Oh, is thePN51D550C1 just an earlier model (2010?) of one of these 5000 models you guys are talking about from Samsung?

Can I hijack this thread now? It's all the rage......Nah, people seem helpful in here and I'm so far out of the loop on TVs since I last bought one in 2007. I've got a 32" Samsung LCD right now and am in the market to buy a new one. I was planning on waiting until the Holiday season to try and get a good online deal on Black Friday (screw waiting in line) or a general sale. However, I noticed Best Buy had the 51" SamsungPN51D550C1 for sale at 999.99 with two pairs of 3D glasses included. That seems like a crazy deal to me (basically 25% off the regular price of 1300). I've always owned Samsung LCDs and they've treated me well but I had some questions I hope you guys will be nice enough to answer.

1) Does anyone recall what kind of sales and discounts there were on TVs closer to the holiday season last year? Would this TV go lower or a comporable (sp?) one in it's tier of TV

2) I've heard Plasmas have better colors and picture but by how much? I've also heard the negatives of the plasma TV (that were touched on a bit in this thread) such as burn in, image retention, etc.? While I appreciate a great picture, I don't want to have babysit my TV for 50-60 hours before I can play games without fear of burn in. I would prefer not to have to constantly wonder if I've played or watched too long and damaging my TV. (Not really a question but more a concern)

3) Normally I wouldn't even touch 3D but considering this 51" model has 5 times the refresh rate, 3D and it's close to the same price as other models I've looked at (about a 100 dollars more). Is it worth it for things like 3D gaming and movies? (Saw Transformers in 3D and that blew my mind with some the visuals so if it's done right, I think I could enjoy 3D but Transfomers is my only experience)

Just in general, is this a good buy? I have issues paying more than 1,000 to 1,200 for a TV at this point in my life since I'm 4 months out of college and have a good engineering job but I also have loans and the like so I want to make sure if I spend a grand, it's well spent.

Along those lines, how great of deals can you find online during Black Friday week on TVs from like Amazon, Best Buy, etc.?

Will this TV or any other TV like it get much cheaper later in the year? And one last thing, you also get a pair of 3D glasses for free with this current sale

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+51%22+Class+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+3D+Plasma+HDTV/2144103.p?id=1218311133577&skuId=2144103&st=51%22%20samsung%20plasma%203dtv&cp=1&lp=3

Best Buy has the 51" 1080p 3D SamsungPN51D550C1 Plasma on sale for 1000 which is a great deal of 300 dollars off. I believe the ST30 is around 1200-1300 at most retailers. I believe the Panasonic is better but is it 200-300 dollars better? I'm not so sure on that. I'm actually debating on buying that TV right now seeing as how it's only 100 bucks more from the 47" Samsung LCD TV I was looking at and I get 3D plus a better picture and faster refresh rate for only a hundred bucks.

Thoughts? Yes, I know everyone on this board is having babies with the Panasonic plasmas but is it really that much better?

Good stuff....as for the waiting and saving...there's always something new so if I wanted to wait for glassless 3d it would probably 2-3 years before it's in my price point....I don't pay much over 1000 for technology if I can help it because it moves so fast, it's obsolete before you get the value out of it (imo).

Right now I'm looking at a 51" 1080p, 600 Hz, 3D Samsung Plasma for 1000 bucks....seems like a pretty good deal....sure it's no Panasonic but it's also 5" bigger and 200-300 cheaper than a Panasonic and not a huge difference in picture (especially after I get it home)

Talked to a friend that works at another Best Buy and he seems to think it's a good deal as you don't really get the panasonic is king vibe until you get the higher end models of plasmas.

Honestly then, just save until you can afford one. Say by next year, (March-April) new models will arrive and this years will be discounted at a massive price. Panasonic had one of their plasmas (bundled with a bunch of stuff too) sell for around 1000-1200 in 2010, and this year I found one at Frys Electronics for 600 bucks.

Plasma also has less crosstalk, ie better 3D. You definitely want that. Plasmas don't have motion lag like LCD and LCD-LEDs do. They also have a natively high contrast ratio. Even basic ones have a standard of 2,000,000:1 when most LCDs struggle for 1,000:1. For quality, you pay less getting plasma than you do getting LCD now-a-days. Input lag? Very rare for plasmas. Picture quality? Second to none.

ChubbyGuy40

Unfortuantely, they are also around 1100 bucks starting out....That's a bit too high for me atm.

Is an LCD 3DTV really that bad? can you maybe spell out why you prefer plasmas and give some reasoning?

txraider18

Unfortuantely, they are also around 1100 bucks starting out....That's a bit too high for me atm.

Is an LCD 3DTV really that bad? can you maybe spell out why you prefer plasmas and give some reasoning?

So, here's the backstory. I've got a 32 inch samsung 1080i 60 Hz from 2-3 years ago. It's not bad at all and still works fine but the techie in me wnats to upgrade now that I have a job that pays pretty well for a person my age (not a brag topic...I swear). Anyway, I'm looking for a 46 or 47 inch tv for living room that's gonna last a while. After looking for a couple dyas I came accross a Vizio E3D470VX model for 870 dollars which involves 1080p, 120 Hz, 200,000:1 contrast ratio, 5 ms response time and 3D capabilities.

I've heard good thing sabout Vizio and their 2d TVs but that seems like an outrageous price for a 3d tv since the cheapest similiar TV at Best Buy is nearly 1100 bucks. So my question is, does anyone have any experience with Vizio TVs in general, with Vizio 3D TVs and your general impressions. I'd like ot keep it no more than 860 so if I don't get this one, I think the next Vizio is around 700-750 for the same stuff except no 3D and a 100,000:1 contrast.

I'm not too knowledgable about TV tech hence the question. Appreciate any help you guys are willing to give

It's probably a simple question but I don't know the answer.

I've got a AMD Phenom 9950 quad core 2.66 Processor and 4 GB of Ram running Vista Ultimate 32.

I just downloaded Kaspersky antivirus software (had a virus crisis earlier) trial version to decide about buying the full version.

I'm looking at the temps because Kaspersky is constantly running and scanning and the hardware monitor program that came with my Bios (on disk entitled AMD chipset drivers) says a CPU temp of 36 degrees Celsius and system temp of 33 degrees Celsius.

I downloaded CoreTemp and it's saying CPU Temp readings are anywhere from 39-46. 2 part question:

Which do I believe?

What temps should I be worried at when idle? gaming?