Panasonic ST50A: RIDICULOUSLY GOOD value for money

csimpson · 29th June 2012, 4:46 PM

Sorry for spamming links recently, but I have to share this:

Panasonic VIERA ST50A

You can find the 50in for $1300. The 60in for $2200. The 65in for $3400.

It has seriously, seriously black black levels and great detail in True Cinema mode. Unless you're in a bright room, it's actually one of the best televisions that I've reviewed.

This is really really really ridiculously good value for money for this TV. Hook it up with a $200 Samsung BD-E5900 and you've got shitloads of Smart features.

Anyone who wants a new TV? Buy this. PLEASE. I want one just because it's such good value, and I have a Pioneer LX509A already.

/spam

Scott46 · 29th June 2012, 4:57 PM

theelectricdiscounter.com.au has the following prices:

50" $1259
60" $2135
65" $3199

I dont have any experience the company however.

I am keen to get either the 65 VT or ST in about 6 months time, hopefully the prices come down a bit by then. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of real world difference between the two models from all online accounts. I'm still waiting to see them in the flesh.

Fishface · 29th June 2012, 5:13 PM

I've been contemplating a 60 inch and noticed that the reviews are very good. They are saying that it is superior to last years VT model.

There are some prices in the Whingepool thread here:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1898817

ie aim to pay $1900 for the 60 inch and less than $3k for the 65inch.

Here is a CNET review comparing it to the Sharp Elite.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7...would-you-pay/

The conclusion is, save $4000 and get the Panasonic.

SnooP-WiggleS · 29th June 2012, 7:18 PM

Yep. hdtvtest review:

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panas...ge=Performance

Sledge · 29th June 2012, 7:33 PM

what's the power consumption compared to LED LCD's though?

SnooP-WiggleS · 30th June 2012, 6:56 PM

About double. eg:

http://www.digitalversus.com/tv-tele...1322/test.html
http://www.digitalversus.com/tv-tele...3582/test.html

Though keep in mind whether it actually matters. lets say you watch tv 3 hours a day, so approx 1kw hour per day for the panasonic plasma. Cost approx $90 a year vs $45 for the Toshiba (@ say 25cents per kwh). Typically you pay hundreds more for lcd over plasma for similar picture quality.

Aequitas · 1st July 2012, 9:54 AM

and its not double anyway. How many time does it need to be posted. Due to regulations Plasma must advertise its peak output rating (ie all white screen) but due to the tech not all pixels are on full during normal watching. Whereas LED/LCD are ALWAYS on (though localised dimming has an effect, they are still on).

This makes the difference in power consumption artificially bloated and incorrect. In the real world plasma and LCD are vertually the same in power consumption and will only cost around $10-$20 more per year to run, if that.

Johnbu · 2nd July 2012, 11:43 AM

We got the 65" for $2,980... Here's how...long story

We bought a 2D 65ST20A for $2,280 in Nov 2010 (with free blu-ray home theatre)

Blew up in March 2012.

No problem, bought it on a gold credit card so I'll get 1 yr extra warranty. Realised I cancelled said gold credit card!!

Called up Panasonic, their agent took away the TV and said it was Dead.

Panasonic were good enough to offer us a new TV if we paid for some wear and tear contribution- $700.

So in March, we could have the current (at the time) 65ST30A, or wait a few months for the new 65ST50A.. at the same price of $700.

We waited.. delivered last week.

$700 to upgrade a 2 generation old 2D TV to the latest 3D TV was very reasonable.

Anyway, I thought I'll give Panasonic a plug for their customer service.

Next time, if you buy something on the gold credit card, just remember you'll lose the extended warranty if you cancel the card. It worked out well for us, but it could have ended in tears if Panasonic didn't come to the party.

sub429 · 2nd July 2012, 3:06 PM

Been looking at getting this. Big brown box are out of stock of the 50", I just called them and they said back in stock mid-August....

