Sony KDL-40W4500U vs Panasonic TH-37PX80B

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I have read reviews on both of these sets, and am now stuck as to which one to choose. My budget is suitable for both sets and my room is just about big enough for the 40inch. So that just leaves the question as to which will be the better tv? I will be using the tv for everything from sd to up-scaled dvds from Marantz DV7001 (with a look to buying a bluray player and getting sky+HD in the future).

My main concerns are these:

1. Lifespan of Plasma vs LCD

2. Back-light bleed/clouding (I am in the process of returning my panasonic TX32-LXD700 due to this problem and am now worried about getting the same problem with the Sony LCD)

3. General picture quality, especially fast moving action such as sports and dark scenes.

If anyone can help to shed a bit of light (preferably not back-light!!!!) I would much appreciate it.

Cheers
 
Thanks, I assume from that simple answer that the backlight problem isn't an issue?
 
Why is the answer as simple as the Sony?

I am in the same position, I want to buy a new TV and I am stuck as to which to buy.

The models I have in mind are the Panny TH37PX80B and a Sony KDL40W4000. I know the Panasonic is not 1080P, but would it make that much difference for what I want. We watch the occasional film on dvd, and play a few games on our 60gb PS3. We don't reccord a lot of TV, so you can see I am also stuck as to which one to buy.

Anybody any other suggestions?
 
Andy Clough:Simple answer. Sony.

I do not understand how you can come up with that piece of advice.

He makes clear that he will be using it for SD. In my opinion the PX80 is one of the best TV's for SD. He also asks about fast motion and dark scenes. Again, in my opinion the plasma is better than LCD for fast action. And as for blacks, Plasma is better than LCD. He asks about back bleeding. Again, the Plasma will not have that problem. Finally, he asks about lifespan, and I thought there was not much to choose between LCD and Plasma.

My advice for the writer is to go and see both TV's in a shop. But make sure you understand what you are watching. Don't just let them run a HD demo. Ask to see them both running SD, and fast action sport in SD. The LCD will be brighter, and if that is what you like fine. But have a look at the deeper colours of the Plasma. Personally I prefer the more natural looking picture on a plasma.
 
They say that the W4500 has black levels that rival some of the top end plasmas
 
Andy Clough:Simple answer. Sony.
I can get the Panny for £570, the Sony is £899.

The Sony is 58% more expensive, is it 58% better?
 
rewerb:

Andy Clough:Simple answer. Sony.
I can get the Panny for £570, the Sony is £899.

The Sony is 58% more expensive, is it 58% better?

simple answer, no.
 
.......and when you go to see both TVs in a shop, make sure it's a PROPER shop, where the lighting isn't too intense, where you can sit down (preferably) at your home viewing distance and where the sets are being fed a good signal from a variety of sources. ÿA vast array of screens in Comet/Curry's or even John Lewis isn't going to tell you much, I'm afraid.
 
Very Annoyed:
Andy Clough:Simple answer. Sony.

I do not understand how you can come up with that piece of advice.

Because we have tested both models rigorously in our test rooms and I've consulted with the technical team. Don't get me wrong, the Panasonic TH-37PX80B is an extremely good set, but the Sony is even better. If you want the very best picture quality, the Sony has the edge. Marshall478 asks "which is the better TV?" I gave a succinct, clear answer.

As we said in the review, the Sony "manages to produce the kind of deep, rich, detailed blacks that used to be possible only on the very best plasma TVs... and it's a solid performer with standard-definition digital TV... the picture is punchy, well-defined and colours are well-balanced". And no, we didn't find backlight bleeding a problem.

As for motion, the 100Hz and Motionflow technology deliver pictures that are "super smooth".

Of course, if you can find the Panasonic for significantly less than the Sony, then that makes it a very good buy. If you can stretch to the Sony it's the best choice, but if the Panasonic more comfortably fits your budget, you won't be disappointed.
 
I have been doing some looking around today and I have found the Sony for £777. Good price or what?

Does anybody know of a better price?
 
