Sony KDL- 40"CX520 or Panasonic 42" P42U30D ? Expert / owner's opinion needed.

[ruggedknot]

Hello forumers,

First off , I've got to say I'm very pleased to see an audio/videophile forum exclusive to Indians with such a fledgling knowledgeable community .Its the people who make any forum worthwhile and this place has plenty of good vibes .

I've been checking in for opinions and insight in here for the past week or so , trying to gauge reviews from many members in here to make a choice for a good 40" Full HD television on a budget not exceeding 40k.

My exhaustive search has led me to two models that I'm currently looking at , the 40" Sony LCD with the Reality engine and the 42" Panasonic Plasma.

From what I understand , the Panasonic has plenty of fans on here and for good reason , along with Sharp , they make the best Plasma screens . The Sony is what I have in mind and I've got a relatively good deal at 37k for the CX520 LCD as opposed to the Panasonic 42" at about 41-43k .

Some of the factors that'll help decide upon one or the other :

- Viewing distance is about 8 feet . Environment is a predominantly subtly lighted room with scarce sunlight during the day.
- Good refresh rate is important , I watch sports and the Sony has a 50Hz refresh rate that could blur on rapid moving images from time to time .
- Playback support through USB , although not a deciding factor since I've got a HD media player .

Content :

- A mix of SD programming ( mom's routine 9PM dramas) and HD playback at 720p & 1080p mkv .
- Might go for the HD Dth box when there's better HD programming available .
- PS3 console to be hooked up as well .

Plasma seems to get the better rep on here for superior image quality which I've read Sony is making good ground on even with their new-age LCD's with the Reality engine . LCD's are known to get the better rep for no burn-in and longer lamp life which I've read Panasonic have come a long way with their new Plasma's . You see how I'm in a conundrum .

Price is an important factor as well since I'm pulling my way through college and not making the big bucks yet

Here's the two with their specs chart :

Sony LCD : KDL-40CX520 : CX520 Series : BRAVIA HD TVs (LED & LCD) : Sony Australia

Panasonic Plasma : http://www.panasonic.co.in/wps/portal/home/products/digitalav/tv/vieraplasmatv/useries/p42u30d

A particular concern with the Panasonic is that with 900 lines of 'moving picture resolution' , it doesn't scream FullHD at 1080p. That and its got 24p playback as opposed to true 24p cinema from Sony .

Another thing to note , I've already put the marker down on the Sony in paying 37k for it from an ebay seller , which I can get refund on since it hasn't been delivered yet and is stretching past the due date . It is now priced at 42k ( rupee falling against the dollar and so on ) , from the same seller so I haven't cancelled it just yet . If I decide to stay on , I'll get the Sony delivered in a week or so.

Or I could get the refund and think of other options hah.

Any help in choosing one over the other and sticking with it , as well as looking over other models / options in a similar price range would be greatly appreciated .

Thanks.

 

[ruggedknot]

Bumping this up like the Queen's bum.

 

[madhavk8]

Sony CX520 is a gr8 tv

 

[BLASTO]

You seem to know all that ought to be known.
What are you asking now? Decide based all the inputs and demo.

 

[ruggedknot]

Thanks for the insight Madhav.

@Blasto , I guess at this point in time ( with the Sony still not shipped yet but will in a matter of days ) , I'm only looking for some kind of approval from the members on here , in a way .

I'm relatively a novice when it comes to screen displays and technology , and unable to see for myself the differences in Plasma / LCD - LED displays ( I'm handicapped at the moment ) at a store to take a demo and decide between them , the only way to educate myself was through the internet . Plasma seems to have much more fanfare among the videophiles in here and probably for good reason , just checking to see if it the 42" plasma was worth the extra 5k , or if I would be content with the LCD with what I need it for as I've mentioned up above .

Thanks again , and any more opinions would be greatly appreciated !

 

[BLASTO]

I recommend based on the SD/HD viewing percentage.
Sony has better Sd processing anyday than panasonic. The equation tilts in favour of panasonic for HD.

