Panasonic Vs Samsung

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mitch76

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#24718 31-Jul-2008 21:50

Hello all

I'm new to Geekzone ans was hoping you could give me a hand on a couple of dilemas I'm having.

Firstly.... Looking at getting a 42" Plasma, either Panasonic or Samsung, at this stage is looking like Hd ready rather than full Hd due to finances.

This brings me to my first question, can someone tell me the difference between Full Hd and Hd ready?

Secondly.... Samsung or Panasonic?

Thirdly... Do I go freeview or Myski hd? Am I correct in thinking that if you want the normal channels in Hd you need freevie and if you want sky movies and sport in Hd you need Myski as well?????????????

Thanks in advance......so many decisions!!!

stuzzo

534 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#153156 31-Jul-2008 23:46

mitch76:
Hello all

I'm new to Geekzone ans was hoping you could give me a hand on a couple of dilemas I'm having.

Firstly.... Looking at getting a 42" Plasma, either Panasonic or Samsung, at this stage is looking like Hd ready rather than full Hd due to finances.

This brings me to my first question, can someone tell me the difference between Full Hd and Hd ready?

Secondly.... Samsung or Panasonic?

Thirdly... Do I go freeview or Myski hd? Am I correct in thinking that if you want the normal channels in Hd you need freevie and if you want sky movies and sport in Hd you need Myski as well?????????????

Thanks in advance......so many decisions!!!

Welcome...firstly lets assume by Full HD we are referring to a 1920x1080 vertical resolution screen and HD ready, anything less but above standard def (576). This will in most cases be a 1366x768 screen.

Full HD (1080) won't give you large gains over a 768 screen at 42" particularily in a lounge where you may be some distance from the screen. You may be able to tell the difference but it won't be huge. This is a point of debate, to some, of course. Focusing on picture quality may be more productive than simply valuing screen resolution.

Bear in mind, though, that 1080 will likely become the standard for this screen size and above within a few years.

I can't advise you on brands except to say I personally would favour Panasonic.

You can get Freeview HD (TV 1,2,3,etc) via a standalone box for $350-400, though Freeview tuners are starting to be added to TVs. Also many stores are offering Freeview boxes(and even Sky HD subscriptions) free with TVs at the moment so shop around.

You can only get Sky channels in HD via the My Sky HDi (hard drive based decoder).

BazNZ

258 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#153164 1-Aug-2008 00:22

Hi Mitch,
If it's a Plasma HDTV you want....well Panasonic is your best bet. Panasonic is a world leader in Plasma technology in it's HDTV's. Samsung produce great LCD HDTV's but in my opinion these have yet to rival the picture quality of Plasma's. After months of viewing HDTV's I have just purchased the latest state of the art Panasonic Plasma model TH-PY800. These have been introduced into the market this month at a great price. You should be able to purchase the 42" version for well under $3000. I was so impressed with the pricing on these Panasonic plasma's I upgraded my purchase to the 50". Remember these have the latest technology available. Also if you buy between July 1st and August 31st... Panasonic with throw in either a (you choose) 1. Zinwell Freeview HD Set Top Box worth $549, 2. Panasonic DVD Recorder worth $599 and 3.Panasonic Home Theatre worth $499. I'm going with the Freeview HD STB. On top of this Panasonic are running another promotion when purchasing any HD product you go into a draw to win various High Definition Home Packages incl...HDTV's - Plasma & LCD's, HD movie camera's and Blu Ray Players etc etc. Look into it at your local store. Here is a link to the Panasonic Plasma TH-PY800

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 206

Trusted

Snowflake

#153166 1-Aug-2008 00:28

panasonic screens have always tended to perform better than samsung for black levels

samsung screens always used to cost less than panasonic

both panasonic and samsung produce nice looking screens - i.e. they look 'elegant' or 'stylish'. many other screens just look cheap..

I have an older samsung and overall am very happy with it. mine is only an SD panel (848x480) but it could probably also be called "hd ready" as it can accept and display an HD signal of either 720p or 1080i via component inputs. Obviously its not displaying "True HD" though as it has neither a 720 or 1080 vertical resolution and wont even take a 1080p signal.