I am in a similar position and was torn between buying the Panasonic TH-37PX80 and Sony KDL -40W4000 model.

After lots of viewng in the shop I thought the Panasonic had a much better picture in SD feed, however was put off by the poor reviews of sound quality.. The TV will be hooked up to my Denon surround system when watching films, but my partner says she wont put the system on when she is on her own for watching coronation street etc.. (I should point out that we have a Toshiba 28" CRT at the moment and the sound is horrendous, so this is a big consideration when buying the new tv).

Because of this I thought the sony would do the job with the better sound quality, however i was put off because if was only 50Hz.

Is the sound really that poor on the Panasonic ? You cant tell in the shops because of the large amount of background noise. or should I wait for the new 40W45000U model to come down in price to get my 100Hz ?
 
Andy A:

Is the sound really that poor on the Panasonic ? You cant tell in the shops because of the large amount of background noise. or should I wait for the new 40W45000U model to come down in price to get my 100Hz ?I do have the 37PX80 and the sound is fine for everyday TV. If you are a film buff then you would probably want better speakers to help the bass notes out.
 
Andy A:

I am in a similar position and was torn between buying the Panasonic TH-37PX80 and Sony KDL -40W4000 model.

After lots of viewng in the shop I thought the Panasonic had a much better picture in SD feed,

Which is why I can't understand the claim that the Sony is the better TV. Yes, LCD has improved, and yes ,I am sure it will be great on HD, but most people will be watching SD for the near future, and Plasma wins hands down on that front. Fast motion on LCD in SD is, in my opinion rubbish.

I have yet to see an LCD Tv on SD that beats Plasma.
 
I was in a similar situation just last week. Should I get the TH-37PX80B over another Panasonic LCD model.

I like the Plasma but was worried about burn in, I have read that if you break a plasma in for 200 hours on low brightness etc then try a bit more brightness for another 1000 hours you wouldn't get the issue.
But I don't have time for that. The telly is only on about a 1 to 3 hours a day so it'll be years before its propely run in!

In the end it came down to Price and the number of Recommended/5* reviews the 37PX80B has received.

At the moment you can buy it from www.LittlewoodsDirect.com for £569.
I have found a discount code, XXX869, on the interweb for 10% off and free delivery.
Then if you go through www.quidco.com you get another 8% off the ex vat price.
That makes it roughly £485.

Then I'll get a 5 year warranty from www.barmy.co.uk for another £74.

So hopefully after all the discounts come through I should be able to get the TV with a five year warranty for less than £560

If cost isn't an issue then please ignore my post 🙂
 
I got the 40W4500 for £880, which is the best price I have seen it for. And I think Richer Sounds are getting them in next week and selling them at that price too.
 
mkennerley:

II like the Plasma but was worried about burn in, I have read that if you break a plasma in for 200 hours on low brightness etc then try a bit more brightness for another 1000 hours you wouldn't get the issue.
But I don't have time for that. The telly is only on about a 1 to 3 hours a day so it'll be years before its propely run in!I didnt bother running mine in. I used the standard Cinema and ECO settings straight out of the box. (ECO is better for daytime). The panny is much more resistant to image retention and screen burn is not an issue unless you game on it for 24 hours at a time.
 
Very Annoyed:

II have yet to see an LCD Tv on SD that beats Plasma.

Have you actually seen the W4500 then?
 
I think i have made my mind up. For £999 i will be getting the sony kdl40w4000 and the sony blu ray player s350. Hope this gives me a excellent picture. I remember a year ago i saw a panasonic plasma (50" or so) and the picture was amazing and looked almost 3d. Have new tvs all got this great picture.
 
Just for info, if you click the link above to buydigital you can buy the 40W4000 for £764 and the 40W4500 for £769.
 
rewerb:Very Annoyed:

II have yet to see an LCD Tv on SD that beats Plasma.

Have you actually seen the W4500 then?

Yes.

It is a nice set, and it is very good on HD. But on SD I would back the plasma.
 

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