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40" Samsung Series 8 LED vs 42" Panasonic G10
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Comet Response
11-12-2009
Hi Smellysnelly

My name's Phil and I'm from Comet.

Firstly, please let me say how sorry I am that you were unable to speak to a sales colleague in your local store in regards to the two televisions.

In regards to the two televisions, both are excellent models for watching sport and movies on, and they have been reviewed favourably both by our customers on our website and also in independent reviews.

The Panasonic has been described as having "radiant and detailed images" and a "strong level of detail even in dark scenes," while the Samsung has "detailed and punchy pictures from all sources" and "very deep blacks."

The Panasonic has an integrated Freesat HD tuner as well as a Freeview tuner giving you easy access to plenty of free programming via a satellite dish and your rooftop aerial.

The Samsung has DLNA technology allowing you to stream media from your PC or laptop wirelessly, and it also has the stunning design of the new Samsung LED backlit TVs.

If you can live without the DLNA technology and super-slim design of the Samsung, I would recommend that you go for the Panasonic and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

If you would like to go back to the store to view both TVs, please click on the link below to send me an e-mail and I will discuss arranging a demonstration for you:-

https://comet.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/c...nduser/ask.php

You will need to register a few details with us to be able to send your e-mail.

Thanks
Phil
smellysnelly
11-12-2009
Thanks for the replies everyone.

I've had a change of heart and am 90% certain that I'll get the G10

I was looking at our current TV closely (Sony KDL32W4000) and it seems pretty bright in our generally dark room, but not too bright.

The LED screen pops out as bright even in the highly lit shop so it would look like a beacon in here!!

Also, the more I look at the depth and subtlety of the G10, the more I like it.

Thanks again
smellysnelly
11-12-2009
Ok, just to throw a spanner in the works.....

How about the G10 vs Pioneer Kuro pdp4280xd

Everything I read about the Kuro's seems positive but the resolution isn't 1080p - is this a concern?

I know the Kuro is more money but is it worth it???

I don't think any of the local shops stock them but I shall check so I can go and look for myself

Until then, does anyone have any thoughts?
smellysnelly
11-12-2009
Disregard the Kuro comments

It is pretty difficult to get hold of the 4280 new now so I'll have no chance of seeing it before and don't fancy paying over a grand for a TV I can't look at - no matter how good the reviews are
paulr2006
12-12-2009
With your budget you could in fact run to a 42" V10 (I have the 50" Version) this set is a significant improvement over the G10 due to it's THX mode (& better styling IMO) THX mode gives you out of the box spot on colour, Greyscale & Gamma at 2.2
It's like taking a G10 & having it professionally calibrated, it really gives a superb accurate image from all sources.
Review Here
meltcity
12-12-2009
The thing that annoys me about Panasonic TVs is the poor quality of their video processing. Upscaling is soft, and not even the high-end V10 has film cadence detection, which leads to jaggies with film content from an interlaced source.

I wouldn't say this is a good enough reason not to buy the G10 or V10, but other manufacturers offer better video processing.
conchie
12-12-2009
I recently got a new Samsung 40 inch HD tv... and while the picture is great.... the sound is very iffy. You have to have the sound level up at what should be a deafening level, to get normal sound, and you end up with that white noise hiss effect in the background simply because the sound level is up so high. Its also far worse when looking at a DVD. Seriously thinking of bringing it back.
paulr2006
12-12-2009
Originally Posted by conchie:
“I recently got a new Samsung 40 inch HD tv... and while the picture is great.... the sound is very iffy. You have to have the sound level up at what should be a deafening level, to get normal sound, and you end up with that white noise hiss effect in the background simply because the sound level is up so high. Its also far worse when looking at a DVD. Seriously thinking of bringing it back.”

