FULL HD or not?

[admin_exported]

Hi

I'm still watching a very tired CRT Toshiba 32MW7DB.  I've been holding off buying a HDTV for far too long and I'm confused dot com about which set to throw my cash at.  Since Panasonic launched their latest batch I've decided now is the time to jump-in.  

I liked the idea of built-in Freesat but thought that would quickly become redundant when I wanted to record programmes.  I've found I can get a £20 card from sky that will allow me to use my existing Sky+ box to get Freesat.  The other concern I have is that the latest Panasonic panels don't appear to dig as deep into the blacks as their previous panels - according to WHF previews.

Having been enticed by the FREE 5 year warranty I called a few local dealers about the TH-46PZ81B.  I managed to get Martin Dawes down to £1550 delivered. A local specialist dealer appears on Panasonic's 'authorised' list but when I called they told me they haven't sold Panasonic for over 12 months!  

Anyway, this particular dealer decided to only sell the best plasma displays, Pioneer (obviously) - along with the more popular and affordable LCD's.   The dealer recommended I buy a Pioneer PDP-508LX which had just dropped in price to £1400 delivered and installed!

Wow!  What do I do now?  Do I continue with my interest in Panasonic or should I jump at the Pioneer considering it's only a 720p set but a fantastic panel?  

Bottom line is I need help.  

Does the picture quality of the Pioneer far outweigh its lack of FULL HD or should I be focusing more on getting a HDTV with 1080p capability?  

Thanks in advance for any help.

GH 

 

[D.J.KRIME]

For Me if chosing between the 2 sets you have mentioned I would go with the Pioneer. Yes it may only be HD Ready and not a Full 1080 pannel but what it looses in pixels it more than makes up for it Picture quality and it will take any 1080p signal and downscale it to suit its lower resolution.

 

[Anonymous]

My advice, FWIW, would be to go and look at the 2 sets you are considering and take along some DVD's as well as letting the shop demo HD for each of them and decide which picture you like the most. Nobody can tell you that - they can only give their opinion of which they prefer. Don't buy based on spec - base your decision on which picture looks best to you on the types of things you will be using it for.

Hope that helps...

 

[Anonymous]

GearHunter:

I liked the idea of built-in Freesat but thought that would quickly become redundant when I wanted to record programmes. I've found I can get a £20 card from sky that will allow me to use my existing Sky+ box to get Freesat. But you wont be able to get Freesat HD unless you have a SKY HD box.

A 50" Pioneer at £1400 is very,very tempting. Snap it up, Pioneer dont have any stock left, just what's in the shops.

 

[tvmog]

What is this £20 card that enables you to get Freesat on your Sky box? Haven't seen any mention of it elsewhere yet.

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/faqs-freesat.aspx#q3

 

[Anonymous]

@ D.J.KRIME

That's what my gut tells me to do too, Pioneer.

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@ Mark

Best advice. ÿAll I need is a dealer who's got both screens available forÿcomparison, may be difficult with the Pioneer now being EOL? ÿ

ÿ

@ rewerbÿ

Sky HD would be the natural progression once I have a HDTV. ÿAnd yes £1400 is soooo tempting, if only I had a bigger wallet the PDP-LX508D....! ÿ

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@ tvmog

Hope the link was helpful? ÿ

ÿ

Thanks all for your inputÿ

 

[tvmog]

Thanks for the link, I was getting Freesat from Sky and the new Freesat service muddled up.