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CES Hands On - Samsung HW-Q990F review
Son_of_SJ
Well-known member
My subscription copy of the Home Cinema Choice magazine, issue 223, August 2013, thudded on my carpet today. It contains a five-page review of the ZT65. It is awarded Reference Status. HCC seems more enthusiastic about the set that did the What Hi-Fi review of the same set, which has been linked to by the moderators right at the start of this thread. The HCC review mentions that Panasonic simply can't take plasma technology further in any way that makes econonic sense. I personally would have liked to see in the review an explicit comparison to the VT65 series, however, as to whether the ZT65 justifes the price premium over the VT65 series.
Two points from the generally rave HCC review "the ZT65 delivers unquestionably, unreservedly, undeniably the best 1080p picture in town" will slightly concern and intrigue forumites. The slightly concerning point mentions fan noise, of which I had not been aware on this set. Yes, I have heard of fan noise on the 65VT65, but the 60ZT65 was generally thought to be much quieter. (Perhaps Mr Malarky will respond to this with experience of his own ZT65?). The HCC review says "The fan noise it generates is omnipresent and has a tone which is often distracting." The intriguing point is that explicit comparison is made with a 60inch 9th generation Kuro panel (without saying whether that was a LX6090 or KRP 600A) and the result is a rated a tie! Pioneer executives will be pleased that more than four years after their last televisions were made, Pioneer screens have still not been decisively surpassed, for picture quality alone. (Of course, Pioneer screens don't have modern stuff like 3D and smart internet, before someone reminds me!)
Two points from the generally rave HCC review "the ZT65 delivers unquestionably, unreservedly, undeniably the best 1080p picture in town" will slightly concern and intrigue forumites. The slightly concerning point mentions fan noise, of which I had not been aware on this set. Yes, I have heard of fan noise on the 65VT65, but the 60ZT65 was generally thought to be much quieter. (Perhaps Mr Malarky will respond to this with experience of his own ZT65?). The HCC review says "The fan noise it generates is omnipresent and has a tone which is often distracting." The intriguing point is that explicit comparison is made with a 60inch 9th generation Kuro panel (without saying whether that was a LX6090 or KRP 600A) and the result is a rated a tie! Pioneer executives will be pleased that more than four years after their last televisions were made, Pioneer screens have still not been decisively surpassed, for picture quality alone. (Of course, Pioneer screens don't have modern stuff like 3D and smart internet, before someone reminds me!)
Son_of_SJ said:
Wow! Thanks for the feedback. :cheers: I think I will have to buy this edition, I am intrigued to read this!
Son_of_SJ
Well-known member
This new issue 223 of HCC magazine may not be at newsagents (WH Smith is good) for another two or three days, though.
Son_of_SJ said:
The level of fan noise seems to vary between individual units, on mine its about the level of an older PS3, so audible but not really an issue (and at the moment we're pretty close to the screen at only 8 feet away, if we move house as planned next yer we'll be aiming for a larger lounge so will likely be sat further away), oldboy visited a dealer that had the VT and ZT running side by side and says the ZT was virtually silent, while HCC are saying its loud enough to be a distraction while viewing.
Son_of_SJ said:
I read the review today, they seemed to really like it. Didn't buy it though. A lot of pictures rather than words!
See what Debenhams are selling:
http://www.debenhamsplus.com/DE_Panasonic_TVs___Plasma_Bundles_30044466/version.asp
http://www.debenhamsplus.com/DE_Panasonic_TVs___Plasma_Bundles_30044466/version.asp
Son_of_SJ
Well-known member
mr malarky said:
Don't know. They are now selling the entire plasma range though! Hopefully they will come down in price. More options the better.
tt_drj
Well-known member
The price on the ZT65 appears to be in a state of flux at the moment. My local Panasonic shop is selling them at £3,599 with 6 year warranty...
tt_drj said:
Sonic Direct are selling it for £3249.99, although it comes with the standard 5 year warranty.
http://www.sonicdirect.co.uk/Plasma-LCD-LED-TV-Televisions/Panasonic-TXP60ZT65B-60-3D-Full-HD-1080p-Smart-TV-3000Hz-Freeview-HDFSAT
Son_of_SJ
Well-known member
And that is the exact same price that Sonic Direct are also selling the Panasonic TX-P65VT65 for! Both of these prices, and the 5-year guarantees as well I think, are true only in-store, so you do have to be able to get to Bradford.
tt_drj
Well-known member
bigboss
Moderator
Although they say in-store only, some shops give the 5 year warranty on online purchases as well. Speak to them.
tt_drj
Well-known member
bigboss said:
Agreed, although Sonic Direct were quite clear that you can order online, but must pay in store to get the 5 year warranty.
Always worth a phonecall though.
Not sure if this has been posted previously (apologies if so).
Interesting comment at the end regarding comparisons with sony's 4k set:
http://m.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/panasonic-tx-p60zt65-1163904/review
Interesting comment at the end regarding comparisons with sony's 4k set:
http://m.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/panasonic-tx-p60zt65-1163904/review
gel said:
Just doesn't sound right being called a 'Zee-Tee 60' though; its 'Zed-Tee'! (Apologies to our American cousins...
)
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