Focals86 Posted July 27, 2013 Posted July 27, 2013 Hi all, I'm in the market for a new TV and was after a bit of help (I'm a bit of a newb when it comes to TV's!) First of all I am in no rush whatsoever and I have about 2k saved. One TV that I have got my heart set on the Panasonic ST60 60". I'm leaning towards a plasma is because it will predominantly be used for movies in a low lit room is this correct? I have read a review on Cnet and it does seem like a great TV for the price. So I went down to the major retailers and when I saw the TV in person today and it seemed a bit dull compared to the LED LCD's. Now I know LED LCD's work well in bright lit rooms like the shop floors ect but it has still put me off a bit :S Does anyone have any experience with this model of TV or could suggest any other comparative brands? I loved the picture on the Panasonic VT60 65" however it was a bit out of my price range $4500 Thanks, Laurence
Fun-Ghoul Posted July 27, 2013 Posted July 27, 2013 Hi there. I bought the st50 from Dick Smith in January for the same reason - watching movies in a dark room. I wasn't all that impressed when viewing it in-store (bright lights, punchy led neighbouring sets, etc), but took a punt based on the rave reviews. I have to say that I have absolutely no regrets - the tv is outstanding given its price (I paid $1160). The picture to me is gorgeous and it hasn't even been calibrated yet. I believe the st60 is better again, so it would be a no brainer for my money. Good luck with your decision making. 1
Gee Emm Posted July 27, 2013 Posted July 27, 2013 The ST is a very good panel. Much better than LCD for me. Store setups vary heaps. 2
Saxon Hall Posted July 27, 2013 Posted July 27, 2013 I also bought the ST50 about a month ago and it is a ripper. I was worried about using it in my well lit lounge but it displays superbly, so not an issue at all. With a HD picture from SBS HD or ONE it really shines. It also handles SD very well so it seems to be an all rounder. Not one complaint so far. And no buzzing either which some people grumble about with plasmas. 2
Focals86 Posted July 28, 2013 Author Posted July 28, 2013 Thanks for the responses! I was walking through Myer yesterday and came across the ST60 50" the room was dim and low lit and I must say the TV looked great. Also glad to hear there is no buzzing. Looks like I'll go ahead with the 60" version. Cheers,
Jliang70 Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 ST60 is good plasma however it is dimmer and have lower brightness than Samsung F8500. Samsung F8500 is an overall superior plasma TV than ST60. If you want a plasma that works best in the bright viewing environment Samsung is the one that perform the best. 1
Juicester Posted July 31, 2013 Posted July 31, 2013 Get the 65"! You won't regret it... I own the 60" ST50. Lovely set. 1
Golden Boy Posted August 2, 2013 Posted August 2, 2013 I have the ST50 65" and no regrets, absolutely love the picture quality which is calibrated using the Cars 2 Bluray disc. 1
Juicester Posted August 2, 2013 Posted August 2, 2013 I have the ST50 65" and no regrets, absolutely love the picture quality which is calibrated using the Cars 2 Bluray disc. Get it calibrated by avical! Even better 1
.dave Posted August 11, 2013 Posted August 11, 2013 This year's ST series is very close in specifications to last year's VT50.. Excellent panels. I'd struggle to think of anything better for a dark room, particularly at that price point, and I look at TVs pretty much constantly at work (browngoods dept. at The Good Guys). 1
gbb Posted August 12, 2013 Posted August 12, 2013 This year's ST series is very close in specifications to last year's VT50.. Excellent panels. I'd struggle to think of anything better for a dark room, particularly at that price point, and I look at TVs pretty much constantly at work (browngoods dept. at The Good Guys). Hi Dave. Have had their PZ850A a while and been thinking of upgrading. Any thoughts on their current VT?
.dave Posted August 12, 2013 Posted August 12, 2013 I haven't had as much of a chance to play with the VT as I would have liked; most of our showroom TVs are running off component feed, and I haven't had opportunity to run the VT directly off a BD yet. Black levels are certainly outstanding, and colour reproduction is very natural in a darker environment, and it seems to do a better job of handling a 720p component input than the Samsung models. Motion is as smooth as it can be, given the operating conditions. http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2080529 http://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=showfull&id=1368523071
Jliang70 Posted August 13, 2013 Posted August 13, 2013 Hi Dave. Have had their PZ850A a while and been thinking of upgrading. Any thoughts on their current VT? I know the current price for VT is around $3800, ST is under $2k and F8500 is under $2900. If you can justify the price difference between VT and F8500 (around $900 or less) then go for the VT. I have seen both I have a very hard time seeing a PQ difference between them that warrant $900 extra. I would pick ST then F8500 and use the saving to buy a better bluray player and invest in pro calibration or diy calibration package.
