Going Blinking Barmy !!!!

[admin_exported]

Never would I have thought that parting with a grand would be so stressful!!!! We have allocated said amount to trade in our trusty old lump [ 10yr old Sony WEGA 100 hz] for a shiny piano black/scarlet thingy with stunning pics and sound! I love my research but everytime i think ive settled on "the one" something new pops up. Now I REALLY cant make up my mind between SONY, SAMSUNG, LG SCARLET,TOSH and now PANASONIC. So here are my requirements....PLZZZZZZZ.

1] hate sky or any boxes or dishes.Have Freeview built into my hard-disc recorder[ Sony]

2] 37 or perhaps 40 inches ideal fro my room

3] sport, film and extensive DVD collection main usage

4]LCD not Plasma

5 ]would like to get future free HD channels w/o SKY

Its driving me mental and to make up for Cradiff just losing the FA Cup...could someoene sympathise or even offer some advice on a good futureproof choice with stunning looks, pictures, 100hz motion and wicked sound. I am yer 'umble servant

Huwie

 

[simonlewis]

Hi Huwie50, have you considered samsung's LE37A656, it ticks most of your boxes, comes in a cherry black frame, full HD 1080p with 100Hz . Answer to your last requirement, free HD w/o sky will have to be Panasonic TH-42PZ81B which has freesat, it's plasma & requires a satellite dish unfortuneately.

 

[Anonymous]

Very fitting thread title for me, because I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, Huwie.

I had decided on the Samsung 5 Series, but then I read about a lot of common faults the set seems to have - typical Samsung faults, so that completely put me off. The 6 Series is meant to be a little better, but I've still read accounts from far too many people regarding faults it has.

And so now I'm back to looking for a TV once again. Seriously, I've been looking for about seven or eight weeks now. I'm reading reviews and comments on a number of TV's practically every day.

I've narrowed it down to the Panasonic 37LZD800 and the LG426000 Scarlet, and I really do not know which one to go for. The Panasonic sounds like an amazing set, with hardly any negative comments or faults (all I've heard is a few people have had back light bleed, but very, very minor), but then the LG is obviously quite a big bigger, it's cheaper, looks amazing and has very, very good specs. I really am undecided.

Toshiba ZF series looks good, too...

 

[Clare Newsome]

If you can stand going barmy for another 12 days, we've a Supertest of 37-40in flatscreens in our next issue, out May 29th.

We've tested the latest sets from Panasonic (plasma and LCD); Samsung (5- and 6-series); Sony (X3500 and W4000 40in LCDs) and Toshiba (including the ZF).

Sorry I don't have model numbers to hand on a Sat. night!

 

[Anonymous]

Hello

I'm just impresssed that anyone at all is as sad/mad as me and is spending saturday night answering cries from desperate welsh gogglers like me to summon assistance for choosing electrified, japanese corner furniture. Just reading the Sony 4000 reviews and they have apparently sacrifced 100hz in an attempt to cut costs.The LG is a stunning looking beast but can you trust any company whose acronym contains the word "Lucky"[reliable in general?] ?!.....SAMSUNG dont have agreat reputation for sound,....... Toshiba are a little overpriced etc etc etc.

Thanks v.much for the swift replies

Huwie

 

[Anonymous]

GAWD, am answering my own post,now!!!!!

Panasonic TX-37LZD800 appears to have taken the lead [although i may wait a while til the price drops!] The equivalent LG 37 inch red thing is 300 quid cheaper and very tempting.But is LG usually reliable and made with quality? the brand is not one i have had any experience of and for the sake of £300 would i be sacrificing something special for something i may have problems with at a later date?

Anything you guys would recommend from Samsung or Sony or Toshiba that competes with these two?

I'll zip up now and get on with the remainder of the weekend!!!!!

Ta.Folks

Huw

 

[Anonymous]

I said earlier that you're pretty much in the same boat as me - now you actually are in the same boat as me!

I'm stuck between the LG426000 Scarlet and the Panasonic LZD800 (or 85), and I'm stuck because of the same reasons. LG is cheaper and bigger, but I have no experience of LG products and haven't read a review from someone who owns the set yet. Whereas Panasonic are obviously known for their top quality products, are very reliable and I have read a number of happy campers who own both the 800 and 85.

