Used Plasma TV?

[speeder]

Plasma and other HD TVs have obviously come down in price quite a bit in the last few years. Be that as it may, the bargain hunter in me wants to pay even less. I know very little about TVs but one of my close friends knows a lot. He used to have a company that installed home theaters. He had the top-of-the-line Pioneer plasma 60", (just sold it to the guy moving into his old house), I think he told me that it was the best at the time. This was maybe 4 years ago.

Pioneer stopped making TVs, if not mistaken, and I just found this on a CL search:

TV Plasma 50" pioneer

What do you guys think? Do plasmas "go bad" or lose their picture/colors over time? Do they last for a decade? TIA as always!

[porsche4life]

Looks like as am ad FWIW...

With plasma you have to worry about an image being burned in, plus they are more susceptible to glare issues...

[speeder]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Looks like as am ad FWIW...

With plasma you have to worry about an image being burned in, plus they are more susceptible to glare issues...

What is an "as am ad"?

[porsche4life]

Sorry... Scam ad...

[speeder]

Ah, no it doesn't. It has a local phone# in it that corresponds with the location stated. I've never seen a scam ad or email phishing CL listing with a phone# on it.

[Heel n Toe]

Send that link to your close friend who knows a lot.

He should be able to check the model numbers, etc. and give you a very educated guess on how old it is, its vulnerabilities, etc.

(Now is when you're supposed to say, "Why didn't I think of that?")

[cmccuist]

That seems like a good deal to me. I have a 50" plasma - an LG - that I bought about 3 years ago. It's been a great TV. Not quite as old as that one, but I never have any trouble with it. Maybe make sure it has enough HDMI inputs for your Blu-ray, Apple TV, dish etc. or you'll have to get a switch.

For $852, that's a low risk for a good sized TV.

[jyl]

Personally, my next TV will be a projector and a big effing screen. Keep the 42" LCD for sitcoms and CNN. For serious viewing, turn down the lights and Roll 'Em!

[enzo1]

I bought a Optoma projector from Bestbuy for about a grand, couldn't be happier.... that's after my 3 yr old plasma went out

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Send that link to your close friend who knows a lot.

He should be able to check the model numbers, etc. and give you a very educated guess on how old it is, its vulnerabilities, etc.

(Now is when you're supposed to say, "Why didn't I think of that?")

I would do that but he is out of pocket at the moment, on his honeymoon overseas.

[red-beard]

Plasma also darkens over time, plus they use a lot more power than LCD.

[89911]

I know a guy that bought a plasma tv years ago that was being sold as a demo. It had a Steelers highlight film playing on in non stop for weeks, months,? When he took it home, the Steeler logo was burned into the tv permanently. Great if your a fan. I would pass on any used tv unless you get it for next to nothing. They have a shelf life and and are disposable.

[on2wheels52]

With that price it would in my pawn shop a long time.
Jim

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by speeder

Pioneer stopped making TVs, if not mistaken........

Sharp bought the name (Elite), Panasonic bought the technology.

They say the latest VT50 series Panasonic rival the old Pioneer Kuro Elite black levels, and without many of the energy and longevity issues.

I've been looking into this, 65", 60", 55" and I think 50" sizes are available.

The 55VT50 (VT30's were last years model) can be had for as low as $1,800 from some vendors. You might catch an old VT30 on a showroom floor for about $1,000 if you are lucky.

In my opinion based on some research, Panasonic plasma VT50 is the way to go.

Questions about the line up answered here:
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?7694-Panasonic-Plasma-TV-Product-Line-Up-Hierarchy

[herr_oberst]

A buddy of mine upgraded his 50 inch Samsung plasma to a new, state of the art LCD.

There was nothing wrong with the plasma TV, worked fine, no burn-in issues, it was just oldish. (5 years old?). He gave it away. Free. Asked me if I wanted it, I said no, didn't need it.

Funny how fast technology is changing.

Point is, I guess, after that episode, I now consider used plasmas to be worth very little.

[nota]

Samsung PN51D530 51 Class Plasma HDTV - 1080p, 1920 x 1080, 600Hz Subfield Motion, 0.001ms, 2x HDMI, USB (Refurbished) at TigerDirect.com

samsung 51 for 599 refurb with warranty 1080x1920

[kaisen]

We just bought a 50" LED backlit LCD with 120Hz refresh and JBL sound w/ sub (built-in) for under $500 on clearance

Why buy used?

[stomachmonkey]

Sure you can find a comparable deal on new or refurbed with a warranty.

Prices are stupid low.

[McLovin]

Only a sucker would pay even half that for a used 50" plasma TV from 2006.

[VincentVega]

Brand new 50" for $600

Costco - Panasonic 50" Class VIERA® 1080p PDP 600Hz Sub-field Drive

Panasonic 50" Class
VIERA® 1080p PDP 600Hz Sub-field Drive