Panasonic plasma 42 inch GT20 Vs ST30

[vikcoolboy4u]

i m planing to buy A PLASMA CAN NYBDY TEMME GT20 PRICE ND WHR IS IT AVLABLE IN DELHI OR IN GURGAON OR NCR

 

[Kudla]

i hv called the ramesh the salesperson he said gt20 price is 57k nthng less ..he also said that 48k is now out of context ....

Well, my friend on phone, i.e. what he says. Go to the showroom with the cheque book and see the change. Go back few posts, they have got GT20 at this price in the showroom.

 

[vikcoolboy4u]

srry kudla buddy i cnt go bcs there store is in banglore nd im in delhi ....i thot they will ship for me if i got it for 48k nywaz il try to find out this model in delhi bt till now i cudnt find it ....i m trying hard if u know or anybody knws whr 42gt20 is avalble in delhi or in ncr it will b vry helpful and wats the price .i hv budget of 50k may b ill gt it othrwise ill go for p46u20d at 47k

 

[IBL]

Guys I need some help, I think this thread is the closest fit.

Some time back I bought the P42V20D but it had an image burn in problem (probably demo piece) long story short, Panasonic have agreed to replace it with an equivalent or higher model.

Now my question is, at present which 42" model is equivalent or higher to the P42V20D?

A higher model would be a 42 30D but which one? ST/UT/GT ? also is the 42GT20D simply the 3D version of V20D ? or are there any other differences?

3D is good to have but not necessary thats why I went with V20D as it was the best 2D available then.

I'll finally be getting the P42ST30D as replacement for the P42V20D. I think this should be ok if I need to stick to 42" models and looking at the current in production models on their website.

 

[girish1in]

In mumbai, dealers are not ready to sell 42GT20 for anything less than 75k ( i ve inquired at 2 places, one was panasonic brandshop).....

BTW.....my observation in showroom lighting conditions with same input "Movies Now HD" through those hdmi splitters for multiple tvs........ST30 and GT30 were kept side by side.....

ST30D
- Blacks have exaggerated shadows...(they give impression of too much black)
- whites are not like the proper whites, they are more like greyish to see in moderate to highly lit rooms like showrooms(although in dark rooms whites can be perceived more bright i assume)
Outcome? The panel looks a bit dark, hence this model will be enjoyed by people with dim lights or who enjoy watching with lights switched off...people with moderate to highly bright lit rooms will find this TV dim....(btw...dimdoesent always translate to bad....depends on your taste...)
Also, Very minimum reflection, almost not noticeable, superb for a plasma

42GT20

- Blacks are perfect
- white are more like whites (not greyish, like that on ST30)
outcome? Perfect PQ
Again reflection is almost zero....superb..

Note: these are my personal observations and opinion, i was lucky enough to be allowed to play around with the PQ settings on both the panels...but the difference remains unchanged....

Hence, GT20 is more perfect and balanced tv, can be used in any lighting conditions without dissapointment(safe to buy for any lighting conditions).....in fact in my opinion GT20 is the BEST plasma for a 42 incher available in India as of today...
ST30 will appeal to people who enjoy watching movies in those dark HT rooms...or who have dim lighting in their rooms only.....

my personal advice : Please avoid ST30D if you have a very bright room, its not for you....(unless you are only looking out for best black levels out there, even if it hinders a balanced viewing experience)

 

[TheSeeker]

^^ a very nice comparison

 

[BLASTO]

In mumbai, dealers are not ready to sell 42GT20 for anything less than 75k ( i ve inquired at 2 places, one was panasonic brandshop).....

BTW.....my observation in showroom lighting conditions with same input "Movies Now HD" through those hdmi splitters for multiple tvs........ST30 and GT30 were kept side by side.....

