40" Plasma - Buying Help Needed

[baala]

Dear Friends:

This is my 2nd post in this great forum. I know there a few similar topics around, but nothing was specifically answering my queries. Hence thought of starting a separate topic. Hope that's fine.

I want to buy a 40" plasma TV - without 3D or extra smartness - but preferably a Full HD

The model I had in mind was P42U30D (I guess that was the only option left!!!)

But Panasonic Brand Shop Koramangala is telling me that, this model is stopped because of various issues like too much heat, burn in issues etc. :sad: He is saying that the best option now is a 42ST30 (which is a 3D) or a 42X30D (which is a HD ready)

Please help me here!!!!

1. Is P42U30D really out of market? (I would prefer leaving it then, instead of ending up with a demo piece)

2. My viewing distance would be approx 9"-10" from the screen. Will ST30D or X30D make any difference in HD content and normal local cable (that Cisco Settop box). And is there any difference between these two screens?

3. Is Samsung Plasma or LG Plasma even worth considered? If so, what model should I consider for my requirement?

Any help would seriously be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[rohan_iitr]

I also visited the Panasonic Koramangala showroom yesterday and the salesman told me the same.

They had the HD ready and full HD (3D) models side by side with Star Cricket HD playing on both. I really could not make out the difference in PQ of the HD ready vd full HD model, even from a distance of 4-5 feet.

42X30D is being offered with great discounts. I really liked the PQ, but was not satisfied with the SQ.

Hence decided to go for 32 inch full HD LCD from Samsung or LG. They have models with inbuild woofer and tweeter.

Rohan

 

[Ajay_k73]

what is offer price for 42X30D ?

 

[pupupuchi28]

They had the HD ready and full HD (3D) models side by side with Star Cricket HD playing on both. I really could not make out the difference in PQ of the HD ready vd full HD model, even from a distance of 4-5 feet.

42X30D is being offered with great discounts. I really liked the PQ, but was not satisfied with the SQ.
Rohan

Brother next time when you go for TV search, try to adjust the settings on your own. The sales people tend to 'screw' the settings of the TVs they dont want to sell more. And adjust well for the ones where the margins are more. Not everyone does that but most of them do it. So dont judge the TVs based on how they appear on display. Play around with them just like the way you do for a audio audition.

Sound in most of the TV is crap and if you buy a big flat screen TV, eventually you will end up getting a additional HT set-up. So ignore the sound when you search a TV. Just focus on what it is supposed to do...BRIGHT, SHARP, SMOOTH VISUALS.

my two cents

BTW I'm also looking for a 40" plasma/ LCD. I'm following this thread closely.

 

[rohan_iitr]

what is offer price for 42X30D ?

35K in Bangalore.

 

[baala]

Thanks Rohan and Pupuchi for the replies!!! :clapping:

I did ask the guy to keep the 3 three tvs I was comparing (a Full HD LED, X30D and U30D on normal mode and in Cinema (it was in Vivid)...

The LED was immediately thrown out of competition and among both the Plasma's, there wasn't much of a difference (but both were a little dark) - I asked him if it will become normal if I increase the brightness - he couldn't understand that and reply properly..... So left it there....:sad:

Expecting some serious suggestions from the Seniors in this forum also.... I am absolutely new to this (living with CRTs only till date!!!)

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Ajay_k73]

35K in Bangalore.

Seeing current trend, I think price of 33K which I got is much better. I was searching for something less than that.

 

[nindo]

Frankly, upto 40"/42", HD ready (720p) or Full HD (1080p) doesn't make much of a difference in watching from a distance of more than 4-5'. More over most HD channels that we get in DTH boxes are 1080i and can be set to 720p. So if budget is a constraint, don't hesitate and go for HD ready.

 

[Kannan]

the comment about 42U30D is all bullshit. Just a marketing gimmick to sell what he has on stock.
It is an excellent entry level full HD model employing the latest G14 panel. Its availability issue is mainly because of the excess demand.
This model is manufactured in Thailand and imported here. The model number is actually P42U30. The last letter is country code.

 

[Kannan]

The X30D is also a very good model if you are non insistent on full hd. The one big advantage of Panasonic is the comprehensive 3 year warranty they offer which will not be available on LG or Samsung.

Also ensure that the TV you buy offers enough HDMI inputs (I would suggest atkeast 3), Auto Return Channel (ARC) atleast on one of the HDMI inputs. ARC is helpful when you connect a AVR in the future and every device can then be routed through your AVR with a single HDMI cable from your AVR to TV.

Also check if the product supports firmware upgrades. Panasonic does support firmware upgrades on most of their TV's either via USB or/and via internet if the TV model is network enabled.

