SenojNW Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 TH-42PV60A ($2395) or TH-42PX600A ($2995)... I am replacing a 68cm CRT - sick of the 60Hz scan rate... Am I right that the main difference is that the 600A has a HDTV tuner? I just bought a Strong SD STB (bugger!) and I don't have any HDTV outputs available on any of my components (DVD, Mediagate etc.) so I will be using component video in cos I don't want to upgrade everything... but I do want 1024 x 768... What is this "re-mastering processor"??? How can it possibly up-scale the quality??? An extra $600 for a HD tuner between these models seems a little excessive to me? Both are 1024 x 768 right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diesel Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 TH-42PV60A ($2395) or TH-42PX600A ($2995)...Am I right that the main difference is that the 600A has a HDTV tuner? An extra $600 for a HD tuner between these models seems a little excessive to me? Not only built in tuner but better speakers (excellent from my experience on my 50" 600A), SD card slot (not much use to me) and better looking than the PA series IMO. If your budget allows go the PX! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenojNW Posted November 23, 2006 Author Share Posted November 23, 2006 So if I wouldn't be using the speakers (I have tow big floor standers on either side) then I can't see any real benefit (I don't mind the look)... Any opinions on what the pic might be like with a SD set top box plugged into it with this "re-mastering processor"?? I would probably use the SD box until I feel like replacing it with a HD box. I would be using component video in. I would still get benefit from the 1024 x 768 res wouldn't I??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50mxe20 Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 I'm sure this has been discussed before in another thread but I can't immediately lay my hands on it. However, from memory, the consensus was that the later gen panasonic plasma do a better job with the processing and yes having the on-board tuner is indeed worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 So if I wouldn't be using the speakers (I have tow big floor standers on either side) then I can't see any real benefit (I don't mind the look)...Any opinions on what the pic might be like with a SD set top box plugged into it with this "re-mastering processor"?? I would probably use the SD box until I feel like replacing it with a HD box. I would be using component video in. I would still get benefit from the 1024 x 768 res wouldn't I??? I paid the extra for the PX600a for the following reasons. 1. Inbuilt HD tuner for the PQ and WAF (she doesn't have to turn the whole Home theater on ) 2 It does look better, when I'm spending that much cash that's important. 3 The inbuilt speakers do sound good. 4 Comes with a swivel stand which I use. 5 Has inbuilt sd slot I have also found the inbuilt HD tuner gives far better PQ than my Topfield PVR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50mxe20 Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 5 Has inbuilt sd slot What us the sd slot for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton-P. Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 What us the sd slot for? The idea is you can plug in the SD memory card from your Pana camera and view the pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 The idea is you can plug in the SD memory card from your Pana camera and view the pics. You can also record video onto it, but it is poor quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claudiecat Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 1. Inbuilt HD tuner for the PQ Dave, some posters have commented that HD offers no advantage over SD unless you're sitting fairly close to the screen. Is that your experience with the Pana? WAF (she doesn't have to turn the whole Home theater on ) Extremely important 3 The inbuilt speakers do sound good. Very useful for just watching the news or anything for that matter that doesn't need a sub Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 Dave, some posters have commented that HD offers no advantage over SD unless you're sitting fairly close to the screen. Is that your experience with the Pana?Extremely important Very useful for just watching the news or anything for that matter that doesn't need a sub I sit 2.6 metres away and can see the difference however the PQ from the SD Topfield is still very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
consoleMan Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 You can also record video onto it, but it is poor quality. There are several options available that vary the output quality (extra fine, super fine, fine, normal, economy). For example: 'Extra Fine' will use 64mb to record 7 mins, while 'Economy' uses the same amount of space to record 1 hour 21 minutes. So I imagine there would be a significant difference in quality depending on what setting is used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony123 Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 TH-42PX600A ($2995)... this can be picked up for bout $2700 now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 There are several options available that vary the output quality (extra fine, super fine, fine, normal, economy).For example: 'Extra Fine' will use 64mb to record 7 mins, while 'Economy' uses the same amount of space to record 1 hour 21 minutes. So I imagine there would be a significant difference in quality depending on what setting is used. Yes the Extra fine setting is watchable but is only about a 15 " picture in the middle of the screen. The Economy setting is V poor indeed. I am hoping to get a Pentax SLR in the future and that is where the SD slot will come in handy. TH-42PX600A ($2995)...this can be picked up for bout $2700 now Thats right I paid $2700 + $500 for 5 years Warranty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenojNW Posted November 23, 2006 Author Share Posted November 23, 2006 I went into Good Guys tonight and looked at both 42" HD (768p) Viera models and they also had a true HD (1080p) 65" model there - WOW did the 1080 model look SO MUCH BETTER - closest to a CRT I have seen in a plasma and none of the pixel visibility that I hate how you can usually see in plasmas...Unfortunately it also had a $13,000 price tag. I still didn't find the quality of the 42" HD Viera's that great sorry to say. Might be waiting until 1080 becomes more mainstream I think... and in 42" cos 65" is just too big for my place. Is the improvement in 1080 picture quality simply a fact that it has more pixels per square inch? Quick sums say that a 1080 (65") has 2.07 million pixels, and a 768 (42") has 0.78 million pixels - divided by their diagonal dimensions gives a higher concentration for the 1080... Almost double infact... Does anyone know what the Australian model Viera's translate to in US models as there seems to be lot of US reviews out there and not many Australian ones... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adg Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 I went into Good Guys tonight and looked at both 42" HD (768p) Viera models and they also had a true HD (1080p) 65" model there - WOW did the 1080 model look SO MUCH BETTER - closest to a CRT I have seen in a plasma and none of the pixel visibility that I hate how you can usually see in plasmas...Unfortunately it also had a $13,000 price tag.I still didn't find the quality of the 42" HD Viera's that great sorry to say. Might be waiting until 1080 becomes more mainstream I think... and in 42" cos 65" is just too big for my place. Sorry SenojNW, i disagree with your statement regarding the picture quality. Many have found the factory default settings on this panel do not do the picture any justice. After properly calibrating the panel many have found (like myself) that the picture is awesome. I have found that stores like Good Guys do not spend the time altering the picture settings and simply go with the factory defaults. This is why you may have been disappointed with the picture quality. Read some other Panasonic threads and you will see the majority find the picture quality of this panel (when properly calibrated) rarely dissapoints!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50mxe20 Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 Many have found the factory default settings on this panel do not do the picture any justice. After properly calibrating the panel many have found (like myself) that the picture is awesome. I have found that stores like Good Guys do not spend the time altering the picture settings and simply go with the factory defaults. This is why you may have been disappointed with the picture quality. I agree and it extremely frustrating when trying to compare models let alone brands in the store.I find it hard to get up the courage to start changing settings for fear of the store's wrath. Even some of the specialist stores have settings on dynamic because of the bright ambient light. Makes one think that they feel it is there best interest to confuse the public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
§naKeEye§ Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 i agree also. and just wait till u get some low quality SD broadcasts up close, u will see what its all about. the low end HD broadcasts look alot better. whether its upscaled or downscaled u will see the differences. only until many HD broadcasts are low end or high end will people be more satisfied with even the best of plasmas. stores usually have crap setups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenojNW Posted November 24, 2006 Author Share Posted November 24, 2006 Thanks guys... Can you post some links to Viera reviews for the TH-42PX600A and TH-42PV60A or equivalents in the US models? Yeah have to admit I was pretty dubious about the store setup. Why do they do that? I would have thought it would be in their interest to showcase the full potential of a product. I did check they were running on component video but don't know what the signal source was... I'm also still not clear on how the HD set will treat my SD signals (SD STB, DVD, Mediagate etc). Is it correct to say that it will display 1024 x 768 pixels no matter what the feed (cos that is how many pixels are on the panel) but the processor in the panel will upscale by pixel filling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adg Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 I agree and it extremely frustrating when trying to compare models let alone brands in the store.I find it hard to get up the courage to start changing settings for fear of the store's wrath. Even some of the specialist stores have settings on dynamic because of the bright ambient light. Makes one think that they feel it is there best interest to confuse the public. Don't feel bad about playing around with the display panel settings. The store can easily change them back to the factory settings. It is the least they can do for you when you are spending $3k plus on a panel!! I mean would you buy a car without test driving it!! Same thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgdownload Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 on how the HD set will treat my SD signals (SD STB, DVD, Mediagate etc). Is it correct to say that it will display 1024 x 768 pixels no matter what the feed (cos that is how many pixels are on the panel) but the processor in the panel will upscale by pixel filling?Yep, You'll get a full widescreen picture on your TV regardless of SD or HD input (its automatic and handled by the TV). Some HD TVs do a poor job of showing SD content, however the models you're looking at should be fine. Also you can always stick to the HD channels )Regards Peter Gillespie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50mxe20 Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 Don't feel bad about playing around with the display panel settings. The store can easily change them back to the factory settings. It is the least they can do for you when you are spending $3k plus on a panel!! I mean would you buy a car without test driving it!! Same thing $3K!! LOL. More like $5-6K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraveDilute Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 I was in the same boat as you (albeit considering the 50" models) and ultimately went for the newer model with HD tuner built in. Reasons: Looks Speakers are better (even if just listening to normal TV) Stand is nicer One less device to turn on/connect/add to my setup WAF The SD slot is a novelty, but useful for watching mate's photos, and quicker than viewing through the MediaGate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenojNW Posted November 24, 2006 Author Share Posted November 24, 2006 My quick calcs were misleading before... pixel concentration (resolution) on a 65" 1080 is about 1140 per square inch and on a 42" 768 they are about 1035 per square inch... So bugger all difference... Correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panaplasma Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 My quick calcs were misleading before... pixel concentration (resolution) on a 65" 1080 is about 1140 per square inch and on a 42" 768 they are about 1035 per square inch... So bugger all difference... Correct? you think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenojNW Posted November 24, 2006 Author Share Posted November 24, 2006 Do you? It was a question... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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