change of mind ?

simonoaks

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Hi Guys,

I have been enquiring about LCDs on that part of the forum, and it seems that they might not be fit for my purpose. I thought plasma was a technology that was being replaced by LCD, but that might not be the case.

Therefore, can anyone recommend the best TV I can buy, 40-46", 1080p, min 2HDMI slots; budget 2.5.3.5 k. I want to mainly watch HD sport and films.

Seems the LCDs have too much lag for fast moving pictures, any recommendations; or should I stick with researching LCDs ?

cheers

Simon
 
Hi Guys,

I have been enquiring about LCDs on that part of the forum, and it seems that they might not be fit for my purpose. I thought plasma was a technology that was being replaced by LCD, but that might not be the case.

Therefore, can anyone recommend the best TV I can buy, 40-46", 1080p, min 2HDMI slots; budget 2.5.3.5 k. I want to mainly watch HD sport and films.

Seems the LCDs have too much lag for fast moving pictures, any recommendations; or should I stick with researching LCDs ?

cheers

Simon


Just out of interest where is the information you read saying that Plasma was being replaced by LCD?

Thanks

Dal

EDIT - Also have you actually seen a decent plasma screen set-up properly?
 
Hi Guys,

I have been enquiring about LCDs on that part of the forum, and it seems that they might not be fit for my purpose. I thought plasma was a technology that was being replaced by LCD, but that might not be the case.

Therefore, can anyone recommend the best TV I can buy, 40-46", 1080p, min 2HDMI slots; budget 2.5.3.5 k. I want to mainly watch HD sport and films.

Seems the LCDs have too much lag for fast moving pictures, any recommendations; or should I stick with researching LCDs ?

Simon

New Sony D-series coming in June I think, and Toshiba Z-series LCDs both claim to eliminate motion blur using 100hz or 100/120hz technology. Reviews of the Tosh version of this, already present in the WLT68 series, say it is pretty true. I believe some new Samsungs are offering a version of this too. But basically if you want to watch sports on a big LCD, wait a few months and see what these new panels look like (properly set up, in a good AV retailer's shop, not Comet or Currys!)

On the other hand, plasmas don't suffer from the motion blur problem, and still stomp all over LCDs for overall picture quality on film (even when res is only 1024x768). If you want to buy now/soon, in your range a top-class 42" Fujitsu 58 series plasma will probably make you happy, or a 50" Pioneer. If you can wait, in addition to checking out the above LCD's, you'll want to look at the new Pioneer range and the Panasonic PZ700 (42" or 50"). The Pana PX70 and PX700 panels seem to be making lots of people happy but are outside your budget range (too cheap!) :D

CHFels
 
I didn't read it, I came to that conclusion as everything around in shops (although I wouldn't buy from there) and media is all LCD, LCD LCD !! Also Sony have stopped making Plasma and guy in Sony shop said it was because they have selected LCD as the future technology etc.

I do not mean to offend Plasma owners, in fact, I am genuinely looking for best solution and if that means Plasma, all the better as far as I am converned, then I can be different to the 1000's of people who buy LCD just because that bandwagon is making it's way through !!

To be honest I have not seen Plasma set up properly (struggle to find LCD to view properly) most of the shops have all these screens with rubbish content on them!!

anyway, I presume Plasma is not on the way out? So, can you recommend which set for 2.5-3.5k would be best for HD films, Sky HD, and particularly sports.

Or do you think I should go back to the drawing board and first decide if I want LCD or Plasma.

Very frustrating, missus has agreed budget of 5k to upgrade lounge equipment, so want TV, HD DVD or Blueray player, plus any amps or external units that might help system.

just want to learn !!

cheers
 
Hi,

You dont offend its just you really have to-go to a proper AV company and see these screens viewing proper HD content and where you can use your own movies etc etc. games consoles etc etc

Knock the stores you have been into on the head and have a look at some of the sponsors here on the forum. Many of us have been and bought from a company called AV sales. Also check out a guy called Maw who also deals in Av installations and knows his stuff.

Still to this date i cannot find an LCD screen which is better than one of the current generation of Panasonic commercial panels or Pioneer.

Good luck with your purchase, make it a plasma - :devil:

Dal - :thumbsup:




I didn't read it, I came to that conclusion as everything around in shops (although I wouldn't buy from there) and media is all LCD, LCD LCD !! Also Sony have stopped making Plasma and guy in Sony shop said it was because they have selected LCD as the future technology etc.

I do not mean to offend Plasma owners, in fact, I am genuinely looking for best solution and if that means Plasma, all the better as far as I am converned, then I can be different to the 1000's of people who buy LCD just because that bandwagon is making it's way through !!

To be honest I have not seen Plasma set up properly (struggle to find LCD to view properly) most of the shops have all these screens with rubbish content on them!!

anyway, I presume Plasma is not on the way out? So, can you recommend which set for 2.5-3.5k would be best for HD films, Sky HD, and particularly sports.

