Buying a plasma TV

Chorlton Fisher · 23-09-2004, 16:33

I'm thinking of taking the plunge from CRT to Plasma, should I wait?

Empire Direct have the Panasonic TH37PE30B 37inch Plasma TV with integrated Freeview and speakers for £1999. No nice stand though (add £400).

Does anyone out there in DS land have experience of this model, would you recommend it?

DemonLemon · 24-09-2004, 01:51

You should try viewing that screen in a darkened room. You may find the blacks are not black under those circumstances. You would never see that if you viewed it in your local Comet.

It's not the best plasma you can get, Nowhere near. Last time I was at Heathrow, I seem to remember they used that very model to show arrival information. It's fine for well-lit areas like that.

Jarrak · 24-09-2004, 06:45

Interesting, I would rate the Panasonic 6 series (852*480 res) to be certainly in the top 2 at that price range, which do you consider to be better for domestic use?

Jarrak · 24-09-2004, 06:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chorlton Fisher

Does anyone out there in DS land have experience of this model, would you recommend it?

Pop over to the Plasma Forum at HCC magazine, plenty of advice including some retailers.

Dan27 · 24-09-2004, 09:07

The brand new Pioneer HDTV ready Plasmas look *amazing*

flagpole · 24-09-2004, 10:54

I have one of these, love it.

I baught it about 6 months ago, it was a bit more then too. I got it from unbeatable.co.uk

The stand, are you perchance talking about the TYSTLOCAL1????

They were like gold dust when i got mine. and all the online retailers said they had them but didn't. they aren't officially imported.

I trawled london looking for them, a shop on tottenham court rd would sell me on for £600, i found a shop that had 12 of them and the were only stored on their stock computer by the part number but without a description so they didn't knkow they had them. i paid £250. interested where????

WRT blacks, the contrast ratio is 4000:1, which is also great. anyone who tells you otherwise lies.

DemonLemon · 24-09-2004, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by flagpole

WRT blacks, the contrast ratio is 4000:1, which is also great. anyone who tells you otherwise lies.

Well, I am not telling lies, and I object to the tone of your comment. I am trying to help Chorlton Fisher to test the television under the viewing conditions he will have when he gets it home. Contrast ratio can be measured in at least two ways. That's one of the reasons that manufacturer's specs differ by such a large factor. It's very much a marketing tool. If you are happy with the dynamic range of your screen, then fine. I would advise Chorton Fisher to test the screen in a darkened room. Especially since he's spending £2,000 of his money. He should also make a comparison with a CRT television in that same darkened room. I'm not saying he won't be happy with the plasma, but viewing it in a well-lit box-shifting retail outlet isn't going to show up any potential problems.

flagpole · 24-09-2004, 12:11

Honestly DemonLemon i'm not so fussed how you feel about my tone. If you read my whole post and find it anything more than light hearted then you are mistaken.

Do you know that that model adjust the overall gain and therefor black level to compensate for ambient light levels.

Further, the ones in shops and airports are not properly runin and therefor have image burn in.

DemonLemon · 24-09-2004, 13:08

I didn't point to any fault with those plasma screens at Heathrow. I pointed out that any issues regarding picture quality in a dark room would not show itself in a brightly-lit airport. We have a Panasonic 37in plasma in our house, but it is not our main television. I'm not sure if it is exactly the same model number. Most people agree that our Sony 32in and 28in CRTs are far superior. But I don't want to tell Chorlton Fisher NOT to buy a Panasonic plasma, because only he can say what is best for him. But I am advising caution and to check the screen under circumstances that we think are not its best. i.e. a darkened room.

Xstyle · 24-09-2004, 14:03

If you're gonna buy a plasma, I think u should buy the best there is... imho;
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...onomy_id=62-63

I have. Not even released yet... out in a month.
I can't wait!!!

Jarrak · 24-09-2004, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xstyle

If you're gonna buy a plasma, I think u should buy the best there is... imho;
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...onomy_id=62-63

I have. Not even released yet... out in a month.
I can't wait!!!

Yeah the new Pioneer models are impressive but then again the Pana series 7 are just around the corner as well and the current generation panels were pretty darn close and the choice coming down to colour v contrast.

As DemonLemon says a Plasma or LCD for that matter should be demonstrated in an enviroment close to your own home, a dedicated AV dealer is the best place. It may cost more but you will get better service and after sales or could just exploit him then go to the locasl box shifting store to buy.

Xstyle · 24-09-2004, 16:38

Pioneer PDP-435XDE
will be around £4500 in shops...
Get it for £1000 less here:
http://www.homecinemaheaven.com/prod...sma/435xde.htm

BARGAIN!

p.s. and its THE best!

DemonLemon · 24-09-2004, 17:14

http://www.askdirect.co.uk/search/Pi...PDP435XDE.html

Pioneer PDP-435XDE £3599.00 inclusive of VAT.

That seems to be around the price most internet sites are selling it for.