ST30D
- Blacks have exaggerated shadows...(they give impression of too much black)
- whites are not like the proper whites, they are more like greyish to see in moderate to highly lit rooms like showrooms(although in dark rooms whites can be perceived more bright i assume)
Outcome? The panel looks a bit dark, hence this model will be enjoyed by people with dim lights or who enjoy watching with lights switched off...people with moderate to highly bright lit rooms will find this TV dim....(btw...dimdoesent always translate to bad....depends on your taste...)
Also, Very minimum reflection, almost not noticeable, superb for a plasma

42GT20

- Blacks are perfect
- white are more like whites (not greyish, like that on ST30)
outcome? Perfect PQ
Again reflection is almost zero....superb..

Note: these are my personal observations and opinion, i was lucky enough to be allowed to play around with the PQ settings on both the panels...but the difference remains unchanged....

Hence, GT20 is more perfect and balanced tv, can be used in any lighting conditions without dissapointment(safe to buy for any lighting conditions).....in fact in my opinion GT20 is the BEST plasma for a 42 incher available in India as of today...
ST30 will appeal to people who enjoy watching movies in those dark HT rooms...or who have dim lighting in their rooms only.....

my personal advice : Please avoid ST30D if you have a very bright room, its not for you....(unless you are only looking out for best black levels out there, even if it hinders a balanced viewing experience)

You have observed the difference between infinite black vs infinite black pro. All of the 30 series ST/GT/VT come with only the pro filter and not the infinite black. So the infinite black is not in production anymore (sadly).

Having said that, you could very well be seeing differences between ST and GT series itself. The ST is entry level 3D model and hence have marginally lesser details presentation and exaggerated shadow details to hide this.

 

[BLASTO]

In - Blacks have exaggerated shadows...(they give impression of too much black)

Can you be more specific of the blacks? Are the shadow details exaggerated or crushed? Both are opposite.

- whites are not like the proper whites, they are more like greyish to see in moderate to highly lit rooms like showrooms(although in dark rooms whites can be perceived more bright i assume)

This is a non issue in VT20 atleast. These produce the whitest whites I have seen in a plasma.

 

[girish1in]

Yes, may be the difference btw both models is due to the fact that ST is entry level...

You have observed the difference between infinite black vs infinite black pro. All of the 30 series ST/GT/VT come with only the pro filter and not the infinite black. So the infinite black is not in production anymore (sadly).

Having said that, you could very well be seeing differences between ST and GT series itself. The ST is entry level 3D model and hence have marginally lesser details presentation and exaggerated shadow details to hide this.

 

[girish1in]

To be frank I did observe in detail yesterday but not so so much detail im afraid... hence dont want to misquote...but i can guarantee for sure that ST30 blacks have any one of the issues for sure which you just named...but if i have to guess on initial impressions it would be- exaggerated....hdtvtest review also mentions it along with many sites.....

Panasonic TX-P42ST30/ TX-P42ST30B (ST30) Review

Yes, VT20 dosent have this issue..whites were white...(VT20 was also on display next to ST and GT)....

Can you be more specific of the blacks? Are the shadow details exaggerated or crushed? Both are opposite.


This is a non issue in VT20 atleast. These produce the whitest whites I have seen in a plasma.

 

[BLASTO]

To be frank I did observe in detail yesterday but not so so much detail im afraid... hence dont want to misquote...but i can guarantee for sure that ST30 blacks have any one of the issues for sure which you just named...but if i have to guess on initial impressions it would be- exaggerated....hdtvtest review also mentions it along with many sites.....

It is exaggerated blacks you are mentioning.. That will result in crushed shadow details..
I did not see it in my viewing though.. Prankey was mentioning the same somewhere else..

 

[IBL]

I'll finally be getting the P42ST30D as replacement for the P42V20D. I think this should be ok if I need to stick to 42" models and looking at the current in production models on their website.

Finally got my P42V20D replaced with P42ST30D after following up with Panasonic for almost 5 months.

So far I've reduced all the settings down to minimum and turned off the ones not needed for the initial break in periond. Got the TV to connect to the internet through my PC and updated the firmware to the latest version. Will post more details soon once I check out the TV more closely. One again, thanks to this forum for all the help and information.

