Suggestions for 40/42" LCD/Plasma TV

Turbo-G

Turbo-G

Turbo-G

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Hi all,
Soon to move into new house and need a nice new TV for the living room. We want 40/42" and we have no preference on LCD or Plasma. Built in Freeview/Freesat would also be preferable.

The TV will predominantly be used for TV/DVD (freeview), with us also thinking of getting Sky+ HD and a bluray player too. I have an X360 Elite, however that will live upstairs most of the time.

I have considered the following TV's already. Any other suggestions/recommendations out there? We have a budget of ~£800, it would be nice to spend less though.

Panasonic Viera TXP42X10B
Panasonic Viera TH42PZ70B
LG 42LG7000
Samsung LE40B551A

Thanks in advance!
 
Get a Plasma its far better for TV. I dont think Id want to venture from either Panasonic or Pioneer (although Pio is out of that budget)

Costco were doing the Panasonics 46Pz80's a while back at £770. The 42G10 also looks good just above the budget, just maybe wait until it falls to that budget or pay the extra with the knowledge you get a freesat HD tuner integrated to save you buying another box if you ever want freesat.
 
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Cheers guys. The model numbers and specs get a little confusing!

Am I correct in thinking that the TH42PZ80B is the better TV here (excluding the 42G10)? Have seen it online ~£700+ so would fall within budget.
 
Yep, the 42PZ80 is last years middle of the run 1080p screen, as far as Im aware, the G series is it's replacement, with some improvements, but obviously a higher price tag at the moment.

If theres a chance you can see them both in action, preferably with some recommended settings off the AVforums rather than rubbish shop/bunged on settings, then you can make a better decision between them. (beware that brighter =! better, which is an easy mistake to make in a shop) I love mine, Im just a little over wary about playing PC games on it for ages as Im a little overcautious with IR etc, although I know from first hand experience that the screen can survive a 8 hour wow session with minimal IR that's gone within a day or two.
The TV is honestly great, Im just a little paranoid haha, as it ages I'll probably get more adventurous again (mines at about the 300-400 hour stage now I think) The screen is far 'tougher' when it comes to IR than my families LG which picks things up rather quickly, although obviously they go reasonably quickly too.
 
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We bought a Sony KDL40W2000 a while back for £1250, you can pick them up now for approx £800. Highly recommended!
 
james.miller said:
the w2000 is totally outclassed by the panasonic plasma's - thats what i had before i bought a 50pz80.
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I don't agree, my mate has got one of the new Panasonics and I don't think that they are anything special - overpriced yes, but that's about it.

I would choose an LCD over a plasma anyway so I'm biased.
 
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IIRC the X10's have some issues I read so might be best of avoiding them. (I could have my wires crossed though)

LG plasmas have improved a lot and are said to be up there with the Pannys now.

As you say the TV will mostly be used for Freeview a plasma is the type of TV for you.
 
spitzoid said:
I don't agree, my mate has got one of the new Panasonics and I don't think that they are anything special - overpriced yes, but that's about it.

I would choose an LCD over a plasma anyway so I'm biased.
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It's likely not setup correctly then, the colours are more natural and movement is slightly better in real world terms with the Panasonic plasma, both from selling them, and from research and viewing. Does your mate have the X10 or the G series? The x10 is a 720p screen which may be affecting your viewpoint.

I'm not saying LCDs are bad, they're really coming along nicely, but apart from brightness they still don't beat a good plasma for *natural/cinema esque* viewing.

Hardly overpriced either when you consider a lot of LCDs cost more, and they certainly don't beat the price equivalent Pioneer plasmas.
 
spitzoid said:
I don't agree, my mate has got one of the new Panasonics and I don't think that they are anything special - overpriced yes, but that's about it.

I would choose an LCD over a plasma anyway so I'm biased.
Click to expand...

Plasma's are generally cheaper than LCD. And the last time i checked, Pioneer plasma's were the best TV's to have followed by Panasonic plasma's.

Yes LCD's are coming along but they still are not as good as plasma for cinema viewing.

As for the OP, get one of the latest Panny's or the TH42PZ80B.
 
spitzoid said:
I don't agree, my mate has got one of the new Panasonics and I don't think that they are anything special - overpriced yes, but that's about it.

I would choose an LCD over a plasma anyway so I'm biased.
Click to expand...


hmmm.. my 50pz80 was a grand. overpriced next to what you payed for the w2000, or even what you think its worth now?? extra 10 inches? FAR better blacks, better colours?


the w2000 is a 3 year old lcd. lcd's have come a long way since then but they arent up to the best plasmas, or even the second best lol
 
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spitzoid said:
I don't agree, my mate has got one of the new Panasonics and I don't think that they are anything special - overpriced yes, but that's about it.

