Quick!!!! What do you think about this TV deal!!!

[pearsall001]

I've pretty much settled on a new Panasonic Plasma...in particular the 60"GT30. However I was in Sears today & they have a killer deal on a Panasonic 65"ST30 model. It doesn't have as many features as the GT series but for $1,500 it's smoking hot & they only have one left (brand new in box sitting on the showroom floor). From some quick internet searches it sounds like the ST series is the best bang for the buck Panasonic offers. The 60"GT30 goes for $2,000 & the 65"GT30 goes for $2,700. So for the $1,500 the 65"ST30 is very, very, tempting!!!! Is it worth spending $500 more for the smaller 60"GT30????

[WilliamM2]

Depends what the features are, most features on better sets I already have in other devices (streaming, etc.). In that case, I'd go for the bigger screen, even if it were the same price.

[steveinaz]

I have the "lowly" S2 panny plasma, 58" and I LOVE it. I paid $1100 for it. Calibrated it a year ago--still looks stunning.

[mrbiron]

It's $500 less than you can get it for at Amazon. Seems like a no brainer to me if that's the model/series you're looking at.

[leroyjr1]

I'd stick with the GT. Picture quality is much better, unless you're buying it for the size only.

[Sherardp]

Go for the ST series and be done with it. 9 pages of info here.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1333415

[cnh]

I have to agree with Sherardp. Looks like a killer deal to me. I've often found some unbelievable close out prices at Sears from time to time. They must sell some of that at a loss?


cnh

[pearsall001]

Go for the ST series and be done with it. 9 pages of info here.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1333415

I read that discussion which was very informative. After letting all that info sink in...I feel the 65"ST30 for $1,500 is to hard to beat period! I'm heading to Sears to pick it up. Plus my room is ideal, a finished basement with no light issues what so ever. Can't wait to get this bad boy up & running. But first I have to order some HDMI cables from BlueJeans. Wait till my wife sees the size of this sucker...I did warn her that it's big but I doubt if she knows what's coming. LOL!!!

[Zero]

Used to rep Panasonic gear not long ago. If you have an extremely dark room, go with the ST. If you have a moderate-to-bright room, go GT.

[pearsall001]

Used to rep Panasonic gear not long ago. If you have an extremely dark room, go with the ST. If you have a moderate-to-bright room, go GT.

Good to know. I can be in a total blackout in my viewing area. No windows to worry about & dimmable lighting (I always have the lights out for 3/4 of the room & the back 1/4 dimmed when TV viewing). Pretty much what all sales reps said when they heard my set up & not having a light issue, to a man they all said to go Plasma. Is light a real problem for them?

[Sherardp]

Congrats and enjoy it.

[F1nut]

Quality over quantity

[Sherardp]

Quality over quantity

I agree bro, but in this case the differences are minor.

[pearsall001]

I agree bro, but in this case the differences are minor.

So minor in fact that they're not even worth mentioning. The top Panasonic lines, the VT/GT/ST series are all top notch in picture quality for both 2D & 3D viewing. You could read reviews till you're blue in the face & they will all have a different opinion. Some professional reviewers liked the VT series, others the GT & others the ST series. For what I paid for the 65"ST30 it is the clear winner by a mile. Now to get this sucker hooked up.

[tonyb]

Pretty good price for a 65 incher. Porno is gonna look cool on that puppy.

Do a google search Phil for recommended settings to start off with. Helped me greatly when setting up my plasma out of the box.
Enjoy that bad boy.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Pretty good price for a 65 incher. Porno is gonna look cool on that puppy.

Do a google search Phil for recommended settings to start off with. Helped me greatly when setting up my plasma out of the box.
Enjoy that bad boy.

You didn't even say it right. It's porn, not porno....geez

[Zero]

Is light a real problem for them?

The answer is: Kinda.

Every plasma uses glass. And since glass inherently reflects light, there is always the potential to experience 'light glare'. This used to be a huge drawback to plasma televisions. The bad news is that most sub $800 MSRP 50" and 42" plasma screens still suffer from this issue. The good news is that most of today's mid-line to upper end plasma's employ decent anti-glare technology - meaning you should be able to use them in all but the harshest of environments.

Oh, and my recommendation comes more from the fact that the ST series panels simply do not get very bright.

Anyway, enjoy your new screen!

[squeeb]

...I did warn her that it's big but I doubt if she knows what's coming. LOL!!!

That's what she said.

[Zero]

Good one Squeeb. How in the hell did I miss that?!!?!?

[leroyjr1]

Any pics?

[mantis]

Used to rep Panasonic gear not long ago. If you have an extremely dark room, go with the ST. If you have a moderate-to-bright room, go GT.

The ST is worth it's asking price but it's no bang for the buck IMO. Ok before I start bashing the ST models , I will go to say Panasonic makes the best Set on the market today in the VT series. They are probably the best well rounded sets made today. The Samsung and LG are nice but don't hold a candle to the VT models. The Samsung is close but dos have that fake look to it , not as bad as the LCD models but it's there. Must be in the processing.

Ok lets talk ST. Yes you get a lot of Inches for your money but you don't get a lot of quality. These ST models going back even just a few years are extremely noisy and as said don't have a nice bright picture. They also don't come in on a ISF calibration. They tend to have a strong Blue push and grey scale kinda sucks. The GT model is a much better set and has fewer issues. Yes it costs more but you get more. It's very close to the VT and a much better set then the ST all around.

Would I buy a 1500 65 inch set? If I couldn't afford anything else , had no ability down the road with some saving's and needed a set right now? Maybe , I might actually go for a small GT over the larger 65 even though 65 inches is just badass.