Or do you think I should go back to the drawing board and first decide if I want LCD or Plasma.

Very frustrating, missus has agreed budget of 5k to upgrade lounge equipment, so want TV, HD DVD or Blueray player, plus any amps or external units that might help system.

just want to learn !!

cheers
 
cheers,

I think I will go Plasma, but you are right, if I am going to spend 5k, might as well go to a specialist and see everything in action and talk to sales people who know what they are talking about.

As much as I am so desparate to go spend the money, I think the best thing I could do is wait a while and see how things pan out. Doesn't seem to be too much 1080p choice in plasma market at the moment.

But seeing as I only have a JVC CRT at the moment, any screen will look better !!

Might wait and treat myself for start of new footie season end Aug....BUT..the money the missus has agreed to , is BURNING !!! lol

and....I think you need to buy sometime otherwise you never will if you are always waiting for next thing to come along !!

oh the dilema !
 
LCD and Plasma is like engine design in cars.
Some companies adhere to natural aspiration only designs (Honda for example), others use turbo/supercharger designs.
Neither one is the only way to make a high powered engine - just two different ways to achieve the same end result.
So, Sony (like others) have decided that their marketing strength lies in LCD rather than Plasma.
Pioneer on the other hand don't even touch LCD, whereas Panasonic has always done both, favouring a changeover in technology at 37" from LCD to Plasma.
Others do both too, but don't do either terribly well - sort of Jack of all trades and master of none.

Since you've a budget of £2.5-3.5K, then the world is indeed your oyster. For the lower end, you've the upcoming Panasonic PZ700 Full HD range next month/June, and (probably) the regular HD Pioneer 42" with its new hyped 8G panel.
At the upper end, you've the current 50" Fujitsu (very highly regarded), but will (possibly) also have the Full HD 50" Pioneer with 8G glass in June/July (expected).

Whilst I love Loewe LCDs, they are languishing a bit behind the times with only HD panels - although I believe Full HD ones are due imminently, but the price will be way up there, especially at 42/46" size (whichever if not both, they've gone for).
Great TVs, but they can hardly be called the poor man's B&O any more - well, some of the range can, but the Spheros is close to B&O money.
 
i have just read a review of the PDP 427xD, looks a great screen. I think I will do what you advise, and wait until new specialist models (pan pioneer) bring out their stuff. I want 50" but missus thinks that is too big. So does that mean I can get 42" crammed with even better technology for the price of a 50" which might not be quite so advanced ?
 
Look, you keep on telling the missus <------------> that that's 6", so don't you honestly think you could slip an extra 8" past her, without her knowing?

Seriously, if you can sit at the recommended minimum viewing distances (9ft HD, 13ft SD) for a 50", it would be worth going for.
As you indicated above, spending time at a specialist AV shop will reap dividends in helping you decide which panel to ultimately opt for when the time comes.
 
well,

I show her the sony 46X2000 and she said it was ok....so should be able to hide the other 4 inches !!!

Am seriously thinking of buying TH-50PX700, with DMP-BD10a player and SB-TP1000 speakers. ONLY problem is set doesn't support 1080p at 50/60 Hz, only 24.

BUT Pioneer does support 1080p at all frequencies. So, I will either impulse buy they above set up, or, get 50" pioneer 8g,

anyone see any reviews on the pioneer due Q2 2007 ?
 
well,

I show her the sony 46X2000 and she said it was ok....so should be able to hide the other 4 inches !!!

Am seriously thinking of buying TH-50PX700, with DMP-BD10a player and SB-TP1000 speakers. ONLY problem is set doesn't support 1080p at 50/60 Hz, only 24.

BUT Pioneer does support 1080p at all frequencies. So, I will either impulse buy they above set up, or, get 50" pioneer 8g,

anyone see any reviews on the pioneer due Q2 2007 ?

There was a two page review of the 8th gen Pioneer in one of last months Mags - think it was Home Cinema Choice from memory. Gave the new panels a great write up - but take that with a pinch of salt, best to wait and see with your own eyes. Pricing is also yet to be confirmed but reports are that Pioneer wants to move upmarket and differentiate itself from the more mass market Panasonic offerings - we need to see if the product justifys what is expected to be a premium price.

I was in your shoes about 6 months ago with the exact same budget. I went 50'' ad although it looked big out of the box you very quickly get used to it and we now find it difficult watching smaller sets in friends/relatives homes. If in doubt go bigger.

My viewing distance is from 8ft to about 12ft depending one which seat you use. HD is great from anywhere - 8ft is probably better as you can see more detail in the pictures and 12ft for SD. I would not go 50'' if you have anything under 8ft as a viewing distance personally.

If I was in your shoes I would wait the couple of months and see what the new Pioneer is like and then make my choice. Take a look at the Fujitsu as well as the Panasonic as with your budget you are likely to just want the panel and have a separate sound set up.
 
thanks I will do. Maybe LCD might have sorted out its lag on sport by then !!

