Pansonic TX-37LZD800 LCD vs TH-37PX80B Plasma

[admin_exported]

Hi,

Although I feel like I'm asking a question which has probably been asked a million times, searching through past posts I can't get exactly the answer I'm looking for!

I'm looking for a new TV. We get good deals on Panasonic TVs through my employer, and they seem to be very highly rated in reviews, so I'm pretty much set on it being Panasonic.

The size of my living room means that anything over 37" would look a bit daft, which means that I can't get a 1080p plasma, 'only' the 'HD ready' version. The new range of LCDs are 'Full HD' 1080p, but a few people I've spoken to said they preferred the picture quality of the plasma, even though the resolution was not on par with the LCD.

I'm currently trying to decide between the TX-37LZD800 and TH-37PX80B. There is a pretty substantial price difference between them, but since I'm not expecting to buy another set for at least a few years, I don't really want that to come into it. I want the best 37" set I can get.

In the old LCD vs Plasma debate I think I am on the side of Plasma, but factor in better resolution on the LCD and it is even less clear than before! Because 37" is such a 'small' screen for Plasma, not only am I not getting full HD, but it seems that the comparison is the top of the range LCD vs bottom of the range Plasma.

Most of the time either set will be used for SD Sky+, which I might upgrade to Sky HD if the lower the £10 /month fee. I watch a lot of motor racing, and have just got a PS3, so will also be getting some Blu Ray films soon and doing some gaming!

Can anyone offer any advice on which set you think would better suit my needs?!?

As a seperate question - what's the difference between the PX80B and PX8B as they are listed with the same price!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I was going through the same problem... 37PX80 or 37LZD800... I went for the LZD800 because in the shop, it looked like it had more vibrant colours and a sharper image. The image on the PX80 looked a little washed out.

Took the LZD800 home and it looked brilliant (without turning it on!). But the first problem was that I couldn't get the colours to look realistic. After much reading, I found out that this is because the lighting in the shop affects how the screens look and LCD looks better in the shops. This was a little annoying because I was thinking at that point that I should have gone for plasma.

Then, after an hour or so of viewing, I noticed the top right and bottom left corners were getting bright... and then I found out that this is an issue that's common in LCDs (including laptops).

After doing a bit of reading, I found that others that had purchased the LZD800 had similar problems too of backlight bleeding... I'm sending mine back for a plasma.

My room is also ideal for a 37" and I didn't really want to get a bigger screen, but I measured up the 42PZ800 yesterday and it's only 4cm wider on either side. So, even though it will be a bit bigger than I had hoped, at least I won't get annoyed every time I turn on the TV to see backlight bleed or poor colours!

Go for plasma! It wins hands down!!!

The PX80 is a cracking TV and everyone raves on about how good it is - especially at the price you can get it for now. And if you're going to be watching a lot of SD, it's a no-brainer.

Hope that helps.

 

[professorhat]

I use my HD Ready plasma (Panasonic TH-42PX600) with the PS3 for both Blu-Ray and gaming - even though it's 'only' HD Ready, the picture is superb for both. I'd really advise going with the plasma and echo the comments John made above about the LCD - they look very impressive in the shop, but unfortunately, when you get them home, they lose a bit of their sparkle due to real world lighting conditions / motion handling etc.

Oh, and according to a post by Clare Newsome here, the PX8 is an entry level model, so if they are the same price, the PX80 would be the better bet.

 

[Anonymous]

The LZD800 will have a better sound. The PX80 will have better contrast, blacks, natural colours and better motion handling.

Unfortunately there is no PX800.

PX8 is the lowest spec (2 HDMI, lower contrast, fewer shades of colour....)

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Pal,

I have just been though the same questions, I didnt want a 42" for the same reasons and was orginally going to buy the pana LCD 37".

I took a trip down to my local JL and compared both the plasma and the LCD and the plamsa wins everytime if your mostly watching SD. LCD is great if your a gamer or watching bluray all the time. But until HD broadcasts become the norm you wont see the advantages of LCD.

Although the 42" is only slightly bigger 4cm either side and a couple cm tall, if your sitting pretty close you can see the picture imperfections compared to the 37"

Anyway I ordered the TH37PX80B from JL for only 549.00 with a 5 year warrently!

( the casing on LCD does look nicer thou )

Hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

On the issue of sound, I think that yes, the LZD800 does have good sound and it will be better than the PX80. But if you buy the PX80 for the bargain price of £579 (or however much it was), you'll be able to put the extra money towards a Denon soundbar!!! Ok, I don't know how good the Denon is, but you get my point right?! Get the PX80 and then buy a decent sound system on top, then you can have your cake and eat it!

 

[professorhat]

Absolutely. And even a modestly priced sound system will blow the LZD800s speakers out the water.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Mackeyuk,

can I ask which shop (which John Lewis is happy to pricematch with) is doing the 370PX80b for £549

thanks,

Pete

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="pete_stevenson"]

Hi Mackeyuk,

can I ask which shop (which John Lewis is happy to pricematch with) is doing the 370PX80b for £549

thanks,

Pete
[/quote]Sound& Vision is £564 including delivery.

 

[Anonymous]

It was JL in Cheadle and the Trafford Centre.