Sony KDL-46W4500 or TH-46PZ85B

[admin_exported]

I need some advice on choosing between this two (Sony KDL-46W4500 or TH-46PZ85B). It will be my first HDTV.

What do you think is the best option in terms of image quality and overall satisfaction?

I will use the TV for 60% TV (80% SD and 20% HD), 30% Blu-ray and other HD material and 10% for my Wii Console.

Thank you for your help

 

[TKratz]

I would say TH-46PZ85 any day.

It has the superior image quality in my opinion. Then it supports 1080p24 playback for blue-ray (but so does the Sony actually). Finally you will be pleased with Wii performance! Plasma TV's are superior to LCD TV's with regard to response times improving the gaming performance.

 

[d4v3pum4]

Plasma but I'm still not that impressed with certain SD feeds on my PZ81 (same as the PZ85). If you can afford it, the step up to the Pioneer 5090 might be worth it. 46" sets seem very expensive to me and the 50" sets don't seem to cost much more. Demo yourself and try out SD in store.

 

[Anonymous]

The 50PZ80 is great value for money and can be bought for less than the 46PZ85. Same PQ, same gaming experience, just a few bells and whistles missing (IFC, BBE surround sound, optical audio output....)

 

[Anonymous]

First of all let me thank all your comments.

Regarding the 50'' inch screen, do you think that i can go for it sitting around 3 meters (around 10 feet) from the tv? The distance took me to the 46'' displays. What do you think?

The Kuro is also an option, but i don't know if the price increase ir really worth it. Is it?

Thank you for your help!

 

[Anonymous]

The Kuro is the best, but at a price, and that's your judgment call. But 10ft will be fine for 50", closer even for HD material.

 

[Anonymous]

I've done a quick price check, and got this numbers:

TH-46PZ85B - 1410 ?
50PZ80 - 1550 ?
Pioneer 5090 - 3000 ?

The 46'' PZ85 and 50PZ80 are almost the same price, one with 46'' and the other with 50'', and if they are similar (i'm not much into the extras, i like a nice image and close to the original), the obvious choice would be the 50'', right?

The Pioneer is on another price league. I think i can't get there. I never saw them side by side, is it worth double the price? (as subjective as this may be)

Note: I'm putting aside the Sony. Will go for the Plasma option(s)

 

[Anonymous]

I dont think the pioneer is worth the extra! It is better no question, But i demo'd both back to back and didnt think the increase in preformance warranted the price increase, the pioneer was clearly better with SD stuff but the margin wasnt that big when fed 1080p...... The SD performance wasnt much of an issue for me as i mostley watch HD anyhow now and my onkyo 875 does a stirling job of upscaling any SD stuff i do watch

 

[Anonymous]

garethwd:I dont think the pioneer is worth the extra! It is better no question, But i demo'd both back to back and didnt think the increase in preformance warranted the price increase, the pioneer was clearly better with SD stuff but the margin wasnt that big when fed 1080p...... The SD performance wasnt much of an issue for me as i mostley watch HD anyhow now and my onkyo 875 does a stirling job of upscaling any SD stuff i do watch

I was thinking on hooking up the tv to the Onkyo 706 that has the Faroudja upscalling so the SD should be ok also.

 

[TKratz]

I am really surpriced to see the price difference in the UK!

In Denmark you can get LX5090 for around 2.000 £, making the choice more difficult. Strange, usually the prices are much higher in Denmark.

 

[Anonymous]

These are prices available to me in Portugal (i'm from Lisbon). Usually our tech prices are very high. Maybe like yours in Denmark.

I'm wainting for January to make the plunge, so i hope the prices will get a little lower...

 

[Anonymous]

Hummm... The decision now is harder... I've found the Pioneer PDP-LX5090H for 2695,00 ?. Maybe i'll go for it. Do you really think that it's ok for 3 meters viewing distance?

 

[TKratz]

Yes easily! Especially if you plan to watch HD content.