Display required

[Dobly1553552753]

Hi,

 

I'm looking for a display in the 42"-50" size range.

 

I don't need a TV, just a display for viewing movies, as the TV is in another room away from my hi-fi gear. I have the audio side of things sorted - just need a screen.

 

What's best ? My initial research seems to suggest that monitors ("pro" models) are more expensive than TVs with tuners etc. installed ("consumer" models). Is this right?

 

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Dobly

[nixon76]

I've got a 'pro' model - Panasonic. Very happy I am with it. I have no intention of going back to a 'TV'. Will just upgrade in the 'pro' range. This or (gasp) this! will be next.

 

I think they look better as well - not having to incorporate a speaker etc.

 

When I got mine it came with component 'cards' which was fine at the time. When I got HDMI components I just bought an HDMI card for the TV. i.e. it's upgradable to an extent.

 

Everything has pro's/con's as usual.

[Dobly1553552753]

Hi Nixon76,

 

Thanks for the swift reply.

 

I have been looking at those on the Panasonic website. Any idea how much?

 

Cheers,

 

Dobly

[nixon76]

Hi - for the lower of the two I've been told ~4.5k.

 

So definitely more than a Panny 50" V20 for example, which arguably has better spec (in the picture department anyway). So you have to weigh up the pro's of a pro verses the increase in $$$ etc.

 

For the premier one? I'm not sure, but probably the business end of 4 digits.

[Ernie1553552694]

This stuff is designed for high MTB karking, hence higher than domestic goods type pricing...

[nixon76]

Oh, and don't go a 42" if you ever intend wall mounting. 42" looks big when in the context of sitting on a cabinet etc. As soon as you lose the context (i.e. by being isolated on a wall) it looks tiny. Go the 50". You won't regret it.

[Nigel Beale]

Answer= It depends.

 

Depends on, room conditions, viewing distance, budget etc etc

 

Imho, 42" is too small for decent movie watching, with regards to viewing distance of a typical room.

50" is starts to get you close....but really the optimum is about 30degrees viewing angle, so 65" starts too really work. Of course budget starts to be questioned at this point.

 

The Panasonic VX100 line comes in 2 flavours, 50 and 65", rrp of $10000 and $16000 respectively and come with a calibration paid for by Panasonic, by my business.

 

The other models in the pro line are designed more for demo environments and as business displays, however they do make flexible home units aswell, without all the consumer "stuff".

 

The viera line has actually come good with respects to my sideline business with the V series having advanced pro modes which can be enabled to isfDay and isfNight, as like the VX100 series. Although less flexible than the VX100 with a few advanced options and processing missing, of course the viera line is considerably cheaper.

 

Course there is 3D to think about.

 

Really though, if the conditions allow, consider projection, especially if you are thinking movies only. Here you can be 100"+ and still be under the high end plasma cost.

[Dobly1553552753]

Thanks guys,

 

It's all sounding a bit rich for me.......

 

So going back to consumer models, with stuff on that I won't need, how much are the 46" and 50" models, and in the real world, what are the differences between them (U20 vs V20) ?

 

Are other manufacturers rated highly? I know that Pioneer made the best (and costly) plasmas in the world, ever, but that was a few years ago and they have now stopped, with the expertise being transferred to Panasonic. Has this knowledge transfer trickled down to the Panasonic consumer panels yet?

 

The hi-fi / home cinema room this is required for is about 3.5 x 4.5m, so the viewing distance is roughly 3 metres. Is 46-50" about right? The display is going to be situated in (just in front of) an unused fireplace (1890's villa), which is about 1.5m wide and the mantelpiece is at about 1.3m high. I don't want to mount the display on the wall as it would have to sit too high when viewed from the seated position (plus there is a very nice picture hanging on that wall which would have no other home). The centre speaker sits on the substatial mantlepiece. The front speakers are to either side of the fireplace with a recess behind each of them, so they are in free space not too close to the walls. We only ever watch films later in the day, usually after it has got dark. I really can't see myself watching a 3D film at home.

 

I'm from overseas and am finding NZ retailers websites really difficult to get meaningful information from.......

 

Perhaps my aim is too high and my budget too low

 

Thanks for your continued help.

[Dobly1553552753]

btw, what is high MTB karking?

[nixon76]

 

Dobly;130167 wrote:

 

Perhaps my aim is too high and my budget too low

 

.

 

What is your budget?

 

 

Dobly;130170 wrote:

btw, what is

high MTB karking

?

 

Mean time between failure, usually written MTBF, but Ernie has used a colourful version

[Ernie1553552694]

Yes, I can't help myself. Technical language and acronyms are just like ungraffitteed property. It's a chance to colour-in "outside" the lines sometimes.

 

And btw, you may be better off going for a projector and getting a smaller, cheaper display for your television viewing.

[nixon76]

Of course I could always sell you mine...only HD Ready mind (1366x768 vs 1920x1080 for FullHD)

 

[Dobly1553552753]

My initial budget was $2.5k ....... but perhaps that was being a bit optimistic.

