Panasonic Plasma just died after 17 years of use, and have stepped into TV confusion

[sirosbie]

Hi all,

Our super reliable Panasonic 37 inch plasma has sadly died after 17 years of great service, and I need a replacement in the £600 mark, just for watching films.

The amount of choice these days and types of product is unbelievable. I've read the 20-21 guide on the forum but a lot of these models have sold out. And the advice on buying anything new is to wait until later this year, but with teenagers in the house not having a TV won't work. I've read that Panasonic aren't doing great sets any more, which is disappointing; is this the case for the sets that were being made with Hollywood film advisors?

My OH has said 4k HDR at a minimum, but I'm not sure we can get anything in our price range. I'm also reading that we should steer clear of Edge.

What we primarily need the set for is for film. We aren't gamers. We appreciate good sound, and visuals that aren't blurry. Many of the sets seem super sharp and and the imagery almost too sharp and glary looking, maybe that's just us used to the softer output of the Plasma.

So the needs:

For film
Good sound
Visuals that can cope with dark room
4k HDR (if not in the price range, what would be next option for us to push up to)
43-50 inch (nothing bigger)
£600 budget

Any direction as to currently available sets would be greatly appreciated.

We have an Apple box (primarily for Netflix/apple of course and now tv)
And we have a Nintendo switch.

That's about it.

(We don't watch BBC iplayer or anything like that).

OH doesn't care about the smart settings, rather more interested in the quality of sound and picture.

Thanks for your time.

 

[tvdavid]

The cheapest Sony but defo better paying more for the XH95

Sony Bravia KD50X81J (2021) LED HDR 4K Ultra HD Smart Google TV, 50 inch with Youview/Freesat HD & Dolby Atmos, Black

Buy Sony Bravia KD50X81J (2021) LED HDR 4K Ultra HD Smart Google TV, 50 inch with Youview/Freesat HD & Dolby Atmos, Black from our View All TVs range at John Lewis & Partners. Free Delivery on orders over £50.

www.johnlewis.com

if its in stock

Sony Bravia KD49XH9505 (2020) LED HDR 4K Ultra HD Smart Android TV, 49 inch with Freeview HD, Youview & Dolby Atmos, Black

Buy Sony Bravia KD49XH9505 (2020) LED HDR 4K Ultra HD Smart Android TV, 49 inch with Freeview HD, Youview & Dolby Atmos, Black from our View All TVs range at John Lewis & Partners. Free Delivery on orders over £50.

www.johnlewis.com

 

[mikej]

Panasonic do still make great TVs but, like LG, their best sets are OLEDs rather than LCDs

If you're coming from plasma and watch a lot of films in a dark room then OLED would be the best upgrade route, IMO. Sadly though, they can't be had for your budget but if you could push it to £900-£1000, then Philips and LG OLEDs start to be within reach. If you had a temporary TV you could use in the meantime, then these prices will almost certainly be lower towards Black Friday, too. LG (and others) make OLEDs in the 48" size.

One thing to note is that any modern TV (LCD or OLED) is likely to be substantially thinner than a 17 year-old plasma, which means smaller speakers and possibly a worse sound than your old TV. If you're a big movie-watcher, then I would also budget for (at least) a decent soundbar to make the most of your new screen.

 

[vickster]

The Sony 49 XH9505 is a super TV (albeit not the best viewing angles if you watch off axis), £800 from
C&M. Could ask JL to price match if preferred (or RS if they have stock)

Sony KD-49XH9505 49

Sony KD-49XH9505 49" Full Array LED 4K HDR Television with Android TV

www.cramptonandmoore.co.uk

 

[Xenomorph]

Coming from a Panny plasma myself (16 years and still working), I recently purchased a Sony Bravia and can confirm that the sound quality is different, and thinner. However it's something I've quickly got used to. Although as mentioned, a decent soundbar will improve the situation if it bothers you.

 

[Tim2049]

Hi all,

Our super reliable Panasonic 37 inch plasma has sadly died after 17 years of great service, and I need a replacement in the £600 mark, just for watching films.