Decisions, decisions!

 

[Anonymous]

I was cracking out the LG Scarlet in the shop today. I've not had a chance to hook it up to see what the picture is like yet. I'm sure you've seen plenty of pictures of it so you can make your own minds up about the whether you like the style or not, but my first impressions of it are it feels really cheap. The 42" 6010 (Plasma) model had more of a quality feel about it, and in my opinion looked nicer too, but then that's just one person's opinion.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi

I am also in a similar boat and after looking at the tx-37LXD85/tx-37LZD85/ tx-32LZD80/tx-37lzd800 over the weekend, I have decided to wait a few more weeks to see what happens with the 800 stock/price wise.

It really is a great looking set. The dvd playback quality at the shop looked brilliant.

Hopefully john lewis will stock this set so i can get a 5y warranty. A price match would also be good

Simon

 

[John Duncan]

Why LCD?

 

[Anonymous]

Ditto JD.

You'll get more bang for your buck if you go plasma and as a happy Panny PX80 owner I can assure you you'd have to spend a lot more to get similar pic quality in LCD.

I know it muddys what are already swamp-like waters, but look to the plasma boys (Panasonic & Pioneer) to sort your woes. There are enough threads on here to cover any doubts you may have.

 

[John Duncan]

I just can't think of any reason why you would go for an LCD over a plasma if there's a plasma available in the size you need, electricity consumption aside - and even then the difference is trivial.

 

[HDNumpty]

The LGs look lovely, true as do the Samsung red range - but if you're concentrating on picture quality and not style Panasonic are at the absolute top of their game for TVs at the moment. I'm on my 2nd Pana flatscreen and enjoy every moment. You won't regret it.

The LG runs the risk of looking very pretty until you turn it on...

 

[Anonymous]

Yep...went to se the scarlet thing today and it DID look cheap.Also the big black double chin would take some getting used to!!! Price was dead keen though.What sort of reputation do LG have for quality?

Why not plasma?

Well apart from the intense heat, sounding like a part of the Holby Blue props list , an ugly rumour that they are on the way out, and advice that an LCD has a brighter sharper picture...then nowt!!!

Basically, I am after something with a stunning picture and sound quality to play DVDs and watch film , music and drama on Freeview but that will have all the appropriate bells and whistles until I can get HD on my Freeview [ got a terrible Sky-aversion].I hear that will be late 2009?...37 inches would be my best size for the room.

I have a Sony 250g hard disc recorder that " upscales DVD".Never quite sure what that means!!!!

Hey-Ho

Thanks for all the threads so far. Mucho Obligato

Huwie

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Huwie50"]
Why not plasma?

Well apart from the intense heat, sounding like a part of the Holby Blue props list , an ugly rumour that they are on the way out, and advice that an LCD has a brighter sharper picture...then nowt!!!

[/quote]

My 37px80's been on for about 1 and a half hours now and is far from intensely hot. There isn't a buzz or hum in stand-by or when it's turned on. I don't see why that rumour was stop you buying plasma anyway (despite it being pretty far-fetched imo, take a look at http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/429414/index.html#anker_429417). And finally I can't see why anyone would choose brightness over deeper blacks and better colour reproduction.

 

[Anonymous]

Seems like a fitting time to join the debate. I've read all your comments as I too am in the same boat. I'm after a 37inch LCD and want the best of breed. I had pretty much got it down to the Samsung LE37A656 or the Panasonic TX37LZD800 (or 85).

[quote user="HappyAsLarry"]

I had decided on the Samsung 5 Series, but then I read about a lot of common faults the set seems to have - typical Samsung faults, so that completely put me off. The 6 Series is meant to be a little better, but I've still read accounts from far too many people regarding faults it has.

