42 PFL7404 or 40EX503

[kinda]

Hello,

Considering both and would be grateful for any opinions or experience of the relative merits.

Extra features of EX503 I'm not that bothered about, and it's 2" smaller, more expensive, (if it's even in stock), and doesn't look as good to me. Though I could trade in my TV and save the emotional trauma of binning it!

I suppose I'm really interested in comparative picture quality and if anyone has any views? I'm going to try and have a look at the Philips, but spent a good 15 minutes looking at the Sony, and while motion was good, (better than the Panasonic plasma next to it), the blacks and greys looked bluey, even with blue blocks at times, and were less deep. Is this just a settings issue?

Any comments people have got on the picture quality of these sets would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Ian.

 

[Anonymous]

i have no experience of either , but id go for the sony , the reviews are very good ,almost plasma levels of blacks , and detail in dark scenes not far off , unusual for a regular lcd.. plus freeview hd , no mention of backlight bleed on this years sonys either , fair prices too , i have seen the 40ex503 for as little as £800 , mathewpiano reckons its a cracker , as do whfi , it could turn out to be an award winner ..

 

[kinda]

Yeah, the thing is I'm worried about that blue black. The blacks were certainly nowhere near the plasma's when I looked at it.

Plus it's either out of stock or more highly priced, cancelling out any trade-in.

I think demoing TVs is hard. Even at John Lewis they refused a proper demo, and the hifi places tend to have only more exotic models.

I don't want to spend loads and don't want to go mad on price, as I intend to go projector for films at some point in the not too distant future, (keep wavering in if I need a TV at all in fact), but don't want to be disappointed.

 

[Anonymous]

well , at the risk of enhancing my growing reputation as a panasonic fanboy , what about a panny 42g20 plasma ? reviews are also very positive , you will , imo , get a more natural picture , the deepest blacks for the money (and for quite a bit more money) , freesat , freeview hd etc ..

i wouldnt be too put off by the sonys perceived blue push though , tvs in stores are rarely setup correctly , whfi would have spotted any such problems ..

 

[kinda]

Yeah, I'd rather have freesat HD than freeview HD to be honest, but I'd still end up getting a HD PVR in the end.

A bit back I thought I'd definitely go plasma if I got a new TV, but then recently I've been reading they're better in less bright conditions, and don't have the most vivd colours in comparison to LCDs.

When thinking about it being a complement to a projector probably ultimately it makes plasma seem less attractive as it seems to have more projector like attributes.

Plus the G20 seems to be at the 800 plus mark and ultimately I'm seeing whatever set I get as being just for casual watching, so I want to save a bit if I can. Ideally around 5 - 600, for a 40 inch or so, but can stretch a bit. 42G10 is at £599 now though ...

 

[Anonymous]

well if a projector is to eventually be your main choice for movies , then i can see an lcd being a nice contrast to it , the latest sonys and samsungs would fit the bill nicely , even last years sony 40v5500 , 40w5500 and samsung 40b550 , 40b650 are very good lcds , as is the affore mentioned philips ..

for freesat though you will need the 40v5800 , 40w5800 or the panny g10 if either is to just be used for regular tv then any would be good enough imo ...

 

[kinda]

Yeah, you're right, and I have looked at the B550 and 650. Thought the 550 might not be smooth enough without the 100Hz.

I'm not mad for freesat in the TV though so I'd be driven more by cost and picture. I will be using it for everything for a while.

I do this every so often, look at TVs, projectors, can't quite make my mind up which to get, or which to get first, and end up sticking with the 36" Hitachi Natura!

I worry I'll spend money and not get a benefit but I have noticed lately smoother motion on some LCDs plasmas than my TV, and black levels have come on such that it's maybe viable to swap now. The thing is I have no hi def sources, but I suppose as i upgrade I'll always have that kind of issue unless I get all the stuff at once.

I'll have a wander round tomorrow and have a look and a think while the other half's doing her own thing. Thanks for the thoughts and advice.

 

[Anonymous]

keep an eye out for the last of the w5500s and b650s , going cheap , i agree the 100hz is worth having , some great deals around if you look hard enough

 

[kinda]

Thanks. Do you rate the W5500?

I've got a Sony going strong since 1992, but I've seen a lot recently about backlight issues with older Sony's and they seem to keep getting pipped by Samsung and Philips so I'd largely stopped looking at them.

 

[kinda]

Just to say I eventually went for ..... an Epson TW3500 projector!

I looked into what I really wanted that my CRT wasn't giving me and really it was cinematic size, HD resolution, and HDMI connectivity.

Hoping to use projector all round, (figured in the end the ongoing bulbs are cheaper than a separate TV), but have a Sony 21" CRT in bedroom as well.

Wondered about 3D, but with 720 3D projectors at £500 at the moment I thought if I was desperate for 3D in a couple of years and don't have much to spend I could pick one of those up, or something similar. But I'm far convinced it will be essential and in the meantime I've got a decent 1080P projector.

 

[Anonymous]

hi kinda , i had missed your question on the sony ,great tv imo , but it doesnt matter now , that 1080;p projector should be fun .. what size screen did you go for ?

 

[kinda]

I think it was 203cm wide, and 204 was about the limit I was going to get with the PJ at the distance I'm having it. I think it was about 8 foot diagonal but I'd have to check.

Got the stand as well.

It sounds like a decent projector and no rainbow effect. I'm going to keep the CRT initially, but if the projector's good in daylight I'll struggle to justify keeping the beast really as it takes up a lot of space. I'll be sad to see it go though.

 

[Anonymous]

sounds like your in for some fun , do let us know whats what after youve tried it out