Should I wait 'till the '09 HDTVs come out?: Ask the Editors
Scads of tempting TV hardware was announced at CES, but is it really worth waiting for?
(Credit: Panasonic)Dear David,
Just saw your report on the new plasmas from Panasonic at CES. I was all set to get an TH-50PZ800U, your current Editors' Choice, but these look better. Should I wait or buy the 800U now?
--Anonymous, New York City
Howdy Anonymous,
If I was in your situation I would wait for the new models, but if you're a bargain hunter, then there's no better time to buy than now.
Every year around this time, the flood of new gadgets announced at the January Consumer Electronics Show washes the diligently researched product picks from the wish lists of thousands of careful shoppers. The product you had your heart set on suddenly looks obsolete in the face of the latest and greatest, and the CES hype machine (guilty as charged) somehow makes even the lowliest entry-level gear seem shinier and more desirable than the cobweb-encrusted former flagships rotting away on store shelves today.
Every year improvements are made, such as the "better picture quality for half the power" claimed by Panasonic with its plasmas; the new 240Hz and LED-backlit LCDs, at least one for a formerly unheard-of price; and the addition of Netflix streaming. But are the improvements worth it?
Before last week the best HDTVs of 2008 seemed pretty dang good...and they still are. Yes, I do expect the new Panasonic plasmas to have better black-level performance than the current 800U--perhaps as good as or better than the current Pioneer Kuros--but the 800U is still superb in this department, and it costs around $2,000 for the 50-incher.
Although prices for the 2009 models weren't announced at CES, I expect the least-expensive plasma featuring Panasonic's ballyhooed "NEO PDP" panel, the 50-inch member of the S1 series (shipping in March), to sell for around the same price. I'm guessing $2,499 list and $2,299 street at first, but don't quote me.
One wild card is power consumption--if Panasonic's claim of better energy efficiency is legit, then any price difference between the two could be erased by two or three years worth of lower electricity bills.
So once again it basically comes down to a question of "how much more are you willing to pay?" I'm guessing the 800U will still have more accurate color, while the new S1 models will have better black levels. You'll have to wait until March at least to get the new one, and the old one is available now. And again, let me stress that this is all speculation; until the new models are available and reviewed, complete with pricing, we don't know anything for sure.
For bargain hunters, buying a 2008 product deeply discounted in 2009, before the new models arrive, is a no-brainer--that's when some of the best deals are available. And in this economic climate, everyone could use a good deal. But if you're willing to deal with pricing uncertainty, and wait a month or two for the review, it'll probably be worth it.
What do you think? Are you waiting for the 2009 models or pulling the trigger now, while the savings is oh so tempting? Which HDTVs from CES are you dying to see in action? Is my pricing guesstimate woefully off-base? Sound off in comments.
David Katzmaier reviews HDTVs for CNET. E-mail David.
A few things to consider, David was right in stating that now is the time to buy if you're interested in getting a great deal. The current Panasonic lineup are still amazing sets and I have always found them to be great in the price/performance area. Basically, if you NEED a new tv (for the DTV transition or whatever reason) you won't be disappointed by the current crop. However, if you can wait a few months your patience will be rewarded. In the meantime, save up some more money to upgrade your audio components!
http://tinyurl.com/95u5up
1) my 61" Sony projection TV (bought in 2000) is not working anymore
2) Im sure the 2009 model will be very expensive.
Ctuy
So my question is, when can I expect the price to drop on this TV? On Amazon it is about $3,600. Do I buy now, wait till after the Super Bowl?
Also any other TVs of that size that are similar in price and performance?
While David has given attention to the G-series due to its status as the entry level THX certified set, I'm really interested in the 54" Z-series as they look to have a combination of the 2008 800 and 850 series in terms of features. I was a fan of last year's "one sheet of glass" design. When you couple that along with the 2009 model's 2" panel thickness, the Z-series should be a great looking/performing set.
Plus, the 54" PDPs intrigue me because I don't expect them to be as overwhelming as the 58" - 60" PDPs and they're in a sweet spot right in between the 52" and 55" LCDs currently out there (and forthcoming).
And for the $, Plasmas still offer the best value at 50"+ inches.
So my problem is that the price hasn't dropped enough on my '08 picks. Not sure if I have to wait for '09 to come out first for it to happen. Last, I think Samsung was vague about what is running behind it's new LED panels, so I have no idea if it's even worth waiting. I'd really like to know?
I've spent that past month looking around reading manuals, comparing specs, counting my cash, visiting show rooms and was about to buy the 58PZ850U and then I read this........
I think I'll just watch tv on my little laptop for the rest of my life or regress to just listening to AM radio.
...
Yes, I will wait dang it !!!
While LCDs often fall quite short in their black levels - plasmas do not..
Where the 2008 Panasonics are weak is in how they handle 24p playback and the overall dimness of the picture.
I'd consider a 2009 Panasonic if I knew the 24p playback was better - that would be nice. MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY - if the new 2009 HDTVs produced much brighter images then purchasing a 2009 would really be worth the wait.
The real weakness right now in plasmas is not black levels but that they are too dim for most viewing environments.
In the case of Plasmas - it is NOT black levels that needs improvement - it is the overal BRIGHTNESS which needs to be improved!!!
-
by lilnicson03
January 21, 2009 7:22 AM PST
- Damn that HDTV is thin like a paper I got a Sony BRAVIA 32" HDTV and a Samsung 32" Series 4
-
Reply to this comment
-
(21 Comments)