Anyone know of another place with a competitive price that's in stock?!

hurfi · 2nd July 2012, 4:23 PM

I'm getting in on this bandwagon...now to find stock in Melbourne.
videopro wont have stock until mid month, but they have an excellent price.

sub429 · 2nd July 2012, 5:00 PM

Yeah...I might go check David Jones and see if they price match videopro. Saw someone managed to do it.

csimpson · 2nd July 2012, 5:37 PM

Be careful which David Jones you go to - my local still has VT20As and ST30As on show

sub429 · 3rd July 2012, 2:05 PM

Just bought one from www.eljo.com.au. They have stock and it was $1,285 delivered!

Checked David Jones and they only had display models left (in all stores) according to the sales guy.

hurfi · 3rd July 2012, 2:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sub429

Just bought one from www.eljo.com.au. They have stock and it was $1,285 delivered!

Checked David Jones and they only had display models left (in all stores) according to the sales guy.

I was looking at them and noticed that the extended warranty was provided through United Warranties...who are currently in the middle of collapsing.

I gave eljo a call and they are in the process of finding another provider, so I'll hold off until that is sorted.

Scott46 · 3rd July 2012, 3:54 PM

Can anyone see any justification in buying the 65VT50 over the 65ST50?

Given that the price difference is somewhere around $1000-1500.

29th June 2012, 4:46 PM	#1
csimpson Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 7,628	Panasonic ST50A: RIDICULOUSLY GOOD value for money Sorry for spamming links recently, but I have to share this: Panasonic VIERA ST50A You can find the 50in for $1300. The 60in for $2200. The 65in for $3400. It has seriously, seriously black black levels and great detail in True Cinema mode. Unless you're in a bright room, it's actually one of the best televisions that I've reviewed. This is really really really ridiculously good value for money for this TV. Hook it up with a $200 Samsung BD-E5900 and you've got shitloads of Smart features. Anyone who wants a new TV? Buy this. PLEASE. I want one just because it's such good value, and I have a Pioneer LX509A already. /spam __________________ twitter

29th June 2012, 7:18 PM	#4
SnooP-WiggleS Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ballarat, Victoria Posts: 2,662	Yep. hdtvtest review: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panas...ge=Performance __________________ RIG - CPU: I5 2500k @ 4.3ghz \| RAM: 8GB 1600 \| MOBO: ASUS P67 \| GC: ATI 5850 \| HD: 4tb \| Audio: m-audio delta 1010lt -> USB DAC -> Head Direct Re0 \| Case: Antec Sonata 3 PSU watts and Rails calculator OCAU WIKI's - heres what i've added, what can you add? The OCAU PSU wiki. Video Card wiki. Quiet PC

29th June 2012, 7:33 PM	#5
Sledge Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Adelaide Posts: 3,117	what's the power consumption compared to LED LCD's though? __________________ http://sledge1.mybrute.com OCAU Clan

30th June 2012, 6:56 PM	#6
SnooP-WiggleS Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ballarat, Victoria Posts: 2,662	About double. eg: http://www.digitalversus.com/tv-tele...1322/test.html http://www.digitalversus.com/tv-tele...3582/test.html Though keep in mind whether it actually matters. lets say you watch tv 3 hours a day, so approx 1kw hour per day for the panasonic plasma. Cost approx $90 a year vs $45 for the Toshiba (@ say 25cents per kwh). Typically you pay hundreds more for lcd over plasma for similar picture quality. __________________ RIG - CPU: I5 2500k @ 4.3ghz \| RAM: 8GB 1600 \| MOBO: ASUS P67 \| GC: ATI 5850 \| HD: 4tb \| Audio: m-audio delta 1010lt -> USB DAC -> Head Direct Re0 \| Case: Antec Sonata 3 PSU watts and Rails calculator OCAU WIKI's - heres what i've added, what can you add? The OCAU PSU wiki. Video Card wiki. Quiet PC

