somthing and think "I should have gotten the 55" because this would be clearer or bigger or easier to see." Ah, the choices, the decisions.[/QUOTE]

I got mine last July at the Magnolia store at the Best Buy in West LA off of Pico. They were the only store (in California) willing to match the movie studio discount deal I got from Video & Audio Center in Santa Monica (they were out of stock at the time). Magnolia I heard no longer carries Fujitsu hence, try Video & Audio Center and bargain - you can get an amazing deal if you try. When I got mine they came in silver only - I actually prefer the silver.

Keep in mind none of the PDPs out today are perfect. Many on here prefer the 50" because of its deeper black levels. That being said, my advice is, go with your gut and get the 55" unless you're looking for perfection (which you will not find) you won't be disappointed.

[Coal42]

That's hilarious. I actually went to Magnolia on Wilshire in Santa Monica first and have been shuttling between there and the Video & Audio Center that you mentioned. Magnolia still carries the Fujitsu -- both the black and silver models.

It's funny because when I went to Magnolia, they told me that the black Fujitsu was out of stock and that, because of demand, they were not willing to adjust the price. They told me I'd have to wait three to four weeks for the TV. At the Audio & Video Center, they had them in stock, were willing to cut the price significantly and could deliver it the next day. Of course, I went back to Magnolia and they magically found both the 50" and 55" Fujitsus in black and promised to beat the Audio & Video price. After going back and forth, I finally settled on the deal from Magnolia, primarily because of the belief that their extended service plan (although cheaper than the similar plan from Audio & Video) was more valuable and provide greater coverage throughout the country.

I went with the 50", because of the factors you identified. The colors looked deeper and sharper and I think that it would fit perfectly in our house. Plus, with the Magnolia 30 day return policy, I can step up to the 55" if the 50" is not enough! : )

Thanks for all your help! I can't wait for it to get here.

[FloridaTV]

[QUOTE=Coal42]I went with the 50", because of the factors you identified. The colors looked deeper and sharper and I think that it would fit perfectly in our house. Plus, with the Magnolia 30 day return policy, I can step up to the 55" if the 50" is not enough! : )
[/QUOTE]


What did you finally decide on doing? Keep the 50"?