Panasonic TX-P42GT30

[strapped for cash]

I saw one of these in action over the weekend (the VT30 was in store, but not yet connected, which was a shame).

The GT30 was conveniently sat next to a V20, while all TVs in the Panasonic store were displaying BBC HD preview material.

Auditioning in shop conditions for a short period of time hardly constitutes a thorough test, but the GT30 did look impressive in many respects. First, it seemed to produce a marginally deeper shade of black than the V20, while pictures looked a touch punchier.

The biggest observable difference between the two sets was with motion, however: the GT30, presumably because of its faster phosphers, did have the edge with motion and seemed to retain more detail detail during panning shots.

I felt it was evolution, rather than revolution. In other words, 2011 plasmas are better than the 2010 sets, but not by a wide margin in my opinion. That said, the VT30 might be extraordinary.

Has anyone else auditioned a 2011 Pana plasma yet? Any news on upcoming reviews, WHF team?

 

[micks_address]

Hi strapped, thanks for the info. I read a review of the GT30 on another site and its largely postive. I'm gunning for a VT30, my only real bugbear at the moment is floating blacks - can i ask what shop you seen the VT30 in? Pity it wasnt fired up as it would be nice to compare to the GT30.. at least the fact the VT30 was in store hopefully means its on track for the quoted mid to late april arrival in stores..

Cheers,
Mick

 

[Clare Newsome]

We should be taking delivery of a Panasonic TX-42GT30 tomorrow. It'll go straight into a 40-42in TV Supertest - you'll be able to read the review in our June issue; with subscribers from 5th May, in shops by 10th.

 

[strapped for cash]

Hi micks_address.

I was visiting my parents and popped in to a Panasonic store nearby. According to a couple of online reviews, the GT30 has resolved the floating blacks issue, but only in THX mode (I presume we've read the same reviews). I guess that's not a problem for the majority of potential owners, but annoying if you want to calibrate in Professional modes.

I was intrigued to see whether the GT30 was worth £1,300, compared with the £699 I paid for the V20. The GT30 was a marginally better TV, and of course is 3D ready, but it wasn't worth an extra £600 in my opinion.

 

[micks_address]

Hi Strapped - and they had a VT30 in stock but not setup? I hope to move from the VT20 to VT30.. and i'm hoping my retailer will be sympathetic to my pocket! yes sounds like we are reading the same review.. if it doesnt float in THX mode that will do me.. but if i remember correctly from last year the G20 didnt float in Cinema mode.. but did in THX mode.. hopefully the VT30 will behave at least consistently with the GT30... my birthday is 4th of may.. so be nice to have the VT30 for then... and hopefully it will be my last tv for a few years at least! apparently some stores are offering a 6 year warranty on them.. i'd be delighted if i could keep a tv for 6 years... how are you finding the V20 since?

Hi micks_address.

I was visiting my parents and popped in to a Panasonic store nearby. According to a couple of online reviews, the GT30 has resolved the floating blacks issue, but only in THX mode (I presume we've read the same reviews). I guess that's not a problem for the majority of potential owners, but annoying if you want to calibrate in Professional modes.

I was intrigued to see whether the GT30 was worth £1,300, compared with the £699 I paid for the V20. The GT30 was a marginally better TV, and of course is 3D ready, but it wasn't worth an extra £600 in my opinion.

 

[strapped for cash]

how are you finding the V20 since?

In most respects I think it's a fantastic TV. I'm watching Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief on C4HD right now, and the picture is exceptional.

I'm really not concerned about floating blacks at the price I paid. They occur occasionally, but not often enough to spoil general viewing. Motion, again, nothing too worrying here.

The buzzing that I seemed to defat by turning on Power Save has returned, however. This is my only real gripe. Those young enough to go clubbing, or at least to remember going clubbing, will recall the high pitched ringing sound you hear the day after because your eardrums have taken a battering. The buzzing sound my V20 makes is very similar to this; and it's constant, rather than intermittent depending on the brightness of the picture.

If I could get rid of this I'd state, without hesitation, that I picked up a bargain.

 

[strapped for cash]

And, yes, according to the sales guy, they had a VT30 although not set up yet. I'm not sure why this would be the case? Given it's Panasonic's flagship 2011 set, you'd think they'd have unboxed it pronto...

 

[micks_address]

most retailers i ask about the 42VT30 are quoting mid to late april delivery and a price of about 1599 pounds... so 300 pounds more than the GT30.. but it comes with 2 pairs of 3d glasses.. so that cancels out some of the price differential..

And, yes, according to the sales guy, they had a VT30 although not set up yet. I'm not sure why this would be the case? Given it's Panasonic's flagship 2011 set, you'd think they'd have unboxed it pronto...

 

[markyd]

Am I correct in thinking there is no Panasonic 2011 V range, and only the GT sitting between the g and the VT ranges?

I have been extremely happy with my 42v20 for over a year now. No interest in 3D, but my main criticism of the 2010 plasma range - namely the styling, appears to have been addressed.

 

[micks_address]

Yes there is no V range this year..

Am I correct in thinking there is no Panasonic 2011 V range, and only the GT sitting between the g and the VT ranges?

I have been extremely happy with my 42v20 for over a year now. No interest in 3D, but my main criticism of the 2010 plasma range - namely the styling, appears to have been addressed.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Yep. Panasonic's 2011 line-up in full here

 

[mafrost]

Clare

Any chance you'll also get your hands on a 42VT30 for the 40-42in TV Supertest you mentioned earlier? It would be great to know how the GT30 and VT30 compare to each other and the competition.

Thanks, Mark

 

[Clare Newsome]

Never say never, but at the moment it doesn't look like we'll get a VT30 into this Supertest - as you'll see from the blog I linked to above, it's always been slated as a later release than the GT30, and we haven't yet received a review sample (the GT30, however, is in the building).

But when we do get the VT30, it will - of course - get compared to its siblings as well as other rivals.