It's down to the very slim chassis I'm afraid, the speakers are minute & therefore cause the problem Some Panel manufacturers take the view that since most people will be using HT equipment they can get away with it.
-GONZO-
12-12-2009
Originally Posted by conchie:
“I recently got a new Samsung 40 inch HD tv... and while the picture is great.... the sound is very iffy. You have to have the sound level up at what should be a deafening level, to get normal sound, and you end up with that white noise hiss effect in the background simply because the sound level is up so high. Its also far worse when looking at a DVD. Seriously thinking of bringing it back.”

I dont find any issues with the sound and find that anything above 15 on the volume control is too loud for my 40"LED and have never noticed any hissing as I never find the need to have the volume at such a high level.
Mine is hung on the wall so whether that improves things due to the sound bouncing of the wall I couldnt say for sure, but I deffinately dont have any sound issues through the speakers.
smellysnelly
12-12-2009
Thanks for the advice paulr - I'll try and find a store that stocks the V10 so I can go and have a look.

It sounds good but I'd like to see it in action first
DRAGON LANCE
12-12-2009
I think these Samsung LED sets are the most overrated pieces of dung out there. Quite why so many Hi-Fi mags have raved over them is utterly beyond me. The picture quality is no better than Samsungs standard LCD modals, indeed by all accounts its worse-chiefly side light bleed being a problem, processing effects that actually make the picture worse and can only be turned off by using the sets game mode. Also, just incase you are into gaming they suffer from huge amounts of input lag 50ms+ in game mode and 100ms+ without. Just to get across how bad that is anything over 30ms is noticeable. The Panna G10 (in contrast) only has an input lag of 2ms!

Ignore all Samsungs claims about contrast ratio’s (or Panasonics for that matter) all these 2,3,4 million to 1 claims are total nonsense. The 2 years old 8th gen 42inch Pioneer mentioned on a earlier post on here has a higher contrast than either of these models and yet Pioneer only quoted their contrast at 16,000 to 1-which shows how realistic these million+contrast ratio claims are. Perhaps Pioneer would still be in the TV business if they lied like their competitors did?

The only advantage with these LED sets is that they use less electricity and are really thin-but is that going to make a difference when your sat back watching the thing?
frasera
12-12-2009
not to mention contrast ratios for lcds are only for direct straight ahead viewing, theres a rapid drop off at any angle.
smellysnelly
13-12-2009
Ok people, my final question,

In another thread Paulr linked to an offer from John Lewis where you pay £699 for a G10 and get a free Blu Ray player.

The best price I've found for a V10 is £980.

In your opinions, is it worth paying £280 extra (minus free BD player) to get the V10?

Thanks again
paulr2006
13-12-2009
Originally Posted by smellysnelly:
“Ok people, my final question,

In another thread Paulr linked to an offer from John Lewis where you pay £699 for a G10 and get a free Blu Ray player.

The best price I've found for a V10 is £980.

In your opinions, is it worth paying £280 extra (minus free BD player) to get the V10?

Thanks again”

I know I'm biased as I bought a V10 BUT it was after a couple of months extensive research & extensive testing/Demos, including going to one guys home & viewing various BD test discs I had. The answer was clear cut; even discounting the THX mode (which is the biggest plus) there is IMO a difference albeit subtle in PQ between the G10/V10.
Then when it comes to THX it is night & day. It's the equivalent of getting a G10 professionally calibrated & at a similar cost. Add to that the much improved design ;one sheet of glass & slimmer chassis plus the viera cast & networking ability. On the other hand the G10 is a good set & of course you do not have to get it calibrated (if you don't want the best out of it) so you can save the money & get a free BD player.

What would I do? well the G10 offer is exceptionally good & would certainly tempt me but I'm a sucker for the best PQ possible so I would buy the V10. But to be honest whichever route you take I think you will be happy
paulr2006
13-12-2009
Originally Posted by DRAGON LANCE:
“I think these Samsung LED sets are the most overrated pieces of dung out there. Quite why so many Hi-Fi mags have raved over them is utterly beyond me. The picture quality is no better than Samsungs standard LCD modals, indeed by all accounts its worse-chiefly side light bleed being a problem, processing effects that actually make the picture worse and can only be turned off by using the sets game mode. Also, just incase you are into gaming they suffer from huge amounts of input lag 50ms+ in game mode and 100ms+ without. Just to get across how bad that is anything over 30ms is noticeable. The Panna G10 (in contrast) only has an input lag of 2ms!

