Clare Newsome:hi fi newbie:
I am really annoyed not only does panasonic have no more plasmas intended to be shipped in of the old range, the new range will be much more expensive as a result of what i can only assume is the low pound policy of the government. Things are bad and this isn't even the start of it yet!, how do the LG's compare? i am thinking about that as an alternate.
The LG's are definitely improving - we're starting to see some LG sets (plamsa and LCD) that can compete on performance as well as value.
However, i wouldn't write off the new Panasonics as out of your price range just yet. When new ranges come in, they tend to hold up on price for a whlie, then the market gets ultracompetitive and the prices get trimmed.
Mind you, that's in a normal year. Nothing too normal re pricing in 2009 so far
I noted that Richer Sounds are warning on their website of price rises due to the currency shinanigans. As to the original question the chap could still pick up a 08 model range plasma. I have! The 37" PX80 based on WHF fanfare for it - and it's brill. Especially as I have had to say goodbye to my Sony D3000 LCD after nearly a year due to white clouding on screen and then a week ago I got a Panny LDZ80, and guess what? Same problem. Totally fed-up with LCD I got the plasma after much searching as they are nearly out of supply most places. Glad I did
I checked out the LG plasma's at a Tesco, including the novel 32" set. Pretty good I must say. And very good value too. The thing that put me off getting one is trivial, but an essential for me in that they don't have RCA audio output jacks! How silly an ommission is that in this day and age?