Shortlist of new LCD TV's

[Faythur]

Panasonic TX32LXD60

Samsung LE32R74BD

JVC LT32DX7

Having a look around to try and decide on one of the above TV's [might be a 26" version - not sure yet] Picture quality is most important - all aspects - DVD playing, freeview, HDTV etc. Will also be connected to a Media centre PC [well, probably].

I'm leaning towards the Panny [fanboy here :D ] but also reading good things about the JVC. The Samsung seems very popular [price? :shrug: ] but an odd negative comment.

What to go for? Any recommendations from any owners here?

Thanks.

[RichB]

I think the panny you mention is the one I seen in tescos, it's the 26 inch version and it does look sweet, loadsa connections too, but no pc imput

[Ono]

Samsung LE32R74BD

I've got the 40 inch variant of this. Absolutely stonking LCD IMHO.

[Maffy]

I have the 26" of the JVC. Cracking set with a great picture from bog standard freeview, and fantastic from Sky digital. My PC looked stunning through the VGA port at a res of 1360x768.
Two HDMI inputs is good to have too. Most pleased with mine.

[Faythur]

Hmmm.Panny has no PC input :thinking:

Just read a review in T3 which gave the JVC top ranking.

Any more advice?

Looks like it's now between the Samsung and JVC although the Samsung is a bit cheaper. T3 thought it {sammy] looked the best but didn't perform as well as expected. The JVC was a good all rounder.

[Faythur]

Bought a plasma in the end :D

Panny TH37PX60 - and got a good local deal as it turns out that most online suppliers won't ship sets over 26" to NI :oh-hum:

[hallanthony]

Don't forget the Toshiba 32WLT66, similar price to those you mention, great TV (still waiting on my finances to buy mine though :()

I would take a look over at the AVForums (http://www.avforums.com/) for a better idea of what's good in LCDs (almost too much info over there sometimes)

[applebwl]

Fayther

What made you go for the plasma instead of LCD ?, looking at the same LCD models myself (like the JVC) but not adverse to plasma.

Also is there a cooling fan/noise in the Panny plasma?

[splobber]

The fan is not too noticeable, but given that a decent plasma screen will outperform pretty much any LCD on the market it is a better option

[Geoggy]

was up for a px60 myself but as i'll be using a 360 on it i dont want image retention which several people have reported over at av forums

[splobber]

I have a PW6 and have left the XBox as well as a DVD menu screen on static all night long and have never had this problem. I've occasionally seen an imprint on the screen but it soon disappears minutes after using it again and is totally clean as a whistle. AFAIK, Pioneers are the ones that can give a bigger problem.

Given that it is an older generation screen I can only assume the newer ones are as good, if not better.

LCD may be the more emerging technology but it doesn't necessarily make it a better choice. In fact I have seen a few LCD's with terrible retention, although that was a year or two ago.

[Geoggy]

when is your new beast arriving splobs? wouldn't mind hearing what the 360 looks like on it??

[splobber]

Wednesday, although I don't have a 360 nor do I intend to get one.

[Geoggy]

how selfish.

[splobber]

I know, terrible isn;t it. :D

The XBox is really for my boy, although I do play the odd game or two.

I've often thought about getting one, but have played my mates 360 on numerous occasions and get bored after 10 minutes.

[applebwl]

Splobber

Thanks for the info

So plasma wise, is the PX60 the one to go for currently ?? ( dont want to go higher than 37")

[Faythur]

Fayther

What made you go for the plasma instead of LCD ?, looking at the same LCD models myself (like the JVC) but not adverse to plasma.

Also is there a cooling fan/noise in the Panny plasma?

