Clare.....Panasonic TH-37PX70 vs Sony KDLW2000.....decisions decisions / confusion!

[admin_exported]

Ok Clare...now I'm confused!

I thought I was certain on the Sony, but have read many things praising plasma over LCD....many of which from DJ KRIME!

If you had to make a choice between the two (ignoring the fact the panasonic is much cheaper) which would you go for wrt longeivity etc. I am swayed towards the Sony but mainly as it is Full HD; which I'm not entirely sure is relevant in the mix?

I know the size is different, but keep getting panic sessions over sizes & room dominance - in a LARGE store 40" looks fine, yet was in a hotel last night & the 32" looked massive in my room, had to look at the code at the back to realise it wasnt much larger!

Thanks in advance

Matt

 

[Clare Newsome]

Hi Matt,

All depends on what your system is, what you enjoy watching, and how large your room is!

Full HD at this size isn't the be-all and end-all, so don't fret too much about that, unless you only intend to watch native 1080p sources (very unlikely, i'd have thought).

Longetivity is a moot point- no-one's owned these flatscreens long enough to know how long they last, but I really wouldn't worry about that, either- chances are your set will outlive your use/desire for it. If you're particularly worried, buy from a retailer (like John Lewis) that offers extended warranties as standard (but don't be suckered into the hugely expensive warranties some stores offer).

And finally, if you watch a lot of movies and sport, you may find (a very good) plasma suits you over the LCD - deeper blacks and better contrast and motion-handling.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Clare.

The room is 4m x 4m with me probably sitting about 3 metres away from the screen, so in theory I'll be in a fine position for the 40" but sometimes I just look at them and think they look huge in certain rooms...but at the same time I dont want to purchase a 37" & regret the lack of size in a few weeks time. It will sit in a bay window on an Alphason Ambri stand. Strangely the back of the LCD looks nicer than the plasma (as it will be seen also).....bet you dont get people commenting on that too often!

I probably watch TV 60% of the time with films taking up the remaining proportion and a little bit of PS2 also; the main sources will be from SKY HD & a std DVD player until the whole Blue-ray / HD DVD debate settles down.

I thought I was decided on the Sony reading the award winning reviews and the quote from yourselves in the back pages of "beats the plasmas", but then reading the Panasonic summary with 5*s of "Its not how many pixels its what you do with them"....oh the confusion!

When you state "a very good" plasma, does the Panasonic fit into that category, or are you talking the 42" 1080 version?

Thanks again

Matt

 

[Anonymous]

I'd take the PX70 any day. The blacks are blacker and the reds are redder. If you watch many dark films, the LCD will look perhaps a little grey for your liking. But saying that, once you get either one home you'll think it's the best anyway. The picture always look better when it's not sitting next to another TV. But remember, it's not the size of the boat that matters...

 

[Anonymous]

Tend to avoid dark films anyway as get fed up with barely being able to see whats going on despite using a THX DVD to calibrate the screen; tend to find those sort of films a little 'arty' for my liking.....I give you Sin City as an example!

Surely there must be a way to view the two back to back as I do when auditioning speakers?? Just dont find the likes of Comet et al particularly accurate for these sort of tests / comparing like for like.

My other concern is the height of the smaller plasma - as it will be sitting on a low Ambri stand which is only about 40cm high...or perhaps I try to convince the other half that 42" is the way forward!

 

[Anonymous]

42 is the way forward! Plasma of course....

Perhaps if you nice plasma you wouldn't avoid those darker movies? I know after i installed my Pioneer i initially was hunting out the dark scenes, and was amazed at the extra detail i could make out.

 

[Clare Newsome]

The Pana 37in is a superb plasma. Of course, the 42in version ( a five-star First Test fave) is also excellent!

The guys are right about dark-scene detail - although the very good LCDs (like the Sony) also handle this incredibly well, just being shaded (ha!) by the best plasmas for black levels.

If you do decide on a larger set, it's less than two weeks until our 40-42in Supertest, where we test the brand-new Sony alongside the 42in Panasonic and all the other sets listed here.

 

[Anonymous]

Poor pun there Clare!

I do think 42" will be too large for my room; possibly not when watching films / tv but certainly it will overpower the lounge & not win me favours with she who must be obeyed! Plus the increase in cost all adds to the dwindling budget; her desire for small speakers blew a fair bit of it with the Radius R90 AV-12 purchase for me to be happy with the sound aspect.

However, by the same thought process, I believe 37" will leave me yearning for an extra few inches!

I'm awaiting the Supertest results before purchasing, but part of me knows the new Sony will be at a higher price than the current W2000 model & as such, unless massive improvements in quality I may stay with 'last years' model.

We move house at the end of the month when all the purchases will then be made to save on having to move the equipment again, however & amusingly it does look as though when Sky come over to install HD I will be using a budget 14" CRT as I'm trying to flog my 32" CRT Sony at the monent.

Wonder if he/she will comment on £1350 of speakers & an amp with a small £50 tv sitting on a chair waiting for HD to be set up!

Matt

 

[Anonymous]

Anyone got the model no. handy of that new Sony?

 

[Anonymous]

Presume you mean this one from the test next month?

Sony KDL-40W3000