Panasonic Plasma vs Sony Bravia LCD?

raymondtlee · 11-27-2006, 02:53 PM

I'm looking to choose among:

40" Bravia KDL-40S2010 LCD
40" Bravia KDL-40V2500 (1080P!) LCD
37" TH-37PX60U Panasonic Plasma
42" TH-42PX60U Panasonic Plasma

I'm also open to other LCD brands (like the Sharp Aquos or possibly Samsung but prefer either Sony or Panasonic Plasma since I've heard excellent things). Does anyone have any advice to give?

I will be sitting about 6 feet away (small 650 foot 1BR in NYC!). The living room does not have a ton of natural bright lighting, only two small windows so I'd say it's relatively dim most of the time, certainly not bright and sunny. I plan to be using the TV generally in the evenings with perhaps a tall room lamp on, and if I were to watch movies I'd be pulling the shades anyway. However I do plan to have friends over for football games etc, so I'd be turning on all the lights and keeping it bright (maybe Plasma isn't good in that case?). What I'm very concerned about is definitely image quality, being able to have a stunning picture w/ good contrast, very black levels, and so I'm leaning toward the Panasonic. Also I think I might be getting a PS3/Xbox 360 so having two HDMI's might be more convenient (the Panasonic Plasma has 2, Sony has 1 except for the 1080P Sony LCD which has 2). Will the PS3 not look as good on the Panasonic since it's 1024x768 vs the 1366x768 vs 1920x1080? Keep in mind that I'll be about 6 feet from the TV, and I can move a little back if needed but not much. So that's why I'm thinking a 37" might be fine at that distance... or would 40"/42" be more immersive and enjoyable? Price difference between the 2 Panasonics is practically negligible.

Which TV would you get, if you were in my shoes and why? Price isn't too big of a deal, since I am trying to keep it under $1500 and I think I can find both these TV's for that price (will be purchasing after the holidays so expecting more price drops, but definitely am excited and have been doing the research way ahead of time). So I've read almost every single Plasma vs LCD guide that I can find, been to all the Home Theater websites, tried to read as many forums as I can... but I'm not entirely sold on either way completely yet.

Hopefully you guys can give me some guidance and let me hear your thoughts, especially if you own these sets.

Let me know!

lrodptl · 11-27-2006, 03:36 PM

Here we go again!!!

iserum · 11-27-2006, 06:34 PM

u can add sammy 1080p to the list.

leeoverstreet · 11-27-2006, 10:24 PM

The seating distance jumps out at me. At only six feet, a 1080p TV will be noticeably more detailed than the Panasonic 1024x768 plasmas at that size. And then you mention the PS3, which can output full 1920x1080p. So, in this case, I'd probably go with the Sony 1080p LCD, which is a beautiful TV. The only reasons you might want to go with the plasma instead is for somewhat better black level, and a wider viewing angle. If you view more sports and games than movies, black levels aren't as important. If viewing angle is a problem--and plasmas are fantastic for wide viewing angle--you could scoot the couch up even closer to the TV and put some stools behind it. You could darn near smoosh your face up to a 1080p 40" LCD and have it look nice.

cfmx · 03-06-2008, 09:53 PM

Here's my 2 cents! We had a 42 Panasonic plasma in a room brightly lit w/ natural light and the picture was awsome night or day. Down side is the plasma failed after 14 months and no extended warranties. We just purchased Sony 40xbr4 1080p and picture is nothing worth talking about compared to the plasma. I know they are not the tv your looking but I wouldn't be all concerned about 1080p on lcd when ours looks worse than a lower res plasma.

Joe_news · 03-07-2008, 01:17 AM

More pixels doesn't equal better picture quality. Get a plasma, Panasonic makes great sets (and so does Pioneer). Stick to them, you get a better picture thanks to their rich black levels.

bondavi · 03-07-2008, 05:32 AM

Why the Sony 40V2500? That is an older model. The latest is the 40V3000 which works much better.

Loves2Watch · 03-07-2008, 05:46 AM

I'm with Joe, get a Pioneer or Panasonic (my choice) plasma. The richness of the blacks and vivid picture are in a different league as compared to the other sets mentioned.

Rick-F · 03-07-2008, 07:30 AM

If you are going to use it with a PS3 or and X-Box-- I'd recommend the higher resolution Sony over the PX series Panny plasmas. And I am a big fan pf Panasonic plasma. If you were to include the PZ series (42"), I'd have voted differently.

Codes20 · 03-07-2008, 07:56 AM

Did any of you see when this thread was first started?

Hopefully the person has made a decision by now.

