Panasonic 42PZ80b vs Philips 42PFL7603D (and any ringers?!)

[admin_exported]

I'm planning a new system and thought I'd settled on the Philips for the display. However, I've seen some good reviews of the panasonic.

I reckon usage will be about 25% DVD/blu-ray, 25% SD Sky, 25% HD Sky and 25% gaming via PS3. I watch a lot of football on the screen. All inputs will pass through the amp (probably the Onkyo SR606, altough I'm waiting for reviews of the Sony STRDG820).

Any recommendations or warnings about these screens? Or are there any 42" screens you think will do better (sound isn't a worry as I plan to use an amp and speakers for this)? I'm in the fortunate position of being more limited by space than budget and viewing distance for TV is about 2m, for gaming probably 1m.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[Anonymous]

Ive recently purchased the new philips and im very impressed by it. I mainly watch sky sd and use ps3 for games and bluray. Plug and play is good but you will find you can really improve pic quality by tweaking the settings. I seem to still be tweaking as there are plenty to fiddle with. No motion blurring with the footy either. hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Ver helpful thanks Baylos - just the kind of feedback I needed - thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

I'm 99.9% sure i'm gonna go for the Phillips (42PFL7603D).

Have finally managed to see on in the flesh at our local Comet although by connecting it, and all the LCD's to a bog standard aerial connections it didn't really sell it....but it looks nice.

Just trying to find the best deal at the mo. So far £899 from littlewoods or £1025 with 5 year warranty. Also trying to get info from John Lewis to see if they will be stocking this model and when.

Jason

 

[Anonymous]

I had a quick look at this model the other day. The cheapest I found it for a Littlewoods was £999? I have seen it advertised for £934 at Pixmania (its £953.99 but you enter code 'PIX080603' and you get £20 off). In the end I decide to go for the Panasonic TH42PZ85, it cost me £910 from Sound and Vision (after a little bartering

) I originally wanted the Pio 4280 but stocks ran out and what was left was for silly money. If you want a reasonable 5yr warranty have a look at Richer Sounds website as they do them for a market leading price.

 

[Bazzy]

Hi,ÿ
It seems that the Philips 7000 series has been topped by the 9000 series - the 9603 has two ambilights and the 9703 has three ambilights - I have these have a better processor and have many of the quirks fixed fom the 7000 series. They do a 37", 42" & 47" - I would love to read a review on either these new 42" & 47" sets - will WHF be reviewing them soon?
Bazzy!

 

[Anonymous]

Bazzy:Hi,
It seems that the Philips 7000 series has been topped by the 9000 series - the 9603 has two ambilights and the 9703 has three ambilights - I have these have a better processor and have many of the quirks fixed fom the 7000 series. They do a 37", 42" & 47" - I would love to read a review on either these new 42" & 47" sets - will WHF be reviewing them soon?
Bazzy!

Hi Bazzy,

Don't think its a case of being topped they are just new additions to each range.

Most if not all of the reviews i've seen of the 42PFL7603D have been very good, and i'm sure the 9603 and 9703 are excellent aswell but at and extra 400+ i don't thing i'd get that signed off by wife.

Jason

 

[Anonymous]

Hi there.

Philips have 2 advantages over Panny: lower power consumption, and 100 Hz (motion compensation, for stutter-free movement).

Everything else is way better on Panny: contrast, especially blacks (new Philips are average even in LCD world), better colurs, motion handling...

I would sugest pz85, if u like motion compensation. (I do...)

If its irrelevant to u, and u prefer LCD, better choice is Sony W4000. Although, Panny still hase the edge regarding picture quality.

BTW, high-declared contrast of new Philips series is almost the same as last years models (8000:1), only average (in high end LCD arena). Bigger (marketing) numbers are achieved through higher dynamic contrast - that mean, its utterly usless...