[/quote]

HappyAsLarry, what faults have you heard about the Series 6 Samsungs (any links?). I've so far only seen the Panny 85 and I await the chance to see an 800 to compare. What I can say is that yesterday I was in Currys and they had a Samsung 40inch Series 6 next to a 42inch Series 5. They were both playing the same feed of "Batman Returns" with mostly dark scenes. I was blown away by the difference. The Series 5 looked like..., well..., a SD DVD. The series 6 looked like I could climb into the picture and be run over by the batmobile !!!. Fantastic picture and almost 3 dimensional in its clarity. If the panny 800 comes anywhere near, it better justify its £100 extra price tag !.

I'm not going to join the LCD - Plasma debate as I don't believe its a fair comparision. They each dominate their own part of the market ( in inches ) and where there is an overlap, they both have pors and cons.

I look forward to the May 29th edition of What Hifi in the hope that advise can tip me in one direction or another.

 

[John Duncan]

[quote user="Huwie50"]ell apart from the intense heat, sounding like a part of the Holby Blue props list , an ugly rumour that they are on the way out, and advice that an LCD has a brighter sharper picture...then nowt!!![/quote]

Can only comment on the brighter, sharper picture, which is simply not true - in fact even the best LCD televisions have this 'milky glow' about them, whereas Plasmas look like a CRT - to me there's no comparison. The best picture I've ever seen was on a Panasonic plasma, and not even a full HD one at that.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with JohnDuncan. I'm still waiting to buy a screen but after trailing the internet, forums, mags and stores it seems that if top quality picture and DVD playback, both standard and hi-def are required, then plasma wins hands down. For just over a grand you can snap up the Pioneer 42 Inch PDP-428 which I have to say looks good in all black and pictures look stunning too. It outperforms LCD in almost all departments especially black levels and contrast.

 

[Anonymous]

Surely black is simply black?

Or would this "irk the purists" as Half man Half Biscuit would say?

I am reliably informed Plasma comes into its own over 40".

I think the Panasonic 37 LZD800 is the one for me once the £ comes down. Now Im worrying if i should simply upscale my DVDs with my HDD recorder or buy a blinking StingRay machine.......

never stop does it?????

Huwie

 

[John Duncan]

[quote user="Huwie50"]Surely black is simply black?[/quote]

Of course. But LCDs achieve black by attempting to stop light shining through the screen, whereas plasmas achieve black by simply not shining.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Huwie50"]

Why not plasma?

Well apart from the intense heat, sounding like a part of the Holby Blue props list , an ugly rumour that they are on the way out, and advice that an LCD has a brighter sharper picture...then nowt!!![/quote]

Intense heat, No. The 37PX80 doesnt even have a fan.

On their way out: Nope. Plasma still rules the roost in the larger screens.

Brighter, sharper: Maybe, great for cartoons. But you need a good contrast, deep blacks and real life colours for an excellent picture , which means Plasma.

 

[Anonymous]

I have recently purchased a TX37LZD800. HD looks amazing on it and blacks are good. I sit 8 feet away from the screen and notice on an SD feed from sky there is some pixilation. Does anyone know if this will disapear in time as you adjust to the size of the screen? (Prev 32" CRT)

I have noticed a big problem with light bleeding from the backlight. It might have to go back. I am seriously condidering going for the TH37PX80 instead. Will this be better with an SD feed? and at 8ft will you notice the fact that it is only HD ready rather than Full HD with a 1080p input?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi HappyasLarry,

Just got a 37LZD800 at the weekend... seriously annoying issue with backlight bleed... don't get it!!! Every post I've read seems to come up with the backlight bleed issue. Reviews of the LG Scarlet I've seen basically say it's not a serious contender.

I think I've decided to go Plasma. What attracted me to the LCD in the first place were the vibrant colours and sharp images... but that was in the shop. Taking it home, the vibrant colours seem unnatural and SD viewing isn't as good as Plasma.

I think I'm going for a Pioneer instead.

 

[Anonymous]

Well....i jumped ship and went for the TH37PX80 in the end. £549 with a 5 year warranty was just too good for me to pass up on.

looking forward to delivery.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="simondup"]
Well....i jumped ship and went for the TH37PX80 in the end. £549 with a 5 year warranty was just too good for me to pass up on.

looking forward to delivery.

[/quote]

simondup, Please let me know what you think when it arrives as my lcd might be going back at the we.