Inclined to buy Panasonic 42D25 LED, any thoughts?

[vikashdubey]

I saw a demo of Panasonic LED LCD 42D25 whilst my friend was purchasing 42X20. I was impressed by its display. Viewing angles were also good. I was planning to go for Sony 40Ex710 but now I am more inclined towards the Panasonic. Also I read some threads where it was mentioned that the panels in Panasonic are Alpha IPS which is a fairly better panel than the ones used in Sony Ex710.
Is the price of 42D25 justifiable in the sense that the panel is better?
Does anyone have any feedback to give on this model?
It would be helpful to me in taking a decision. Thanks

 

[srinisundar]

What is the quoted Price in Bglr?

 

[csczero]

go ahead buy panasonic

 

[shredder]

First confirm whether it is an edge-lit model or a local dimming model. If it is local dimming, then it will be really good especially with IPS panel.

 

[BLASTO]

Panasonic TX-L42D25/TX-L42D25B/TXL42D25/TX-L32D25 Review

In short:

IPS Pro Panel
Great viewing angles
No Screen Uniformity issues
Average Motion resolution
Not so great black levels
Below average SD Upscaling (Compared to Sony/Samsung)

Conclusion :

Concluding reviews of LED sidelit LCD displays is somewhat difficult, because above all, they are an effort in improving aesthetics first, and picture quality second (if at all). Whilst the buying public appears to be enthusiastic about the novelty of ultra-slim displays, when placed in the corner of a room, their aesthetic benefits are unlikely to be too visible.


Of course, looks (and their value) are in the eye of the beholder. With the TX-L42D25, Panasonic has succeeded in producing an LED LCD TV which retains most of the strengths of the companys traditional LCD TVs. In comparison to the S20 LCD series which we reviewed nearer the start of the month, the ultra-slim Panasonic TX-L42D25 has marginally more accurate colour (after calibration), very slightly inferior Greyscale tracking, and higher quality deinterlacing of SD video material.

Given that other LED side-lit products have exhibited severe screen uniformity issues, something which the Panasonic TX-L42D25 is free of, this makes it a strong contender in this category. Of course, buyers should remember that they are paying extra money for style over performance when compared to traditional LCDs. For readers already sold on a slim display, Panasonics offering has the least issues weve seen on an edge-backlit LED LCD television to date.

 

[vikashdubey]

Thanks for the inputs. If there are any owners of this model in the forum it would be helpful if they post a review.
@srinisunder I did not bargain as I needed more information about the piece before going for it.The price quoted was 89000.
I was totally decided to go for Sony Ex710 until i saw this model and hence wanted some more inputs if it is better purchase than Sony or not.

 

[shredder]

89,000 for a 42" side-lit LED product??? That's ridiculous! The USP of LED is that it is supposed to provide better picture quality with deep blacks. A side-lit LED does not deliver on this front. It is just the aesthetics. Find out if the Sony model is a local dimming LED, if Yes then go for the Sony.
If you still go for the Panasonic LED then do realize that you are paying a heavy premium for external looks.

 

[vikashdubey]

Both the models I mentioned are side-lit or edge lit.

 

[vardu]

Both the models I mentioned are side-lit or edge lit.

89000!! wow . I agree with shredder, it seems like a lot of money for side/edge lit without local dimming.

There has never been a convincing argument for the side/edge lit and back full-array iLED being superior to the old back screen CCFL. In fact there have been some feedback that the so-called-light-guides were causing uniformity problems through the screen.

The one main advantage n edge lit is that it is thinner than a goddamn credit card :lol:.

But seriously, if you have the time and inclination -

Take a BD / DVD /Media player with you and play the HD/SD content and see if there is that much difference between the edge lit and full-array (back lit) and the regular CCFL.

If you go for a local dimming set - you should see the difference between a full-array local dimming vs edge lit local dimming (sony vs samsung).

BTW didn't you get a chance to take a look at the Panasonic V20/VT20 Plasma?

The VT20 has PQ /contrast that is far superior to the LCD model that you mentioned (as per their website) and if I am not mistaken the V20 is better as well. You can get a 42" V20 for around 60s but the VT20 starts only with a 50 and that is 1.5+

 

[vikashdubey]

89000!! wow . I agree with shredder, it seems like a lot of money for side/edge lit without local dimming.

There has never been a convincing argument for the side/edge lit and back full-array iLED being superior to the old back screen CCFL. In fact there have been some feedback that the so-called-light-guides were causing uniformity problems through the screen.

The one main advantage n edge lit is that it is thinner than a goddamn credit card :lol:.

But seriously, if you have the time and inclination -

Take a BD / DVD /Media player with you and play the HD/SD content and see if there is that much difference between the edge lit and full-array (back lit) and the regular CCFL.

If you go for a local dimming set - you should see the difference between a full-array local dimming vs edge lit local dimming (sony vs samsung).

