[Ju411]

Hi all,

after originally going down the cheaper route of no brand tvs (see here and here) I am now going down the route of brands.

Having popped into a chain store selling all sorts of electronics, Panasonic seemed to stand out picture-wise.
In terms of size I am still undecided to go 32 or 37'... for only a few inches more I would have to fork out considerably more.
The temptation of having iplayer on the tv is nice hence the smart tv (FB et al. are no use to me though).
The latest fad of 3d is of no interest to me tbh.


Any opinions from the experts on Panasonic as a good make (they certainly seem expensive enough in comparison to e.g. Samsung)...

The Samsung ones seem roughly 100 quid cheaper so tempted by them as they seem similar in terms of features...

Thank you

*edit*
Panasonic specs (Smart VIERA TX-L37E30B):
TV Tuner
Integrated Tuners*: PAL-I; DVB-T, DVB-T/T2 (MPEG4-AVC [H.264])
Teletext Reception: 1000P
Display
Contrast: High Contrast
Screen Size: 37" (94 cm) diagonal
Panel: IPS-alpha LED LCD Panel (E-LED Backlight)
Panel Drive: 200 blb IFC pro
Viewing Angle: 178 degree
Resolution: Full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 (16:9)
Applicable PC Signals: XGA, WXGA, SXGA 60Hz, 1920 x 1080 (HDMI)
Applicable Scanning Format
FULL-HD: 1080p (HDMI only), 1080i
HD: 720p
SD: 576i/p, 480i/p
Moving Picture Resolution: 900 lines
Intelligent Frame Creation Pro: yes
Motion Focus Technology: yes
24p Smooth Film/Playback: yes/ yes
Deep Colour (10-bit Panel): yes
Super Resolution: yes
6 Axis-3D Colour Management: yes
Picture Mode: Dynamic/Normal/Cinema/True Cinema/Game/Photo
Vreal: Vreal Live
Sound
Speakers: 2 x 10 watt 1-Way Bottom Speakers
Sound Mode: Music/Speech/User
Virtual Surround: V-Audio Surround
Dolby Digital/dts: Dolby Digital Plus/DolbyPulse/dts2.0+Digital Out
Input/Output
CI (Common Interface): yes
VIERA Image Viewer: yes (AVCHD/SD-VIDEO/Motion JPEG [Lumix]/MP4 [Xacti]/DivXPlusHD/MPEG4/JPEG/MP3/AAC/WMV/WMA playback)
USB: 3 (2 rear, 1 side); Mass Storage/Keyboard/WiFi/USB-HDD Recording/SK Camera
USB HDD / SD Card Recording: yes (USB HDD)
HDMI Input/ Support Feature: 4 (3 rear, 1 side)/ Audio Return Channel (Input 2)
Composite Video Input: AV2: RCA phono type x 1 (side)
Component Video Input: RCA phono type x 1 set (rear)
PC Input: Mini D-sub 15-pin x 1 (rear)
Audio Input (HDMI, PC, Composite, Component): RCA phono type x 1 set (rear)
21-Pin Input/Output: AV1: AV In/Out, RGB In, Q-Link (rear)
LAN Port: yes
Analogue Audio Out: RCA phono type x 1 set (rear)
Digital Audio Output (Optical): 1, rear
Headphone Jack: 1, side
Features
Wireless LAN Adaptor**: WiFi Ready
EPG (Now and Next): yes
EPG for DVB-T (7days): Gemstar EPG: UK, Italy, Germany, Spain
VIERA Connect: yes
DLNA: yes
VIERA Tools: yes
VIERA Link: yes (HDAVI Control 5)
Multi Window: PAT
Eco Navigation: yes
Game Mode: yes
Q-Link: yes
Off Timer: yes
Child Lock: yes
General
On mode Average Power Consumption***: TBD
Power Supply: AC 220 - 240 V, 50/60 Hz
Rated Power Consumption: TBD
Standby Power Consumption: TBD
Dimensions (W x H x D) (w/o stand): 890 x 548 x 75 mm (Panel depth: 41 mm)
Dimensions (W x H x D) (with stand): 890 x 582 x 260 mm
Weight (w/o stand): 12.5 kg
Weight (with stand): 15.0 kg
Wall Bracket: TY-WK3L2RW
VESA Standard: yes