I would choose an LCD over a plasma anyway so I'm biased.
Click to expand...

Your last line says it all.

The w2000 is a number of years old, lcd tech has come a long way, but the latest panny plasmas still pip them to the post in most instances. Go figure ;)
 
James.miller - size isn't everything you know. I will concede that at that size a plasma is a good choice, but anything at approx 40"ish (which is what the OP is asking about) plasmas just doesn't cut the mustard for me. I don't think the colours and blacks are FAR better, but if it makes you feel better to say it in order to justify your purchase then fair enough.

-Ad- - Go figure what? Yes my last line says it all, I prefer LCDs, what's your point? Picture quality is a subjective matter so you cannot say absolutely that "plasmas are better than LCDs" or vice versa, you can only say "I prefer x over y". Me, I prefer the picture that LCDs produce.

Both - Yes the W2000 is 3 years old but I suspect it will be working in another 3 years whereas your plasmas, which are not robust enough and can be easily damaged, will not.

Its a fairly non-argument anyway seeing as both technologies will be dead in a couple of years when OLED takes off.
 
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Back to the topic at hand from the OP, I would go with one of the Panny plasma's if you are gonna be mainly watching Freeview and SD TV with a bit HDTV thrown in here and there.

I have the 42" PX80 and for me it beats every LCD in it's price range, I would say that initial impressions of a TV in a shop the LCD may grab your attention more but once setup up and living with it the plasma will be much more satisfying. :)

Most importantly whatever you chose make sure you enjoy it!
 
spitzoid said:
-Ad- - Go figure what? Yes my last line says it all, I prefer LCDs, what's your point? Picture quality is a subjective matter so you cannot say absolutely that "plasmas are better than LCDs" or vice versa, you can only say "I prefer x over y". Me, I prefer the picture that LCDs produce.

Both - Yes the W2000 is 3 years old but I suspect it will be working in another 3 years whereas your plasmas, which are not robust enough and can be easily damaged, will not.

Its a fairly non-argument anyway seeing as both technologies will be dead in a couple of years when OLED takes off.
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These comments just make my comments in my previous post hit home even harder ;)

I would love to know how 'our' plasmas will suddenly become easily damaged, maybe a meteor will hit it and will miss out your set. Have a read up on the technologies and also their life expectancies rather than throwing out meaningless opinions.

Please stop posting tripe and pushing your tv choice on others. You cleary enjoy it, but there are far better sets out there 3 years on, and this isn't some 'imo' or other e-arguing get out of jail free card, it is a FACT that many here will also testify too. The px10 is the best out of that list for the OP and is a very good set for the money, that is my recommendation which is probably also similar to others on here who have seen the set.

Hope that helps (well a little) OP :D
 
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spitzoid said:
but if it makes you feel better to say it in order to justify your purchase then fair enough.
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Oh, the ironing.

spitzoid said:
Picture quality is a subjective matter so you cannot say absolutely that "plasmas are better than LCDs" or vice versa, you can only say "I prefer x over y". Me, I prefer the picture that LCDs produce.
Click to expand...

Very true, glad you like your TV. The most important thing is that image suits you.

spitzoid said:
Both - Yes the W2000 is 3 years old but I suspect it will be working in another 3 years whereas your plasmas, which are not robust enough and can be easily damaged, will not.
Click to expand...

Do you have any figures or evidence to back this up? Maybe my Pio will need regassing.

spitzoid said:
Its a fairly non-argument anyway seeing as both technologies will be dead in a couple of years when OLED takes off.
Click to expand...

That's been said for for years as well. Unfortunately, and I really do mean that, progress seems to be infuriatingly slow. Am I the only one who thinks that if down to the fact the manufacturers need to re-coup all their R&D on LCD & Plasma, and really those are only just hitting market saturation?
 
Totally agree with -Ad- and [DOD]Asprilla. Spitzoid you are posting garbage and totally giving the wrong advice to a new tv buyer which is the worst part.

You are obviously still trying to justify to yourself that you were right to pay £1250 for a then mid range set. Check the reviews of your TV on HDTVTest and then look at something like the PX80 which is the closest thing to the X10 and then you'll see how wrong you are.
 
I think the 42PZ80 might be a good option for us if we can get it under budget. Especially if we plan to get a bluray player in the near future and take advantage of full HD which this plasma is supposed to do very well judging from the reviews.
 
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