BTW didn't you get a chance to take a look at the Panasonic V20/VT20 Plasma?

The VT20 has PQ /contrast that is far superior to the LCD model that you mentioned (as per their website) and if I am not mistaken the V20 is better as well. You can get a 42" V20 for around 60s but the VT20 starts only with a 50 and that is 1.5+

As far as I know Local dimming leds in Sony are far more expensive than the side lit ones. Panasonic does not have local dimming Led models.

I saw the Panasonic V20 it was stunning but its(and other plasmas) power consumption pushed me back from even thinking about it. As I would be using this TV in the Living room where it would be running for more time.

Thanks for suggesting to take some media of my own. I will do that if required.

 

[shredder]

As far as I know Local dimming leds in Sony are far more expensive than the side lit ones. Panasonic does not have local dimming Led models.

I saw the Panasonic V20 it was stunning but its(and other plasmas) power consumption pushed me back from even thinking about it. As I would be using this TV in the Living room where it would be running for more time.

Thanks for suggesting to take some media of my own. I will do that if required.

Sir if you can afford to shell out 89000 for the TV, I fail to understand why you are worried about electricity bill. If power consumption of plasmas is the only thing holding you back from purchasing a plasma then I think you are needlessly worrying. Plasmas consume more power than equivalent size LCD , but they do not consume THAT much power especially after proper callibration. Put it this way: if you can get a 42V20 for 65k, then the balance 24k you can keep aside to pay for the electricity bill for the next... lets see.... 10 years??? I understand that the side-lit LED has great aesthetic appeal, and is bound to draw envious comments but it has no advantage over traditional CCFL LCD TV as far as picture quality is concerned. In fact you may experience issues with screen uniformity. If you are hell-bent on LED technology then consider local dimming LED, for which you will have no regret later.

 

[adder]

Well the panasonic lcd uses a LG panel IPS panel with edge lit led.
As far as the EX710 its has a SPVA panel,similar to the ones found in the cheaper EX500 and the samsung C630 lcd(althought not all).
If you do want a LED lit lcd try increasing your budget and get the HX800,it was available with lots of freebies worth 60k.
otherwise get the regular CCFL lit lcds like EX500 or C630.

 

[vikashdubey]

Sir if you can afford to shell out 89000 for the TV, I fail to understand why you are worried about electricity bill. If power consumption of plasmas is the only thing holding you back from purchasing a plasma then I think you are needlessly worrying. Plasmas consume more power than equivalent size LCD , but they do not consume THAT much power especially after proper callibration. Put it this way: if you can get a 42V20 for 65k, then the balance 24k you can keep aside to pay for the electricity bill for the next... lets see.... 10 years??? I understand that the side-lit LED has great aesthetic appeal, and is bound to draw envious comments but it has no advantage over traditional CCFL LCD TV as far as picture quality is concerned. In fact you may experience issues with screen uniformity. If you are hell-bent on LED technology then consider local dimming LED, for which you will have no regret later.

I am not worried about just the "bill" but it is unnecessary power wastage. Initially I thought the newer plasmas were more power friendly than their ancestors. But looking at the specs published by the manufacturer on their website I did not see any drastic difference. I understand that plasma is a better display in this case but it is guzzles power. And I definitely see a difference in a normal CCFL and even a edge lit model(for the better). I would place it in the living room where I would be watching more of Television Tranmission so I expect it to run around 5hrs/day on an average. I am not hell bent on any technology, that is why I have posted on this forum. I want to buy new flat panel which gives good picture quality, has good viewing angle and last is eco friendly. Keeping these things in mind I was looking at various TVs but I came across this model as a chance. So If anyone has any experience with this model or its likes, it would be very nice of them to share their experience. Thanks for your feedback shredder.

 

[vikashdubey]

Well the panasonic lcd uses a LG panel IPS panel with edge lit led.
As far as the EX710 its has a SPVA panel,similar to the ones found in the cheaper EX500 and the samsung C630 lcd(althought not all).
If you do want a LED lit lcd try increasing your budget and get the HX800,it was available with lots of freebies worth 60k.
otherwise get the regular CCFL lit lcds like EX500 or C630.

Thanks for the information. Does this mean that it is as good as LG models in the same category. I was thinking there is a difference between S-IPS used by LG and Alpha IPS used by Panny. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[adder]

Thanks for the information. Does this mean that it is as good as LG models in the same category. I was thinking there is a difference between S-IPS used by LG and Alpha IPS used by Panny. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Panasonic is yet to make their own 42" panels,they will start producing their own panels soon.

Since you want a eco friendly tv ,in that case Led-lit lcds are the most efficient,not much compared to ccfl lcds.

 

[reachbennym]

there is a price drop for this model and is available for about 64K - is it now more priceworthy to go for this TV?

 

[riteshmadhok]

If its LED then Sony is the better one and if its a Plasma then get a Panasonic.