Sony KF55E200A Back projection or Panasonic TH-42PV70AZ Plasma

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cshwone

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#13734 26-May-2007 13:22

Hi,

I am looking for a new TV for a large extension, priority is WS plus SD viewing (Sky and DVD) and a bit of future proofing with HDMI input. TV will only be used in the evening. Room is approx 8m x 4m with TV on the 4m wall. I already have an old Panasonic 42 in Plasma which has served me well over 6 yrs in my other sitting room.

However, I am now trying to decide if the 55in Sony would be better purely from a screen size point of view. Both my options are roughly the same price (give or take $300) and I can't justify the cost of a 50 in plasma (unfortunately).

I would appreciate any user input from owners of either set.

Thanks

Stu

cyril7

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#72311 26-May-2007 18:19

Personally I think the Sony rear pro 3LCD tellys have a superiour picture to both plasma and panel LCD displays, period. Concidering the total lack of CRTs (both at small and obviously at large sizes) I am afraid that I would take an LCD projection unit or if I had the dosh a LCOS (ie SXRD) unit anyday rather than either plasma or LCD panel.

Only down side to rearpro's is the vertical viewing angle (which is easily dealt with, ie take a seat) and the depth, that said the depth issue can easily be dealt with, I mean a 50" rearpro LCD is only as deep as a 21" CRT.

Cyril

lchiu7

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#72346 27-May-2007 08:47

I would agree to that since I own a LCoS RP set from JVC - similar technology to the Sony SXRD. I don't find the vertical viewing angle a problem - the picture is bright from all viewing angles I use.

As for the depth, they are deeper than Plasma or LCD but if you have the room, they are great bang for the buck. And depth has been addressed in the new JVC D-ILA sets which are by using a concave mirror are now only 25cm deep! They can even be wall mounted now. I wonder when those models get out here?

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Nety

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#72348 27-May-2007 09:27

I have the Sony 42" rear pro (the model before the current one) and I don't think they can be beat as long as you can afford the depth which is only 350mm after all. Just think. You are getting a HD TV for around the same price as a SD LCD or Plasma flat panel TV.
Before anyone says that no one has any HD material. Freeveiw will start going HD next year with the terrestrial feed and Sky (and Telstra) will be releasing HD services next year too.
With the size screen you are talking about I would go that way.

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sbiddle

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#72359 27-May-2007 10:11

Nety: Freeveiw will start going HD next year with the terrestrial feed and Sky (and Telstra) will be releasing HD services next year too.

/me wonders if TCL even know what HDTV means. They seem to have no concept of what widescreen TV is..

Nety

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#72538 28-May-2007 16:05

Understand your point but I was told sometime ago when I was in their "shop" that they did plan to release a HD service but had to wait for Sky as they would just be on selling it as they currently do with the SD service.

cshwone

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#72615 29-May-2007 08:11

Thanks for the responses so far. Not many in the Plasma camp

I have been looking at both the Sony UK and Sony US websites and note that they have now introduced a range in between the 2 current rear-projection series. Effectively it takes the styling and screen sizes from the KF series and adds the SXRD technology with full HD capability. I have e-mailed Sony NZ to find out if they plan to introduce the range in Australasia.

Cheers

sbiddle

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#72619 29-May-2007 08:26

cshwone: Thanks for the responses so far. Not many in the Plasma camp

I have a Pioneer 50" Plasma and love that. The only problem with any large screen TV is that you have to accept that picture quality from any SD sources will look pretty average. Stretch a SD 4:3 picture to fit the 16:9 and it's even worse.

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#72918 30-May-2007 23:58

i have the sony i have the sony!!!

it's the best for it's price. somehow there is a function that makes crap tv look good and not pixelated like most other big screens tend to do. cant' remember what its called but i didnt realise the difference until i watched my neighbour's 40" plasma and i was like ... eh? yours is smaller and still shows more square boxes! the colour is good. and has good contrast which is the main thing - you can actually see batman in batman shows.