Panny TH42PX60B upgrade options

[blert596]

Hi,

with a new living room planned it's time to finally upgrade my Panny TH42PX60B to a nice new shiny Full HD TV.

I don't really fancy the whole 3D thing wih all the problems and niggles that I've read about on here, so it purely 2D all the way for the next few years, as I've not realy bought into the 3D technology being completely ready yet.

I have about £1000 to £1300 to spend and thought things would be easy enough to choose. However reading through the many threads on here has me more confused than ever I'm afraid.

I know I definitely want to go to 50". I also know I've always been a plasma fan, but am realistic enough to know that maybe that was simply because I heralded it at the beginning. With the increases in all the technologies I believe any differences between them are now probably smaller than ever.

To be honest I don't fully understand all the tweaking to get the perfect picture as even on the blurays I've watched over the years I've found the picture quality to be superb on my existing Panny - just tweaking it for what I like the look of. So I really dont require every last pixel to be able to be manouvered. (Although the option would be good to have )

I think what I really want is a nice looking, thin, stylish 50" TV that will look good mounted on a wall, or maybe even a slimline stand. Ideally it will have great HD, and very good SD (the mrs prefers her soaps without having to look at every last follicle on Noriss' hed for some reason). Ideally feeview HD built in and in my wish list, the ability to play DivX/Avi from an SD card. I'm not really bothered about the whole internet malarky as its all a bit propriety for me.

Looking through the various threads I really like the Panny G20 but am slightly put off by it being classed by some as slightly industrial looking. Although the performance sounds great.

I had a look the other day for wireless HD TVs with the media senders, but for the life of me cant find anything on them again. I think one might have been a Samsung plasma (z series). This might also be an option for me to really get into. If anyone could point me in the rigt direction it would be appreciated.

Any recommendations for a nice looking full 1080p TV that I can watch some blurays on, watch good quality HD and SD, play some PS3 games (MW2 etc), and play HD camcorder clips (AVCHD), pictures and movies, from the card slot would be appreciated.

I'm not sold on whether its LED/LCD or Plasma.

I realise its a lot to ask for recommendations, but lately it seems that all the TVs seem "good" but all of them have various bugs to live with.

Any advice much appreciated.

Billy

PS: If I dont have to spend that much money for what I'm after then all the better.

 

[blert596]

Well guys, thanks for all the replies

After becoming even more confused I have just a couple of questions and hopefully you wont all get crushed in the stampede to answer

The 3 sets I seem to have narrowed things down to are:

Panny TX50V20B
Panny TX50G20B
LG 50PX990

Obviously the Pannys are 2D only and both seem excellent sets. The question I have between the Pannys is is paying the extra (£200-300) for the V20 really going to be noticeable in normal use for Blurays/SD/HD and bit of gaming, bearing in mind that this wont be used in a dedicated room just yet. (Extension has been put on hold for a year or so)

I'd never looked at the LGs before but the review it gets on here seems to be very good. And with the bonus addition of 3D, and it being available for under a grand, it seems like it would be a better all round TV for everyday use.

Considering the TV is used for CBeebies between 5 and 6, and then soaps for 7 to 9, then I SOMETIMES get to watch a movie or do a bit of PS3ing from about 10 onwards, I'm edging towards the LG although I feel a bit dirty as I've always had Panasonics.

Does anyone have the LG so they could give a quick overview of it, and if there's any real reason not to switch from Panasonic.

The only real niggle I have with the LG is that it seems to have a large lag tim (40ms) for gaming, but to tell the truth I've no idea what my current TH42PX60Bs lag time is. So if truth be known I probably wouldnt even notice.

Lastly, does anyone think these sets will be coming down in price, or some good deals on them nearer Xmas. I'm usually too impulsive when I decide (not always wisely) on somethingand just rush out and get it now now now.

Thanks for any help

Billy

 

[Eltee]

If you look hard enough you'll find issues with any panel you go for. I have a Panny HD-ready plasma at the moment and I'm looking at doing the same as you in the near future and going full-HD.

I have been looking (and going increasingly crosseyed ) comparing the Panny G and V models, albeit in 42" sizes. I reckon the V does seem to shade it on picture quality for me - and that's always my main priority, not all the extra features like wifi etc...

The blacks seem just a little bit better on the V imho.

I have managed to see the two side-by-side in a Panasonic Store running freeview and bluray feeds and that's what I have based my opinion on. Plus, the V looks a touch more exclusive than the G with the grey-ish casing.

Hope this helps.

 

[vickster]

Also, look at the LG PK 590/790/990 - under budget so could perhaps upgrade the sound system to get full benefit from the better sound on blu-ray

Loads of feedback on all in the plasma and LG forums

 

[McBruce]

it's time to finally upgrade my Panny TH42PX60B to a nice new shiny Full HD TV.

This is exactly what I am in the process of doing. I seem to have a very similar set up to you too, Onkyo 605, PS3 & Sky HD but with mordaunt shorts.

I decided on the LG 50PX990 in the end and it should be here on Wednesday, a little earlier than planned but the Robert Whyte deal was too good to resist

 

[blert596]

Does anyone know where the LG is stocked, and diplayed?

I was away for the weekend, but popped into Currys and Comet today to see if they had any in that I could physically have a look at and a play with. neither of them had any available.

Comet don't do the LG 50PX990, and Currys had the 60" version on their books at £2700 I think it was.

I want to order this soon, but am a bit wary until I've seen i in the flesh so to speak.

Ta

 

[Geoggy]

You need to read the thread about the LG mate - look in LG forum. I would stay away from that tv until LG sort the issues out

 

[Scooby2000]

V20 over G20? I was going to get the G20 but ended up with the V if you have the money its well worth it IMHO.

