[Bungle009]

Were looking for a 32" LED/LCD TV for my father in law. He already has a small Panasonic in the kitchen & finds it easy to use, so would like a panny. Anyone recommend an appropriate model. Not looking for bargain basement, but don't want top of the range either.
Thanks.

[dobbo99]

I just bought this one at the weekend, in tescos at the moment.

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.212-0738.aspx

it works, sounds and picture are decent, its got 4 HDMI holes in the back as well. not that he'll be interested in that........

[gIzzE]

I would agree, go Samsung.

The only thing Panasonic have that is better with LCD is they use an IPS panel so the viewing angle is better, although this is at the expense of black level, still passable, but the Samsung is much better.

I bought a Samsung C580 from John Lewis last year and love it, so much so after 8 years of Panasonic and Pioneer plasmas I am now considering the Samsung plasma as my main set as well.

Only thing I do regret is buying the 32" and not getting a 37", but apart from that it is excellent.

[davyk31]

I would keep an eye on Argos deals. I bought a few months back a Toshiba 32" LCD, excellent set and all for £199. Now selling for a lot more but as I say they often run deals.

[The_Bear_Yid]

Yeah but whenever I see £200-ish 32" LCD TVs they seem to have very low contrast ratios, some are not 1080p and have low spec all round tbh.

[Sir_Pigley]

I'm not a fan of low cost 32" LCD, pictures lack sharpness and motion handling is dreadful.

I have a 40" Sony LCD which was some magazine product of the year, and whilst it is very good it isn't a patch on the Panasonic plasma that we have. On that one even the SD pictures look to be HD it's that good.

[The_Bear_Yid]

The rule of thumb when I was looking was if you want a 32" get a LCD, 40" get a Plasma.

Awaits what about 37" comment.

[The_Bear_Yid]

Originally Posted by dobbo99

I just bought this one at the weekend, in tescos at the moment.

http://direct..com/q/R.212-0738.aspx

it works, sounds and picture are decent, its got 4 HDMI holes in the back as well. not that he'll be interested in that........

Like I've said, that's not 1080p and no mention of contrast ratio from what I can see. You should be able to get a better spec for a little bit more.

[chrisbin]

Listen to gIZZe - he changes his A/V equipment more often than palmnuts changes cars......

[225_AB]

try richer sounds. Some models that are being replaced are considerably cheaper than incoming models.. LCD's work well in bright environments. As for Samsung v Panasonic, i always had panasonic but did get a 63" samsung as the 65" panasonic was 2 grand more! