decision between sony or panasonic

j4vier

i have my mind set on 3 particular models

sony KDL40W4000
sony KDL-40W4500
PANASONIC TH-42PZ81E Plasma Screen

the prices would be all in the same range pretty much, just wondering what would be the best value for money do you reckon?
id be enclined towards the panasonic as i d like the plasma better, but the sony has small things that the panasonic is missing like a higher contrast for the 4500
1 other query would be on the dtt? are they all ready to support that when it comes here?

Zonda999

j4vier wrote: »

i have my mind set on 3 particular models

sony KDL40W4000
sony KDL-40W4500
PANASONIC TH-42PZ81E Plasma Screen

the prices would be all in the same range pretty much, just wondering what would be the best value for money do you reckon?
id be enclined towards the panasonic as i d like the plasma better, but the sony has small things that the panasonic is missing like a higher contrast for the 4500
1 other query would be on the dtt? are they all ready to support that when it comes here?

First of all, the pz81 has better blacks than any of those sonys, simply because its plasma. If you genuinely like plasma's in general, i think the pz81 is the best of the three considering it'll give you freesat HD and Irish DTT when it comes next year. BTW, both those particular sonys will also support irish DTT but not Freesat, thats the panasonics party piece. Good review of the three models here:

40w4000

40w4500

42pz81 (50pz81 in that review but the 42" model would be the same)

j4vier

id be enclined towards the panasonic alright, but do you know if it was a tuner to pick up the current irish stations by arial?
the uk model doesnt and im not sure if the one on pixmania is the same or not
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/1020372/art/panasonic/th-42pz81e-plasma-screen.html?form=97#tech-specs

Zonda999

Not sure about that pixmania model tbh. For sure, uk panasonic plasma's dont have the vhf tuner, I doubt if the pixmania model would have the vhf tuner at all really. I dont think the pz81 is marketed anywhere else other than the UK. Do you really need irish analog though. Its being phased out very soon ye know

j4vier

i know , ur prob right in terms that in a few month it wont be an issue
but what if i want to get ntl digital? i wont be able to do that is that right?
so my only option for now would be sky

Zonda999

I'm not sure really. I dont have a clue about NTL but i'm guessing they broadcast in UHF, cant be sure, though. Other than that, the pz81 really is a fantastic telly

Loggie

Hi j4vier what did you go for in the end if any?
I'm interested in the panasonic and Richersounds are out of stock so am looking at pixmania?
There's new models from panasonic due march/april I was told by RS

Rew

Yeah they said the same to me and I was in with Alliance Electrical and they are heading over in the next week or 2 to preview the new range.

D/C

Forget about the 40W4000, if I was getting a new 40" id go for the Sony 40W4500, great TV mpeg 4 ready, 100htz and can get one at a very good price if you look around! If you go in to some retailers you can get a 5 year gaurantee and a free blu ray player!

Don't know enough about the panasonic enough to give pros and cons! The only thing about plasmas is that they are so hard on electricity and are set to be banned!