TV

[ReneDesmarais]

Samsung was in court with Pioneer and lost.  From Pioneer's website quote

Pioneer Corporation announced today that a jury in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Texas has reached a verdict in favor of Pioneer Corporation in a patent infringement suit against Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. and two affiliated companies (“Samsung”). The jury awarded damages totaling US$59.3 million to Pioneer.

Pioneer commenced this lawsuit in the fall of 2006, and claimed that plasma televisions manufactured by Samsung infringe two patents held by Pioneer concerning plasma display technology.

This significant decision in favor of Pioneer represents recognition of the strength of Pioneer’s intellectual property rights in the field of plasma displays. Pioneer released the world’s first 50” high-definition plasma television for consumer use in 1997, and the world’s first 50” full high definition plasma display for consumer use in 2006. Pioneer will continue its basic stance of protecting its intellectual property rights.

[Snapshot]

...Sonimax

Plasma is great though, the color and quality are outstanding!

[mchappy52]

If you are looking for a plasma there is no doubt Pioneer is best but unfortunately you pay for it.  If money is not an issue, go Pioneer.

A close second is the Panasonic who will be supplying panels to Pioneer starting in 2009.  Panasonic also received CNET's Editor's Choice (but only because cost was factored in - again if money is not an issue, go Pioneer!)

Samsung, who do make a great plasma, are third.

These are my humble opinions but they happen to be backed up by alot of professional reviews and online forums.

[Ezekial]

The Panasonic TH50PZ80 is pretty much the same spec wise, excepts it has a few less ports which is a very minor issue, the Panasonic TH50PZ80 is the best for the price... and no LCDs are not better, maybe 5 years ago, but any issues with plasmas have been worked out and you will ultimately be getting the best experience for your money with the Panasonic you picked out.

[Alvandan]

hankpank for $1500 that samsung plasma is a sick deal, but these guys are right panasonic and pioneer are the best for plamas...although even for the pz85 your looking at about 1999.99 for the 50" so if you can shell out the extra cash its worth it otherwise that samsung is a good bang for your buck

[Snapshot]

This is why I settled for a Panasonic plasma, the picture is outstanding! I'd agree that Pioneer, Panasonic, and Samsung make the best plasmas.

[Brettn029]

as we all have seen, the prices on pioneer plasmas are insane, obviously this would be a big objection to purchasing a pioneer for many customers...they know this, but they do not want to make any sacrifices to quality.  The panasonic/pioneer partnership is VERY minor,  pioneer is no longer making the GLASS for their panels, so have agreed to teach panasonic their method to making pioneer glass strictly for the pioneer tvs, not the panasonic tvs.  Now obviously this will find its way to the panasonic side of things, likely making it panasonics better.  BUT EVERYTHING ELSE is still made in a different facility and is still the pioneer we know and love, the glass is one very small part of what makes pioneer tvs amazing, but it now allows pioneer to make their sexy tvs at a much cheaper price, and perhaps making panasonic slightly better.

As for samsung vs panasonic, if you go panasonic go to the pz800 because the 650 samsung still out does the 80 and 85 panasonics with HD pictures