I have a Panasonic Viera TX32LXD700 LCD, a What HiFi 5 star set in its day, bought in October 2007 for £900. I've always been really pleased with its performance, but are TVs today that much better and would I notice?
How much better are TVs now than 3 years ago?
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chebby
Well-known member
Not always.
In my researches over the last few weeks I have found that to noticeably improve on our 4 year-old Samsung 32" I will have to buy a £699 Panasonic 32" LED. Gorgeous picture and great with SD broadcast too (unlike the 32" Sonys we have seen that are awful with SD).
If it were just a matter of picture quality, I wouldn't bother.
However, we will need Freeview HD soon, and I want BBC iPlayer access via the TV and I want a slimmer television that uses less electricity. I also want something with another 5 years free cover whilst I can afford to buy it. (I also want full - same brand - compatibility with a new Panasonic BluRay recorder.)
In my researches over the last few weeks I have found that to noticeably improve on our 4 year-old Samsung 32" I will have to buy a £699 Panasonic 32" LED. Gorgeous picture and great with SD broadcast too (unlike the 32" Sonys we have seen that are awful with SD).
If it were just a matter of picture quality, I wouldn't bother.
However, we will need Freeview HD soon, and I want BBC iPlayer access via the TV and I want a slimmer television that uses less electricity. I also want something with another 5 years free cover whilst I can afford to buy it. (I also want full - same brand - compatibility with a new Panasonic BluRay recorder.)
Cofnchtr
Well-known member
Hi,
I think they have been 'refined'. If this makes them better for you, then yes - there's been an improvement.
LCD/LED have all but caught up with plasma where blacks are concerned but backlight issues remain for some and power consumption has improved.
Plasma isn't perfect and some problems are well reported on the forums by various people but it still tends to be the TV of choice for those who want a more true to life picture. LED/LCD tends to shout at you where colour palette is concerned.
Sets tend to be thinner with slimmer bezels and stylish rather than just another box.
The best thing you can do is demo excerpts from a film (or three) you are familiar with at a specialist dealer - see if you think there's any improvement from your home environment.
Cheers,
Cofnchtr.
I think they have been 'refined'. If this makes them better for you, then yes - there's been an improvement.
LCD/LED have all but caught up with plasma where blacks are concerned but backlight issues remain for some and power consumption has improved.
Plasma isn't perfect and some problems are well reported on the forums by various people but it still tends to be the TV of choice for those who want a more true to life picture. LED/LCD tends to shout at you where colour palette is concerned.
Sets tend to be thinner with slimmer bezels and stylish rather than just another box.
The best thing you can do is demo excerpts from a film (or three) you are familiar with at a specialist dealer - see if you think there's any improvement from your home environment.
Cheers,
Cofnchtr.
I think the latest TV's have more built in features.
If you need them or not is the question?
As I use my 4 yr old full HD TV only as a monitor coupled up to a decent AV system, PS3, Tuner, Blue I cannot see picture improvements on what I already enjoy.
They have become more affordable which is good.
If you need them or not is the question?
As I use my 4 yr old full HD TV only as a monitor coupled up to a decent AV system, PS3, Tuner, Blue I cannot see picture improvements on what I already enjoy.
They have become more affordable which is good.
Hi,
I have the same telly as you, but it's been consigned to the conservatory for the last couple of years, since I needed a larger screen (40) for my lounge. Recently I had to move the Panny back to the lounge, because I had to return a new tv back to the retailer,due to a fault, and had no tv for a few days. I'd forgotten how great the panny was, and still is. The sound is better than any tv that you'll get nowadays, and the picture is still fantastic. if you want the same size tv, then I wouldn't bother, as you'll be disappointed, but if you want a larger set, then keep your Panny, as a second tv, as you don't want to sell it for peanuts, it's too good for that. I have a Sony ex503, and it is a great tv. The only difference is, the blacks are better on movies, and because there are alot more settings to fiddle with, you can get a more vibrant look to your viewing, and the size of the screen gives a bigger impact. Sound on the tv is quite tinny initially, and you have to take the treble right down to zero, for half decent quality, but it's much better played via a hi-fi or dedicated theatre system.
I have the same telly as you, but it's been consigned to the conservatory for the last couple of years, since I needed a larger screen (40) for my lounge. Recently I had to move the Panny back to the lounge, because I had to return a new tv back to the retailer,due to a fault, and had no tv for a few days. I'd forgotten how great the panny was, and still is. The sound is better than any tv that you'll get nowadays, and the picture is still fantastic. if you want the same size tv, then I wouldn't bother, as you'll be disappointed, but if you want a larger set, then keep your Panny, as a second tv, as you don't want to sell it for peanuts, it's too good for that. I have a Sony ex503, and it is a great tv. The only difference is, the blacks are better on movies, and because there are alot more settings to fiddle with, you can get a more vibrant look to your viewing, and the size of the screen gives a bigger impact. Sound on the tv is quite tinny initially, and you have to take the treble right down to zero, for half decent quality, but it's much better played via a hi-fi or dedicated theatre system.
I cant say much about 3 years. But replacing a 5 year old what was top-end 40" LCD with a new Samsung C8000 LED 46" job has a made a world of differnece. At last blacks are actuallt black. Detail - amazong. The whole WOW of watching TV has returned. Progress?? Definately - and for less cash!
3 years ago i bought a Sony KDL40W2000.
At that time it had a five star rating, and I was very pleased with it.
I have just changed it for A Sony KDL46EX713.
The pic difference is amazing. Deep, deep blacks. fantastic contrast. Freeview HD built in and 4 HDMI sockets.
Because it has a very thin frame it takes up only slightly more space than the 40.
Very happy with new TV.
The 40 is going in the bedrooom.
At that time it had a five star rating, and I was very pleased with it.
I have just changed it for A Sony KDL46EX713.
The pic difference is amazing. Deep, deep blacks. fantastic contrast. Freeview HD built in and 4 HDMI sockets.
Because it has a very thin frame it takes up only slightly more space than the 40.
Very happy with new TV.
The 40 is going in the bedrooom.
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