Panasonic txp42x10b 42" plasma-'hd ready'

[SuperDanX]

This tv has caught my eye, and was wondering if its a good buy as its only 'hd ready' rather than 'full hd' what exactly does that mean in practice? (i know full hd is better, but thats all) how would it be with blurays in comparison to a 1080p compatible set? And would it handle sd gaming (ps2,GC) better than an lcd tv? My other choice is the Sony kdl37v5500u which i know is pretty hot. Should i forget the panny?

[charlesr]

It's 1024x768 (instead of 1920x1080). e.g. it's 720p.
At normal sitting distance (5-6 foot), you won't notice the difference. If you go up close, you will.
I use something similar. 360 via VGA in nutural resolution looks lovely and older consoles look smashing in component or scart.

[SuperDanX]

Im super tempted just to get decent images from my cube and ps2, part of me thinks id be crazy to do so when i spend a hundred times more, erm...time, watching films than playing games. What to do?? Hmm? Thanks.

[charlesr]

I use mine for films too...... Mine was a zillion pounds when I got it. For that price, pretty cool. Note: I don't really like LCDs. My parents have most expensive Bravia 42" and I prefer mine for everything, especially Freeview and games, but also for films.

['Press Start']

I have the 37x10 panny plasma.

Do not let the lack of 1080p put you off this set! Its 720p it better then some LCD 1080p!

http://www.johnlewis.com/230557867/Product.aspx

5 Year john lewis warranty! £599 or £499 for 37"

My logic was to use this as a stop gap TV and move it into the games room (when we move) to use with older consoles.

[NekoFever]

I don't really like LCDs. My parents have most expensive Bravia 42" and I prefer mine for everything, especially Freeview and games, but also for films.

Similar thing here. My housemate has a 40" Bravia LCD that cost about ?1,300 when he bought it and it's outperformed by my 42" Panasonic plasma, which was ?850. Bigger, cheaper, and better picture? Hmm...

My other housemate has a 37" Panny plasma that's only 720p but can take a 1080p signal and it looks very good still. At 42" you're starting to get into the ballpark where you can see the benefit of 1080p - any smaller and it's overkill - but if you've never seen the difference and aren't too exacting anyway it shouldn't affect your enjoyment.

['Press Start']

My other housemate has a 37" Panny plasma that's only 720p but can take a 1080p signal and it looks very good still.

Its prob the same one as my, 37x10. Does 24p too! bargin set!

[Decider-VT]

Have a look at one in a department store if you can. I was intent on buying a plasma until I realised that I was one of those unfortunates that notices phosphor trails.

[charlesr]

Yeah good point. Also, do you have lights behind where you sit? If so, you might find the reflection off putting. I have a blank wall.

[SuperDanX]

Thanks for the advice all, but ive decided to go with the Sony kdl40v5500u. Gratefull for the advice though.

[Largo]

I use mine for films too...... Mine was a zillion pounds when I got it. For that price, pretty cool. Note: I don't really like LCDs. My parents have most expensive Bravia 42" and I prefer mine for everything, especially Freeview and games, but also for films.

Ive read the same story about that vieras are generally more prefered by gamers etc than bravias, which i found quite interesting, dont the bravias have some kind of built in ps3 optimization or something? cant remember.

My TV is getting a bit past it, in terms of quality of picture and colours, sort of looking about for alternatives but not my whole left arm 700 quid alternatives

actually ive got a 24ich full 16:9 1080p iiyama monitor which ive got the 360 connected up to righ tnow for a test run (i bought it for my desktop machine not for hd purposes originally) and damn it looks flipping awesome..hmm, shame they dont make these in 32inch or something, oh they prob do...but yeah left arm job

[Lyris]

Ive read the same story about that vieras are generally more prefered by gamers etc than bravias, which i found quite interesting, dont the bravias have some kind of built in ps3 optimization or something? cant remember.

Not that I'm aware of. If there is a PS3 preset on some Sony TVs, it probably isn't accurate to what the developers intended anyway (most "Game" modes are the "screaming in your face" preset types).

Plasmas tend to have lower input lag than LCDs, and the high-end VIERAs (the ones with the THX mode) are the best Plasmas currently being manufactured - so that'd explain why gamers love 'em. I know I do.

[Largo]

Are plasmas the tvs to have now for gamers? Im looking around to change mine 32inch lcd, and damn there are some realtivly cheap big plasmas out there, not 1080p however, although generally i dont have a clue what to look for atm, guess ill have to spend a week reading that av forum


I was looking at Samsung LE40B651 40" LCD
But was in currys today and they had 50" plasmas pannys etc for the same price...so *shrugs* no idea how that works

[anephric]

Just have a demo on one and see if you're sensitive to phosphor lag. I know I'd rather play with input lag on an LCD than put up with the amount of green and yellow fringing you get in something like Call of Duty.

[Largo]

gah, theres way to much choice ><