I'v had 2 buzzy V20s, that and some other niggles are making me think PK990. I'd get some much needed chash back and lose this buzz and have better SD with no 50hz probs. Will I miss the deeper blacks and better HD? ...yes I prob will, but in return I get some money, a 50'' set and better SD with no posterizing etc.

If you dont want 3D why get the PX990? Im tempted especially if I can get one for a k, but if not Id get the PK990 and save some dosh.

 

[blert596]

V20 over G20? I was going to get the G20 but ended up with the V if you have the money its well worth it IMHO.

I'v had 2 buzzy V20s, that and some other niggles are making me think PK990. I'd get some much needed chash back and lose this buzz and have better SD with no 50hz probs. Will I miss the deeper blacks and better HD? ...yes I prob will, but in return I get some money, a 50'' set and better SD with no posterizing etc.

If you dont want 3D why get the PX990? Im tempted especially if I can get one for a k, but if not Id get the PK990 and save some dosh.

Well I think your post just sums up where I am at the moment mate.

Honestly, I dont want to be paying an extra £2-300 for a V model, only to have issues with a buzzy set, or two buzzy sets - does the V series eliminate the 50Hz problem? -and all the hassle that comes with getting it delivered, set up, only to have to send it back again etc etc etc. As a contractor I cant be taking days/half days off without getting paid to deal with this sort of hassle. let alone having the Mrs kicking off about things. Slightly improved black levels really dont cut the 300 price rise.

I must admit to not looking at the PK, I'll investigate after this

I based my decision on the PX solely on the review on here - and the massive gain in VFM for a price of 1k. The 2D ratings were very good on here, as were the 3D (which I took as an added bonus) so I thought how much of a mistake could I make with it.

Then the thread about the light fluctuations, the bars, and the line bleed.

To tell the truth, following the thread has made me even more confused with comments that could be seen as a completely rubbish LG set, or just a faulty batch, or even the bars problem being due to the medium itself. Not being able to actually seem to be able to test the set anywhere doesnt help.

I cant afford to be paying 1000 - 1500 quid to pay for something that is going to be more hassle than its worth. For that money I expect to be able to take something home, connect it up, and have it do exactly what it says on the tin.

My current TV is over 5 years old now. And I've had no problems with it. No matter what I've connected it up to. Its been a really good telly.

5 years on, I expected to be able to make a simple upgrade.

Unfortunately not it would seem.

 

[alsina]

Well I think your post just sums up where I am at the moment mate.

Honestly, I dont want to be paying an extra £2-300 for a V model, only to have issues with a buzzy set, or two buzzy sets - does the V series eliminate the 50Hz problem? -and all the hassle that comes with getting it delivered, set up, only to have to send it back again etc etc etc. As a contractor I cant be taking days/half days off without getting paid to deal with this sort of hassle. let alone having the Mrs kicking off about things. Slightly improved black levels really dont cut the 300 price rise.

I must admit to not looking at the PK, I'll investigate after this

I based my decision on the PX solely on the review on here - and the massive gain in VFM for a price of 1k. The 2D ratings were very good on here, as were the 3D (which I took as an added bonus) so I thought how much of a mistake could I make with it.

Then the thread about the light fluctuations, the bars, and the line bleed.

To tell the truth, following the thread has made me even more confused with comments that could be seen as a completely rubbish LG set, or just a faulty batch, or even the bars problem being due to the medium itself. Not being able to actually seem to be able to test the set anywhere doesnt help.

I cant afford to be paying 1000 - 1500 quid to pay for something that is going to be more hassle than its worth. For that money I expect to be able to take something home, connect it up, and have it do exactly what it says on the tin.

My current TV is over 5 years old now. And I've had no problems with it. No matter what I've connected it up to. Its been a really good telly.

5 years on, I expected to be able to make a simple upgrade.

Unfortunately not it would seem.

The PX60 model had a number of picture 'faults' and therefore if you've not noticed these in the last 5 years, you're highly unlikely to notice many of the minor (in the grand scheme of things) tv faults reported on these forums.

 

[blert596]

The PX60 model had a number of picture 'faults' and therefore if you've not noticed these in the last 5 years, you're highly unlikely to notice many of the minor (in the grand scheme of things) tv faults reported on these forums.

The only one I've ever noticed, and thats certainly only been noticeable in the last year or so, is the purple snakes (Posturisation) issue. Even then its never been much of a problem, very rare, and always seems to be as if you think you've seen it and then its gone, You then spend 5 mins looking for it before forgetting about it again. I cant say its ever been a real problem of the set to me.

So maybe I should just buy one of these things knowing that basically they are flawed.

Maybe I wont notice the light fluctuations, the bleeding (judging by the photographs I'd surely notice that), or the fact that there are bars along the edge of the screen in 3D modes.

Or maybe I should just turn the volume up and ignore any buzzing sound on a Panny.

Maybe I'm wrong in expecting a TV these days to be able to do what it says it can without having to compromise.

Maybe if it wasnt for the internet then people like me would just live with these defects without ever noticing.

 

[TommyZ]

Go for the Samsung 50" C7000 plasma. It's a very thin plasma that is very, very cool to look at. It's the coolest looking TV I've seen. Plus the Samsung upscaling of SD TV is much better than Panasonic. It costs just over 1k.

I would love to have one if they made it in a 40" version but they don't, and the Mrs won't let me have a 50" TV...

 

[alsina]

Go for the Samsung 50" C7000 plasma. It's a very thin plasma that is very, very cool to look at. It's the coolest looking TV I've seen. Plus the Samsung upscaling of SD TV is much better than Panasonic. It costs just over 1k.

I would love to have one if they made it in a 40" version but they don't, and the Mrs won't let me have a 50" TV...

Another example of forums over-exaggerating differences and faults.