23-09-2004, 16:33	#1
Chorlton Fisher Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Posts: 3,104	Buying a plasma TV I'm thinking of taking the plunge from CRT to Plasma, should I wait? Empire Direct have the Panasonic TH37PE30B 37inch Plasma TV with integrated Freeview and speakers for £1999. No nice stand though (add £400). Does anyone out there in DS land have experience of this model, would you recommend it?

24-09-2004, 01:51	#2
DemonLemon Banned User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 870	You should try viewing that screen in a darkened room. You may find the blacks are not black under those circumstances. You would never see that if you viewed it in your local Comet. It's not the best plasma you can get, Nowhere near. Last time I was at Heathrow, I seem to remember they used that very model to show arrival information. It's fine for well-lit areas like that.

24-09-2004, 06:45	#3
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Interesting, I would rate the Panasonic 6 series (852*480 res) to be certainly in the top 2 at that price range, which do you consider to be better for domestic use?

24-09-2004, 06:46	#4
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by Chorlton Fisher Does anyone out there in DS land have experience of this model, would you recommend it? Pop over to the Plasma Forum at HCC magazine, plenty of advice including some retailers.

24-09-2004, 09:07	#5
Dan27 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: By The Sea Posts: 9,574	The brand new Pioneer HDTV ready Plasmas look amazing

24-09-2004, 10:54	#6
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	I have one of these, love it. I baught it about 6 months ago, it was a bit more then too. I got it from unbeatable.co.uk The stand, are you perchance talking about the TYSTLOCAL1???? They were like gold dust when i got mine. and all the online retailers said they had them but didn't. they aren't officially imported. I trawled london looking for them, a shop on tottenham court rd would sell me on for £600, i found a shop that had 12 of them and the were only stored on their stock computer by the part number but without a description so they didn't knkow they had them. i paid £250. interested where???? WRT blacks, the contrast ratio is 4000:1, which is also great. anyone who tells you otherwise lies.

24-09-2004, 11:52	#7
DemonLemon Banned User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 870	Quote: Originally Posted by flagpole WRT blacks, the contrast ratio is 4000:1, which is also great. anyone who tells you otherwise lies. Well, I am not telling lies, and I object to the tone of your comment. I am trying to help Chorlton Fisher to test the television under the viewing conditions he will have when he gets it home. Contrast ratio can be measured in at least two ways. That's one of the reasons that manufacturer's specs differ by such a large factor. It's very much a marketing tool. If you are happy with the dynamic range of your screen, then fine. I would advise Chorton Fisher to test the screen in a darkened room. Especially since he's spending £2,000 of his money. He should also make a comparison with a CRT television in that same darkened room. I'm not saying he won't be happy with the plasma, but viewing it in a well-lit box-shifting retail outlet isn't going to show up any potential problems.

24-09-2004, 12:11	#8
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	Honestly DemonLemon i'm not so fussed how you feel about my tone. If you read my whole post and find it anything more than light hearted then you are mistaken. Do you know that that model adjust the overall gain and therefor black level to compensate for ambient light levels. Further, the ones in shops and airports are not properly runin and therefor have image burn in.

24-09-2004, 13:08	#9
DemonLemon Banned User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 870	I didn't point to any fault with those plasma screens at Heathrow. I pointed out that any issues regarding picture quality in a dark room would not show itself in a brightly-lit airport. We have a Panasonic 37in plasma in our house, but it is not our main television. I'm not sure if it is exactly the same model number. Most people agree that our Sony 32in and 28in CRTs are far superior. But I don't want to tell Chorlton Fisher NOT to buy a Panasonic plasma, because only he can say what is best for him. But I am advising caution and to check the screen under circumstances that we think are not its best. i.e. a darkened room.

24-09-2004, 14:03	#10
Xstyle Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Berks Posts: 100	If you're gonna buy a plasma, I think u should buy the best there is... imho; http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...onomy_id=62-63 I have. Not even released yet... out in a month. I can't wait!!!

24-09-2004, 15:24	#11
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by Xstyle If you're gonna buy a plasma, I think u should buy the best there is... imho; http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...onomy_id=62-63 I have. Not even released yet... out in a month. I can't wait!!! Yeah the new Pioneer models are impressive but then again the Pana series 7 are just around the corner as well and the current generation panels were pretty darn close and the choice coming down to colour v contrast. As DemonLemon says a Plasma or LCD for that matter should be demonstrated in an enviroment close to your own home, a dedicated AV dealer is the best place. It may cost more but you will get better service and after sales or could just exploit him then go to the locasl box shifting store to buy.

24-09-2004, 16:38	#12
Xstyle Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Berks Posts: 100	Pioneer PDP-435XDE will be around £4500 in shops... Get it for £1000 less here: http://www.homecinemaheaven.com/prod...sma/435xde.htm BARGAIN! p.s. and its THE best!

24-09-2004, 17:14	#13
DemonLemon Banned User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 870	http://www.askdirect.co.uk/search/Pi...PDP435XDE.html Pioneer PDP-435XDE £3599.00 inclusive of VAT. That seems to be around the price most internet sites are selling it for.

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Buying a plasma TV