Do I really need Full HD?

[roger06]

Hi again

I'm sure this has been asked loads but I'm still confused.

I'm intrigued by the Pana TH-42PX80B as it has a great 5 star review in this months mag and it's only £689 on Amazon.

But - not being Full HD is it compromised ?

I don't intend to buy a Blu Ray player for another year or so and even then will probably only watch one DVD a week.

Most viewing will be FreeView but when HD becomes available on FreeSat - will the lack of Full HD then become apparent?

I don't have (and won't have) a games console.

This TV looks awesome for the money and it means I can buy a second 32" set for another room - but my last TV has lasted over 10 years and I don't want to be replacing this one in a year or two...

You advice gratefully welcomed!

Thanks

[/b]

 

[John Duncan]

Short answer - no. In fact, with those sources (current and planned), to my mind 1080p would be worse - scaling mostly SD sources to 1080 instead of 720 will look pretty scabby.

 

[Anonymous]

I have just purchased the 42PX80B this weekend. My viewing requirements are similar to yours and I can confirm that the picture quality of standard definition through analogue, freeview and sky is very good. Before buying this set I was convinced by some posters on this forum and by reviews this set handled SD broadcasts well and it certainly does. I was also convinced even when I take the step to HD in a few years, the difference is going to be very hard to tell on a 42".

Do yourself a favour and get JL to price match Sound & Vision Bolton. I did and got the 42PX80B for £683 plus JL throw in a 5 year guarantee free.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with JD on this one, and not a hob *** in sight either

Spot on too Jetsetwilly

 

[roger06]

[quote user="jetsetwilly"]I have just purchased the 42PX80B this weekend. My viewing requirements are similar to yours and I can confirm that the picture quality of standard definition through analogue, freeview and sky is very good. Before buying this set I was convinced by some posters on this forum and by reviews this set handled SD broadcasts well and it certainly does. I was also convinced even when I take the step to HD in a few years, the difference is going to be very hard to tell on a 42".

Do yourself a favour and get JL to price match Sound & Vision Bolton. I did and got the 42PX80B for £683 plus JL throw in a 5 year guarantee free.[/quote]

Thanks - that's really useful. I think my nearest JL is Southampton - would they really price match a store in Bolton ? Not exactly local !!

 

[Cass]

[quote user="roger06"]
[quote user="jetsetwilly"]I have just purchased the 42PX80B this weekend. My viewing requirements are similar to yours and I can confirm that the picture quality of standard definition through analogue, freeview and sky is very good. Before buying this set I was convinced by some posters on this forum and by reviews this set handled SD broadcasts well and it certainly does. I was also convinced even when I take the step to HD in a few years, the difference is going to be very hard to tell on a 42".

Do yourself a favour and get JL to price match Sound & Vision Bolton. I did and got the 42PX80B for £683 plus JL throw in a 5 year guarantee free.[/quote]

Thanks - that's really useful. I think my nearest JL is Southampton - would they really price match a store in Bolton ? Not exactly local !!

[/quote]

Doesn't matter. I got JL in Kingston, Surrey to Pricematch S&V Bolton without any problems.

And I'd echo the praise on this thread for the TH42PX80B - I've had mine for three weeks now and am delighted with it.

 

[Anonymous]

Unless you are going to sit close to the TV (7' or so from a 42" TV) your eyes wont be able to see the difference between 720p and 1080p .But you just need to look at a couple of sets at your actual viewing distance.

 

[roger06]

[quote user="rewerb"]
Unless you are going to sit close to the TV (7' or so from a 42" TV) your eyes wont be able to see the difference between 720p and 1080p .But you just need to look at a couple of sets at your actual viewing distance.

[/quote]

I think the viewing distance will be about 10 - 12 feet. We complete on our new house on Friday so at the weekend I can get in there and measure up...

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="roger06"] Thanks - that's really useful. I think my nearest JL is Southampton - would they really price match a store in Bolton ? Not exactly local !!
[/quote]

That's exactly what I did. Pricematched the 37PX80 with S&V at JL Southampton. No problem.

 

[PJPro]

Same here. JL at Southampton price matched a Pio 4280XD with Empire Direct Romford. I did it in the store and it took about 5 minutes.
The Sales assistant said "Yeah, we match them", ran someone to check the price and that was it.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="roger06"][quote user="rewerb"]

Unless you are going to sit close to the TV (7' or so from a 42" TV) your eyes wont be able to see the difference between 720p and 1080p .But you just need to look at a couple of sets at your actual viewing distance.

[/quote]

I think the viewing distance will be about 10 - 12 feet. We complete on our new house on Friday so at the weekend I can get in there and measure up...
[/quote]

In which case, save your money and get a HD Ready set (720p)

 

[Anonymous]

I'd get full HD for future proofness....i've just bought a 1080p Samsung and SKY HD is ace!!