Suggest a tv for my dad

dexter27

dexter27

dexter27

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Well, my dad is looking into a new tv. Going to some stores tommorow. Could you recomend me some tvs to look out for?

Also, whats the deal with plasmas and lcds, also Samsung vs Sony vs Phillips and etc? Whats the better brand? He will be mostly watching stuff in SD, but also some HD.

Budget is around 1300-1400 euro.. So around 1k Pounds or so, for you guys:)


Thanks a lot
 
How far away will he be sitting? If it's mostly HD I'd say Panasonic TH-42PX80 as it will do SD better than HD. Alternatively if he's sat far away, either the 42PZ80 or 46PZ80.

Probably also worth looking at Sony's W4000/4500 series of LCDs, too.
 
Beansprout said:
How far away will he be sitting? If it's mostly HD I'd say Panasonic TH-42PX80 as it will do SD better than HD. Alternatively if he's sat far away, either the 42PZ80 or 46PZ80.

Probably also worth looking at Sony's W4000/4500 series of LCDs, too.
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Thanks for the quick reply. My dad seems to be convinced that Sony are just overpriced Samsungs... He was apparently in a store and store guy told him this. Is this true?

Also, how far is "far away"? I think he will be sitting around 4 or so meters away.
 
dexter27 said:
Thanks for the quick reply. My dad seems to be convinced that Sony are just overpriced Samsungs... He was apparently in a store and store guy told him this. Is this true?

Also, how far is "far away"? I think he will be sitting around 4 or so meters away.
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The Sony TVs are excellent with superior picture and build quality. Samsungs are still good though - I had one for a while before upgrading this week to a Panasonic 42PZ80 :D

How far is far depends on the size of the screen and resolution of the material and whatnot :D At 4m you almost certainly couldn't tell the difference between 720p and 1080p, so I'd shortlist the Panasonic 42PX80 - it'll handle SD better than a 1080p plasma or LCD.

However, seeing as he has a good budget well above the cost of a PX80, we get into 46" territory... definitely take a look at the Panasonic 46PZ80 if he has room for the larger TV.

Don't let him be fooled by the bright LCD pictures in the shops - honestly, when you get home and compare an LCD to a plasma, it's easy to see which is better. Sat in front of a Pioneer Kuro right now and it's so gorgeous - until I'd seen it I couldn't see where my old LCD was lacking.
 
Samsung and Sony use the same panels, so you could be forgiven for thinking they were the similar.

However, that's only half the story as the processing that goes into generating the image is equally important. That's where Sony are better.
 
The two lads above me have summed it up well, take their advice :D

If your dad will be watching lots of normal tv or cable/satellite then stick with a plasma.
 
Thanks for the replys, looked into the Panasonic, yeah the 46in one looks nice to me.

My dad made his own little research and he rather likes the Samsung PS50A457. Its the same price, but 50in. Whats the reason for it being cheaper? Its older?or?

Is the spec and screen of the samsung good? How does it compare to the Panasonic?


Thanks again :)
 
LEts just say this year samsung panels begin with a 6, and the 7 and 9 series are also out.

The 4 series are about 1-2 years old now, just mention to him that he is buying an old old set ;)

Im a big big fan of the panny, so much so I almost want to buy one for the bedroom. Someday when I have the money, but will probably get another kuro :p
 
The 4 series is Samsung's new HD Ready plasma range :)

Reason it's so cheap is because it's a Samsung, and it's only HD ready (720p) as opposed to Full HD (1080p)
 
dexter27 said:
SO picture quality wise, the Panasonic is much better?
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Build quality won't be as good, won't have as many features (eg I may be wrong but think the Samsung Series 4 don't do full 24p), picture won't be as good....but if he wants a big screen, it's still a good buy though personally I'd pick the 46" Panasonic. But then again I've never done direct comparisons in an actual shop :)
 
Beansprout said:
Build quality won't be as good, won't have as many features (eg I may be wrong but think the Samsung Series 4 don't do full 24p), picture won't be as good....but if he wants a big screen, it's still a good buy though personally I'd pick the 46" Panasonic. But then again I've never done direct comparisons in an actual shop :)
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Hmm, ok. The difference between PZ and PX is that the PZ has full hd, right? Would that be worth an extra 200 euro? I guess it matters how much HD stuff he would be watching...

Well, wish me luck in the shop tommorow, hah :)
 
Good luck :D

Edit: Don't think they do a 46PX80 so if he wants a 46" it'll have to be the 50" 720p Samsung or the 1080p PZ80 Panasonic.

I should also mention the PZ85 series which has better HDMI socket placement, better speakers and (subjectivly) better looks, and a few other things. Worth a look at too.
 
Well, got the Panasonic 42Xp80ea and its all set up now. Unfortunately, dont have any hd movies atm so cant really see how nice hd is, but sd is nice. At first we were thinking about 46-50 inch tv, but after looking at them, we decided that the 42 is big enough, and it is, especially when its in the room. Fills it up nicely :D


They said they were getting the pz85 before christmas, but dad didnt want to wait.


Thanks a lot for the help with choosing Beansprout and -Ad-. :)
 
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

Willl respond tomorrow but too many beers in covent garden tonight.


Goood choice, panny tvs are graet for the monies.
 
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