Cry for help to the editors and fellow readers....

[admin_exported]

Now that I am moving into a new home, I am looking to buy a new TV, and am hesitating between the following models:

Sony KDL 40 or 46 W4500

Panasonic Viera TH 42 or 46 PZ 80, 85 or 800

I have a good surround sound system, so TV sound is not really an issue. TV size will depend on the distance from the TV, which I will know/measure once I move into my new house. I am guessing around 4 meters... With regards to use- it will be used for watching digital TV (and maybe HD TV in the near future) as well as regular DVDs (and maybe Blu Ray within the next several months). No gaming... The TV room is not too light, and no direct light will be on the set.

Can anyone help me please?

Thanks!

 

[Andy Clough]

Well, as both the Sonys are our current Award winners, I'd go for one of them.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Andy- So my idea that Plasma is better than LCD is not (always) true...?

 

[Anonymous]

[Pulls up a chair to watch the ensuing Plasma vs. LCD fight]

 

[Anonymous]

Went through a similar choice/dilemma(!) recently and have now gone for the PZ80 (shortly to be delivered from Argos for £709). I'd originally wanted the Sony but when I saw it in a shop next to the PZ80 I could see what people meant about LCD compared with plasma and that effectively made my choice.

However, I had an idle Saturday afternoon recently to wander around Bristol's shopping centres and - as you do - found myself sitting around in House of Fraser and John Lewis re-looking at all the sets. I was still very pleased with my choice - it was looking good on SD, upscaled DVD and also showing a Blu-Ray movie. But I also got chattting with the sales assistants and they were showing me a Samsung 40" LCD, the Sony 40" and 46" with the Blu-Ray of 'Ratatouille' - and to be honest they all looked fantastic as well - really good in fact! What I seemed to be realising (late in the day maybe) was that the feed you give the set is all important - plasma seems to be better than LCD with SD - though of course the size of the TV will make a big difference (the smaller the screen the sharper the picture's going to look) but with HD both will look good and LCD may even win it. Plasma does tend to look 'duller' and LCD more 'vibrant' - though that's not necessarily as good a thing as it sounds and some people (for example, my girlfriend!) said the LCD would give her a headache in 5 mins, while she could happily watch the plasma all day.

So, 1.) I think you'd be happy with either 2.) Be honest with yourself: which picture really appeals to you the most, despite what your head's saying, as it's you who will sitting at home watching it, not a group of reviewers 3.) Consider what feed you will be giving your TV the most - both will look great with HD/Blu-Ray 4.) Do a check with anyone else who might be watching the TV with you - as they might make the choice a little easier to make!

 

[Anonymous]

groberton: [Pulls up a chair to watch the ensuing Plasma vs. LCD fight]

LOL