What is the best brand TV to Buy?

Panasonic without a doubt.  I am doing the same but will go with 42" in order to keep peace.  Consumers Report bounces Pan & Samsung back & forth.  Also, go to cnet. com for evaluations.  I will go Panasonic because I have noted a constant thread of repair problems with Samsung.  I live a min of 100 miles from any type of repair so it is important consideration.  I could be wrong but it just seems, from reviews, that if you have a serious problem with Sam then you have a very serious problem with customer service.  Just read as many comments as possible, weeding out the ones that are coming off of an old crt (impressed with anything & all). Take your time & good researching.

I have had my 55" 6 series LED samsung for over 6 moths now w/o any problems (knock on wood) and I'm pretty content, picture is incredible i think it's the best  tv's out there right now and everyone is just trying to catch up.In terms of the costumer service i've heard similar stories about samsung not having the best costumer service. Hopefully i'd never have to deal with them.

Panasonic is hands down the best plasmas on the market right now. 

Sorry no input in plasma's but I have had my LCD Samsung 52" for over a year now and it is absolutely wonderful! We love that tv and so do all of our guests! Good luck with the plasma's...from my research I found that they tend to have more burn in (or whatever they call that when u can still the image on the screen).

All opinions are like, well, you know what, BUT, Panasonic Viera plasma.

Won't be as grainy as an LCD, and you'll like the color.

Most likely, you'll have to go with a 55", but at that size, how much does five inches really matter, anyway?

Burn in is a thing of the past, an improvement to Viera fixed that issue.

Lets see, if I lost a race by 5 inches...If only that HDMI cable had 5 more inches...I'll keep the 5 inches out of the gutter and say no more!  No seriously, a 55 inch Panasonic sounds like the winner!  I think that will be my search.  Thank you all for your great input.  Now does anyone know where to buy a Pansaonic Plasma?  The search is on.....(Its funny I see the word "Sear"s  in the word search!!

The Panasonic and Samsung are the same quality as far as picture quality however Panasonic is much cheaper than samsung.  The big question you need to ask yourself that I dont see on here is are you putting this in a dark area or a area that gets a lot of light.  if a dark area plasma is the way to go.  If you are going in a room that has a lot of light dont go with plasma go with LCD.  I wrote a comment earlier tonight though that I saw a Samsung LEDTV which is the newest technology at an amazing price like a 55" for only $2000 I was very impressed and a year no intrest no payment you may want to look into that much cool burning, longer lasting light, and a true to life picture.  You can save on average I have been told $100 a year in electricity cost by switching to LED. Hope this helps

Thank you Gill879, I will look at this too.  I am thinking Panasonic though, but I am keeping an open mind to all possibilities until I actually let the moths out of my wallet!  Thank you.

We also have customer reviews that may help: http://www.mysears.com/TVs

if you go led, you should look at the lg also.  both samsung and lg leds are awesome.  a bit expensive, but awesome

The LED is really LCD correct?  LCD with LED back lighted if I am correct.  I think I am hooked with Plasma TVs more then anything.  To me they seem more clearer and more (color) realistic, but I haven't seen the LCD TVs with the LED back lighted.  I am slow to buy so I do appreciate every-ones opinions.

BTW SHC-ErinM, thanks for the review link!

I wanted to throw my two cents in because I'm a partner in a residential system integration company that has been installing flat panel televisions for years. I agree with what I've been reading in the posts but want to add a couple of comments. Plasma televisions have a much blacker black which gives you a greater contrast.  You need a darker lighting environment for these sets.  Panasonic only makes Plasmas and they are excellent products. Samsung has taken over the industry in the last few years with more LCD's than Plasmas, but a huge spectrum of products, i.e. their 5,6,7,8 series with multiple models of the same screen size within each series. Refresh rates, number of inputs and assorted extra's are what differentiates how much you're going to pay.  Plasmas are less expensive in the much larger models due to manufacturing costs.  I'd go to the manufacturer's websites to see the features and then decide, but I'd recommend either Samsung or Panasonic.  I'd also recomment Sears over Best Buy for major appliance purchases.  Their sales forces are much more mature and their financing options are flexible. Get a Sears Credit card and use the reward points for cash gift cards to get a free television...that's what I did!

When choosing your Screen size dont forget to review if your room is large enough also.  Recommended Viewing Distances are related to screen  size.  You will not have a good experience with any format if you are sitting to close.

I purchased the Panasonic and from Sears, I suppose that makes me biased.

Thanks for that info, TechDad!  Good to know you have been taken care of at your local Sears.

Love that you got a free TV, too, with your reward points!  That is awesome!

Just a side note: One notable difference you will see between a plasma and an LCD...... with a plasma you will have some glare from lights and windows...with an LCD you won't. I learned that from an appliance sales guy and so we went with an LCD...and no glare....it's wonderful!!! We ended up getting a great deal on a Vizio, and it has been perfect so far (2years)

Correct each format has its place. In brightly lit areas LCD is superior. If your serious about  a Home theater experience Plasma is the way to go, but you will need to ensure a darkend enviorment, back light your set to avoid eye strain etc etc etc.  Put your chosen format in the wrong home enviornment, your not going to be happy.

macy5 said…

Just a side note: One notable difference you will see between a plasma and an LCD...... with a plasma you will have some glare from lights and windows...with an LCD you won't. I learned that from an appliance sales guy and so we went with an LCD...and no glare....it's wonderful!!! We ended up getting a great deal on a Vizio, and it has been perfect so far (2years)

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Pioneer is absolutely the best plasma out there. Second is a toss up between Panasonic and Samsung.

Pioneer is no longer a plasma maker ~ well I guess as of Jan 2010 plus you will spend a lot more for a Pioneer Kuro Elite, only to not have them be made anymore :(

Panasonic wins. 

I agree with the Pioneer comment, it seems Samsung, Song, and Panasonic make up the trifecta in this race...I have a Samy 46" LCD in a well lit room and have no complaints. My next buy may be a Panasonic Plasma,,, haven't made up my mind yet. see my comment on "Flat Screen" (new discussion). I'm a newbee on this site...