Samsung specs (UE37D5520):
Technical Details

Series
Series:5
Video
Screen Size:40 (101cm)
Resolution:FHD (1920x1080)
Clear Motion Rate:100Hz CMR
Picture Engine:HyperReal Engine
Dynamic Contrast Ratio:Mega
Wide Color Enhancer Plus:Wide Color Enhancer Plus
Audio
Dolbyolby Digital Plus / Dolby Pulse
SRS:SRS TheaterSound HD
Dts 2.0+Digital Out:Yes
Sound Output (RMS):10WX2
Speaker Typeown Firing + Full Range
Auto Volume Leveler:Yes
Smart Convenience
Samsung Smart TV:Yes
Smart Phone Remote support :Yes
Samsung Apps:Yes
Smart Hub:Yes
Allshare (Powered by DLNA):Yes
WiFi Adaptor Support :Yes
ConnectShare Movie (USB2.0):Yes
One Foot Connection :Yes
Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC):Yes
Picture-in-Picture:1 Tuner PIP
Others
Game mode:Yes
Design
Design Type:Crystal
Bezel Type:Normal
Slim Type:Ultra Slim
Max Depth without stand (mm):29.9
Stand Type:Square
Swivel (Left/Right):Yes
Tuner/Broadcasting
HD Tuner Built-in:Yes
DTV Reception (DVB-T/T2/C/S2)VB-T/C
Channel List USB-Clone:Yes
CI+:Yes
Auto Channel Search:Yes
EPG (8 days):Yes
Teletext (TTX) (1,000 pages):Yes
OSD Language :29 European Languages
Country specs
(XU) UKVB-T2/C, MHEG 5
(ZT) Italy:MHP (1.1.3)
Input &
Output
HDMI 1.4 (3D Auto Setting/Return Channel):4
USB:2
Component In (Y/Pb/Pr):1
Composite In (AV):1(Common Use for Component Y)
Digital Audio Out (Optical):1
PC In (D-sub):1
CI Slot:1
SCART:1
RF In (Terrestrial / Cable input):1
RF In (Satellite input):1
Headphone:1
PC Audio In (Mini Jack):1
DVI Audio In (Mini Jack):1 (Common Use for PC Audio in)
Ethernet (LAN):1
Eco
EU Energy Label:A
Eco Light Sensor:Yes
Auto Power off:Yes
Clock &
On/Off Timer:Yes
Sleep Timer :Yes
Power Supply:AC100-240V 50/60Hz
Power Consumption (Stand-by) :0.2
Power Consumption (On-mode):53
Power Consumption (Energy-saving mode):34
Power Consumption (Max.):100
Yearly Power Consumption (EU standard,kWh):77
Dimension
Package Size (WxHxD, mm) :1185 x 681 x 120
Set Size with Stand (WxHxD, mm):955.8 x 638.5 x 255
Set Size without Stand (WxHxD, mm):955.8 x 574 x 29.9
Weight
Package Weight (Kg):17.7
Set Weight with Stand (Kg):14.4
Set Weight without Stand (Kg):11.1
Accessory
Ultra Slim Wallmount:Optional
Floor Stand:Optional
Wireless LAN Adaptor:Optional
Wireless Router:Optional
Vesa Wall Mount support:Yes (200x200)
Remote Controller Model:TM1050
Batteries (for Remote Control):Yes
Slim Gender Cable:1 Component (AV share), 1 Scart, 1 CI Slot
Power Cable:Yes
E-manual:Yes

[late8]

Whats the budget?. The stand out Panasonic's would be more expensive probably.

Dont go for the cheapest outright- always go for the best you can get for your budget. You could get a screen £100 less but is it as good?

Go on..

Whats the max budget I can stretch too? What are the top TV models in or around that budget? Whats comes up best in that selection?

