[Chippy99]

Having been out of the loop for a while, I wonder if there is a concensus on what is the best 42" plasma to buy right now?

I have an aged Panasonic that I am looking to replace and (sorry to sound chavvy) but the cost is not really important. I paid a LOT of money for my existing plasma 8 years ago! So however much the new screen is, is not really an issue. I should say though that (sadly) I cannot go for a 50". The room its going in just doesn't allow it.

I was considering the Pioneer 428 before it became discontinued. Is there any sign of a Pioneer 42" on the horizon any time?

As far as usage goes, its for general TV and film viewing (I do like decent black levels!) and the *occassional* PC use as I do have an HTPC hooked up to it running Media Center and various. So I am not sure I need 1920x1080 but if the panel has it and the SD performance doesn't suffer, then why not.

What do you guys suggest?

BTW: Hooked up with Sky HD and Blueray player.

[stapoz]

Personally, I would choose Panasonic PZ800 because its superb quality/price ratio.

[scrapbook]

There are still some Pioneer 4280's out there.

The CES is the second week of January so you will find out then if there are any new Pioneer 42" due next year.

According to their blog they recommend an LCD currently for less then 50", which of course they would bearing in mind their current range!

[Chippy99]

Originally Posted by scrapbook

There are still some Pioneer 4280's out there.

The CES is the second week of January so you will find out then if there are any new Pioneer 42" due next year.

According to their blog they recommend an LCD currently for less then 50", which of course they would bearing in mind their current range!

"Kuro" and "LCD" is a bit of an oxymoron isn't it.

Since posting my original question and doing some research, I am quite taken by the Panasonic TH-42PF11. (Having owned a TH-42PW3 for so many years and *still* being impressed by its picture quality!)

Any thoughts on the new Panny commercial model?

[ozzzy189]

Prob a good shout there, and if i was getting a 42, that'd be on top of my list.

[boxrick]

Id say the pioneer 428 was easily still the best 42" screen... Saw the pz800 and personally wasn't that impressed (my px80 has better SD performance...), yet my pdpsx4280 still impresses me!

Current consumer Panny plasmas arnt even anywhere near last years pioneer screens let alone this years !

[Chippy99]

Originally Posted by boxrick

Id say the pioneer 428 was easily still the best 42" screen... Saw the pz800 and personally wasn't that impressed (my px80 has better SD performance...), yet my pdpsx4280 still impresses me!

Current consumer Panny plasmas arnt even anywhere near last years pioneer screens let alone this years !

Thanks for the comments. The problem is finding a 428 or 4280 anywhere. Also, although it's not a show-stopper the 1024x768 resolution isn't ideal for HTPC or gaming use (which I don't do a lot of, admittedly, so not a big deal).

It looks like the black levels on the Panasonic TH-42PF11's could be very close to Kuro too. So I am quite excited about that as an option.

[choddo2006]

Originally Posted by Chippy99

It looks like the black levels on the Panasonic TH-42PF11's could be very close to Kuro too. So I am quite excited about that as an option.

I was going to suggest that.

[boxrick]

Originally Posted by Chippy99

Thanks for the comments. The problem is finding a 428 or 4280 anywhere. Also, although it's not a show-stopper the 1024x768 resolution isn't ideal for HTPC or gaming use (which I don't do a lot of, admittedly, so not a big deal).

It looks like the black levels on the Panasonic TH-42PF11's could be very close to Kuro too. So I am quite excited about that as an option.

For gaming on 1024 x 768 res isnt a problem xbox games and ps3 in the majority (95%) are only 720p anyway so as a result look better on a 768 screen....

PC games on the other hand....

Here is my px80 in my currently messy front room whilst i was re arranging .... The advantage with such a resolution is for web browsing and for using my computer i can actually read the text! Whereas on a 1080p panel that aint too easy unless you purposly use a lower resolution which obviously when using none native turns into a blurry mess....

[Rob.butters]

Don't get the Panny PZ800 i have it as a replacement for a Pio 428XD and the SD PQ is rubbish compared to the Pio in my opinion. The HD PQ is very good but as most viewing is SD it's not worth it.

