Anything better than the Viera TX-P42V20B for the money?

[glitch]

Having done a little bit of internet research into suitable TVs, it looks like the TX-P42V20B comes up pretty well in most peoples opinions. And given that you can pick it up for around £730 with a 5-year guarantee, that seems like a very good deal - but is there anything better?

I'm not at all bothered by 3D in any way, shape or form (even though this TV can supposedly handle it?) but I am bothered about picture quality. And in terms of what will be fed to it, that will be a Sky+ HD box for the large majority of the time, with the occasional DVD thrown in for good measure; SD for the time being, but hopefully HD at a later date.

And while I don't game at the moment, I may well do in the future - I'd also like to be able to hook my MacBook Pro up to the TV as well, although that might well be one for the Apple forum!

The Sony range of LCD/LED TVs have caught my eye, with the KDL-40HX803 and KDL-40NX803 looking remarkably good, but my (admittedly sloppy) research tells me that Plasma TVs still have the edge when it comes to image quality.

So assuming I've got somewhere in the region of £800 to spend on a new TV that 'needs' to be around the 40/42" mark, should I buy the Panasonic or would my money be better spent elsewhere?

 

[Chong Warrior]

Either that or the new model G30 which is available for around £700. Personally I'd probably stick with the higher spec older model V20.

 

[Superficial]

its the VT20 that is 3D not the V20

This is an excellent choice in my opinion but in order to get the free Panasonic 5-year warranty you have to buy in store in case you didn't know - its a condition set out by panasonic to their dealers.

im stuck with this choice also btw.

its the v20, the g30 or possibly a cheap GT30 - sans the 5YW

 

[glitch]

Personally I'd probably stick with the higher spec older model V20.

Would you say it was one of the better TVs on the market, even being an older model?

its the VT20 that is 3D not the V20

Ah, even better. 3D makes me feel nauseous.

This is an excellent choice in my opinion but in order to get the free Panasonic 5-year warranty you have to buy in store in case you didn't know - its a condition set out by panasonic to their dealers.

I'll be buying from John Lewis' and getting them to price-match.

 

[the wopster]

i would get the G30,the G30 is last years V20 with a few enhantments and tweaks so will be a better panel

 

[Chong Warrior]

Would you say it was one of the better TVs on the market, even being an older model?

Well I bought the 50" G20 just last month, so a bigger screen but not as high spec... so yes I think the V20 one of the best

 

[glitch]

i would get the G30,the G30 is last years V20 with a few enhantments and tweaks so will be a better panel

I was under the impression that the V20 had a better filter (whatever the hell that is) and a more useful screen coating than the new G30?

Most reviews I've read have said the V20 is the better screen, but is that to be taken with a pinch of salt? I am utterly lost with all this TV stuff, it's bloody complicated!

 

[glitch]

Well I bought the 50" G20 just last month, so a bigger screen but not as high spec... so yes I think the V20 one of the best

I'd say that was a good recommendation then!

 

[Superficial]

i would get the G30,the G30 is last years V20 with a few enhantments and tweaks so will be a better panel

whilst i do lean towards the g30 over the v20 the above is not quite the be all and end all. If the AVforums review is to be taken as fact for the entire range (not cherry picked) then the v20 is calibrated better out of the box. it also has the infinite black pro filter and the wifi dongle for the (older) viera cast feature.

but you focused on the panel fixes and to be honest i agree. the floating black issue has apparently been looked at and the degradation over time of the contrast has been changed along with the flickering brighness issue.

 

[Superficial]

I was under the impression that the V20 had a better filter (whatever the hell that is) and a more useful screen coating than the new G30?

Most reviews I've read have said the V20 is the better screen, but is that to be taken with a pinch of salt? I am utterly lost with all this TV stuff, it's bloody complicated!

The Infinite Black Pro filter is most useful for nullifying reflections but it also makes the blacks richer too even over the regular infinite black filter of the g20/G30

The new infinite black pro filter is the main reason I am seriously considering the GT30 - I dont want the 3D either but the freesat feature is also a bonus

 

[glitch]

The Infinite Black Pro filter is most useful for nullifying reflections but it also makes the blacks richer too even over the regular infinite black filter of the g20/G30

It sounds like you've done your research!

I certainly can't justify spending over £1k to get a GT30, so in your opinion is the G30 or the V20 the better screen, given that they are both around the same price?

Do the panel fixes of the G30 edge it over the filter and general quality of the V20?

 

[Superficial]

It sounds like you've done your research!

I certainly can't justify spending over £1k to get a GT30, so in your opinion is the G30 or the V20 the better screen, given that they are both around the same price?

Do the panel fixes of the G30 edge it over the filter and general quality of the V20?

^^ is the million dollar question.

It's swings and roundabouts.

Does your tv face the sunlight or generally show reflections? if so then its the v20 for you. I was in JL doing a price match for the gt30 on friday and the (quite knowledgable) sales guy swore blind the v20 was better than the g30 for IQ and avforums shows the v20 edging it.

bottom line is the v20 is an excellent purchase but ill probably being with a g30 screen for the modest improvements.

 

[Chong Warrior]

Which ever one you pick you'll be getting a great TV, don't get too hung up on little details, it isn't worth the stress

 

[Superficial]

Which ever one you pick you'll be getting a great TV, don't get too hung up on little details, it isn't worth the stress

probably the best advice in this thread tbh

it's precisely because i have looked into this too much that i still haven't bought my tv 5 weeks after receiving sky hd.

still using my old 28" JVC crt lol

 

[glitch]

^^ is the million dollar question.

It's swings and roundabouts.

Is the answer to said question the GT30?

Does your tv face the sunlight or generally show reflections? if so then its the v20 for you.

It would sit facing a window, but the window has a blackout blind over it as it's south-facing.

Never been a problem up until now, even with a shiny CRT screen where my new TV will go.

Which ever one you pick you'll be getting a great TV, don't get too hung up on little details, it isn't worth the stress

Refreshingly good advice. I worry too much!

 

[Superficial]

Is the answer to said question the GT30?

if you can afford it then yes it's the best overall. Though whether it's worth the extra £300.00 i cant say

 

[Rizo-UK]

i bought the 47g20 2 weeks ago, no faults here, colours and blacks are the best ive ever seen.

 

[glitch]

if you can afford it then yes it's the best overall. Though whether it's worth the extra £300.00 i cant say

I just don't think I could justify it. It's bordering on silly money.

 

[insane200]

Id chose the v20 myself tbh, the new G30 is ok, not a patch on the gt30 tho, it also looks quite cheap, and is missing freesat which i use all the time.

also for the money, you get the wireless dongle, and being silver it looks quite fresh, and hides the dust more

 

[mr griffin]

out of op budget not sure what price is, but what about the Panasonic VT30B. not that I know a lot about tv's but being the flagship model you would think it would have the best picture. The one sheet of glass front also looks nice.

Max that credit card lol