Very disappointed with Panasonic 42PZ85B

[SpiceWeasel]

Im sure the PX80 owners will be able to tell you more. But if you can try and demo the set yourself. Even if it's a crafty test in a Bennetts/Comet high street store. You don't have to buy from them, alot of people have done a John Lewis price match and got the 37" PX80 for around £600 with a free 5 year warranty. There's plenty of posts on the tv section of the forums about this.

EDIT: below 40/42" you won't notice the difference from full hd, so save yourself a few hundred £'s and get a hd ready set like the 37"PX80. I think the general opinion on here is that hd ready tv will give a better sd picture than full hd tv. Although I have to say im very impressed with my set on sd and full hd is stunning.

 

[Anonymous]

Dixons on line are now offering this set at £594, which I think is cracking value for a TV that is on sale in the high street for £799. I am tempted myself!!

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Thats why alot of people have got John Lewis to price match a cheaper store for the free 5 year warranty. It deffinately pays to do some research before hand. Save yourself a fortune

I bought my set from http://www.tribaluk.com/catalogue/panasonic/plasma-tvs , as I couldn't afford to pay up front. I've got mine on a 0% deal for a year and paid extra for a 3 year warranty. It was £1205 inc delivery + 3 year warranty for the 42"PZ85.

If you have the cash then a price match with JL seems like the best way to go.

Prices seem to be dropping all the time, my tv 3 weeks ago was £1065 and now can be had for around £1000. The PX80 seems to be around the £600 mark now so there are very good deal to be had.

Also check out this deal on the 5star rated QED hdmi lead + half price interconect offer. I bought the 2m lead by itself as I already have the interconnect cables. But it's a very good deal if you need some new leads. http://www.hificables.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/11237/groupID/718/categoryID/2465/v/099e83fb-1e53-4409-b9e0-12103a8864f1

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Just had another thought....... .......... 2 in 1 day is amazing.

Don't forget that when watching through an ariel not only does the quality of the ariel and signal strength/quality make a difference to the picture quality. But the weather also has an effect on the picture. Electrical storms,bad weather etc and even "solar flares" from the sun can make a big difference to the quality of tv and radio etc.

 

[Anonymous]

how about tweaking your source components too my ps3 has a few different settings that can make a difference

 

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately there are no stores where I live with this TV (I live in the far North of Scotland).

I am sure the sound will be fine though and, if not, could always get a sound system at a later date.

I managed to get a pm from John Lewis, Glasgow with Robert Whyte for £690(includes delivery) but have tried JL in Cheadle to pm with S&V in Bolton for £590 so wish me luck!

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Good luck..... although you shouldn't have any problems with the Bolton price match. Lots of people have price matched with that store and had no problems.

 

[professorhat]

[quote user="Scotsgirl"]I am sure the sound will be fine though and, if not, could always get a sound system at a later date[/quote]
Indeed - have you noticed the number of 2.1 systems that have appeared on the WHF news pages since we last spoke Scotsgirl! I thought of you each time, thinking... "Well, maybe that would work!!"

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="professorhat"][quote user="Scotsgirl"]I am sure the sound will be fine though and, if not, could always get a sound system at a later date[/quote]
Indeed - have you noticed the number of 2.1 systems that have appeared on the WHF news pages since we last spoke Scotsgirl! I thought of you each time, thinking... "Well, maybe that would work!!"[/quote]

Awww that's so nice that you were thinking of me!

No I haven't noticed the 2.1 systems. Which do you think I should have a look at? I was told about the Onkyo CR515 which I thought looked quite good?

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="SpiceWeasel"]
Good luck..... although you shouldn't have any problems with the Bolton price match. Lots of people have price matched with that store and had no problems.
[/quote]

Thanks Spiceweasel.

Excuse my ignorance but do you need to pm the Bolton branch with the Cheadle branch of JL?

In Scotland the store you are pm'ing with must be within an 8 mile radius of the JL store.

 

[professorhat]

Ah yes, the Onkyo looks good. Just read this thread so Clare's recommendations are worth keeping in mind.