I have heard good things about the professional Panny range. i didn't get it because wife didn't like the idea of just a monitor????

Failing that TLC are doing a great deal on the 5090LX and the extra inches aren't that much, i am told.

[boxrick]

My local richer sounds have a 42" 8G pio they were looking to sell for about £1000 without the stand an ex display unit.... However apparently they have littered about the company so may be possible to get hold of one from a local store?

However it Pio are meant to be bringing out a 10G 42" Panel with panasonic glass mid next year?

[Rob.butters]

I know they are gonna use Panny glass but not sure what sizes. Glass isn't gonna make to much difference, glass is glass!!!!

[Suave]

Hi,

There are some rumours that there may be a new 42" Kuro Plasma next year so if you are not in an hurry you may wish to wait and see what transpires. Other than that, there really is nothing worth bothering about apart from either the G8 428XD/4280XD (best) or the Panny 42PX80 (best value). I too, just simply cannot fit a 50" Kuro in my room and rather than buy something I am not entirely happy with, I am electing to wait and see what new 42"/46" plasmas appear next year - I just hope Pioneer will cater for these sizes!

Suave!

[choddo2006]

Originally Posted by Rob.butters

I know they are gonna use Panny glass but not sure what sizes. Glass isn't gonna make to much difference, glass is glass!!!!

Not really. There's huge differences between the actual plasma screen on a Panny and a Pioneer, just as much as the electronics behind it.

Unless you meant glass in the "thing you look through to see the garden" sense of the word.

[ozzzy189]

Fanthorpes in hull still have boxed 428xd's in stock. They are willing to move on the price as they are at 1500 or so. here.

Pioneer PDP 428XD Plasma Television

[Leicesterchris]

I bought a Pio 4280 this Saturday from Koti Electronics in Leicester, (last one I'm afraid). The pic quality is fantastic, SD pictures on Freeview are excellent, in some cases of modern productions such as Survivors etc, which have been filmed in HD, the freeview quality is almost HD. At the moment I am only playing standard DVD through an old Sony DVD player (10 years old) via scart and the pic quality is beyond compare. Revenge of the Sith was almost HD quality. This Pio beats the hell of any other machine I have seen and I got it for a grand.

Is it worth getting a Blu-ray?, as I am astounded by the quality of the upscaling from normal DVD?

There is a 4280 for sale at Slaneys in Hinckley, Leicestershire, but he wanted £1500 for it. But to be honest it's worth it. Anything else will dissapoint you.
PS I am not a Pioneer salesman!

[Dave H]

Yes Blu Ray is worth it

[wess74]

I have a Pio 428xd and it's excellent with whatever you throw at it. If you can find one, get one! Failing that, The panny 42pf11 rigged up to a dvdo edge should be just as good......................If not better

All the best.

[ozzzy189]

Originally Posted by ozzzy189

Fanthorpes in hull still have boxed 428xd's in stock. They are willing to move on the price as they are at 1500 or so. here.

Pioneer PDP 428XD Plasma Television

let me know how you get on, the pio's are better, but to compare them with the consumer panas is not quite fair, the commercial panels are more on the same playing field, and similar priced. i would go for the pioneer, colours and processing are superior.

[Chippy99]

Originally Posted by Rob.butters

Don't get the Panny PZ800 i have it as a replacement for a Pio 428XD and the SD PQ is rubbish compared to the Pio in my opinion. The HD PQ is very good but as most viewing is SD it's not worth it.

I have heard good things about the professional Panny range. i didn't get it because wife didn't like the idea of just a monitor????

Failing that TLC are doing a great deal on the 5090LX and the extra inches aren't that much, i am told.

Thanks for the comments (to everyone else too)

I do worry about SD performance on a 1980x1080 panel. That's a lot of pixels to shift and if its not a 1980x1080 feed the electronics are being asked to do an awful lot in a very short space of time!

