Advice re 32 to 42in LCD or Plasma

thayes

Hello everyone, I really need help/advice. I am looking for a new TV, not that the other one is bad, it is actually quite good, but I want to hook a mac into the system etc.

I am thinking along the lines of, Pioneer 42 plasma, PDP-428XD (about €2200, inc. a 5 year warranty), or one of the new full HD Panasonic plasmas.

On the LCD side, probably one of the new Sony tvs, either 32w4000 or 40w4000 (but there is probably a sony 37in on the way that id Full HD). Maybe even the new Panasonic ones.

I have been told the panasonic tend to exhibit problems after 18+ months, so that has a raised a concern for me.

So what do I want in the TV?

1) Normally sit about 8 to 10ft from the TV. Closest seating position is 4 to 5 ft.
It is mainly glass behind the natural position for the TV and it is rare that the curtains are closed. We are in the city centre so some of street light at night.
2) The ideal TV size is probably 37in. I would prefer 37in to 42in, but... The existing TV is 32in and is fine, hence the sony 32w4000 in the list.
3) Full HD, I want full HD, the only TV I will consider without full HD is the Pioneer Plasma.
4) Ideally a HD DTT tuner, which the new Sonys will include (I guess we can hope that after the trials we will have a DTT HD service in Ireland!).
5) HDMI, 100MHz+, 24p etc.
6) I will have a computer connected to the TV (anyone got a mac mini connected to the pioneer? if yes, would you recommend it), DVD, and a Wii for the moment. I will be adding blue-ray and possibly a PS3. I may use a computer for games as well. Just read about the HD freesat coming to the UK, so may add that at a later stage as well.
7) Current TV is a 9 year old top end Philips 32in 96xx. It has a really good picture and good sound.
8) Want good quality SD reception.

The last TV we just walked in and bought it. I am now in the position of having too much knowledge and too much time to ponder the whole thing, so I am totally confused. Sometimes I think, just buy a cheap 32in (<€700) and change it in 5+ years. In the UK you can pick up the existing 40v3000 for under £700, which is tempting, but I hate the though of just changing it in a few years if there is nothing wrong with it. So I would prefer to future proof as much as possible now while we are at it. (Do the sony UK TVs have VHF as well?) Do the new panasonic LCD or Plasma have a HD DTT tuner?

Thanks to all who reply.

ongarite

I would recommend the new 2008 Panasonic 42" PY80 FullHD TV. Looks to be an excellent follow-up to last years super PY70.
I don't where you heard the panasonic TV tend to give problems and what issues they are meant to have? IMO and many others here will say they are very reliable with excellent build-quality.

42" would be perfect for your regular viewing distance. If you have TV behind window, sunlight shouldn't be a problem. How is it with your current CRT TV?

UK DTT tuners here are only aby good for the ongoing RTE trials but when the system launches here in '09-'10, it will be MPEG4 based requiring different tuner,etc..

3 HDMI slots on PY80, 24p with 4:4 pulldown. 100-120Hz is marketing gimmick for LCD screens, not relevant for Plasmas.

FullHD screen would be recommended for use with PC as it has greater resolution

thayes

Choice down to Sony 40w4000, Pioneer 428XD, Panasonic TX-37LZD85F or TX-37LZD800F.

Thanks for advice.

Zonda999

That sony 40W4000 is definately worth a look.Sony claims a 33000:1 contrast ration which is higher than that quoted of many plasma screens.That said, it will be fairly expensive compared to many of its lcd rivals