What TV should I go for ? Newbie needs help!

[admin_exported]

Hello All,

Im a newbie to the world of LCD and plasma but have finally saved up some money to get one - I think the wife has other plans but Im not waiting any longer!

My budget is about £800-£1100 Max and Ive decided that a 42inch would be best and wall mounted.

Mainly we watch Sky TV (dont have HD and not sure its worth the extra?), movies and I also play war games on my XBOX 360 ! Sad but true!

So what to go for - My Dad recently bough a panasonic viera which was which magazines recommended and to be honest it looks fantastic - It was the 42 inch model that was the TH42-PX700.

Is that still about the best that size ?

All your help much appreciated - I dont want to end up trudging around Dixons buying the wrong thing!

Thanks JAMIE

 

[FuzzyinLondon]

The 42PX700 has been superseded by the new 42PX80 which is a very good TV and available for about £700, although the PX80 doesn't have as good an audio system as the PX700. The very best 42" TV available for under £1100 is the Pioneer PDP-4280XD which can be had for £1082 from Dixons online using the 'BIGTV' discount code. It's at the upper end of your budget but it is the best all round performer and bullet proof when it comes to plasma issues such as screen burn and retention; useful if you do a lot of gaming. The Panasonic 42PZ85 and PZ80 are both Full HD 42" models. Standard def isn't as good as with the HD Ready Pioneer or the Panasonic 42PX80 but they both will be good with HD material.

 

[Anonymous]

TH-42PX80.... below your budget if you shop around, but still a great TV and you could spend what is left over on some decent audio kit

 

[Anonymous]

depends what u want form a tv you can get the pana 42pz85 from john lewis witha pricematch [sound and vision from bolton]
for 1050 like i did or if your not bothered about 1080 try px series as suggested above try pricematchin it too as you get a free 5yr warranty from jl checkout the other tvs at soundandvisiononline.com theyll pricematch this particular site as they have a retail outlet too.[quote user="tom83cat"]TH-42PX80.... below your budget if you shop around, but still a great TV and you could spend what is left over on some decent audio kit[/quote]
good advice tomcat

 

[Anonymous]

OK guys - Thanks

John Lewis are offering a TV called TH42PX80B with a sound system for £950 ? Any ideas on that ?

I wish I knew what all the codes mean - Theres so many sets to choose from.

Think I like the Viera TH42PZ80B better - Whats the difference between them ?

What the situation re wall mounts etc ?

 

[professorhat]

Does it say what the sound system is?

 

[FuzzyinLondon]

[quote user="JamietheMagician"]

Think I like the Viera TH42PZ80B better - Whats the difference between them ?

[/quote]

The 42PZ80 is Full HD 1080p (1920x1080 resolution) whereas the 42PX80 is HD Ready (1024x768) but accepts a 1080p signal.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

Thanks for all your help.

After reading through everything Ive decided to opt for the Pioneer PDP4280HD (Think its part of the Kuro range?) - Its above my budget but think its worth the extra!

The reviews for it sound great - Unfortunatly my wife wants me to get the lounge finished before I get the thing!

Wheres the best place to get one of these TVs from and what about wall mounts ?

Any advice again appreciated!

Cheers

Jamie

 

[Andrew Everard]

You'll need to get a shift on - the 428 and 4280 models are likely to be discontinued when the new range of Pioneers is launched. The launch event is set for the end of this week.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh bummer - Is it worth me waiting for the new ones ? (I guess they will be expensive!)

 

[Anonymous]

OK - I bit the bullet and just got one of the last from TLC who were VERY helpful and really spent time with me going through everything.

Cost was £1299 including delivery and a five year warranty - Beyond my budget and I think my wife is leaving me but I guess its a fair trade?!?!?

Im so excited - Ive looked for bloody weeks to get the right one.

If anyone has one of these and can help fill my head with even more nice thoughts about how good it is then that would be appreciated - I can then print all the bits and present to my wife as evidence of making the right (even if overbudget) choice!

Thanks for your help all....

 

[Anonymous]

And BTW - Model no was actually PDP4280XD

 

[Andrew Everard]

Confident both you and your wife will be absolutely delighted with it.

 

[FuzzyinLondon]

[quote user="JamietheMagician"]

If anyone has one of these and can help fill my head with even more nice thoughts about how good it is then that would be appreciated - I can then print all the bits and present to my wife as evidence of making the right (even if overbudget) choice!

Thanks for your help all....

[/quote]

You've basically bought the best 42" set around. I've had mine for five months now and it just seems to get better. I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. Also, I've heard nothing but good things about TLC and Tony Lazzerini so I'm sure you'll get good customer support.

The Pioneers can take a bit of effort to set up properly but it's definitely worth the effort. For some recommended settings for different types of inputs, do a Google search for 'Pioneer 8G Owners Thread' and have a look in the first post. That should give you a good starting point. Enjoy the new telly.

 

[Anonymous]

Great - I cant wait - Lets hope it comes soon (even though I dont think Im ready for it yet!)

So now Im thinking Blu-Ray and maybe a sound system - What are your opinions on that ? Initially the PS3 seems to have alot going for it - Would be great to browse the net on my screen as well which I think the PS3 does ?

That said - Is there an all in one box with speakers/amp etc and blu ray ? Maybe that would be better.

Im already over budget but want the best for my new system

Maybe I should just go Sky HD and wait for blu ray ?

Finally what 6.1 and 7.1 all about - Currently I have an old Sony 5.1 system which too be honest sounds good but is quite dated!