Pioneer PDP4280XD or Panasonic TH-42PZ85B???

[admin_exported]

Hi guys,

I am looking to buy my first plasma TV and have narrowed down the choice to either a Pioneer PDP4280XD or a Panasonic TH42PZ85B. However, I haven't been able to do a side by side comparison of the two sets or indeed been able to view both sets on the same day.

Has anybody done a side by side comparison? Is the fact that the Pioneer is not full HD something to take into account? I watch mainly freewiew and rented DVDs but want the tv to be reasonably future proof. The prices seem to be more or less the same give or take £100 so which is the better buy? I don't care about the specs as such but I'd like to get the best tv for the dosh.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[Anonymous]

Can someone answer him please

 

[Anonymous]

I have seen these side by side on HD and SD. As far as I am concerned it is too close to call, but I was limited as to how much I could test them because it was on the shop floor of John Lewis (too much flourescent lighting) and I wasn't given the opportunity to alter the out of the box settings. I think we should wait for the first tests on the PZ85 which are supposed to be getting posted on this site sometime this week, and I am sure it will be compared to the 428XD seeing as it is 2007s award winner!

 

[FuzzyinLondon]

[quote user="tom83cat"]I have seen these side by side on HD and SD. As far as I am concerned it is too close to call, but I was limited as to how much I could test them because it was on the shop floor of John Lewis (too much flourescent lighting) and I wasn't given the opportunity to alter the out of the box settings. I think we should wait for the first tests on the PZ85 which are supposed to be getting posted on this site sometime this week, and I am sure it will be compared to the 428XD seeing as it is 2007s award winner![/quote]

I agree. Not to pre-empt the review but I think both sets will have their pros and cons when compared side by side. I expect the Pioneer will still be the clear winner with SD and Upscaled DVDs due to its imperious processing technology. I think the Panasonic will have the edge when it comes to image sharpness with HD material. The difference in black level will probably be minimal and, as such, the Panasonic will come close to the Pioneer when it comes to the all important area of colour reproduction and saturation. I think it will be a case of choosing a TV for the type of material that you watch most.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="tom83cat"]

I have seen these side by side on HD and SD.

As far as I am concerned it is too close to call[/quote]

understood and fully agreed, but....still you could solve a couple of doubts I have:

1. on SD 50Hz: is the 100Hz handling of the Pana looking better than the "flicker-free" technology of the Kuro, especially with white/clear still images? I am not planning for a big usage of SD signals on these sets, but I have a personal sensitivity to flickering images and SD will be still a long itme the only format available for something like news...

2. in general: have you had the chance to play a bit with the setting of the PZ85? I would like to know how the Itelligent Frame Creation looks like versus the 4:4 pulldown (on HD 24p) and/or the 100Hz image handling (on SDs)

thanks a lot for any impression you can share on these issues

cheers

 

[Anonymous]

Put it this way.... I have literally just got back from the shops with a Panny TH42PX80, which is HD ready. I had the money for the PZ85 (couldn't stretch to the 428) but i didn't think the extra £400 was worth it for fullHD, and the blacks were not too noticably different. As for the flickering and the IFC, you need to go look for yourself, because everyones eyes are different. I have 20/20 and didn't notice any flicker on any of the sets. Like i said before though, see what the first tests editor has to say and decide wether you want better SD or better HD. I think by the time everything is in HDand SD is no longer aired, you'll want to buy a different telly anyway!

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Guys,

Many thanks for your input - it is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Fredrik