Ideally I would go for a 50" Pioneer but unfortunately the way our lounge is laid out, we have to have the TV in front of the window and as it is the 42" block out half of the window. A 50" would block even more out and fails the missus acceptance test. Plus it would be like living in a cave, so she has a point.

[~dadam02~]

Originally Posted by ozzzy189

Fanthorpes in hull still have boxed 428xd's in stock. They are willing to move on the price as they are at 1500 or so. here.

Pioneer PDP 428XD Plasma Television

I just tried them, very nice chap on the phone but would only drop it from £1599 to £1500....he's got 3 in if anyone is interested but no stands for either. £1500 was no good for me, was chancing my arm for a grand but not so fortunate this time round. Still got a Panasonic sitting unopened in it's box so am desperately trying to fins something that will ensure it stays unopened. Local Curry's had a 3 month ex-display 4280XD model out for £1,074 the other day, anyone think this is a good deal, considering their full price was supposedly £1,199?

[snooper]

Costco have Pio 428's in stock at £1495 with a five year warranty. So if you know anyone with a card get down there. My mate has just bought a Pan 42PZ80 and with sky HD it looks great. I have a 37PX80 and am more than happy with the pics on it. I recently spoke to a pioneer staffer at a local show and he said they should be making a new 42 next year. So the options are endless as their are a lot of good deals around at present.

[~dadam02~]

I'm torn, do i open the Panasonic, do i send it back and try to find a good priced Pio......looks like my arms are twisted, can't for the life of my find a good priced courier willing to take this monster of a box! Looks like it might be Plan B, keep the Panasonic for 6 months then upgrade later in the year when the new Pio 42's come in....

[The Snake]

Originally Posted by Chippy99

Thanks for the comments. The problem is finding a 428 or 4280 anywhere.

There's one in comet in Nottingham Arnold for £900 if anyones interested, saw it yesterday, nearly nabbed it myself.

[ozzzy189]

Originally Posted by ~dadam02~

I just tried them, very nice chap on the phone but would only drop it from £1599 to £1500....he's got 3 in if anyone is interested but no stands for either. £1500 was no good for me, was chancing my arm for a grand but not so fortunate this time round. Still got a Panasonic sitting unopened in it's box so am desperately trying to fins something that will ensure it stays unopened. Local Curry's had a 3 month ex-display 4280XD model out for £1,074 the other day, anyone think this is a good deal, considering their full price was supposedly £1,199?

Depends on how many hours it's done, look in the 8th gen owners thread 1st page to see how. i wouldn't pay more than 950 to be fair.

[Dave Bg]

The 428XD i am looking at right now has astounded me and has bbeen worth every penny

[~dadam02~]

Originally Posted by ozzzy189

Depends on how many hours it's done, look in the 8th gen owners thread 1st page to see how. i wouldn't pay more than 950 to be fair.

I was trying to get it for £900 but they wouldn't budge, £950 i would have gone with too....as soon as he tried to get me to buy a £230 Sony 350 blu-ray player and extra for a warranty i through sod that!

[reaper12]

I have a 42 inch PZ800 and it's a fantastic TV. I bought this after comparing it side by side with a fully calibrate Pioneer 508D, the 720p model. I use freesat for my TV viewing and the picture on the PZ800 is fantastic. Bluray will just blow you away.

The Pioneer might have had a slight edge on SD picture when I was comparing the two, but for Bluray the PZ800 colours and PQ was amazing.

So if you want a TV for mainly SD viewing last year's 42 inch Pioneer is probably your best bet. If you plan to watch more and more Bluray and HD material then the PZ800 is better.

[-Ad-]

Stick with the pio, the PZ800 or the other viera panels don't come close.

The price of the 5090 is too good to miss now, considering there is a price premium on the 42 sets now as they are hard to find. £300 more for the better 5090.

[ozzzy189]

Originally Posted by -Ad-

Stick with the pio, the PZ800 or the other viera panels don't come close.

The price of the 5090 is too good to miss now, considering there is a price premium on the 42 sets now as they are hard to find. £300 more for the better 5090.

bang on.