What 40in - 42in TV should I buy? LCD or Plasma?

[admin_exported]

Hi, I want to buy a TV for under £800 but I'm not sure what TV is the best for watching football and films on. I like the look of Samsung but would consider other makes if they have a better quality picture. Which is better for football and films.....LCD or Plasma?

Can anyone help me choose a TV please D

 

[Anonymous]

At tthat size you'll be wanting a Plasma, much better for motion tracking with regards Football and with better contrast ratio films will look fanastic. Consider the Panasonic TH-42PX80 or the TH-42PZ80 which has a review posted on the front page of this very site! Difference between the models I mentioned is that one is 1080i (HD Ready) Whilst the other - the PZ - is full HD (1080p).Failing that, wait for the new copy of What HiFi and read the super test of 40" - 42" LCD and Plasma screens - it's out next week.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for a swift response Duncan - I have this trouble buying anything, I need all the information before I buy, I just cant make my mind up.

At first I loved the style of the Samsung but soon realised that the main reason for buying a TV would be for its picture. Plus I always had my mind set on an LCD so your reply with a Panasonic Plasma TV has thrown me again hehe

I dont have HD at the moment but will inevitably upgrade at some point and no doubt will buy an HD games console.....decisions decisions!!

So you reckon the Panasonic TH-42PZ80 is a good bet (design is quite nice too)

 

[Anonymous]

I can't endorse it one way or the other as I've not seen it (I hang around the wrong showrooms!) Based on it's review result it sounds like a good TV. But as ever you need to judge these things for yourself and rely on the best test equipment of all: The Mk. 1 Eyeball!Sorry to be vauge but only you can judge whats best - Good Luck!

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah I suppose I need to trawl the shops to find the best picture. I will do my research this weekend!

Thanks for your help Duncan!

 

[SpiceWeasel]

If you can try and demo in a shop that has a proper viewing room. Proper home lighting and not the usually over bright store lights. And make sure to check that the tv's have been properly set up and not using the "factory" settings. On some tv's like my Pany PZ85 it made a HUGE difference once properly set up. In general most tv's in stores like currys/dixons/bennets etc are setup to grab your attention.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah I will be having a look round the stores this weekend. Im still undecided on which TV to buy but I hope the weekend will yeild some results!

 

[D.J.KRIME]

Most stores like Currys ETC have their TV set on a SHOPFLOOR mode with will have the contrast and brightness set at riduculas levels to compensate for their brightly lit shopfloors which is why lots of people are misslead into thinking the the LCD sets look better than the Plasma sets which IMHO could not be futher from the truth when looking for a TV in any size above 37"".

Go to a PROPPER AV shop like Sevenoaks etc and ask for a demo of a set that you are interested in and take a DVD that you know and love and if poss compare a LCD alongside a Plasma in a more NORMAL viewing situation more acustomed to that of your front room and I bet my bottom dollar that you will opt for the Plasma given your intended viewing options.

 

[Anonymous]

In an ideal viewing situation comparing the 2 would be great but not all stores can accomodate. I have been told by a friend who has a Panasonic 42in plasma that for my viewing purposes, a plasma would be best. I just have to compile a shortlist of the TV's that have had a good write up and get testing!

Do you know any sub £900 plasma TV's D.J.KRIME that have had good reviews?

 

[Anonymous]

The Panasonic TH-42PX80 is being stupidly disccounted by some places - rgere's a revieww in the June (current) issue. It's not 1080p but it got 5 stars and is a stonking set for the money.

 

[Anonymous]

Was wanting a 1080p really. The missus doesnt want me to spend the best part of a grand on a TV but i'm trying to convince her it will greatly enhance her viewing pleasure of Eastenders, Corrie and Hollyoaks! I am yet to succeed!

Why oh why is it so hard for me to just go and buy a TV.....i love shopping but hate how it takes me AGES researching the right TV for me.....i suppose i will end up buying the perfect TV for MY viewing preferences!

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't sweat about it too much! A TV is probably the 3rd or 4th most exspensive thing you'll buy so you need to make sure it's the right one for you!Hmm.......Hollyoaks in High Def......

 

[Anonymous]

Hollyoaks in HD.....you make a good point Dunc

 

[D.J.KRIME]

[quote user="HorratioWallbang"]Do you know any sub £900 plasma TV's D.J.KRIME that have had good reviews?[/quote]

The outgoing Panasonic TH42PZ70 is a Full HD affiar and also a fine proformer and still avalible for around £850, alternately there is the New Panasonic TH42PZ85 Full HD set for about £1100 inc 5 year warrantry. Both are great sets but IMHO at 42"" I dont think I personally would worry too much about the set being Full HD or HD ready as most modern HD ready sets will accept a Full HD 1080p signal for Blu-Ray etc and scale the image to suit the native resolution of the screen. On Screen sizes of 50"" upwards I personally believe this is where Full HD starts to really make a truely noticible differnce when watching a TRUE 1080p signal but not as much so with HD TV as these are broadcast in either 720p or 1080i. but if the Whole 1080p future proof thing would bug you if your set was not a true 1080p panel then either of the sets I have mentioned will do just fine.

 

[Anonymous]

I've recently purchased the Panasonic TH-42PX80B for under £700. Its a fantastic bit of kit. Handles SD signals very well. I decided Full HD wasn't necessary.

 

[Anonymous]

Arghhhhhh there are so many piggin TV's to choose from.....i am completely lost now. Can someone take my £900 off my hands and please just go and buy me a TV hehe

Here is what I want.

A good looking LCD or plasma (whatever is best suited for watching sports (football, golf, snooker etc etc) and films) 1080p (with an eventual upgrade to HD TV, excellent picture quality and at least a free 3 year warranty)

Now is that too hard to ask for.......it is for me!

 

[Anonymous]

Plasma is best suited for fast moving images such as footy.
Plasma is also best for showing black, therefore good for films.
If you want 1080p then Panasonic TH-42PZ80B £840
if you are happy with 1080i then Panasonic TH42PX80B £649

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="HorratioWallbang"]

InDo you know any sub £900 plasma TV's D.J.KRIME that have had good reviews?

[/quote]

Panny 42PZ80, Full HD, £840 from Sound & Vision, Bolton, and can pricematch with John Lewis for free 5yr guarantee.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Horratio,

Just wondering if you brought that new TV yet or you still struggling on which to buy lol. It's hard isn't it, I think i was in more of a dilemma than you though cause at least you have like a price bracket which you wont go beyond, but i was really torn between the pioneer 428xd (apparently the dog's swollocks but not full HD) or the Panasonic 42pz80b (not as good as the pioneer but has Full HD... oh, and also cheaper by roughly 300 quid).

I opted for the Panasonic eventually, got a Sony Dav-is10 with the £300 I saved too, so message back on this thread to see how you're getting along, oh.. and a word of advice, it doesn't finish there either, once you brought your tv, you'll be coming back on here to ask if you set it up correctly, what cables do you use etc etc haha

Have fun

 

[Anonymous]

Ive not bought my TV.....yet! Im still investigating the market. Im going to wait til the new mag comes out next week and i'll see what they have in there.

 

[PJPro]

I can tell you that the review doesn't cover the Pioneer....and the 42 inch is being discontinued. Once they're gone, they're gone.
Anyone seen the prices of a 60GB PS3 lately? I should have bought 10.

 

[Anonymous]

Im just gonna see what the best TV is in my budget limit and buy it! Its all to do with the stars.....the more the better!

 

[PJPro]

Yes.....sometimes you can think about things too much. You just end up getting frustrated and buy nothing. Be decisive! Pick the one you want and get it...with no regrets.