Panasonic Plasma TH42PY80EY vs Sony LCD KDLW3000

MadMoss · 19-06-2008 09:23PM #1

Hi there,
I am about to replace my CRT telly (10 years old now!).
I narrowed the choice down to two.
They are both €1500 from bricks and mortar shops.
The Panasonic is 42", the Sony is 40"
The Panasonic has a 5 year warranty, the Sony has a 1 year warranty
I am kinda leaning towards the Panasonic for the above reasons as the other specs. seem about the same (, except for the Plasma and LCD bit).
Would any one have any info or experience on the Sony that would make me change my mind?
Especially like picture quality?

If it makes any difference I will be connecting NTL digital, DVD, computer and VHS video.
Cheers for any advice.

mathias · 21-06-2008 08:42AM

I know those two models well , Stick with the panasonic , its far far better in just about every respect than the Sony.

The Picture quality of the Panasonic is streets ahead of the Sony. There are many other reasons that the panasonic is better , the quality of the De-interlacer , the scaler , and so on , but I wont bore you with those details , just rest assured that you have indeed made the correct choice with the Panasonic.

MadMoss · 23-06-2008 11:29PM

Cheers Mathias

segasega · 28-06-2008 11:01PM

Did you ever end up getting the Panasonic?
Looks like Ill be getting one soon, any good?

MadMoss · 30-06-2008 03:45PM

Got the Panasonic.
Over all, I am very happy.

I had to fiddle with my universal remote settings to get it to cop which Panasonic model I had. I think it was either because it is a newish model or because Irish models use different model numbers. Anyways I got it working in the end.

The quality of the picture is fantastic. The TV and DVD look great. When I hook up my blu-ray player (, also new and also Panasonic, )I will post another message stating if I noticed much difference.

At this point I reckon I made the correct choice.

segasega · 01-07-2008 08:46PM

Cool, Keep us posted. Defo up there in my list for a new TV.

electrolad · 06-07-2008 06:22PM

Hey everyone!

Came across this brief online guide comparing LCD, Plasma and Projector technology.

www.projectorpeople.com/resources/lcd-plasma-projector.asp

Maybe the tech. experts on boards.ie can let all us amateur techies know there thoughts. I'm still toing and froing between all three of these options (although it seems projectors won't suit everyday t.v. viewing). The 42" Panasonic TH42PY80EY Plasma mentioned in earlier posts seams like a good deal.... but i haven't made up my mind. Anyone with the Panasonic noticed any 'burn-in'/'ghosting' problems?

Thanks!

johnnyflav · 06-07-2008 10:33PM

electrolad wrote: »

Maybe the tech experts on boards.ie can let all us amateur techies know there thoughts.

I wouldn't call myself and expert on the subject but I've got one of each LCD and PJ installed for myself. I would read that article with a pinch of salt. It's hugely biased on the side of PJs.

PJs, I think, are suited only to occassional viewing and cannot compete with LCD or Plasma for day to day TV watching.

One thing to remember about PJs not mentioned in the artcile is that PJ lamps have a lifespan of between 1,000-3,000 hours. Plamsa and LCD have about 50-60,000 hour lifespan, and a new PJ bulb can be be more than a third of the original price of the PJ.

LCD has a disadvantage in native contrast ratio, with only the (very pricey)LED backlit LCDs that have comparable native contrast with plasma.

As for your query about the 42PY80, there has been a small amount of documented burn in experienced by a couple of members over on avforums(the PZ80 is the same as the PY80 but with no irish VHF tuner), but this is not anything to worry about, and doesn't affect the TV in the way burn in would 5 years ago.

For my next TV purchase I'm going to get one of those Pansonic plasmas.

electrolad · 07-07-2008 07:29PM

Thanks for the reply Johnny.

I think they do mention the lifespan and cost of projector lamps in the article. I agree that projectors may only suit occasional viewing. Am realy keen on the Panasonic plasma.... will keep everyone posted, if i end up buying it.

GrumPy · 08-07-2008 09:37AM

I have the Sony, and wouldn't even consider the Panasonic for a second tbh. Hate the glossy screens and the possibility of burn in turns me off aswell.

The 40W3000 is a fabulous set only got it yesterday as a step up from the V3000 model.

Zonda999 · 08-07-2008 11:23AM

GrumPy wrote: »

I have the Sony, and wouldn't even consider the Panasonic for a second tbh. Hate the glossy screens and the possibility of burn in turns me off aswell.

The 40W3000 is a fabulous set only got it yesterday as a step up from the V3000 model.

I couldnt help but notice that you have/had the sony 40V3000.I would be able to get that for a great price and i'm just seeing what it would be like.You did replace it with the 40W3000, didnt you??Its just that that model has been replaced by the 40W4000
Any reason why i should avoid the V3000??I would be able to get it for just over 800e

GrumPy · 09-07-2008 10:50AM

Zonda999 wrote: »

I couldnt help but notice that you have/had the sony 40V3000.I would be able to get that for a great price and i'm just seeing what it would be like.You did replace it with the 40W3000, didnt you??Its just that that model has been replaced by the 40W4000
Any reason why i should avoid the V3000??I would be able to get it for just over 800e

The 40W4000 is a worse set than the 40w3000 I found. For a start, it has one less component input, and I think it can only do 1366x768 over vga.

It looks far nicer than the W3000, and it's got the swivel, but the W3000 has a much nicer picture for some reason.

Only reason I upgraded from a v3000 to a w3000, was it didnt cost me any extra, I just swapped it

. So now I have a better tv, with an extra component input, that can do 1080p over vga.

The V3000 is a lovely telle though, deffo worth the money. As i said, only changed it cause I got a good deal.

Panasonic Plasma TH42PY80EY vs Sony LCD KDLW3000

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