The amount of choice these days and types of product is unbelievable. I've read the 20-21 guide on the forum but a lot of these models have sold out. And the advice on buying anything new is to wait until later this year, but with teenagers in the house not having a TV won't work. I've read that Panasonic aren't doing great sets any more, which is disappointing; is this the case for the sets that were being made with Hollywood film advisors?

My OH has said 4k HDR at a minimum, but I'm not sure we can get anything in our price range. I'm also reading that we should steer clear of Edge.

What we primarily need the set for is for film. We aren't gamers. We appreciate good sound, and visuals that aren't blurry. Many of the sets seem super sharp and and the imagery almost too sharp and glary looking, maybe that's just us used to the softer output of the Plasma.

So the needs:

For film
Good sound
Visuals that can cope with dark room
4k HDR (if not in the price range, what would be next option for us to push up to)
43-50 inch (nothing bigger)
£600 budget

Any direction as to currently available sets would be greatly appreciated.

We have an Apple box (primarily for Netflix/apple of course and now tv)
And we have a Nintendo switch.

That's about it.

(We don't watch BBC iplayer or anything like that).

OH doesn't care about the smart settings, rather more interested in the quality of sound and picture.

Thanks for your time.

As mentioned above, you may find that saving up a bit more and going OLED is the best choice given your experience with plasma.

Whilst I appreciate there's a degree of subjectivity, I personally think LEDs are awful. Very bright, artificial image, prone to all kinds of setbacks (poor black levels, blooming), especially on a mid-range set.

OLED is far more of similar to the kind of natural image you'll be used to from your plasma. For the sake of an extra few hundred pounds, for such a long-term investment especially, I'd hold out for OLED if I were you...

 

[tvdavid]

LG OLED48C14LB & TONE Free FA4 48 inch OLED 4K Ultra HD HDR Smart TV & Wireless Bluetooth Headphones £900.39 @ Richer Sounds - hotukdeals good deal to

 

[Dodgexander]

Best you will be able to do with your budget is get the Hisense U7Q. Its a half-way there TV..in other words it almost gets bright enough for HDR to not be a problem, but it does have caveats in other areas (most TVs do though).

To put it simply, you aren't going to get proper HDR in this price range and need to think about saving up money for a higher end model if you have HDR sources in mind.

Sound? Well that is something that you can only really talk about on TVs when you're comparing higher end OLEDs, the sound built in to TVs is generally very poor. TVs that do have good sound come with their own soundbar built in...for example the Hisense U8Q or Philips 9 Series LCD TVs. Otherwise you're looking at spending a lot more money on an OLED, not an entry level OLED even.

Best budget for a separate soundbar if you are concerned about sound, although depending on your own taste and what you're used to, you may be happy with the built in sound of a TV.

 

[sirosbie]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. Okay, advice heard loud and clear @Tim2049 and @mikej ; OLED it'll be then. Thank you for stating your cases for it. The reality is we'll probably keep it for another 17 years (if it holds out like the Panny).

I'll stall the purchase until OLED drop in price a bit. They can use ipads in the interim. I think sound-bar is the way forward for sure, nothing worse (bar shot out lighting) than poor sound on a film.

@Dodgexander Thanks for all the advice, it's super interesting on Hisense, how these less expensive players are making strong leaps in the market.

@Xenomorph Panasonic Plasma's really did good, glad to hear we're not the only ones who got great service with it. And we will take your advice on the soundbar, too; thanks for that.

@tvdavid thanks for that, I wasn't fast enough, it sold out; unsurprising, it was a great price for it.

Re: Panasonic, it's the red light that's been playing up. I know it's a common problem, but after 3 months of a flashing red light that would eventually then switch the tv on, now it's a solid red and not switching on, neither on remote or on the set. Pretty certain it would be fine if that bit hadn't burnt itself out. We've seen the post kicking around saying it's probably a £80 quote to fix that bit, but chances are it could be a bigger problem and I guess we don't want to rip the thing apart to find out we just wasted cash doing so. 17 years is good going, so we are happy to start with a new TV. Thanks all, this has been really useful and great advice, plus it's good to get solid recommendations. LG wouldn't have been on my list (Panasonic was king way back then), so that's super useful.

Thanks one and all.

