42'+ Screens for approx 1 grand

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Enervation

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Wannabe Geek

#81894 19-Apr-2011 21:48

Hi fellas.

I've been waiting for a special offer on 42" 1080 TVs that are around $1000 or so. I saw two today, one at DSE, the other at the warehouse:

http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4dad3ee7020ac74e2740c0a87f3b06c5/Product/View/GE6110

http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Transonic-47-Inch-Full-HD-LCD-Television-SRO8115?SKU=1429857

Two rather different devices, both very well priced. However, I can't choose between them for the life of me!
I accept that the plasma, being both a plasma, and a panasonic, will have better picture than the Transonic cheapo LCD. But as I cannot put the two side-by-side, I am unable to quantify the difference. Evidently I am willing to accept a somewhat lower quality picture for a decent increase in size.

FWIW, I was planning to get a Sony PlayTV for the Transonic, as it doesn't have a tuner.

If you were to pick one (hell, or reccomend another one), which would it be? Anyone that has been able to compare Transonic/no-name screens may also be able to provide some insight.

Thanks - first post here btw, been lurking on ocnz until now :)

Dunnersfella

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#460684 19-Apr-2011 22:08

I'm not sure if you've linked to the correct Transonic... it's a 47" for $1999.

skyplonk

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#460689 19-Apr-2011 22:14

I have one of these:

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/soniq/42-inch-full-hd-lcd-tv-sku-21617/

$800. Full HD LCD with built in freeview.

wanghou168

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#460696 19-Apr-2011 22:40

I bought a 42" Panasonic LCD Full HD with built in freeview
$999 during xmas sales at Noel Leemings last year

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CutCutCut

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#460697 19-Apr-2011 22:40

Pretty sure I saw a Panasonic 42" Full HD in the latest DSE mailer for less than a grand.

wanghou168

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#460698 19-Apr-2011 22:43

CutCutCut: Pretty sure I saw a Panasonic 42" Full HD in the latest DSE mailer for less than a grand.

Should be a plasma?
I will be surprised if it is a LCD haha
But I do have to say, these tech stuff drop prices really fast.....

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Enervation

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#460713 19-Apr-2011 23:04

Dunnersfella: I'm not sure if you've linked to the correct Transonic... it's a 47" for $1999.

Oops my bad. The Warehouse brouchure/flyer was advertisting it for $899 (sale starts tommorow). The $1999 is the normal price.

CutCutCut: Pretty sure I saw a Panasonic 42" Full HD in the latest DSE mailer for less than a grand.

That's probably the one I posted, I received the mailer today.

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Adappted

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#460727 20-Apr-2011 00:00

I can vouch for the full HD 42 Panasonic Plasma being an amazing panel. Got mine for 899 boxing day sale, I think I saw the same one last week at JB hifi for 850. The tend to look like crap in the shops, when I got it home the picture quality bout knocked me off the sofa, I can't fault this panel at all, and I am insanely hard to please. I also find LCDs oversharp, over saturated and unnatural looking.. just my 2c

timmmay

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#460765 20-Apr-2011 08:21

My Mum got an awesome 40" Samsung LCD TV with freeview for $950 or so in the boxing day sales. You'll probably get the same sort of deal in easter sales.

CutCutCut

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#460769 20-Apr-2011 08:26

Enervation:
Dunnersfella: I'm not sure if you've linked to the correct Transonic... it's a 47" for $1999.

Oops my bad. The Warehouse brouchure/flyer was advertisting it for $899 (sale starts tommorow). The $1999 is the normal price.

CutCutCut: Pretty sure I saw a Panasonic 42" Full HD in the latest DSE mailer for less than a grand.

That's probably the one I posted, I received the mailer today.

Yes it was a plasma, it was probably the one you posted, I couldn't get the link to work. Generally pretty good the Panasonic plasmas I've seen.

Kopkiwi

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#460790 20-Apr-2011 08:59

Amazing how quickly prices drop. 4 years ago I got a 40" Sony XBR for $7k. Now you can pick up a 55" LCD for $3500. less then $3k if you shop around.

Enervation

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#460867 20-Apr-2011 10:59

Went and bought the Panasonic plasma (TH-P42U20) this morning.
Just beforehand I popped into the warehouse and looked at the Transonic - the colours were very washed out, contrast very low. No fiddling with the various picture settings could get it to look even remotely as good as the screens around it. Then looking at the Panasonic plasma a few minutes afterwards sealed the deal, simply no comparison in colour or sharpness.

I figure the Transonic must be an early model that never really sold well, and thus they are simply getting rid of stock at what was probably cost price.

Currently at work, so haven't been able to set it up and try it out, but I'll let you know how it compares to the old 42" 'Konka' LCD that our old flatmate took when he left.
I also picked up a PlayTV while I was there, hopefully it proves to be useful/not-too-quirky.

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tyronnezx

13 posts

Geek

#461235 21-Apr-2011 10:22

Panasonic TV TH-P42V20 - picked that up for 1100 at harvey normasn - that was the best tv of 2010. and still beats new stuff from everywhere else. go get that.

gehenna

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#461249 21-Apr-2011 10:59

Ditch the Transonic idea, they're crap. There's plenty of good reputable brands out there with 40"+ 1080p for sub-$1k now. Also plenty of 50"+ 720p for the same price... shop around. Panasonic have had a number of good deals of late for around $899 for 42" 1080p with inbuilt HD tuner. I've got a 37" Panasonic and it's superb.

Jaxson

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#461261 21-Apr-2011 11:29

Enervation: I am willing to accept a somewhat lower quality picture for a decent increase in size.

A bit late now, but that comment is a really bad move. The bigger the TV gets, the more it shows up a lack of resolution or poor quality picture.