Need to decide on new TV. - UPDATE

horace_2

Is this of any use?

<LI id=menu11 class=active>[URL="javascript:;"]Description [/URL]

• Full HD 1920 x 1080p for stunning high definition picture quality at a fantastic price!
• With a built-in DVB-T (MPEG4) tuner to receive digital free-to-air television channels
• 4 HDMI connections with HDCP decoding for high-quality digital video and audio signal playback
• Plus a HDMI/VGA input for connecting to your PC to use as a monitor (requires VGA cable, not included)
• 2 USB 2.0 ports for accessing MP3 and JPG format files
• With CI+ slot for recording Pay TV modules
• Wall-mountable with removable base (bracket not included)
• Includes remote control with batteries
• Screen:
  - Screen size approx. (cm): 80
  - Resolution (pixels): 1920 x 1080
  - Aspect ratio: 16.9
  - Contrast: 1400:1
  - Brightness: 450cd/m²
  - Viewing angle: H178°, V178°
  - Reaction time (ms): 8
• Tuner:
  - PAL/SECAM/DVB-T (MPEG4)
• Inputs/Connections:
  - 4 x HDMI
  - 2 x SCART
  - 1 x VGA (PC input)
  - Audio (PC input)
  - Aerial input
  - AV (RCA)
  - Composite Video (RCA)
  - 1 x CI slot
  - 2 x USB 2.0
  - 1 x Headphone (mm): 3.5
• Sound:
  - 2 x 8W RMS speakers (Dual Stereo/Nicam)
• Functions:
  - EPG (Electronic Programme Guide)
  - 200 analogue and 800 digital channel memory
  - Teletext with 1000-page memory
  - Parental lock
  - Sleep timer
• Weight approx. (kg): 11.9
• Size approx. (cm): 57 x 78 x 19
• 3 year manufacturer’s

available on thursday from L**D £249 I think or £299?

h

Andrew1472

spud17 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

UPDATE: The Panny plasma has 100Hz Double Scan, does that mean less blurring with fast moving images?

The Sony you are looking at is only 50 Hz so it will probably blur a bit. Whether you notice it is another question, but the plasma will almost certainly handle motion better. The plasma also has a much better viewing angle, the Sony will look washed out if you are sitting at an angle to it.

The Sony will look better in bright lighting than the plasma.

I think, if you can control the amount of light in the room, that the Panasonic may be the best bet having given it some thought. Being an entry level model the Sony has had the best bit (motionflow which works really well at reducing blur and judder) stripped out of it. Plasmas, on the other hand, don't need that technology to handle motion well.

Try and look at both before you buy though.

spud17

Well, after work I had another look around some of the local stores, it was much quieter than at the weekend.

This is the first time I've had to properly look at TVs in store, rather than being aware of them, whilst doing something else.

I was really disappointed with the Panny plasma TXP37X20, I couldn't get over the reflection on the screen. OK it's a brightly lit showroom, but once noticed all I could see were the various reflections.

Also, I've decided that 37" is too big.

Whilst in Comet I noticed they have the Panasonic TXL32S20B (Full Freeview HD, sale price £408) next to the TXL32X20, nothing much between them for SD, but when the former was switched to Freeview HD, the picture was pretty damn good, I was well impressed, even at around 8ft.

So final decision is either, both Freeview HD.

1.Panasonic TXL32S20 as suggested by debitcardmayhem, post #7, £408.50 in Comet sal, possibly a bit lacking in future proofing re. no usb and poor internet connectivity.

2. Sony KDL32EX403 £329 from Play.com

Getting there.

Sorry Andrew, you posted whilst I was composing my post.

ukcarper

The panasonic txl3s20 is £429.95p with 5 year guarantee at John Lewis.

Andrew1472

I haven't seen it in the flesh, but a review of the 37" Panasonic S20 is here http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panasonic-tx-l37s20-tx-l37s20b-20100407221.htm
and the Sony here http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/sony-kdl32ex403-kdl32ex403u-20100418346.htm

Hope that helps.

debitcardmayhem

Hello youngish spud ,

So final decision is either, both Freeview HD.

1.Panasonic TXL32S20 as suggested by debitcardmayhem, post #7, £408.50 in Comet sal, possibly a bit lacking in future proofing re. no usb and poor internet connectivity.

2. Sony KDL32EX403 £329 from Play.com

Getting there.

The Panny is now 400.48 at Amazon according to my email today,
however why need USB ? I have a Humax freesat which uses USB and yes it's OK but better with ext3fs on the USB cos of fat vs NTFS vs Extx is no contest if the tv has USB does it use FAT/NTFS/Ext3 and what formats for media ....). I would personally would go for the one that Has internet connectivity over all others , and when you say poor ?why? DLNA (or is it DVLA??? ) there are more options with an internet (not the web per se) connection, eg my Hummy now has Samba and FTP and Telnet and Twonky on it so I can put my own Pictures/MP3's and Videos on it . If the TV has a DLNA client then you can cobble together something with help from here or from other forums(spit spit) .

Time for a nurse again rambling anyhow good luck Debit

spud17

Well, finally got a Sony 32EX403, currently playing with the settings and just about there.:)

I had to go over my self imposed budget.

I'd seen the TV in the local independent Sony dealers for £479(?), when originally looking around.

The Play.com deal looked good at £329, so I ordered one. I checked the order after a couple of days, it showed as 'order being processed'.

It still showed the same after 2 more days, and the advertised price was now £349.
2 days later the price was £399 on the site and my order status was 'awaiting stock'. I emailed, asking if they were getting any more?
They replied that they had only ever had limited stock and wouldn't be getting any more.

I've since found that Play.com often do this sort of thing.

I contacted a couple of other suppliers, but couldn't find any I recognised below £399, others will probably be able to find a better price.

I went back to the Sony dealer to see what they were expecting in March, when the new models are due. After a pleasant chat, they had one 32Ex403 left (showed me the screen) for £407 but that also includes a 5 year Sony warranty.

By now, I was fed up looking, so bought it there and then.

It was assembled and up and running within 30 mins.

Bearing in mind this is my first non crt TV, the settings are a learning curve. Things much improved after turning off the 'ambient light' sensor.
The default settings were then pretty good, then tweaked a bit more with some settings found on avforums.

For the record, I've got 107 channels, with a signal strength of 95% and quality of 100%.

All on an inherited loft aerial, from the Stockland Hill transmitter, 15 miles away. This seems a more consistent signal for some reason than the local relay (600m) which apparently doesn't transmit the HD channels.

Thanks for the various replies.

Just to add, the 37" would have been too imposing for the room, at least for me.

Hammyman

Andrew1472 wrote: »

Sorry, posted my reply before your edit.
No. It's the other way round. Plasmas wash out. It sounds like the Sony is the one for you.
It's a very good TV for that money.

As much as I'm pro-Plasma to the point of being a complete fanboy, they do suffer from reflections from bright light sources and you don't get true blacks in daylight if the light source shinesd directly on the screen. Its not to the point it is unwatchable but its definitely there. The more expensive panels (Panasonics NeoDPD) do deal with it better than the budget ones.

spud17

@Hammyman

I did find the plasma too reflective, part personal taste as well I suspect, the sun is streaming in here at the moment and you'd have to draw the curtains to watch even the lcd, so basic plasma would almost certainly be a no-no.