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Panasonic Viera TH42PZ81B vs. Sony Bravia KDL40V4000

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Old 27-10-2008, 6:24 PM   #1
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Panasonic Viera TH42PZ81B vs. Sony Bravia KDL40V4000

Hi,

I realise this is plasma vs. LCD and £900 vs. £600 but can anyone advise how noticeable the difference is between the 2 sets. I am looking for a TV for my parents and have a voucher for ~ £500 at John Lewis to play with.

Is the panasonic worth 50% more than the Sony LCD? Also any other tips on good/better buys from John lewis please let me know.

All help is much appreciated.

Thanks
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Old 27-10-2008, 10:09 PM   #2
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Re: Panasonic Viera TH42PZ81B vs. Sony Bravia KDL40V4000

The Panasonic has the freesat build in which adds on a fair bit of money. The Sony doesn't.

Imo unless your considering watching purely Bluray disks take a look at:

Panasonic PX80.
LG PG6000
or the samsung 720p Plasmas...

All good sets:- with the panasonic probably edging it out in terms of Normal freeview television
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Old 27-10-2008, 11:17 PM   #3
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Re: Panasonic Viera TH42PZ81B vs. Sony Bravia KDL40V4000

The 42PZ80 is a more direct comparison (approx £700) to the Sony, but it's no longer listed on the JL website, neither is the 42PX80. Both are good sets.

The only other 42inch plasma they sell is the HD Ready Samsung PS42A457 (£599). If I had to choose, I'd go for the Sony as it's higher spec than the bottom of the range Samsung - however, the Sony is currently out of stock.

Here's a review of the Sony...
Sony KDL40V4000 / KDL-40V4000 Review
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Old 27-10-2008, 11:40 PM   #4
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Re: Panasonic Viera TH42PZ81B vs. Sony Bravia KDL40V4000

Quote:
Originally Posted by PioneerNewbie View Post
Hi,

I realise this is plasma vs. LCD and £900 vs. £600 but can anyone advise how noticeable the difference is between the 2 sets. I am looking for a TV for my parents and have a voucher for ~ £500 at John Lewis to play with.

Is the panasonic worth 50% more than the Sony LCD? Also any other tips on good/better buys from John lewis please let me know.

All help is much appreciated.

Thanks
The Sony V is .... imho .... not very good at all.

And the PZ80 is quite a bit cheaper than the PZ81 isn't it?
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Old 28-10-2008, 3:17 AM   #5
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Re: Panasonic Viera TH42PZ81B vs. Sony Bravia KDL40V4000

Quote:
Originally Posted by choddo2006 View Post
The Sony V is .... imho .... not very good at all.

And the PZ80 is quite a bit cheaper than the PZ81 isn't it?
Id agree here, not a fan of the 40" V4000 from sony. The 32" aint too bad for the money though
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Old 28-10-2008, 9:51 AM   #6
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Re: Panasonic Viera TH42PZ81B vs. Sony Bravia KDL40V4000

Quote:
Originally Posted by Visor View Post
The 42PZ80 is a more direct comparison (approx £700) to the Sony, but it's no longer listed on the JL website, neither is the 42PX80. Both are good sets.

The only other 42inch plasma they sell is the HD Ready Samsung PS42A457 (£599). If I had to choose, I'd go for the Sony as it's higher spec than the bottom of the range Samsung - however, the Sony is currently out of stock.

Here's a review of the Sony...
Sony KDL40V4000 / KDL-40V4000 Review
Check a local JL store, when I checked on the 22nd they had 180 42PZ80 in the warehouse, still £749 (stock No. 82451009), had mine delivered Sat.

If it is not to far to the store might be worth a visit, I am sure there were more on display than on the web and some sets had promos like free stands(not the pannis though).
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Old 28-10-2008, 1:44 PM   #7
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Re: Panasonic Viera TH42PZ81B vs. Sony Bravia KDL40V4000

Thanks for all of the responses guys.

Just reserved a PZ80 at John Lewis - can anyone advise how well this deals with SD content?
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