Of the other ones I saw, this one looked good as it solved your speaker placement issue. Bit expensive at £400, but I expect the price will come down fairly quickly - they normally seem to on these types of systems.

There was also this one which Andrew says he thinks would be about £350. This can be wall mounted so, again helps with your spacing issue.

And finally this one. Although it has similar speaker issues, thought it was worth looking at as it decodes the new HD audio formats in case you were ever thinking of dipping you toe into Blu-Ray!

Of course, none of these have been reviewed yet so not sure how good they are!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks ever so much Prof!

Of course I haven't a clue, as you know,but I like the look of the last one?

Not sure whether it is true but I was told that the speakers must be placed the same distance apart as that from which I watch TV and that would be impossible as this is 9ft?!!!

If positioning of the speakers is going to be a problem I think the only solution would be a soundbar?

I have received confirmation of my pm request from the Cheadle branch of JL but, unfortunately, there will be a delivery charge although not sure what this is yet? Oh the joys of living so far North!!!

Don't suppose anyone in the Cheadle area is coming to the Highlands and has room for a 37" Plasma?!!!

 

[professorhat]

[quote user="Scotsgirl"]Not sure whether it is true but I was told that the speakers must be placed the same distance apart as that from which I watch TV[/quote]

If you're looking for spot on sound imaging from your movies, then maybe. However, I sit 9ft from my TV and my speakers are about 5ft apart (there's no room for any more) and I toe them in to get the imaging. It might not be perfect, but it still sounds great.

I wouldn't worry too much about that, this is more a hi-fi thing than a trying to improve the sound from your TV thing.

 

[simonlewis]

[quote user="Scotsgirl"]

Don't suppose anyone in the Cheadle area is coming to the Highlands and has
room for a 37" Plasma?!!!
[/quote]

Hi Scotsgirl, I live just a few miles from john lewis in cheadle, but as mentioned on other forums, plasma needs to be transported upright & in a box, we are talking van's here & if it was me i would have it delivered by john lewis.
I don't know, is their not a john lewis in scotland where you can, collect/delivered from, or no other website thats nearer to where you live that will offer the set at a similer price.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="professorhat"][quote user="Scotsgirl"]Not sure whether it is true but I was told that the speakers must be placed the same distance apart as that from which I watch TV[/quote]

If you're looking for spot on sound imaging from your movies, then maybe. However, I sit 9ft from my TV and my speakers are about 5ft apart (there's no room for any more) and I toe them in to get the imaging. It might not be perfect, but it still sounds great.

I wouldn't worry too much about that, this is more a hi-fi thing than a trying to improve the sound from your TV thing.
[/quote]

Ok thanks again Prof. I know I can always trust your advice!

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="slewis"][quote user="Scotsgirl"]

Don't suppose anyone in the Cheadle area is coming to the Highlands and has
room for a 37" Plasma?!!!
[/quote]

Hi Scotsgirl, I live just a few miles from john lewis in cheadle, but as mentioned on other forums, plasma needs to be transported upright & in a box, we are talking van's here & if it was me i would have it delivered by john lewis.
I don't know, is their not a john lewis in scotland where you can, collect/delivered from, or no other website thats nearer to where you live that will offer the set at a similer price.[/quote]

I was actually joking but thanks anyway.

I did get a pm from the Glasgow branch of JL but it is not as good as the Cheadle branch. Still it is £100 less than the retail price so musn't grumble although it doesn't seem fair that those South of the border can get it cheaper.

 

[bf1]

I have the 37PX80 and am really pleased with it.

I have done virtually nothing with the settings and its running more or less as it came out of the box.

Such is the quality of the SD picture through this set that at times I have struggled to see a major difference between a channel in SD and a channel in HD.

Last night was a typical case. I flicked between CH4 in SD and CH4 in HD and there seemed very little difference. (And yes, CH4 HD was in HD!)

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Just wondering if you could do a price match with your nearest store south of the border for the cheaper price and then get the free delivery north of the border.