I'm sorry to rag on your set especially if you already ran out and purchased it. When I come over I can adjust it to get the best out of it. At least your putting it in a light control basement.

If you want to talk more about it , give me a call.

[pearsall001]

The ST is worth it's asking price but it's no bang for the buck IMO. Ok before I start bashing the ST models , I will go to say Panasonic makes the best Set on the market today in the VT series. They are probably the best well rounded sets made today. The Samsung and LG are nice but don't hold a candle to the VT models. The Samsung is close but dos have that fake look to it , not as bad as the LCD models but it's there. Must be in the processing.

Ok lets talk ST. Yes you get a lot of Inches for your money but you don't get a lot of quality. These ST models going back even just a few years are extremely noisy and as said don't have a nice bright picture. They also don't come in on a ISF calibration. They tend to have a strong Blue push and grey scale kinda sucks. The GT model is a much better set and has fewer issues. Yes it costs more but you get more. It's very close to the VT and a much better set then the ST all around.

Would I buy a 1500 65 inch set? If I couldn't afford anything else , had no ability down the road with some saving's and needed a set right now? Maybe , I might actually go for a small GT over the larger 65 even though 65 inches is just badass.

I'm sorry to rag on your set especially if you already ran out and purchased it. When I come over I can adjust it to get the best out of it. At least your putting it in a light control basement.

If you want to talk more about it , give me a call.

Hey Dan, I hear what you're saying as far as specs go but after viewing the VT/GT/ST series up close & personal I can only go with what impressed me. All 3 series had gorgeous picture qualities across the board. Now one can talk about black levels, gamma levels etc., etc., but after numerous viewing comparisons I can honestly say that the VT/GT series were not worth the extra coin as far as my eyes were telling me. And it was a major coin difference especially when talking about the 65" models. I read reviews till I was blue in the face...some would say the VT is the best, others would say the GT is every bit as good as the VT so save the coin & still others would reap high praises on the ST series saying they were every bit as good as the VT/GT series & that they were by far the best buy. Yes you give up some features with the ST series but in the end I just couldn't justify the huge differences in prices, and I'm talking about a grand here which isn't chump change!!! Trust me I'll be very, very happy with the 65"ST30 & I can definitely put that money savings to better use in other areas. I'm very interested in your calibration expertise & I'm sure it will pay big dividends.

Now when are you getting over here my good man!!! The KEF's are awaiting your review. Time's a waisting!

[Toolfan66]

Dan,

You will now be on a list of audio snobs for having a bad opinion about someone's choice of gear.. Telling someone about higher end gear is a bad thing around here now, well according to one member anyway..


Congrats on the new TV!!!!

[grif32]

Used to rep Panasonic gear not long ago. If you have an extremely dark room, go with the ST. If you have a moderate-to-bright room, go GT.

ST and GT both have the same exact glass and AR Filter. VT has a better AR Filter.

[Zero]

Dan,

I hear where you're coming from. The GT series certainly is great, isn't it? That said, I think you're getting caught up in picking knits. But since you've thrown me a bone, I'd like to nibble a bit.

- First, it looks like you've mistakenly associated the S series with the ST series. The ST series is relatively new to Panasonics lineup and was launched less than a year ago. The ST and GT series are more similar than they are different. That includes 'noise' performance.

- The GT's THX mode is not the same as ISF calibration. It's merely a preset that does a good job of controlling the color temps. It does look pretty good though, and is certainly something that the ST series lacks.

- The GT series too suffers a bit in the color department. Greens are still a tad over done, as they have been in past GT screens. The same can be said for reds. Picking knits and all that..

Anyway, the bottom line is that Pansonic's new ST series does a fairly good job of filling in the void between their "S" and the "GT" lines. Sure, the GT series may be better, but not everyone will care about the benefits that the screens have to offer. For knit picky guys like you and I, people who have spent lots of time working day in and day out with this product, the differences are obvious and worthwhile. But to the average consumer - I'd say both products are fantastic in their own right.

[Zero]

Grif32 - Yep.

[grif32]

Dan,

I hear where you're coming from. The GT series certainly is great, isn't it? That said, I think you're getting caught up in picking knits. But since you've thrown me a bone, I'd like to nibble a bit.

- First, it looks like you've mistakenly associated the S series with the ST series. The ST series is relatively new to Panasonics lineup and was launched less than a year ago. The ST and GT series are more similar than they are different. That includes 'noise' performance.

- The GT's THX mode is not the same as ISF calibration. It's merely a preset that does a good job of controlling the color temps. It does look pretty good though, and is certainly something that the ST series lacks.

- The GT series too suffers a bit in the color department. Greens are still a tad over done, as they have been in past GT screens. The same can be said for reds. Picking knits and all that..

Anyway, the bottom line is that Pansonic's new ST series does a fairly good job of filling in the void between their "S" and the "GT" lines. Sure, the GT series may be better, but not everyone will care about the benefits that the screens have to offer. For knit picky guys like you and I, people who have spent lots of time working day in and day out with this product, the differences are obvious and worthwhile. But to the average consumer - I'd say both products are fantastic in their own right.

Great post, I was going to post this earlier. There has never been an ST line like he stated.

Also the GT has had more issuse then the ST.

Very small differences between the ST and the GT that most will notice ie black levels..

Bottom line is the ST is probably the best bang for your buck TV out period. It's a great TV that produces an amazing picture.

I was thinking the samething he was getting the S mixed up with the ST. Two totally different TV's..