 

[wfk]

My plasma died in August after almost 13 years use. Someone was selling a Panasonic 50EX750 on here not far from me, so I got that and am happy with the picture (at can be tweeked in the menus). It's also one of the last TVs that includes 3d, so I got the glasses off ebay and am in the process of collecting 3d blurays.
I don't use the sound from the TV - I haven't for years - I have an AV receiver and use Mission bookshelf speakers on stands. It's basic stereo, not surround sound, but far better than any TV can output IMO.

 

[martin 39]

There is a hz980 on the panasonic store for £849 if this helps great tv for the money or look at sevonoaks clearance. They usually have some good bargins all with warranty. After having plasma oled is definitely the way forward

 

[AndyC_772]

Don't overlook the idea of just replacing the plasma like-for-like, at least in the short term while you research newer TVs or save up for the one you really want. They're ridiculously cheap on the second hand market.

I bought a 42" Panasonic plasma last year for the spare room. £26 off Ebay.

I also sold my previous 50" model - a professionally calibrated Panasonic VT30 in practically mint condition - and struggled to get much over £100 for it.

 

[sirosbie]

There is a hz980 on the panasonic store for £849 if this helps great tv for the money or look at sevonoaks clearance. They usually have some good bargins all with warranty. After having plasma oled is definitely the way forward

Great price, I'll take a look now, thanks for that.

 

[martin 39]

The hz 100 is £899 at sevonoaks ex display i know but with 5 yr warranty

 

[sirosbie]

Great price, I'll take a look now, thanks for that.

@martin 39 Found it, many thanks. Just saw the LG G1 evo, wowser.

 

[martin 39]

Hope you find something last yrs are getting rare now

 

[sirosbie]

The hz 100 is £899 at sevonoaks ex display i know but with 5 yr warranty

Hope you find something last yrs are getting rare now

@martin 39 Thanks for mentioning that, I almost hit the buy button on a Panasonic TX-55HZ980B OLED from 2020, last one left, but my other half is telling me to wait to March 2021 for the sales. I can juggle many things, but kids through Christmas without a TV isn't one of them. I mean £849 isn't bad for a Panasonic OLED given the prices they were last year. I've seen cheaper Panasonics on ebay but they are C1 graded stock and that is risky. I could get a Panasonic TX-55HZ1000B Oled for £750 ish graded, but it could be in super bad shape, and a Panasonic TX-55HZ980B for £629, but I think £849 is the safest option (think it's the one you mentioned earlier, too). But if the forum thinks hold out to March 2022 (for 2021 sales stock), then I can, it just will be a rather dull Christmas.

 

[martin 39]

The problem is you never know what's round the corner. Like others have said you could buy a used plasma for next to nothing. My kuro went for £200 2.5 yrs ago so you could get one of them or a Panasonic to tie you over. I always look in john lewis outlet stores they have good deals or as i said sevenoaks. I brought a 65a8 sony about 4 months ago £1500 in john lewis with 5yr warranty. Just a damaged box shop return. There stores are always worth popping in. All the best

 

[BrankoPt]

Plasma TV technology is somewhat similar to OLED TVs as they both have excellent collor and THE best pixel response time making them both the most desirable options, and yes both technologies suffer from possible burn-in effect, meaning they are not well-suited for daily use as a PC monitor.

Also considering how long you used the plasma, you should aim for a TV that will be able to keep up with time, meaning it should be at least 4K and HDR (high dynamic range color reproduction).

The main isse we have here is your budget of 600 pounds which is not enough for an "equivalent" OLED TV.

What I mean by equivalent is that you should take into account the TV did work for 17 years, meaning it practically "paid for itself" as you did not buy another one for that long.

If I did convert the units properly, that is about 700-ish euros and it is hard to find a really good OLED TV that has good HDR1000 but considering Black Fridays Sales are just around the corner, this is what I would recommend:

• LG C1 (new flagship 2021 model) as your best option
• LG CX (2020 model) as I would imagine you will be able to find it on a heavy discount with November or holiday sales, and with a sale price it should fit your budget.

I want to make my case that you should not compromise on a lesser TV set as you will be using it at least 10 years or even more.

 

[Sloppy Bob]

So the needs:

For film
Good sound

This will be an issue on virtually all TVs now. They're so thin compared to older models the speakers are poor and why so many have a soundbar.

The odd exceptions are all expensive models.