 

[notep]

Brother next time when you go for TV search, try to adjust the settings on your own. The sales people tend to 'screw' the settings of the TVs they dont want to sell more. And adjust well for the ones where the margins are more. Not everyone does that but most of them do it. So dont judge the TVs based on how they appear on display. Play around with them just like the way you do for a audio audition.

Very good advice. OP, Please don't judge plasma on how it look in store especially when compared to LED/LCD.

The LED was immediately thrown out of competition and among both the Plasma's, there wasn't much of a difference (but both were a little dark) - I asked him if it will become normal if I increase the brightness - he couldn't understand that and reply properly..... So left it there....:sad:

Thats the state of sales people who don't know ABC of HDTV and give all the wrong information about Plasma.

IMHO if you want the picture quality of Plasma on LED then you would be spending 3 times or even more for the top LED with local dimming.

I was in the same league a year back and bought plasma. Its very bright for my home viewing where ample sunlight comes through during daytime.

 

[Raghuhifi]

Dear Kannan,

I have seen many forums and online reviews site about the plamas issue even in this forum i have seen people complaining about the panel issue can you pls again tel me

if person has a following requirement

Watching HD Dth like movies, sports, music, Watching Blu ray ultimately full hd, downloaded hd movies through a media player or a bluray player suports mkv divx hd
and sometimes games or using it as monitor from destop or laptop

Which is better LED like sammy d325000 for 38k to 42k or panny plamas no idea about price in chennai

 

[Raghuhifi]

dear notep

What model plasma do you have and where dis bought can able to watch full hd picture from bluray player

 

[notep]

dear notep

What model plasma do you have and where dis bought can able to watch full hd picture from bluray player

I have 55ST30 and yes its FHD. The out of the box codec support is limited and If you want multiple format support its better to invest in a media player like WDTV or XStreamer or Boxee.

 

[Kannan]

Dear Kannan,

I have seen many forums and online reviews site about the plamas issue even in this forum i have seen people complaining about the panel issue can you pls again tel me

if person has a following requirement

Watching HD Dth like movies, sports, music, Watching Blu ray ultimately full hd, downloaded hd movies through a media player or a bluray player suports mkv divx hd
and sometimes games or using it as monitor from destop or laptop

Which is better LED like sammy d325000 for 38k to 42k or panny plamas no idea about price in chennai

Dear Raghu,

I will always recommend full HD for sizes above 42". As far as plasma's go Panasonic is more reliable. Samsung & LG are concentrating more on LCD and now more on LED, and though Panasonic is slowly bending that way but still they produce better panels than any other brand.
A friend of mine in Railways informed that the failure rate is the least in Panasonic when compared to LG & Samsung.
Connectivity options are more or less similar with all competing brands, Currently Samsung supports more codecs than LG or Pana via USB though not very important if you have a dedicated media player.
Ultimately I always believe that the viewers experience is the best, what may suit my view may not suit yours.

 

[Raghuhifi]

Dear Kannan,

I also dont need a option to play the videos in usb ill go with media player my only constrain is that say if im buying samsung 43u490 which is a 3d plasma and a hd ready model, can it play bluray player with fullhd disk, what will be the outcome of that

 

[Kannan]

Dear Kannan,

I also dont need a option to play the videos in usb ill go with media player my only constrain is that say if im buying samsung 43u490 which is a 3d plasma and a hd ready model, can it play bluray player with fullhd disk, what will be the outcome of that

Ofcourse it can play bluray movies but not at a native resolution of 1080p but at 720p.
You should not have a problem with HD setop box transmissions as they are only at 1080i due to bandwith issue. 720p is quite close to 1080i and you will not be able to see any major difference.
If you really want to see the difference, then I suggest you audition the same bluray movie in both full HD (@ 1080p) and HD Ready models (@720p).

 

[deepakpaid]

Hi Guys...
I am new to HFV...
I am looking for a 42" Plasma...
Need your expert recommendation and store info that I can pick from...
Pls Help...
MyLocation @ Pune.. Wanowrie/Kondwa

Thanks
'D'

 

[baala]

@ Kannan: Thanks for the detailed response.

One thing I am sure is I don't want 3D (I sincerely feel it is a waste of money!!!)

I was infact pretty much insistant for a Full HD. P42U30D was fit to my requirement to the dot.... I will visit the Banashankari Panasonic Shop, tomorrow and will check for this model......

Tell me one thing: Can I buy it in Chennai and get it to Bangalore in my car?? Is it a safe option? (I am from Chennai and come there pretty frequently....) If so, let me know where to buy in Chennai....

In case of its unavaiability, I guess, I will now consider, a X30D - which seems like the only option left for Non 3D enthus.... :sad:

I will keep you guys posted on the same later tomorrow.

 

[baala]

I had done a double entry by mistake.... Hence editing it!!!

@ Notep: Where did you but your ST30 and how much did it cost you? And whats the core diff between UT, yours and VT series??