But I really am swaying towards Plasma, having read product reviews. The problem I have is that I have only seen 1 plasma screen used in a house and that one is 7 years old so I am hoping things have moved on since then lol

I will compare a top range LCD with a top range plasma. I could spend my whole budget on just TV and DVD player, particularly if TV has good built in sound.

I will wait.....but it is soooo hard to not go out and buy something !!

But then, I have been saying for a while that I was going to wait until HD DVD and Blueray have sorted themselves out (or multiplayers come out) but that was before missus approve spend, now i just wanna go shopping!! (first time in years I have ever said that lol )

how does HD sport look on your set ?
 
how does HD sport look on your set ?

Fantastic. Most of my viewing is sport and it was a key factor in my purchase. No motion blur or noise. The 6 Nations was great on BBC and Sky HD football is also very good. The Super Bowl in HD in January was mind blowing - miles better than Sky or BBC.
 
is sky HD easy to set up ? I have sky + downstairs and normal updtairs. Does that mean I put the HD box in downstairs then just move Sky+ box upstairs ?

I am on a website lingering over "buy now" button for the 50PZ700, but have been advised on here to wait for 8th Gen Pioneer....not sure if I can wait 3 months or so !!
 
is sky HD easy to set up ? I have sky + downstairs and normal updtairs. Does that mean I put the HD box in downstairs then just move Sky+ box upstairs ?

I am on a website lingering over "buy now" button for the 50PZ700, but have been advised on here to wait for 8th Gen Pioneer....not sure if I can wait 3 months or so !!

Sky HD is really easy to set up. It is done by a Sky engineer when they drop it off and it took about 10 minutes with my set up.

Essentially you are bang on - you take out an additional ÂŁ10 per month sub and pay for the HD box (cost me ÂŁ299 but there are some deals around now). I already had a multi room subscription as well if you don't have that you might have to fork out another ÂŁ10 to be able to use the Sky + upstairs.

They then just plumb the HD box into your Sky cable and set it up to run with your panel using an HDMI and in my set up the audio out via digital audio and sub cable to my Yamaha YSP speaker.

Easy peasy.
 
Am seriously thinking of buying TH-50PX700, with DMP-BD10a player and SB-TP1000 speakers. ONLY problem is set doesn't support 1080p at 50/60 Hz, only 24.

BUT Pioneer does support 1080p at all frequencies. So, I will either impulse buy they above set up, or, get 50" pioneer 8g


Actually, it's the Panny that doesn't accept 24fps at 1080p, only the more 'common' 50/60Hz, I believe.
I'm not sure about the Pioneer's 1080p acceptance - I'd be surprised if it didn't do 50/60, but it was the first consumer panel, IIRC, that accepted 24fps and used 72Hz refresh.
The new 8G panels will do 24 at 24, which is another first as far as consumers are concerned. Not sure about the commercial side, nor the Fujitsus or Barcos.

As for release - PZ700 50" in May, 42" in June. Pioneer have something happening in Italy in May, so I would anticipate June/July for the 8G. Full HD ones first possibly, then the regular HD the following month or once they've ran stocks down of 7Gs.
 
ok,

well thanks everyone for all your help. I am going to try very very hard to wait for 8g pioneer, however, knowing me, I will probably have bought the 50PZ700 by the end of the week. Just can't wait !! lol

If I do, I will let you know what I think and do a review if anyone interested.

Ok, that's that sorted. Now I need to read up on HD DVD/BR players, PS3, an amp and speakers !!

cheers
 
Hi,

I'm very much in the same shoes as you. Have looked at LCD but firm on plasma now.
Do you know if the PZ is out next week or are you pre-ordering? And who from please

Cheers,

Kul
 
Hi,

I'm very much in the same shoes as you. Have looked at LCD but firm on plasma now.
Do you know if the PZ is out next week or are you pre-ordering? And who from please

Cheers,

Kul

Hi,

you are right, I was misled by 2 sites yesterday that were selling it for ÂŁ2800 pounds. They did not show "pre-order" as I went through buying process. Have spoken to them, and it is pre-order only they say they will be getting it in May (but don't have a date).
 
something else I have noticed, but need to check, the 50" pz700 seems to have a cont ratio of 5000:1 whereas the 42" inch model seems to be 10000:1 ?
 
Forget the numbers - they bear not relation to real life figures.
Mostly a marketing thing to hook you with.
 
does that include the brightness number and the refresh rate that they often quote too ?
 
Brightness is less of a selling issue - it's CR numbers the marketing teams like to use as it signifies the greater difference between light and dark areas on the screen.
As for refresh rate - that'll be something they'll use when they introduce new models with 100/120Hz tech, as another way of differentiating themselves from the rest of the brands.
Also another point to highlight to justify the higher price over it's cheaper non 100/120Hz siblings.

Like bhp and torque - meaningless in the main, as it'll depend on how good the tyres are to put the power down. Ultimately, it takes a test drive to see if it suits your needs and whether you can live with it's characteristics.
No different for a TV - look and judge with your own eyes.
 

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