Ignore all Samsungs claims about contrast ratio’s (or Panasonics for that matter) all these 2,3,4 million to 1 claims are total nonsense. The 2 years old 8th gen 42inch Pioneer mentioned on a earlier post on here has a higher contrast than either of these models and yet Pioneer only quoted their contrast at 16,000 to 1-which shows how realistic these million+contrast ratio claims are. Perhaps Pioneer would still be in the TV business if they lied like their competitors did?

The only advantage with these LED sets is that they use less electricity and are really thin-but is that going to make a difference when your sat back watching the thing?”

Whilst I agree with about 90% of what you are saying the contrast ratio does influence things, Panasonic have had to jump on the Dynamic contrast bandwaggon to compete with other manufacturers claims, of course the 2,000000:1 Dynamic contrast Panasonic claim has no real meaning but the actual Contrast Ratio for the Neo PDP Panels of 40,000:1 does mean something
paulr2006
13-12-2009
Originally Posted by meltcity:
“The thing that annoys me about Panasonic TVs is the poor quality of their video processing. Upscaling is soft, and not even the high-end V10 has film cadence detection, which leads to jaggies with film content from an interlaced source.

I wouldn't say this is a good enough reason not to buy the G10 or V10, but other manufacturers offer better video processing.”

Agreed in principal, however in real life it's not an issue as more often than not the upscaling is done via external sources perhaps this is why Panasonic don't pay any real attention to it, lets face it if they wanted to it would not be too difficult for them.
I have done numerous tests using my Onkyo 875 Reon HQV processor which is held in high regard but frankly the difference is very slight indeed from that of the inbuilt Freesat tuner. The V10 has been reviewed by several sources as HD panel of the year so the issue can't be seen as a major one
dazpot
14-12-2009
I have just paid £1000 for a samsung LED tv and its amazing the sound qualily and picture is amazing even in SD so well worth the money.

Daz
Nigel Goodwin
14-12-2009
Originally Posted by paulr2006:
“Agreed in principal, however in real life it's not an issue as more often than not the upscaling is done via external sources perhaps this is why Panasonic don't pay any real attention to it, lets face it if they wanted to it would not be too difficult for them.”

It's not a question of 'difficulty' it's a question of 'expense' - good scalers cost money, and is generally the price difference between a cheap set and an expensive one.

Spending hundreds of pounds on an external scaler is hardly practical, and most external devices with scalers in-built aren't very good anyway.
paulr2006
14-12-2009
Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin:
“It's not a question of 'difficulty' it's a question of 'expense' - good scalers cost money, and is generally the price difference between a cheap set and an expensive one.

Spending hundreds of pounds on an external scaler is hardly practical, and most external devices with scalers in-built aren't very good anyway.”

Sorry can't agree with that; good scaling chips are really not that expensive these days.
Nigel Goodwin
15-12-2009
Originally Posted by paulr2006:
“Sorry can't agree with that; good scaling chips are really not that expensive these days.”

So why don't Panasonic use one then?.
paulr2006
15-12-2009
Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin:
“So why don't Panasonic use one then?.”

for the reason already posted
That said I do believe they should for those who just want to view via the inbuilt Freeview tuner which does have a very soft appearance, luckily I never use it, in fact I have not used an inbuilt tuner for around ten years now.
smellysnelly
15-12-2009
After much agonising, and then a brief flirtation with SONY Z5500, I am going to get a V10 in the New Year.

I have also just got speakers 6 and 7 to finish off the 7.1 set up.

Now just need a good 7.1 Blu Ray to enjoy it all together.....
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