MarcusAurelius66 Posted March 3, 2007 Posted March 3, 2007 Hi, I have a bit of a dilemma on my hands. I have a limited space in my wall unit (which I don't wish to replace) and have found that I can fit in pretty much any 32 inch LCD set in there. I also found that l can squeeze one particular 37 inch LCD TV in there (and it's only $100 more) . After reviewing a large number of 32 inch sets, I settled on the Panasonic Viera as the one I preferred. I then also found that the Hitachi 37 inch unit fits in the space and I would also be quite happy with it as well. That being said, I have pretty much made the decision that I will purchase either the; 1. latest Panasonic Viera 32 inch set (Panasonic specs / overview) 2. Or the 37 inch (the Hitachi) (37 inch Hitachi Specs) that will fit into my unit. I realise that the Hitachi requires a set top box as it doesn't have a HD tuner built in like the viera, but I really can't split them beyond that difference at this point. The viewing distance(s) from the set would be between 6.5 feet and 9 feet depending where you sit. Has anyone got any advice / reasons on which way I should go as I can't seem to make up my mind?
metal beat Posted March 3, 2007 Posted March 3, 2007 personally I have the 32 inch Hitachi and used with my sony HD PVR the pictures are just stunning. better IMO than the pana and sony V series. pana seem to be concentrating on plasma more than lcd. the remote swivel just adds class to an all ready nice machine.
MarcusAurelius66 Posted March 3, 2007 Author Posted March 3, 2007 Turntable - thank you for providing that. I would agree when looking at the Hitachi 32 and 37inch sets that the pictures were very good. In my somewhat subjective opinion the Hitachi's were a very close 2nd. I just thought the Panasonic was just slightly better with the blacks and detail in dark scenes, surprisingly so for a tv with an 850:1 contrast (when comparing to some that were supposedly 5000:1).
Nova Phoenix Posted March 3, 2007 Posted March 3, 2007 Contrast Ratios can be deceptive. But I think they tie in with Brightness too (or not?). A Sony LCD with 1300:1 showed more detail in dark scenes than Sanyo and Telefunken LCDs.
nis200979 Posted March 3, 2007 Posted March 3, 2007 personally I have the 32 inch Hitachi and used with my sony HD PVR the pictures are just stunning. better IMO than the pana and sony V series. pana seem to be concentrating on plasma more than lcd. the remote swivel just adds class to an all ready nice machine. Panasonic, Toshiba and Hitachio LCDs come out of the same factory, and Toshiba make up to 46" LCDs. I think Panasonic should actually be commended for realising that LCD technology is not good enough for the larger sizes. Any other company would attack both markets vigoursly for the extra $$$. I think the best 32" LCDs are the Sony KDL32V200, Panasonic TX32LCD600a and the Philips 32PF9631D. Sony is pricey, overpriced I think but great picture and sound. Very slim if wall mounted. My preference for on the wall. Panasonic is the all round best value tv. 2 HDMI inputs, front inputs, SD reader, and great blacks/brightness. Remote has big, easy buttons,good PiP, etc. Philips, the trump cards are (besides having a wall bracket in the box) ambilight (great for viewing in a dark room) and digital natural motion. I usually turn it (DNM) off due to a slight halo effect on some scenes, but it really does reduce the poor response of LCDs. Unfortunately the tv is really fat and doesn;t have the swivel stand of the other two, but has presence when wall mounted with ambilight. NB Twin HDMI like Pana For the cabinet, I would go the Pana, wall mounted the Philips is great value for money. Someone please tell Sony they are $500 overpriced at todays prices, that over 25% dearer than the Pana.
metal beat Posted March 4, 2007 Posted March 4, 2007 Turntable - thank you for providing that. I would agree when looking at the Hitachi 32 and 37inch sets that the pictures were very good. In my somewhat subjective opinion the Hitachi's were a very close 2nd. I just thought the Panasonic was just slightly better with the blacks and detail in dark scenes, surprisingly so for a tv with an 850:1 contrast (when comparing to some that were supposedly 5000:1). Oh Markus One last thing, there is quite a difference between 32 and 37 inch. If I could fit a 37 inch screen I would certainly do that as long as you are happy with the PQ quality.
MarcusAurelius66 Posted March 4, 2007 Author Posted March 4, 2007 nis200979 - Thanks, that's really helpful. One thing that I didn't mention earlier , but have now amended in the previous post, is that the 37 inch Hitachi is almost the same price as the 32 inch Panasonic ($100 more), but it only has 1 x HDMI input, which I would quickly use with a HD STB / PVR. Do you folks think that the 37 inch unit would display a little more lag in the fast action scenes (even though both are 8ms screens) and given my proximity to the LCD, approx 6.5 - 9 feet?.
metal beat Posted March 4, 2007 Posted March 4, 2007 nis200979 - Thanks, that's really helpful. One thing that I didn't mention earlier , but have now amended in the previous post, is that the 37 inch Hitachi is almost the same price as the 32 inch Panasonic ($100 more), but it only has 1 x HDMI input, which I would quickly use with a HD STB / PVR. Do you folks think that the 37 inch unit would display a little more lag in the fast action scenes (even though both are 8ms screens) and given my proximity to the LCD, approx 6.5 - 9 feet?. You can always get the more expensive Hitachi 37 inch ( $300 retail) that has 2 x HDMI and motorised swivel stand. not sure whay it does not have a HD tuner thou considering the expensive 32 inch does. You won't notice any difference in LCD lag between 32 & 37 inch, you'l be too busy enjoying the bigger picture cheers
Crayons Posted March 4, 2007 Posted March 4, 2007 I had a 37" Hitachi LCD last year and it was a great TV. No appreciable lag as far as I was concerned. I would say the extra size is well worth going for. You'll be surprised how quickly you go fro "Wow that's big" when you get it out of the box to "Nice, but I could have got something bigger."