 

[kenshingintoki]

a second hand oled will pop up on the classifields at this price range, no problem. just got to be patient and wait IMO.



in the interim period, a second hand plasma will likely be a very financially worthwhile solution and be much better than the OLED in the sound & silky smooth motion department.


due to your image size requirement (no bigger than 50'') I really don't think you'll gain a lot from going to 4K. It'll be noticeable but nothing earth shattering. HDR is a bit of a miss on the plasma side but I love the consistent motion of plasmas and the more natural looking picture of a plasma so its not the end of the world. 1080p and below content also looks better on the plasma as its nearer to native resolution.

ive seen a few bargains.. panasonic VT series going for a very reasonable price.


Ultimately I think below 50 inches ur options on the OLED front at limited to just the 48'' LGs and they are overpriced because the gaming community buy them as PC monitors. I'd be inclined to wait it out.


If I were you, I'd buy a good plasma second hand, an AVR and a pair of bookshelf speakers. Because moving forwards, anyone interested in decent sound needs to look away from their TV and towards a dedicated sound solution. once u get a subwoofer in, its earth shattering upgrade from anything even excellent TV speakers like old plasmas could produce.

then you'll be in a good position to buy a wafer think OLED and not have to worry about the downgraded sound. given ur upgrade pattern, an AVR and pair of good passive speakers might last you your entire life.

 

[BrankoPt]

I must agree with others, thin TVs have relatively small speakers and you just cannot get it all in one package, but instead, for a cinematic experience you will need to get a set of external speakers.

However, I think the integrated speakers will be enough for watching daily television, and especially if you live in an apartment with thin walls, and you need to keep noise down (or your neighbours will call the police on you for too much racket), then you will have no issue with relatively quient base speakers.

 

[VAblklvs249]

Plasma TV technology is somewhat similar to OLED TVs as they both have excellent collor and THE best pixel response time making them both the most desirable options, and yes both technologies suffer from possible burn-in effect, meaning they are not well-suited for daily use as a PC monitor.

Also considering how long you used the plasma, you should aim for a TV that will be able to keep up with time, meaning it should be at least 4K and HDR (high dynamic range color reproduction).

The main isse we have here is your budget of 600 pounds which is not enough for an "equivalent" OLED TV.

What I mean by equivalent is that you should take into account the TV did work for 17 years, meaning it practically "paid for itself" as you did not buy another one for that long.

If I did convert the units properly, that is about 700-ish euros and it is hard to find a really good OLED TV that has good HDR1000 but considering Black Fridays Sales are just around the corner, this is what I would recommend:

• LG C1 (new flagship 2021 model) as your best option
• LG CX (2020 model) as I would imagine you will be able to find it on a heavy discount with November or holiday sales, and with a sale price it should fit your budget.

I want to make my case that you should not compromise on a lesser TV set as you will be using it at least 10 years or even more.

'Using a TV set 10 years or more'. Just had the bad news through from Sony uk area manager advising to get rid of my UHD TV after the 5 years warranty expires. Sony confirms they will not extend the warranty on my 4K XE95 and advise upgrading, due to better on-board tech every 5 or 6 years.

Domestic and General no longer warranty TV's. Some private insurers will insure a TV, but for the price of an extended 3 or 5 year warranty, is probably going be over half the price what I paid for it.

 

[Sloppy Bob]

You don't need to get rid of it when the warranty expires.

You get rid of it when the TV expires and it's out of warranty.

Little point in buying a new warranty on a 5-year-old TV.

 

[VAblklvs249]

You don't need to get rid of it when the warranty expires.

You get rid of it when the TV expires and it's out of warranty.

Little point in buying a new warranty on a 5-year-old TV.

Sure. Mains power adapter/box went pop into year 3 of warranty blowing the TV's motherboard! A very known fault with these XE95's apparently. Keeping the TV after warranty expiry is not a risk I'm willing to take. I am dissapointed the TV failed after 3 years. I'm selling it 2nd hand in a short while with few months warranty left to spare, hoping to get either a Samsung 55Q80T or similar. Panasonic was running the show some years back for best black levels and best picture. All the sale team's at Hughes and Curries constantly bragged about how fantastic Panasonic LCD TV's were. Panasonic? What happened?