Which TV from 2010 range?

[admin_exported]

I'll keep it short and sweet. Just moved my whole lounge around for a redecoration and now my viewing distance will be between 3.5 to 4 metres. This means my current 40 inch LCD screen will be too small. I am thinking I will need a minimum 50 inch screen. I am not interested in 3D and I am open to any options of screen type. I have set a budget of £2K for a screen and Blu-Ray player. Ideally I would like to leave about £400 for my Blu-Ray player obviously leaving £1600 for a new screen. There is a bit of fexibility within this budget for anything that would warrant the extra cash. Can anyone suggest a better option than the set below? I will have to decide quite soon so any advice would be appreciated.

Panasonic TX-P50V20B
Viera Flat Panel Plasma TV - 50 inch (2010)

Thanks.

 

[Andy Clough]

We've hardly seen any of the new 2010 models yet, so you might want to wait and see how they stack up before you jump in and make a decision. And BTW, I don't think a 40in screen would be too small at that distance - do you have somewhere else to put the 40in you have? Or are you just going to scrap it?

 

[bob.g]

40" too small ? I have the same viewing distance as you, and currently have a 25" CRT. Am considering upgrading later this year and had considered a 37" but my wife thinks even a 32" will be "more than big enough". How on earth could you watch a 50" screen at that distance ??

 

[Andrew Everard]

bob.g:How on earth could you watch a 50" screen at that distance ??

Do so, all the time...

 

[Anonymous]

You might want to wait and see if there are any developments regarding the alleged rising black levels on the new (and 2009) Panasonic plasmas. BTW I have a 50in Panny plasma in a similar viewing area to yours (aswell as a 2009 42G10 which hasn't yet been affected by rising black levels.)

 

[Anonymous]

apparently the rising black levels are hard to notice unless you watch tv in a very dark room , ive been checking , and all still seems well , touch wood ..

 

[Anonymous]

bob.g:40" too small ? I have the same viewing distance as you, and currently have a 25" CRT. Am considering upgrading later this year and had considered a 37" but my wife thinks even a 32" will be "more than big enough". How on earth could you watch a 50" screen at that distance ??

I just watched this video clip that advises on screen size to viewing distance. This would suggest at 3.33m a 50-52 inch screen would be ideal. As I am slightly over that range I think a 50-52inch screen would be perfect. You might want to consider a larger screen as well Bob!

 

[Anonymous]

its hard to see past the v20 , you would have to wonder if any lcd will ever take the crown of best tv away from the kuro ?? there has been a few recently that have been very good , philips 9704 , sony x series but none could match the kuros for pq , and both were much more expensive .

i wouldnt think the v20 will be better than the kuro , but it should be better than everything else imo , it just goes to show how far ahead of the rest pioneer were ,that two years after the 9g kuro launched , the tv which looks like being the years best is copying the kuros old tech ..

 

[Anonymous]

maxflinn:

its hard to see past the v20 , you would have to wonder if any lcd will ever take the crown of best tv away from the kuro ?? there has been a few recently that have been very good , philips 9704 , sony x series but none could match the kuros for pq , and both were much more expensive .

i wouldnt think the v20 will be better than the kuro , but it should be better than everything else imo , it just goes to show how far ahead of the rest pioneer were ,that two years after the 9g kuro launched , the tv which looks like being the years best is copying the kuros old tech ..

One gripe with the Panasonics though would be the aesthetics of their screens. They seem to go the extra mile striving for excellent picture quality then dump it all in a big clumsy plastic frame. I raise this point because this will be a major stumbling point when taking the other half out to choose a screen with me. If she sees the new Sony "monolithic" sets and I show her the new Panasonic I can just imagine her reaction. Something along the lines of "that Panasonic is ugly, get the pretty Sony" Personally I'd take quality and spec over aesthetics but it might end up in a bit of a domestic dispute in the middle of a store!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Daveee:but it might end up in a bit of a domestic dispute in the middle of a store!

Just lean back - about six degrees should do it - and take it on the chin...

 

[Anonymous]

Daveee:maxflinn:

its hard to see past the v20 , you would have to wonder if any lcd will ever take the crown of best tv away from the kuro ?? there has been a few recently that have been very good , philips 9704 , sony x series but none could match the kuros for pq , and both were much more expensive .

i wouldnt think the v20 will be better than the kuro , but it should be better than everything else imo , it just goes to show how far ahead of the rest pioneer were ,that two years after the 9g kuro launched , the tv which looks like being the years best is copying the kuros old tech ..

One gripe with the Panasonics though would be the aesthetics of their screens. They seem to go the extra mile striving for excellent picture quality then dump it all in a big clumsy plastic frame. I raise this point because this will be a major stumbling point when taking the other half out to choose a screen with me. If she sees the new Sony "monolithic" sets and I show her the new Panasonic I can just imagine her reaction. Something along the lines of "that Panasonic is ugly, get the pretty Sony" Personally I'd take quality and spec over aesthetics but it might end up in a bit of a domestic dispute in the middle of a store!

you will have to be careful where you bring her , id take her to the store that is the most expensive for sony first , then take her to the one thats cheapest for pannys , if she starts harping on about asthetics , tell her if you buy the panny , you will give her the money to get a new dress out of what you save

 

[Andrew Everard]

maxflinn:ytell her if you buy the panny , you will give her the money to get a new dress out of what you save

And a ride home in the finest brougham in all of London town? Through the park so she can show off her new parasol? And perhaps a new parlour-maid?

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:
maxflinn:ytell her if you buy the panny , you will give her the money to get a new dress out of what you save

And a ride home in the finest brougham in all of London town? Through the park so she can show off her new parasol? And perhaps a new parlour-maid?

yes , but tell her you will choose the parlour maid

 

[Anonymous]

maxflinn:Andrew Everard:

maxflinn:ytell her if you buy the panny , you will give her the money to get a new dress out of what you save

And a ride home in the finest brougham in all of London town? Through the park so she can show off her new parasol? And perhaps a new parlour-maid?

yes , but tell her you will choose the parlour maid

In fact gentlemen, what the hell was I thinking allowing her leave from the kitchen?