1st July 2012, 9:54 AM	#7
Aequitas Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,052	and its not double anyway. How many time does it need to be posted. Due to regulations Plasma must advertise its peak output rating (ie all white screen) but due to the tech not all pixels are on full during normal watching. Whereas LED/LCD are ALWAYS on (though localised dimming has an effect, they are still on). This makes the difference in power consumption artificially bloated and incorrect. In the real world plasma and LCD are vertually the same in power consumption and will only cost around $10-$20 more per year to run, if that. __________________ Main PC: E6600,F-I90HD,2x1GB Crucial ballistix 3-3-3-8, HD3850 256mb, 1x250gb, 1x320GB, 2x640gb SATA,TINYUSB2,CAC-T05,23" Samsung Mobile: Macbook (black) 2.16,2gb,Superdrive,160gb Camera: Olympus E-510 Zuiko 14-45mm & 40-150mm

29th June 2012, 4:57 PM	#2
Scott46 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 487	theelectricdiscounter.com.au has the following prices: 50" $1259 60" $2135 65" $3199 I dont have any experience the company however. I am keen to get either the 65 VT or ST in about 6 months time, hopefully the prices come down a bit by then. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of real world difference between the two models from all online accounts. I'm still waiting to see them in the flesh.

29th June 2012, 5:13 PM	#3
Fishface Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Adelaide Posts: 1,593	I've been contemplating a 60 inch and noticed that the reviews are very good. They are saying that it is superior to last years VT model. There are some prices in the Whingepool thread here: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1898817 ie aim to pay $1900 for the 60 inch and less than $3k for the 65inch. Here is a CNET review comparing it to the Sharp Elite. http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7...would-you-pay/ The conclusion is, save $4000 and get the Panasonic.

2nd July 2012, 11:43 AM	#8
Johnbu Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SE Melbourne Posts: 1,389	We got the 65" for $2,980... Here's how...long story We bought a 2D 65ST20A for $2,280 in Nov 2010 (with free blu-ray home theatre) Blew up in March 2012. No problem, bought it on a gold credit card so I'll get 1 yr extra warranty. Realised I cancelled said gold credit card!! Called up Panasonic, their agent took away the TV and said it was Dead. Panasonic were good enough to offer us a new TV if we paid for some wear and tear contribution- $700. So in March, we could have the current (at the time) 65ST30A, or wait a few months for the new 65ST50A.. at the same price of $700. We waited.. delivered last week. $700 to upgrade a 2 generation old 2D TV to the latest 3D TV was very reasonable. Anyway, I thought I'll give Panasonic a plug for their customer service. Next time, if you buy something on the gold credit card, just remember you'll lose the extended warranty if you cancel the card. It worked out well for us, but it could have ended in tears if Panasonic didn't come to the party.

2nd July 2012, 3:06 PM	#9
sub429 Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Melbourne, Vic Posts: 690	Been looking at getting this. Big brown box are out of stock of the 50", I just called them and they said back in stock mid-August.... Anyone know of another place with a competitive price that's in stock?!

2nd July 2012, 4:23 PM	#10
hurfi Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Sunny Melbourne Posts: 428	I'm getting in on this bandwagon...now to find stock in Melbourne. videopro wont have stock until mid month, but they have an excellent price. __________________ Math problems? Call 1-800-[(10x)(13i)^2]-[sin(xy)/2.362x]

2nd July 2012, 5:00 PM	#11
sub429 Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Melbourne, Vic Posts: 690	Yeah...I might go check David Jones and see if they price match videopro. Saw someone managed to do it.

2nd July 2012, 5:37 PM	#12
csimpson Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 7,628	Be careful which David Jones you go to - my local still has VT20As and ST30As on show __________________ twitter

3rd July 2012, 2:05 PM	#13
sub429 Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Melbourne, Vic Posts: 690	Just bought one from www.eljo.com.au. They have stock and it was $1,285 delivered! Checked David Jones and they only had display models left (in all stores) according to the sales guy.

3rd July 2012, 3:54 PM	#15
Scott46 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 487	Can anyone see any justification in buying the 65VT50 over the 65ST50? Given that the price difference is somewhere around $1000-1500.