Juicester Posted August 13, 2013 Posted August 13, 2013 I would pick ST then F8500 and use the saving to buy a better bluray player and invest in pro calibration or diy calibration package. tis the route I chose for my 65ST50 - avical calibration and an oppo 93.
.dave Posted August 13, 2013 Posted August 13, 2013 The ST is the obvious choice, to be honest, in terms of value. Processor speed (or lack thereof) could be an issue for anyone wanting to regularly use the smart functionality, but we all have better sources.. Don't we?
gbb Posted August 13, 2013 Posted August 13, 2013 I know the current price for VT is around $3800, ST is under $2k and F8500 is under $2900. If you can justify the price difference between VT and F8500 (around $900 or less) then go for the VT. I have seen both I have a very hard time seeing a PQ difference between them that warrant $900 extra. I would pick ST then F8500 and use the saving to buy a better bluray player and invest in pro calibration or diy calibration package. Hope to do the same comparison, Jliang, as I haven't seen the F8500. Thanks for those links, Dave.
Focals86 Posted August 13, 2013 Author Posted August 13, 2013 The ST is the obvious choice, to be honest, in terms of value. Processor speed (or lack thereof) could be an issue for anyone wanting to regularly use the smart functionality, but we all have better sources.. Don't we? You're right! Smart functionality would be the least of my worries. I also have yet to compare the ST60 to the F8500 however I don't think I could warrant the extra $900
mackinnonrob Posted September 18, 2013 Posted September 18, 2013 Another happy Panasonic owner. Picture comes alive w. Blu Ray and blinds closed
Jliang70 Posted September 18, 2013 Posted September 18, 2013 You're right! Smart functionality would be the least of my worries. I also have yet to compare the ST60 to the F8500 however I don't think I could warrant the extra $900 The price of Samsung f8500 has been a few dollars above the price of st60 making it much more of a bargain than st now.
dwayne Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 Hi guys, I just bought the Pana st60/60" and must say It looks fantastic!! I also own the older th-50pz80a 50" which I calibrated using Spears & Munsil. great picture even today.. This new set has better picture quality off the bat and super deep blacks, blows away any led/lcd any day. The true cinema setting is the one to go for with mid level brightness output Did a quick Spears & Munsil check(yet to spend some real time with it) standard settings on true cinema leave barely nothing to adjust, contrast and brightness perfect. Will go in more depth, but think might need the super expensive rgb color testers to get full benefit, or Get Aaron rig from Avical, (he taught me video calibration) over to fine tune. Don't think it will be necessary, however I will be looking to upgrade from early model pana bluray to oppo variant which could show up some differences.. Peace Dwayno
Jliang70 Posted November 9, 2013 Posted November 9, 2013 Hi guys, I just bought the Pana st60/60" and must say It looks fantastic!! I also own the older th-50pz80a 50" which I calibrated using Spears & Munsil. great picture even today.. This new set has better picture quality off the bat and super deep blacks, blows away any led/lcd any day. The true cinema setting is the one to go for with mid level brightness output Did a quick Spears & Munsil check(yet to spend some real time with it) standard settings on true cinema leave barely nothing to adjust, contrast and brightness perfect. Will go in more depth, but think might need the super expensive rgb color testers to get full benefit, or Get Aaron rig from Avical, (he taught me video calibration) over to fine tune. Don't think it will be necessary, however I will be looking to upgrade from early model pana bluray to oppo variant which could show up some differences.. Peace Dwayno What does RGB super tester do ?
ThirdDrawerDown Posted November 9, 2013 Posted November 9, 2013 Am enjoying a 50" Panasonic LCD bought 2 months ago. Panasonic are quitting plasma manufacture effective March 2014
kramered Posted November 10, 2013 Posted November 10, 2013 I also have the ST60 which I bought about a year ago. Exceptional image quality on Blu-ray. A real shame that Panasonic have decided to pull out of plasma but with cheaper pricing on OLED not too far away I guess they saw the end coming... EK
Satanica Posted November 11, 2013 Posted November 11, 2013 (edited) Picked up a TH-P65ST60A last week and am sure glad I did! Edited November 14, 2013 by Satanica 1
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