 

[prankey]

Finally got my P42V20D replaced with P42ST30D after following up with Panasonic for almost 5 months.

So far I've reduced all the settings down to minimum and turned off the ones not needed for the initial break in periond. Got the TV to connect to the internet through my PC and updated the firmware to the latest version. Will post more details soon once I check out the TV more closely. One again, thanks to this forum for all the help and information.

What was the issue with your V20? I thing its a good upgrade under warranty even when you could not get a similar series (V30). I believe you might have got a 3D glass with it as well.

 

[vidy]

His v20 had image burn issues (got a demo piece)

What was the issue with your V20? I thing its a good upgrade under warranty even when you could not get a similar series (V30). I believe you might have got a 3D glass with it as well.

 

[IBL]

What was the issue with your V20? I thing its a good upgrade under warranty even when you could not get a similar series (V30). I believe you might have got a 3D glass with it as well.

Unfortunately I got nothing, I think after 4 months I'm just lucky to have got it replaced. No 3D glasses, not even the diwali offers (those were only for new purchases) anyway the ST30 is not bad for the price of a V20.

The customer may be king but the dealers think they are God.

 

[manpreetsingh212003]

Hi all,


This is Manpreet Singh from Punjab . I am reading a lots of posts in this forum for past 1 months (Especially Pana VT-20 & ST-30) as these are the best reviewed models in this forum. I am a bit confused about 50 inches VT20 & 42 inches ST-30 . i am getting these models at same price with one 3D glasses . Please suggest me the best model among these two as i will be watching SD contest(80 %) & 3D contents (20%).Please give your valuable opinions as my purchase will be purely on your opinions.

 

[illusion_heart]

Hi all,


This is Manpreet Singh from Punjab . I am reading a lots of posts in this forum for past 1 months (Especially Pana VT-20 & ST-30) as these are the best reviewed models in this forum. I am a bit confused about 50 inches VT20 & 42 inches ST-30 . i am getting these models at same price with one 3D glasses . Please suggest me the best model among these two as i will be watching SD contest(80 %) & 3D contents (20%).Please give your valuable opinions as my purchase will be purely on your opinions.

Mate, you are better off with Sony LCD/LED for SD viewing.......both these models will not give u a great picture.......for HD / Full HD then definitely VT & then ST in order of preference....

 

[manpreetsingh212003]

Hi hearty,


I have seen LED/LCD but they are not as good as plasma i.e why i was opting plasma

 

[illusion_heart]

Hi hearty,


I have seen LED/LCD but they are not as good as plasma i.e why i was opting plasma

Mate, i own a 50" VT20 hence can tell you for sure that SD viewing sucks on this. I am sure you will find similar feedback on the ST30 model as well. I had to keep my Sony 29" CRT alive purely for SD watching .......

However when it comes to HD/FHD i dont think any other TV can beat this model except for Pannys own future models....

Definately not recommended for SD viewing......including SD DTH. only channels the TV does justice to are NG, discovery & other star HD channels (Got Tata Sky + HD connection).......

 

[Reds4ever]

Mate, i own a 50" VT20 hence can tell you for sure that SD viewing sucks on this. I am sure you will find similar feedback on the ST30 model as well. I had to keep my Sony 29" CRT alive purely for SD watching .......

However when it comes to HD/FHD i dont think any other TV can beat this model except for Pannys own future models....

Definately not recommended for SD viewing......including SD DTH. only channels the TV does justice to are NG, discovery & other star HD channels (Got Tata Sky + HD connection).......

illusion_heart,

i too own a VT20 and agree that SD viewing is not perfect. Comparison to a CRT though, is a moot point. The 29" CRT is always going to trump a 50" HDTV on SD content. I had a 42" LG LED Cinema 3D TV before the VT20 and the SD was just as bad on it. Samsung is known to have better SD performance in their HDTVs though it'd still not be able to do as well as a good CRT..