 

I can't go down the projector route - the room layout won't suit it - too difficult to explain. As I said initially, this will be purely for movie watching (and hi-fi listening) - TV is in another room at the other end of the house.

 

Thanks for the explanation of the acronym.

 

Thanks Nixon, but I was hoping to go Full HD. - no offence.

 

If only Panasonic did a 46" Pro model for less than 3K !!

 

 

Other options cheerfully entertained!

[Dobly1553552753]

And Nixon, how do your cat scratching posts sound?:D

[nixon76]

I've told my wife that if we're to get cats then I need to get (new) speakers that aren't do attractive to the felines. Sounds a reasonable compromise I reckon

 

But other than that, they sound great!

 

Ha - no problem about my panny. Not many people understand the attraction of 'pro' models, so in combo with it's now old school HD Ready status I can imagine the resale value when I eventually TM it :rolleyes:

[Harvey66]

I'd have thought $2.5k would be close to getting you a 50" V20. :cool:

[nixon76]

MB have it listed at 3.2k. 2.5k is less than I bought a 42V20 for! :eek:

[Harvey66]

I bought a 54 V20 which did retail for $4.5 on its release (now RRP $4000 in some shops) for $3200, I think the 50" is around RRP $3500 which would suggest to me you could own one for $27-2800.

[Nigel Beale]

Dolby, I have seen cases where projection just won't work, or won't work easily. It is just that hit power for buck something like the AX200 can deliver the movie experience, in fact close to your budget.

 

Im afraid, like some are old school audio, some are projection. For me you just can't beat the dirty great big image for movie watching.

 

Can you explain why or the conditions that make a projector fail for you?

[Dobly1553552753]

First, it's Dobly, not Dolby.

 

Second, there is the SWMBO factor (no ceiling mounts etc.)

 

Third, behind the seating area is all window - the sofa is actually in a rectangular bay window

 

Fourth, I just want a display, not a projector and separate screen.

 

Fifth, Anything bigger than 50-odd-inches will be overkill - I don't want the whole room to be dominated by the screen.

 

:mad::mad::mad:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nigel Beale]

 

Some reasonble objections there, wasn't trying to force you into PJ, just trying to understand the reasoning.

 

For absolute correctness, screen size is about viewing distance relative to field of view. However I would go for a higher quality smaller panel than average bigger panel just to fit some sort of optimum size in ones head.

 

The reason is, a large panel with artifacts is distracting, the artifacts dominate. A smaller panel with the same artifacts will be less distracting.

A smaller panel of higher quality, ie full HD(1080) and better processing will look better than a bigger artifact filled image, dispite not having the optimum field of view.

 

The reason is visual acuity, basically the eye and brain ability to discern an image, whether that is sharpness or difference in pattern which includes artifacts in the image.

 

However, also note that once the shock of a large panel is over with, ie it has been sitting in a room for a while it's size seems less so, dominating.

 

Obviously the budget is the final factor, as for most of us. What I would look for is a run out sale on the better quality panel type as the new model is introduced. With that you have to somewhat flexible over the final size and type as you are looking at the best deal for the budget.

[Dobly1553552753]

Thanks Masterpiece ,

 

I will go for a projector one day - when we build a house, I will spec an underground room which will be for movie watching only...... I suppose that it could double as a fall-out shelter too.

 

When do the Panasonic models change? Is it a regular March & September event, or more random? Do Panasonic NZ keep a stock of the pro models, or do they fly them in one at a time :rolleyes: (does that explain part of the cost?)

 

Can anyone find the dates that the following became available, and their original RRPs:

 

TH 50 VX100

TH P50 V20Z

TH P50 U20

TH 50 PH11AK

TH 50 PF11WK

 

TH P46 V20Z

TH P46 U20Z

 

Thanks.

[Ernie1553552694]

I don't think hunting for original RRPs is a very productive use of time or an effective means of judging value for money.

 

The pro models need to do 24/7 duty in commercial applications such as digital signage. The specifications need to be quite a bit higher than domestic models which normally might run 8 hours in a day if you are lucky. It's not just a volume thing, you would be surprised by the numbers going through. Just because you wouldn't buy a pro model doesn't mean there is no market for these products. You just aren't their market.

[Dobly1553552753]

Sorry !!

 

I just want a quality display for viewing films on. I don'y need it to be a TV also - I have one of those in another room.

 

I purposefully didn't enquire about the Digital Signage model TH-50DP12A, as this isn't suitable for home cinema.

 

All I wanted was an idea of when each of the listed models was introduced, and when they would be replaced, so I could dive in and get a good display at a reasonable cost.

 

I'm thinking of giving up on this and waiting until something falls into my lap.

 

Byeee

[Tony Davey]

Perhaps your enquiry might be best directed at Panason NZ directly?

 

The only thing that comes to those that wait is more waiting time.