When we first looked, we thought that LCD's were generally cheaper, but found that a plasma could be had for the same sort of money. Did a bit more research re the pros and cons of the two systems to discover that:

Plasma pros
Better contrast rendition, richer and deeper dark areas and more film like
Slightly better [wider] viewing angle
Colours tend to look more natural
Motion looks sharp and generally clean

LCD pros
No screenburn
Pictures tend to be brighter
HD pictures tend to look sharper
Easier to get a higher pixel count than plasmas

Plasma cons
Susceptible to screenburn
HD pictures tend to look not quite as sharp as LCD
Difficult [expensive] to make large pixel resolutions
Poor quality plasmas can end up with a 'stripey' effect with colour blending

LCD cons
Moving objects on weaker LCDs can look blurred
Colours tend to be quite false looking
Decent contrast is difficult to achieve
Lots of picture quality lost if viewed from a wideish angle
Screen size limited compared to plasma

What Plasma and LCD TV magazine did a comparison between the two technologies and awarded each a score out of 10 for different aspects.

They considered that the plasma had the edge over everything except sharpness and detail with HD and brightness levels. Motion handling, Colour, black levels and viewing angles were all considered better with plasmas.

The particular set we got [Panny PX60] has had practically universal favourable reviews unlike almost every LCD we looked at. Overall I think it gives a very good PQ and any HD [via a PC] has looked just fine to me :) Differences may be more glaring were the two technologies to be run side by side. Our biggest worry is screenburn but it is comforting to read what Splobber has said on this front.

Most LCD's reviews were great with a decent [digital] source but fell badly with analogue signals. Again the Panny is a great all rounder and much more natural to watch. Also has two HDMI sockets as a bonus.

Yes there is a very slight amount of fan noise, but you won't notice it at all with normal listening levels. Highly recommended :thumbs:

[Faythur]

So plasma wise, is the PX60 the one to go for currently ?? ( dont want to go higher than 37")

Again from the magazine, they listed current top 10 HD ready 'World Cup' TVs and the Panny [42" listed by them at £2.2K BTW :eek: ] was top of the pile. By contrast their 32" LCD [Panny] was in at number 10.

[applebwl]

Thanks Faythur, really detailed reply ;)

Will look at the Panny PX60 this week, most viewing by the family is normal analogue or freeview so it seems plasma would be best.

Changing from a Panasonic PD50 Acuity CRT and am getting worried as the LCD's I have looked at have not really impressed

Hows the Dell PC Monitor BTW ?

[JohnMac]

I'm expecting my Panasonic TH-42PX60 to arrive on Wednesday. I don't have Sky HD (just Sky+) but I'm looking forward to connecting my XB360 to it.

[Faythur]

I use a Panny 36PL10 CRT in our lounge and to me the picture is still as good as it was when I bought it when they first came out - 5+ years ago :thinking:

The new plasma is actually my son's and he has it up in his bedroom, so can't really compare what it might be like in a lounge situation, but would suspect it would be very good from a greater viewing distance.

I too have never been impressed by LCD's when you look at them closely - they all have too much smearing on moving images to my mind. However my son had read good things about the LCD models I initially mentioned and I thought maybe the game had moved on a fair bit.

Had only actually viewed a Samsung by the time the quest switched to the plasma, but again it didn't really hold up to close scrutiny IMO. I am still of the opinion that a CRT will still offer the best PQ, but then my own set won't do either HD or even PS for that matter.

Personally I will be holding out for SED technology to replace the PL10 - first sets are expected on the market some time next year. There is [will be] no HD source in this house anyway apart from a PC so am quite happy to soldier on with my CRT.

The Dell TFT I bought from you is actually just a 'spare' as I am currently using a 2001FP which is excellent :thumbs: I might yet package the 17" with one of the spare 5 PC's I have lying around as the wife is getting a bit peeved with my amount of 'clutter' :D No one seems to want a PC with a CRT monitor [I have 4 of them] these days :brickwall

[akira9000]

Don't forget the Toshiba 32WLT66, similar price to those you mention, great TV (still waiting on my finances to buy mine though :()

I would take a look over at the AVForums (http://www.avforums.com/) for a better idea of what's good in LCDs (almost too much info over there sometimes)


we got the 37inch version of this and its a stunner :thumbs:

[Faythur]

A fair amount of new technology in these latest Panny generation 9 plasma panels. Have a look at their 2006 catalogue for some fairly good explanations http://www.panasonic.it/_ftp/catalogs/VIERActlg_EU_06.pdf [italian website but in english OK]