New TV... Should I go for Sony KDL40V4000, Samsung LE37A656A or Panasonic TH37PX80 ?

[admin_exported]

Hi, I'm a bit new here, but I'm confident someone can help me.

I will be getting a new TV for my 'Games Room' soon. It'll be for playing games mostly, but also for watching blu-ray movies.

I've found both the Sony and Samsung for good prices and that isn't really an issue. I've picked these three sets because they are all in my price range and fit in the cabinet I will be using. The Sony is the biggest, the Samsung appears to have the best spec sheet and the Panasonic seems to get high praise everywhere else despite not being full HD (1080p).

Like I say I'm a bit of a newb at this and I know you shouldn't really base a purchase decision solely on the spec of the TV, thats why any help in making this decision would be appreciated.

Thanks a ton in advance,

Keith.

 

[Anonymous]

I have also been trying to decide between the PX80 and Samsung 37-656. In the end, after much blu ray testing in the shops with 'i am legend', 'Apocalypto' and 'Blood Diamond', I have decided I can't actually notice the difference in the clarity of the blu ray image between the hd ready panasonic and the full hd samsung . . . . in any case, I prefer the image of the plasma, has more wow factor . . . colours, shadow detail and vibrancy are better than any LCD's. However, the 40 Inch Samsung A656 with 50 000:1 contrast as opposed to the 15000:1 of the 37" 656 is a very good set with black levels easily surpassing the PX80's, something which I was quite surprised about . . . really very rich deep blacks (however you have to looking straight at the tv to see these blacks, being only 30-40 degrees off centre makes the deep blacks look grey, something that does not happen with the px80) . . . . i still preferred the overall image of the PX80 though, despite a slight sharpness loss. However remember, this was using a 42" PX80 to do the tests, at 37", the difference in clarity will be even less as the pixels won't have to be stretched as far. I would say go for the 37" PX80 but if you must have slightly better sharpness and better blacks, go for the 40 Inch Samsung 656, not the 37" version and the blacks will be far better on the 40 inch.

I'm buying the PX80 over the 37" Samsung you mentioned. The PX80 is also far better than the Panasonic lzd85 (full hd lcd) in all respects!

The best thing I can recommend is going to see the T.V's in store yourself and judge for yourself as everyone's picture tastes are different. Even go and buy a good blu ray to test with in shops . . . I am legend or apocalypto are very good blu rays to test with. Hope this helps!

RP

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot for that. I really appreciate it. I was bending towards the Sony before I read your reply. I've found them all for near enough £600, but I think I will take my Batman Begins Blu-Ray out with me later, and I'm very interested/excited to see the 37" PX80.

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Thanks again for your advice,

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Keith.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

If you go for the Sony, get the W4000 rather than the V4000, its a far better set from what I have read from various places. I've tested the Apocalypto blu ray on the w4000 and although the clarity is great the overall picture impact still didn't have that wow factor that the Panasonic plasma's have. One of the best t.v's you can get; the Pioneer 4280XD is hd ready and not full hd and yet the impact of apocalypto was just out of this world. Full HD is more of a marketing tool than any sort of revolution in televisions. Obviously at 50 inches and over, the 1080p will start to make a bit of a difference. For projectors, 1080P really is a must for HD viewing.

RP

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers for the info.

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I'm really looking forward to testing the PX80 tomorrow. I have the 46W4000 in the living room and I agree its an awesome set, but my mate has an LG and its only 1280x768 res, yet appears to have a better picture (well at least the colours seem more vibrant - in a good way), so I'm looking forward to seeing how the PX80 performs, given all the praise it has recieved.

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Cheers,

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keithÿ