metal beat Posted March 4, 2007 Posted March 4, 2007 I had a 37" Hitachi LCD last year and it was a great TV. No appreciable lag as far as I was concerned. I would say the extra size is well worth going for. You'll be surprised how quickly you go fro "Wow that's big" when you get it out of the box to "Nice, but I could have got something bigger." Crayon's, you had one last year. What have you upgraded to? Would like to know your thoughts. Is their a market for s.h LCD's plasma's or do you have it in another room?. cheers
Crayons Posted March 4, 2007 Posted March 4, 2007 Crayon's, you had one last year. What have you upgraded to? Would like to know your thoughts. Is their a market for s.h LCD's plasma's or do you have it in another room?. cheers Hey turntable - I flogged it to a friend because I liked the look of the (then brand new) BraviaX 1920x1080 40". Big mistake. Been through 2 of them trying to get one without great big clouds of brightness in dark scenes and I wish I'd just kept my 37" Hitachi 8800. Am just about to give up and swap it for something else. Unsure what yet, but thinking of a Hitachi Plasma because it's just that bit bigger than the 37" LCD and I read good things about it.
MarcusAurelius66 Posted March 4, 2007 Author Posted March 4, 2007 nis200979 - Thanks, that's really helpful. One thing that I didn't mention earlier , but have now amended in the previous post, is that the 37 inch Hitachi is almost the same price as the 32 inch Panasonic ($100 more), but it only has 1 x HDMI input, which I would quickly use with a HD STB / PVR. Do you folks think that the 37 inch unit would display a little more lag in the fast action scenes (even though both are 8ms screens) and given my proximity to the LCD, approx 6.5 - 9 feet?. Hi turntable, I had thought of that, but the 37inch model with the HD tuner (37LD9800TA) is slightly wider and is just a fraction to big for the wall unit hence my choice of the (37LD9000TA). Otherwise, it would have been the likely candidate.
metal beat Posted March 4, 2007 Posted March 4, 2007 Hey turntable - I flogged it to a friend because I liked the look of the (then brand new) BraviaX 1920x1080 40". Big mistake. Been through 2 of them trying to get one without great big clouds of brightness in dark scenes and I wish I'd just kept my 37" Hitachi 8800. Am just about to give up and swap it for something else. Unsure what yet, but thinking of a Hitachi Plasma because it's just that bit bigger than the 37" LCD and I read good things about it. Ahh, that explains it. I have my 32 in Hitachi in the bedroom and I really like it. It is a bit noisy, but I think that is normal for LCD's and plasma's. Funny I can't hear the noise anymore when I have my Sony PVR on, as it has some fan noise that does not seem to bother me. go figure. I have a 36 inch CRT in the living room, which while it looks quite good, its best input is S-video. So in that respect it is limited as my PVR uses the s-video, so the DVD player has to use low resolution input. That is the main reason why I am looking for a new TV. It is the Sony X series that I am looking at buying, as personally I have not found any plasma to be that clear or sharp, sompared to LCD or even my CRT. Is the Sony X series that bad with the cloud's?. ie Is it noticable when you are watching TV programs or only when there is a blank screen?. How does the X series go when just watching normal FTA TV?. I actually don't have enough room or money to buy an X series 52 inch yet, so I am thinking of the Hitachi 37 inch which ultimately when I move into a bigger lounge room I can hang on the wall in the kitchgen /living room.
Pfeff Posted March 4, 2007 Posted March 4, 2007 ...It is the Sony X series that I am looking at buying, as personally I have not found any plasma to be that clear or sharp, sompared to LCD or even my CRT. Is the Sony X series that bad with the cloud's?. ie Is it noticable when you are watching TV programs or only when there is a blank screen?. How does the X series go when just watching normal FTA TV?... Turntable posted a good question. Can't comment on the clouds on the X but with so many posts, there is obviously some problems. What the number is in relation to shipments, who knows. But I do have a KDL40V2000, 40" which I picked up at Christmas for under $3k (RRP $3699). No clouds at all and I've seen one connected to Bluray at a Sony store. It was barely noticeable difference to the X. Maybe a solution for you too crayons... should be easier to negotiate with Sony on if they don't get you a fix for your 40X... ask for a 46V???? Just a thought...
nis200979 Posted March 5, 2007 Posted March 5, 2007 nis200979 - Thanks, that's really helpful. One thing that I didn't mention earlier , but have now amended in the previous post, is that the 37 inch Hitachi is almost the same price as the 32 inch Panasonic ($100 more), but it only has 1 x HDMI input, which I would quickly use with a HD STB / PVR. Do you folks think that the 37 inch unit would display a little more lag in the fast action scenes (even though both are 8ms screens) and given my proximity to the LCD, approx 6.5 - 9 feet?. A tv that has no HDMI inputs once the STB is connected isn't future proof enough for alot of people. I hope it has at least two component inputs, or you'll need to use a receiver to switch your inputs. Having said that, 37" is a great size.
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