[lenaldo]

Afternoon all.

After my daughter launched one of her Waybuloo toys through my Sony 40W3000 a couple of weeks ago and following some wrangling with the insurance company, i'm now in a position to try and get a replacement set sorted out.

What a minefield! I don't know if i'm coming or going with all of the choices and all of the seeming pitfalls as noted on the forums here.

For what it's worth, this is what will be connected to the TV once it arrives

Sky HD
PS3
Wii
Home Cinema Kit
Mac Mini (for HTPC usage)

My thoughts initially were as follows;

Sony KDL40Z5500
Panasonic TX-P42V10
Samsung UE40B8000
Philips 42PFL8404

but after reading about clouding, plasma burn from PC's, weak sound and the like, i'm no further forward.

Any advice or help here would be greatly appreciated. Budget is probably up to about £1250 if that's any help.

TIA

[Doglio]

How strange, I was just about to post a similar question!

Any advice you receive I too would be particular grateful.

I had sort of narrowed it down to the following:

Panasonic TXP42V10B or G10
Samsung UE40B7020 or 8000
Philips 42PFL9664H

Everytime I speak to somebody I get contradicting advice!

It is indeed a nightmare.

[audiphile76]

You both have mixed both technologies together. I think the first step to filter your lists is by choosing which technology you want to go for? LCD;LED or Plasma. Ofcourse choosing will depend on how you will use your sets and what lighting condition you will be viewing with them.

Best PQ is no doubt with plasmas especially V10 with THX mode available and with best blacks(after Kuro) having less input lag than LCDs, but.....they consume more energy, you cannot use them as PC(due to the pixel structure being rectangular compared to square ones on LCD), cannot watch if light/sun shines into the room, there could be reflections on your plasmas,

But your choice will also depend on how long you plan to play, how much SD you will watch et cetera, et cetera...

I am deciding to go for 8404 over V10 due to 600 EUR price difference, and since its for my bedroom, so fancy the Ambilight.

[Wondercat]

Butting in here...
Is this truly true? The picture quality of the v10 plasma excedes a good LCD?
It's difficult to tell from a shop viewing. I was thinking that the playing field must have leveled off a bit now? And i was being pulled towards the Sony z5500.....

For me i would like a tv that was kind to the eyes so this is why i am still thinking about the plasma - that kind of more "natural quality" that is used in reference to this type of tv. And then Philips being mentioned for the bedroom has me wondering if this doesn't even meet my needs even more.

Will keep reading and try find a Philips before i make the decision.

&Thanks!!!

This is a wonderful resource this place. Good helpful people.

[lenaldo]

Originally Posted by audiphile76

You both have mixed both technologies together. I think the first step to filter your lists is by choosing which technology you want to go for? LCD;LED or Plasma. Ofcourse choosing will depend on how you will use your sets and what lighting condition you will be viewing with them.

Best PQ is no doubt with plasmas especially V10 with THX mode available and with best blacks(after Kuro) having less input lag than LCDs, but.....they consume more energy, you cannot use them as PC(due to the pixel structure being rectangular compared to square ones on LCD), cannot watch if light/sun shines into the room, there could be reflections on your plasmas,

But your choice will also depend on how long you plan to play, how much SD you will watch et cetera, et cetera...

I am deciding to go for 8404 over V10 due to 600 EUR price difference, and since its for my bedroom, so fancy the Ambilight.

Exactly my problem. I'm not fussed which tech i buy but as i'm using the TV for SD, HD, gaming AND PC use (albeit at a reduced level but for most of my DVD playback) i need a bit of a jack of all trades.

From your comments above, it seems that the plasma is a no goer due to the pc.

Lighting conditions will be mostly daytime use in a reasonably light room as well as watching films in a reasonably dark (but not pitch black) lounge.

I'm erring on the side of caution with the Sony to be honest and with both of my other TV's i've never experience clouding. However, i do sometimes wonder if the grass is greener...

[YellowSphere]

Between the four listed in the OP, I believe that the best LCD all rounder of those is the Z5500. If you are happy to narrow it down to that level, then it's going to basically come down to what time of the day you generally use your set. If it's mainly evening, then the V10, if it's mainly during the day, or brighter in general, the Z5500.

The Philips sets are great, but generally you know in advance whether or not you want one. They're pretty much a marmite brand as far as TV goes. I love them, personally.

I don't really rate the Samsung edge LEDs. They would only be high on my list if design was the only priority.

[ChrisGgr]

I have to agree with yellowsphere.I d narrow it down to Z5500 and V10,and it depends on the viewing environment.I personally prefer lcd's but its just my opinion