Generally Panasonic screens are more expensive but do offer a better Picture. Samsung usually have the style going for them but even on the top 8000 series of LCD's - picture quality issues let them down compared to looks.

You cant really judge in store alone. Tech review sites and user reviews are a place to start.

[Ju411]

Quote:

Originally Posted by late8

Whats the budget?. The stand out Panasonic's would be more expensive probably.

Generally Panasonic screens are more expensive but do offer a better Picture. Samsung usually have the style going for them but even on the top 8000 series of LCD's - picture quality issues let them down.

You cant really judge in store alone. Tech review sites and user reviews are a place to start.

The rule is:

Whats the max budget? What are the top TV models in that budget? Whats comes up best in that selection?

Well, I did originally want to spend around 400.. but the Panasonic would go well above that.
I have had a brief look at reviews from users on Amazon as well as What Hi-Fi and both brands coming tops...

[late8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ju411

Well, I did originally want to spend around 400.. but the Panasonic would go well above that.
I have had a brief look at reviews from users on Amazon as well as What Hi-Fi and both brands coming tops...

Well for up to or around £450-500 you could pick up a 40inch G30 Panasonic plasma that will have better picture than those two listed.


Out of those two you posted however I would go with the Panasonic. It will have a better picture and the IPS panels have better viewing angles.

[late8]

delete

[Ju411]

Quote:

Originally Posted by late8

Well for up to or around £450-500 you could pick up a 40inch G30 Panasonic plasma that will have better picture than those two listed.

A plasma would be great but that size is too big for my room I am afraid... I do want something big enough for the future (i.e. when I live no longer in just one room) but for the foreseeable future it will have to be 32-37 I think.. 40+ will just be too big :sleep:

Thanks for your replies so far though, including the Pana recommendation

[late8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ju411

A plasma would be great but that size is too big for my room I am afraid... I do want something big enough for the future (i.e. when I live no longer in just one room) but for the foreseeable future it will have to be 32-37 I think.. 40+ will just be too big :sleep:

Thanks for your replies so far though, including the Pana recommendation

If it helps... many a time you get a TV thinking its big enough to only wish months later that its a tad too small and you should have gone the next size up

42" is only 5" larger.



Theres help on calculating distances and size etc here:
http://www.hdhes.com/tv/hdtvviewdistance.aspx

Like I said however out of those two the Panasonic LED will be better. It gets excellent reviews. The viewing angles are very good too.

[XxBlaKOuTZxX]

The Samsung I own now is my first lcd made by them that I have ever bought (being used to Sony for many years). I have absolutely no regrets buying it though. The PQ is out-standing and the look of the tv is simply stunning.

[hetrodoxly]

The Samsung TV you've been looking at isn't the latest range
if you can aford it buy the D7000, it's fantastic the best out there and you will love 3d on it.

[Ju411]

thanks all so dar for the help and links... I think in the end it may just come down to budget, especially since a dongle is required for wifi use (i.e. another amount of £s to consider...)

[niall campbell]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005...5266110&sr=8-1
Who needs wi fi ??

Get the 40 G30 !!! I am telling you 40 is the new 32"

[Ju411]

Quote:

Originally Posted by niall campbell

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005...5266110&sr=8-1
Who needs wi fi ??

Get the 40 G30 !!! I am telling you 40 is the new 32"

ha ha... I do as I am in a shared house and can't just come up with a 15m long cable running through the entire house


Sigh.. thought I had it sorted between those two models but I just noticed that the Samsung hasn't got a PVR function on it.. that would be handy though... Looks like the D6 series has it..at a price:sleep::yawn:

[Ju411]

late reply here.. but thought I give an update, I went with the Panasonic.. brilliant choice so far (touch wood!).. smiles all around so far

[pocatello]

32" is way too small...its practically a waste of money for anything other than a bedroom tv, and even then...

[iangrad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocatello

32" is way too small...its practically a waste of money for anything other than a bedroom tv, and even then...

Quite right BUT its the best selling size among the over 65's who regard 32" as so decadent LOL .