 

[simonlewis]

I don't know if this is of any interest but tribal uk are quoteing a Panasonic TH-37PX80B for £579.49 FREE delivery to uk mainland addresses.
They also state that flamerite fires will incurr an extra delivery charge in certain parts of scotland.

Scotland is uk mainland so i presume it's covered???

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="SpiceWeasel"]
Just wondering if you could do a price match with your nearest store south of the border for the cheaper price and then get the free delivery north of the border.
[/quote]

I don't think this will be possible as you have to buy the TV from the store you get the pm from.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="bf1"]I have the 37PX80 and am really pleased with it.

I have done virtually nothing with the settings and its running more or less as it came out of the box.

Such is the quality of the SD picture through this set that at times I have struggled to see a major difference between a channel in SD and a channel in HD.

Last night was a typical case. I flicked between CH4 in SD and CH4 in HD and there seemed very little difference. (And yes, CH4 HD was in HD!)[/quote]

I am so glad you like it and good to know that the SD picture is almost as good as HD.

What do you think of the sound quality or have you added a sound system?

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="slewis"]I don't know if this is of any interest but tribal uk are quoteing a Panasonic TH-37PX80B for £579.49 FREE delivery to uk mainland addresses.
They also state that flamerite fires will incurr an extra delivery charge in certain parts of scotland.

Scotland is uk mainland so i presume it's covered???[/quote]

That is a really good price but,unfortunately, doesn't include the free 5 year warranty which JL offer and this amounts to over £200.

BTW is it not possible to multi quote in replys?

 

[Anonymous]

No van required - picked mine up in my astra and it sat upright on the back seat !! The 42 may be more of an issue but Imeasured and if I lifted the seats it would still fit.

All Panny dealerships are offering a 5 year warranty so go to a couple in your area, show them a few printouts from Tinterweb and smile sweetley.

If they say no go back the following week and try again.I've done this buying other stuff and it works. If they know you're ready to buy they usually give a little

Good Luck

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Scotsgirl, I find the sound on the 32LXD700 to be better using SRS tru surround. The spatial effects are good and reasonably natural. The main factor for better sound is the fact that there are seperate woofers in this set and the extra weight to the sound makes films etc. a lot more enjoyable. However, I normally listen to it through my stereo which is better still.

On my 42PZ85 the sound isn't as weighty but is still quite good. However, I use the BBE HD3D sound setting which is not available on the 37PX80. If I select the 'ordinary' sound or virtual surround (same as on the 37PX80) it is still good with the exact same high and low frequency response.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Spiceweasel and all, The great results that I reported from Thursday night's viewing have not been repeated over the weekend. Like yourself I have been putting the TV on early in the morning on BBC1 and not turning it off until late at night. There are obviously quite varied qualities from channel to channel and programme to programme but this is what we all expect and experience either on LCD or PLASMA.

The freeview picture during day light was quite good - not as well defined or sharp as Thursday night but colours were OK and the horrors of the previous day were not present.

Upscaled DVD (using the BD30) was nowhere near as good as Thursday night whether during the day or again at night.

Blu ray performance is quite disappointing. there were some motion issues (24fps was turned on). The picture didn't judder but sometimes people looked like their edges were dis-assembled and re-assembled when they stopped (apologies for the description). Considering that blu ray should have a varied pallette, and I have seen this on my LCD, there didn't appear to be much variety with the exception of cars which was reasonable.

The blu ray films that I watched were Labyrinth - very dark in places and shadow detail not that clear, occasional red edges to people and the dis-assembly described earlier, both on movement.

Black Hawk down - again dark scenes which all appeared green! No amount of tweaking with settings seemed to give a good picture.

The episodes of 24 (upscaled on BD30) that had looked fantastic on Friday night did not look anything like as good on Saturday or Sunday night.

I expected motion to be great on this set but am still disappointed. If it hadn't been for the fact that I had great results on Thursday night and so am convinced that good results are possible, I would give up on plasma!

That's very interesting information about the plasmas at their hottest for the first 100 hours or so. I wonder if this means they take slightly longer to turn off and may therefore be affecting motion.