Scott Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 I've just been given the go-ahead by the bank manager to get a nice big(ish) flat-screen for the bedroom. I'm in a bit of a quandary over what TV to get given my budget (£500 max). Options that are available to me include.... 43" Samsung 3DTV - 600hz - 720P - £420 delivered - 1 year warranty - Freeview - 2 Pairs of Glasses & Megamind 3D Bluray 42" LG 3DTV - 600hz - 720P - £440 delivered - 5 year warranty - Freeview HD - NO 3D Glasses 42" Panasonic - 600hz - 1080p - £409 collected - 1 year warranty - Freeview HD 42" LG - 100hz - 1080p - £420 delivered - 1 year warranty - Freeview HD I can't find anything that "Has it all" so I'm wondering what is the most important features with the TVs now. I would like 3DTV, 1080p, 600hz and freeview HD but there doesn't seem to be any options around for my budget, not that I have exhausted the search. Will I even notice a difference between 720p and 1080p on a 42" screen? My head is telling me no but I would hate to be disappointed. What about 100hz vs 600hz? Is that just a selling feature that has no actual bearing on the framerate (a cheat) or is it legitimate for fast motion? What about the old Plasma vs LCD vs LED debate? At 42" does one have a benefit over the other? The TV is mainly going to be used for my PS3, Xbox and for watching TV/movies in bed. Having a 3D telly for this would probably be overkill but I didn't want to rule it out as it would be a nice thing to try out. Hellllpppppp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Plasma is better for the size of TV you want and LED TV's arn't that good yet. Your best bet is to go to somewhere like Curry's and look at the picture quality for yourself against other TV's. Your eyes will tell you more than any review you read on the internet. Last time I check Pioneer were the best in the business with Panasonic in 2nd but Pioneer will be way out of your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 I knew Plasma used to be the best regarding larger screens, I just wasn't sure if it was still the case as I'm guessing the game has moved on a lot since I was last looking. Pioneer will always be out of my budget unfortunately I think I have 2 good contenders. http://www.richersounds.com/product/3d-tv/panasonic/viera-txp42ut30/pana-txp42ut30b and http://www.richersounds.com/product/3d-tv/lg/50pw450t/lg-50pw450t The panasonic ticks every box but the LG is a 50" screen Only downfall with the LG is the fact that it's 720p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 I've recently done some research as I've not long bought a new TV. For 42", it has to be 1080p and Plasma is still best. Mine is the Panasonic GT30. I wouldn't be worried about getting an LG however. My last TV was an LG at 42" and it was brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 I've got an older Panasonic Viera 42" Plasma, got it from Richer Sounds about 4yrs ago and it's been superb. Great picture quality, knocks spots off anything friends and family have, wouldn't hesitate to get another when and if this one goes pop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 Yeah I've got one of the older 50" 1080p Panasonics and it has been absolutely fantastic for us. I think I'm sold as I just found that John Lewis are doing it for £499 with free 5 year warranty. Good enough for me Thanks for the input folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 I got the 5 year warranty direct from Panasonic when I got mine, they were doing a promotion at the time. You can't go wrong with that deal imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 I can get the TV a little bit cheaper elsewhere but paying £20 for 5 years piece of mind is worth it all day every day for me. It's just the icing on the cake! Will be ordering it as soon as the wages are in. Anyone used generic 3D glasses? I don't fancy paying £90 per pair when I can get non-panasonic ones for £40 per pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham S Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 If I remember correctly, I believe Panasonic bought out Pioneer and now use their (Pioneer) know how to make the best TV's. So a Panasonic is actually a Pioneer. Plasma is better for gaming as they generally have a much lower lag. As for the 100Hz-600Hz business, every review I read when I got mine basically said turn it off! They say it loses quality. Personally, I think the best thing is to go into a shop and look for yourself rather than go by other peoples views/reviews. Then by all means order online cheaper! But if your looking at TV's that large then you better make sure you've got a good signal quality as it'll be well blocky if your close to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st3ven1 Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Plasma is better for the size of TV you want and LED TV's arn't that good yet. Your best bet is to go to somewhere like Curry's and look at the picture quality for yourself against other TV's. Your eyes will tell you more than any review you read on the internet. Last time I check Pioneer were the best in the business with Panasonic in 2nd but Pioneer will be way out of your budget. Pioneer don't make tv's any more but Panasonic own all the rights to their "kuro" technology which they were renowned for. With out a shadow of a doubt, I'd go for Panasonic plasma every time. Edit: Too slow, Graham beat me to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 I'm glad I asked now, that's great to know. The pioneer Kuro screens were sublime. I used to drool over them in comet lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 If I remember correctly, I believe Panasonic bought out Pioneer and now use their (Pioneer) know how to make the best TV's. So a Panasonic is actually a Pioneer. Plasma is better for gaming as they generally have a much lower lag. As for the 100Hz-600Hz business, every review I read when I got mine basically said turn it off! They say it loses quality. Personally, I think the best thing is to go into a shop and look for yourself rather than go by other peoples views/reviews. Then by all means order online cheaper! But if your looking at TV's that large then you better make sure you've got a good signal quality as it'll be well blocky if your close to it. I didn't know that !! Yes the Kuro technology was brilliant and when looking at the pioneers in shops they blew every other tv on show out of the water. Miles ahead of the competition, I got my Panasonic 42" plasma from John Lewis with free 5 Year extended warranty and it has never missed a beat. My friends always comment on how brilliant it is compared to theirs, I would definitely buy Panasonic again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONKEYmark Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 sister has the 60" pioneer and the 50" pioneer too the kuro was a reference tv of the day but software is a bit slow.i bought a 50" lg chuffed with it for the money £799 with free picture frame.love mine can plug in external hd with films and music and pictures and it plays off hard drive also has ThX for engineer to come set it up for you. brother in law just bought a 55" samsung 3d led for £1800 the ps3 and new motorstorm game in 3d is amazing.been watching some 3d demos in comet yesterday come on loads.i was going to buy the panasonic 50" the pic did look amazing.dad has a led samsung and it is very clear but done seem to be smooth frame rate against plasma.also some budget tvs wont have net on them for playing you tube and facebook and bbc i player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 50" Panasonic plasma here. Forget LCD/LED screens, they're just not as good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Looked for any 21:9 (dubbed "cinema-wide") aspect TVs? It's the format of the future imho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I can get the TV a little bit cheaper elsewhere but paying £20 for 5 years piece of mind is worth it all day every day for me. It's just the icing on the cake! What a downright waste of money. EU sale of goods act is all you need. Hell, keep the receipt and I'll warrant it for 5 years for £10 and act as the broker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 What a downright waste of money. EU sale of goods act is all you need. Hell, keep the receipt and I'll warrant it for 5 years for £10 and act as the broker In all honesty I'm with you, I just can't be bothered with the hassle for the sake of £20 not to mention buying from somewhere like John Lewis who I can actually go in and talk to lol. I'm not really paying for the warranty, I'm just paying an inflated price for the prodcut to get it from a shop rather than a potentially folding, unheard of internet based company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 What a downright waste of money. EU sale of goods act is all you need. Hell, keep the receipt and I'll warrant it for 5 years for £10 and act as the broker You're in! For some reason John Lewis aren't listing it anymore so I ended up getting it from Dixons. Only 1 year from those guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.