Panasonic TH-42PV8EY

Derek Zoolander

A bunch of places are doing this set with a 5 year warranty for 699. I can't however seem to find a decent product spec on this model. All I can see is that it has a HD Ready Panel, 10,000:1 Contrast Ratio, V Real 2 Panel, 24p Input, 100Hz Double Speed, 2 x HDMI, 2 x Scart, VIERA Link, and PC Input.

Does anyone know the resolution, display format etc on this model.

Also would the Sony KDL40V4000 be a better option at a similar price, I know its got a high Resolution (1920 x 1080) and is 1080p with a 33000:1 contrast ratio.

They work out around the same price...which would be the better option to take?

big_moe

this is gonna cause a lot of trouble! i would go for the panny because i think plasma is better but some people would recommend the lcd.

the panny has a resolution of 1024X768, the reason there's not much info is because the irish model number is slightly different to the uk model number. most reviews etc will be the UK one, TH-42PX8

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/852820/index.html

adam

Derek Zoolander

Cheers Adam for the reply, I certainly prefer the look of the panny one but was a bit worried as to 720p vs 1080p and the superior contrast ratio with the sony model...

direct tvs have the Panasonic TH-42PX80B for £549 at the moment and also Richer sounds the TH42PX80PED for £649.95(is this just the slightly upgraded TH-42PV8EY with a freesat?)

Would I be correct in stating that these are both still 720p (although slightly better contrast rate at 15000:1)

big_moe

if you're going to be watching a lot of blu ray then go for the 1080p, but in a plasma. for just regular tv and dvds 720p will be plenty

i have a panasonic 720p plasma in 42" (TH-42PV70) and the next one i'm getting is going to be 1080p as i watch a lot of blu ray on my set.

the bad thing with contrast ratio is that each manufacturer measures it differently. so you can only compare panasonic with panasonic and sony with sony. its not like 720p or 1080p, with that its either one or the other, contrast ratios from different companies cant be compared unfortunately.

The th-42px80 doesnt have a freesat tuner. the only one that does is the PZ81 ranges. i personally dont like built in decoders for upgrading reasons.

it might be a bit of a stretch but the 1080p panasonic is the business. th-42py80 http://www.allianceelectric.ie/products/tv/plasmalcd/th42py80.htm

if your looking in and around 800 quid then the panasonic th-42pv8 is a no brainer in my opinion.

whowantstwoknow

Hi big moe,

I have the th42pv70 model, and see that you said elsewhere on the forums the same UK model is th42px70. This link mentions:

Accepts 1080p on 2 x HDMI at 50, 60 Hz

So is this unit full HD compatible via the HDMI connections? I ask as I'm looking to connect a HTPC to the TV, and am unsure if its best to use the standard VGA PC connection or to connect via HDMI. I've been told if its not full HD, then stick with the VGA connection from the HTPC?

Thanks
W.

big_moe

yes the TV is full hd compatible. this means that you give it in a 1080p signal (via hdmi) and it scale it down to its native resolution of 1024 X 768. i prefer using hdmi myself and setting the rez at 1920 x 1200 and then let the tv scale that (while losing a slight bit at either edge). the tv can only accept one or two different resolutions via vga and in my tests both looked pretty crap tbh.

whowantstwoknow

big_moe wrote: »

yes the TV is full hd compatible. this means that you give it in a 1080p signal (via hdmi) and it scale it down to its native resolution of 1024 X 768. i prefer using hdmi myself and setting the rez at 1920 x 1200 and then let the tv scale that (while losing a slight bit at either edge). the tv can only accept one or two different resolutions via vga and in my tests both looked pretty crap tbh.

Thanks for that. I'm using the mobo graphics and cant quite get that res. Anyhow when I use the highest available, and then watch the live TV thr' media centre, it isnt using up the entire TV display? The best aspect ratio to fill the screen is 4:3 full. But each time I turn on the equipment I have to fix the aspect which isnt ideal?

Also at the highest res, the desktop is cut too much to view stuff on the edges easily, ie start menu etc. Would switching to a installed graphics card help give me more options and better results? I have a spare card...

W.

muppetkiller

I'd spend the extra 150 euro and get the G10 from Richersounds...
Amazing tv

whowantstwoknow

whowantstwoknow wrote: »

Thanks for that. I'm using the mobo graphics and cant quite get that res. Anyhow when I use the highest available, and then watch the live TV thr' media centre, it isnt using up the entire TV display? The best aspect ratio to fill the screen is 4:3 full. But each time I turn on the equipment I have to fix the aspect which isnt ideal?

Also at the highest res, the desktop is cut too much to view stuff on the edges easily, ie start menu etc. Would switching to a installed graphics card help give me more options and better results? I have a spare card...

W.

Hi big_moe,

I've updated the intel 35 chipset driver on the mobo, and have that level of resolution, but its impossible to read the desktop from the chair!!! but from testing, the pc resolution doesnt affect the live TV feed? so have reduced the pc res slightly. One issue I have is live tv jitters and have read elsewhere that the refresh rate can influence this. So when setting up the TV in MCE is there a suitable display setting for this TV? I originally had it at 1080p 60 hertz, but the jitter is really obvious say in sport channels. so have reverted to 1080p 50 hertz as its a multiple of the 100 hertz of the TV? Its improved but I'm wondering if there is a better option? For example MCE also given me options ie 1080i 50hertz interleved (sp?) Any ideal what this means.

When I get a chance (ie without the family) I might try these out.

Also in the MCE TV setup one can move the picture left/right, but on the TV remote I dont see this as an option? Can it be done? The picture could be moved left slightly as the channel symbol on the right is clipped.

W.