 

[naimesh]

Why 42U30 when you can get 42GT20 for 48k in your city..
from your post I can understand that you are really concerned about PQ and not like other people who just want to buy a TV set..but budget constrained..
42GT20 is neopdp panel(sold at much higher prices in panasonic models) with 3D
you will get 1080p MPR( which can please you).I am sure your sony will not even come closer to 900.MPR
price is 5k higher than your selected models..can get on EMI...If you want to buy cheaper TV than many options available with 42X30 for 34k but if you are concerned about quality , this should not be missed..I have seen this in showroom and impressed by its PQ but the price quoted was 78k!!! so ruled out and settled for 50v20..
If you can't stretch your budget, do consider 2 samsung models also along with sony as they have very good picture processing..
don't miss opportunity of getting 42GT20 for 48k(or even lesser, don't know what happens in Bangalore, you can get 50 incher for 42 inch size there)
as Blasto said SD/HD ratio also determines but I think within 1-2 year more or less everyone will be switched to HD who is concerned about PQ and when more channels are available in HD..
don't regret for not able to get demo, because I bought most of my items without demo..
people in this forum are so helpful and can give you unbiased opinions that if you buy even without demo, you would be knowing what you will get..
BTW what is wrong with your health?why are you handicapped?

 

[BLASTO]

I did not see you were from bangalore.
Go and book the 42GT20 for 48k and call it a day. It comes with neopdp, infinite black filter, 3D, 2*3D glasses and what not for 48k. It is a last year model. So going for cheap.

Forget the U30. It has none of the above and is 2 series below G.
The GT20 apparently is not available aywhere else other than bangalore.
Contact devi international. There too stocks are running out.

 

[jomy]

in panasonic website it not mentioning that GT20 comes with neoPlasma
http://www.panasonic.co.in/wps/portal/home/products/digitalav/tv/vieraplasmatv/gtseries

just confused ...

 

[naimesh]

It has been confirmed by your city friends already(seen it personally)..why don't you go through all pages on this model and decide fast?
stocks are running out fast and no other option in this price range..
you ppl are lucky to get in this price..other cities either don't have stocks or quoted too high..

 

[ruggedknot]

Thank you for the prompt replies .

I took the bait and called up Devi International and got the number of the guy who deals with Panasonic models ( Ramesh : 7899284456 ) .

His price quote was 53k and I specifically asked to see if the model came with the NeoPDP , to which he said they didn't . I've looked up the model online in several places ( including eBay where a seller has listed it for about 78k) to see that it does come with the NeoPdp . Surely the designated guy for Panasonic at Devi International can't be this ill-informed ?

Either way , if the deal worked out to what you guys are saying , I might actually be interested , even if that's stretching the budget a wee bit .

Also , the relative amateur that I am , I understand that one can watch 2D programming , even 2D SD programming on a 3DTV without the need for glasses , but with the dire lack of real 3D content available at this point in time , is it really necessary to make the jump to 3D tvs ?

@naimesh , had a late night rendezvous with a milk-truck . Head-on at an intersection . Broke my femur , ligaments and then some on both legs. Recovering though , thank you .

Thanks again for your time and views . Its greatly appreciated and affirms the good community vibes that's easy to see in here .

 

[naimesh]

3D is not at all necessary..but if you get very good 2d with 3D free.. why not to take it????
bargain hard..take help of kittu.. He might be able to help you buy even at 45k!!!!!
neopdp has been confirmed ..read the thread for 42GT20..
operated for femur #???
All the best for recovery.

 

[subrotobasu]

Hi everyone! I am also in an urgent need of a good Panny Plasma <50k.
I called up a Panasonic Brandshop in New Delhi and a sales guy there quoted me the price of P42U30D & P42GT20D as 43k and 83k respectively.
I don't know why 42GT20 is being sold here at 83k and in Bangalore at 48k, though I am not sure whether 42GT20D & 42GT20 are the same or different models.
At present P42U30D is my only option but if I can get a 42GT20 for just 48k, I would definitely go with that.
Moreover, could you please give me some tips on how to bargain or negotiate with the dealer so that I could lower the price of the TV a bit as some people do here. I am quite illiterate in these things.
Sorry if asked too many questions.
Thanks.

 

[mandeep]

Hi everyone! I am also in an urgent need of a good Panny Plasma <50k.
I called up a Panasonic Brandshop in New Delhi and a sales guy there quoted me the price of P42U30D & P42GT20D as 43k and 83k respectively.
I don't know why 42GT20 is being sold here at 83k and in Bangalore at 48k, though I am not sure whether 42GT20D & 42GT20 are the same or different models.
At present P42U30D is my only option but if I can get a 42GT20 for just 48k, I would definitely go with that.
Moreover, could you please give me some tips on how to bargain or negotiate with the dealer so that I could lower the price of the TV a bit as some people do here. I am quite illiterate in these things.
Sorry if asked too many questions.
Thanks.

yeah, that would be really helpful, i bet many of us are still illiterate about this negotiation part.