View Poll Results: Which TV to get?
40" Bravia KDL-40S2010 LCD	5	13.89%
40" Bravia KDL-40V2500 LCD	12	33.33%
37" TH-37PX60U Panasonic Plasma	1	2.78%
42" TH-42PX60U Panasonic Plasma	18	50.00%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

11-27-2006, 02:53 PM	#1
raymondtlee What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1	Panasonic Plasma vs Sony Bravia LCD? I'm looking to choose among: 40" Bravia KDL-40S2010 LCD 40" Bravia KDL-40V2500 (1080P!) LCD 37" TH-37PX60U Panasonic Plasma 42" TH-42PX60U Panasonic Plasma I'm also open to other LCD brands (like the Sharp Aquos or possibly Samsung but prefer either Sony or Panasonic Plasma since I've heard excellent things). Does anyone have any advice to give? I will be sitting about 6 feet away (small 650 foot 1BR in NYC!). The living room does not have a ton of natural bright lighting, only two small windows so I'd say it's relatively dim most of the time, certainly not bright and sunny. I plan to be using the TV generally in the evenings with perhaps a tall room lamp on, and if I were to watch movies I'd be pulling the shades anyway. However I do plan to have friends over for football games etc, so I'd be turning on all the lights and keeping it bright (maybe Plasma isn't good in that case?). What I'm very concerned about is definitely image quality, being able to have a stunning picture w/ good contrast, very black levels, and so I'm leaning toward the Panasonic. Also I think I might be getting a PS3/Xbox 360 so having two HDMI's might be more convenient (the Panasonic Plasma has 2, Sony has 1 except for the 1080P Sony LCD which has 2). Will the PS3 not look as good on the Panasonic since it's 1024x768 vs the 1366x768 vs 1920x1080? Keep in mind that I'll be about 6 feet from the TV, and I can move a little back if needed but not much. So that's why I'm thinking a 37" might be fine at that distance... or would 40"/42" be more immersive and enjoyable? Price difference between the 2 Panasonics is practically negligible. Which TV would you get, if you were in my shoes and why? Price isn't too big of a deal, since I am trying to keep it under $1500 and I think I can find both these TV's for that price (will be purchasing after the holidays so expecting more price drops, but definitely am excited and have been doing the research way ahead of time). So I've read almost every single Plasma vs LCD guide that I can find, been to all the Home Theater websites, tried to read as many forums as I can... but I'm not entirely sold on either way completely yet. Hopefully you guys can give me some guidance and let me hear your thoughts, especially if you own these sets. Let me know!

11-27-2006, 06:34 PM	#3
iserum High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,955	u can add sammy 1080p to the list. __________________ Panasonic 50PX80U/Pioneer BDP-51FD /Toshiba HD A1/Tivo HD SAMSUNG LNT-4661F/ Pioneer BDP-51FD/Dell XPS, Nvidia 9500 GT SONY BRAVIA 40V2500/40 GB PS3, WII, Intel Core 2 Duo with Nvidia 6800 Yamaha RXV1700 Def. Tech. Mythos III, V & Gems, Super Cube III Harmony Remote One Power Conditioner: Belkin PF40

03-07-2008, 01:17 AM	#6
Joe_news Sega does what Nintendont Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: U.S. of A. Posts: 951	More pixels doesn't equal better picture quality. Get a plasma, Panasonic makes great sets (and so does Pioneer). Stick to them, you get a better picture thanks to their rich black levels. __________________ Home Theater Pro 1 ---------------------- Pioneer 5080 Logitech Z-680 Samsung BDP-1600 Panamax M4300 Cox HD-DVR Harmony 880 PS3, Wii, Dreamcast

03-07-2008, 05:46 AM	#8
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,928	I'm with Joe, get a Pioneer or Panasonic (my choice) plasma. The richness of the blacks and vivid picture are in a different league as compared to the other sets mentioned. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's.

11-27-2006, 03:36 PM	#2
lrodptl High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 249	Here we go again!!!

11-27-2006, 10:24 PM	#4
leeoverstreet Remember to Blink Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 239	The seating distance jumps out at me. At only six feet, a 1080p TV will be noticeably more detailed than the Panasonic 1024x768 plasmas at that size. And then you mention the PS3, which can output full 1920x1080p. So, in this case, I'd probably go with the Sony 1080p LCD, which is a beautiful TV. The only reasons you might want to go with the plasma instead is for somewhat better black level, and a wider viewing angle. If you view more sports and games than movies, black levels aren't as important. If viewing angle is a problem--and plasmas are fantastic for wide viewing angle--you could scoot the couch up even closer to the TV and put some stools behind it. You could darn near smoosh your face up to a 1080p 40" LCD and have it look nice.

03-06-2008, 09:53 PM	#5
cfmx What is HD? Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fl Posts: 3	Here's my 2 cents! We had a 42 Panasonic plasma in a room brightly lit w/ natural light and the picture was awsome night or day. Down side is the plasma failed after 14 months and no extended warranties. We just purchased Sony 40xbr4 1080p and picture is nothing worth talking about compared to the plasma. I know they are not the tv your looking but I wouldn't be all concerned about 1080p on lcd when ours looks worse than a lower res plasma.

03-07-2008, 05:32 AM	#7
bondavi How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 15	Why the Sony 40V2500? That is an older model. The latest is the 40V3000 which works much better.

03-07-2008, 07:30 AM	#9
Rick-F 58" & 50" PDP / 2 32" LCD Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,560	If you are going to use it with a PS3 or and X-Box-- I'd recommend the higher resolution Sony over the PX series Panny plasmas. And I am a big fan pf Panasonic plasma. If you were to include the PZ series (42"), I'd have voted differently.

03-07-2008, 07:56 AM	#10
Codes20 In need of speakers Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CA Age: 24 Posts: 1,343	Did any of you see when this thread was first started? Hopefully the person has made a decision by now.