Might need to swap P42ST30 for an LCD/LED......

[stevep94]

I've today taken delivery of my shiny new Panasonic TX-P42ST30 from John Lewis as a replacement for my failing Sony 40V3000 and I'm very impressed with it so far!

The problem is, with it being a plasma and coming from an LCD, the reflections in the screen (table lamp & other furniture) is already bugging my wife and so I'm thinking I might need to swap it for an LCD/LED model!

So I guess my questions are:

1) Can still I swap through John Lewis given that the ST30 was a warranty replacement, although I did pay some towards the "upgrade"

2) What it a viable alternative in the LCD/LED range? I've had a quick look on the JL website and there is the Panasonic TX-L42E30B LED model at £629 which seems to get exceptional reviews everywhere I've looked! Can anyone comment on this model or suggest another in the £550-£700 bracket? (eg. how does this model stack up against the Sony KDL40EX523 LED at £649 with £100 cashback??)

Thanks for any advice guys....

 

[AVF Jay]

Is there no chance of possibly re-arranging furniture or something?

As you've experienced plasmas are more sensitive to placement due to lighting etc, e.g having a plasma with a window facing it isn't ideal. Or in a very bright room (the filters don't do a great deal)

Also not sure John Lewis will exchange the set, afterall it's not faulty.

In all honesty it might be easier convincing your wife to keep the t.v than trying to find a suitable replacement for your tv

 

[stevep94]

Unfortunately the position of the TV and sofa's is pretty much set in stone as its a relatively small living room and the seating provides a direct reflection for a table lamp and lit ornament that cant really go anywhere else!

I've spoken to JL and explained and the guy I spoke to said they treat it as any new purchase so I can freely swap it within 28 days!

So I guess now my question is which LCD (or more likely LED) set do I go for??

I guess these are the likely models in the price bracket:

LG 42LV550T LED HD 1080p TV, 42 Inch with Built-in Freeview HD - Same price so nothing to pay

Panasonic Viera TX-L42E30B LED HD 1080p TV, 42 Inch with Built-in Freeview HD - £80 more to pay

Sony Bravia KDL40EX523 LED HD 1080p TV, 40 inch with Built-in Freeview HD - £100 more but with £100 Sony cashback

Sony Bravia KDL40EX723 LED HD 1080p 3D Television, 40 inch with Built-in Freeview HD - £250 more with £100 Sony cashback - is this worth £150 over the 40EX523 above if I'm not interested in 3D??

Anyway, these seem to be the best of the bunch unless I should be looking at the Toshiba or Samsung models??

Any help is appreciated guys.....

 

[vickster]

Lots of LCDs also have very reflective gloss screens nowadays - my Samsung is as shiny as my old Panasonic plasma (even more so as is rather bigger)

Confirm in store that none of those are reflective

Of those, I'd go for the E30 - never liked LG, and Sony aren't what they were it seems

There should be reviews in the review section ^^^ or on HDTVtest/CNET etc

 

[stevep94]

I'll definitely have to look in a shop to see how the reflections compare before making a decision!

From the reviews its looking like the Panasonic (not a bad thing as its a great looking set!) but the £630 is £80 over the odds with Richer Sounds for example selling it for £550 - I wonder if I can persuade them to price match as well??

Any other suggestions??

 

[vickster]

They should match RS + warranty cost

 

[AlandEi]

After much deliberation, reading reviews ect, I have just ordered the TX-L37E30B... like yourself, our room is subject to light coloured furniture reflecting in the screen of our old CRT set, and as Vikster advised me that plasmas are also glass screens, I decided on the matt screen Panasonic.
I nearly went for the Samsung UE-40D5520 which has good reviews for picture quality, until I discovered that model has a high gloss LCD/LED screen.

Alan.

 

[stevep94]

I've just been into Currys and seen the plasma and LED sets next to each other and the glare is loads less so the LED looks to be the one for me!

I did have a look at a Samsung LED and it was extremely glossy but the Panasonic is quite matt!

Just need to speak to JL to see if they will price match now!

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

*update*

Spoke to JL branch - given them the details of the set at RS but as vickster pointed out above, they will only price match to the RS price including the 5 year guarantee which is £604.90 making the saving only £25 (assuming they accept the pricematch that is) but its better than nothing!

 

[kingibrahim007]

I'll definitely have to look in a shop to see how the reflections compare before making a decision!

From the reviews its looking like the Panasonic (not a bad thing as its a great looking set!) but the £630 is £80 over the odds with Richer Sounds for example selling it for £550 - I wonder if I can persuade them to price match as well??

Any other suggestions??

Amazon are selling it for £518

Link

 

[stevep94]

Amazon are selling it for £518

Link

Yeah I saw that earlier today but unfortunately, as far as I know, John Lewis will only price match to a physical store as opposed to an internet sale!

 

[kingibrahim007]

Oh that's a shame really, but understandable. John Lewis are great for such a deal. But I will probably order mine online to be honest.

 

[stevep94]

Oh that's a shame really, but understandable. John Lewis are great for such a deal. But I will probably order mine online to be honest.

Well if there is one thing my experience has tought me is that its worth paying a little bit more for a 5 year warranty or I'd be shelling out for a brand new set so its saved me £550+

 

[logiclee]

Yep have exactly the same problem.

I have a window opposite the TV and a large fish tank. On reflective screens I can only view with the curtains closed in day time and at night the fishtank reflects for those sat on the sofa.

I tried a D8000 Samsung and it was virtually unwatchable. I then did some instore checks with the higher end monilith Sony LCD's and the Gorilla Glass maybe anti glare but it still reflects badly.

I ended up with a Sony 55EX723 as it was the only decent TV of that size with a matte screen.

I know TV's look impressive in the shop with shiney screens but who wants a TV that only looks good when it's switched off?
One of the selling point of LCD panels was the matte antireflective display and then they go and stick glass on the front.

rant over
Cheers
Lee

 

[stevep94]

Having seen the TX-L42E30B alongside the TX-P42ST30 in a store, the LED model is definitely the one for my situation!

Result with John Lewis too, they called today to say they had accepted the price match with Richer Sounds but since I asked them, the Richer Sounds price had dropped and they were matching it at £544.95!! (Even though the new price is about £571 including the 5 year guarantee!!) Overall a superb service from JL and it means I actually get £5 refunded instead of having to pay an extra £55!!