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

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Twitter: @nzregs

mitch76

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#153190 1-Aug-2008 08:14

Thank you so much for your replies, they are a great help. I think I am now in the market for a Panasonic. I'm a bit scared to go for a 50" but you all seem to be upgrading so I'm questioning my thoughts. What if your lounge isn't overally big, do you need a big room with a couch directly in front to get your moneys worth????

BazNZ

258 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#153222 1-Aug-2008 09:48

To me big is always better as (Levi from Mitre 10 Mega) would say...lol. I don't have a big lounge either and was thinking the 50" might be a bit large but hey I bit the bullet and went for BIG. At the end of the day value for money was the clincher for me. Because I'd been looking at HDTV's particularly LCD's for a good period of time I found the price of the latest 50" Panasonic Plasma TH-PY800 to be the same price(better in some case's depending on where you shop) as the latest Sony & Samsung 46" equivalents. Here are some price comparison links from Bond & Bond of the latest HDTV's with good specs that I have personally viewed in your preferred Screen size as an example....
Sony 46" Full HD BRAVIA X Series $4999
Sony 40" Full HD BRAVIA X Series $3999
Samsung 46" Full HD Series 7 LCD TV $3999
Philips 47" Full HD LCD Television $3799
Philips 42" Full HD LCD TV $3499
Panasonic 42" Full HD Viera Plasma TV $3299
Samsung 40" Full HD Series 7 LCD TV $2999

Now these are a select few of the better Full HDTV's on the market in this Price range and Screen size. As I said... I upgraded to the 50" Panasonic Plasma TH-PY800 model for $3999 which can be purchased cheaper if you shop around. Now I consider that value for money considering it has a 50" Screen and 1,000,000: 1 contrast ratio. Of all the HDTV's above... the Panasonic plasma had the best Picture Quality and Specs...followed by the Samsung LCD Series 7 & Sony LCD X Series...Philip's last. Shop around and view for yourself these HDTV's under equal conditions. Prices always change and remember to heckle the salesperson for a better deal. This Help guide I posted here (HDTV Plasma Vs LCD Help Guide) may help you too Mitch. Happy shopping!

Regards
BazNZ

TinyTim

1058 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 167

Trusted

#153226 1-Aug-2008 10:15

For what it's worth, in the latest Consumer TV test, the Panasonic model (that they tested) was rated above the two Samsungs (that they tested). It scored higher for both picture quality and useability. The Panasonic was one of the recommended TVs.

In the separate television buying guide they compare reliability, and Panasonic again rates above Samsung.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

BazNZ

258 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#153243 1-Aug-2008 10:40

Panasonic, Samsung & Sony are all very good brands. You can only review and compare HDTV's from model to model of each brand at any particular time. As new model's get released the best rated TV's can vary from Brand to Brand. At this point in time (July 2008) I believe the Panasonic is the best available in this Screen Size and Price category for both Plasma & LCD HDTV's. By Christmas this could all change...Technology I hate it !

mitch76

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#153314 1-Aug-2008 14:09

And here I've been shopping around for months being completely confused by different salemens and I'll I needed to do was talk to you guys. Your all legends!!! One last thing, does it matter how sunny the room is for viablility on the screen, again I was told plasma is no good for a sunny room.

THanks a billion

Michelle

Radiotron

187 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 36

#153429 1-Aug-2008 20:23

Hi, Just a thought regarding lighting environment, yes, LCDs work well in in high ambient light conditions - my dad is a real fan of his LCD, daytime cricket coverage and that sort of stuff, he doesn't want another CRT TV. And, with respect to current state of the art, LCD has improved out of sight when it comes to "blacker" blacks, much much better than 2 or 3 years ago when plasma was obvious winner there. Plasma is pretty good, and is still a contender.
Would suggest if possible that you loan both a plasma and LCD, or at least get to compare them in a situation that simulates your own viewing environment.
Ultimately, it is not about "which is best" but more about what you like better to watch personally - you are the buyer, so you get to choose, not the salesman. It's a lot like hifi, cars, and many other things, try it, and see if it meets your expectations for how you are going to use it.
A last comment, plasma displays are not known for being power efficient, they run rather hot: "light emitting panel heater" comes to mind... Check for yourself.

In order to get the right answer, one must ask the right question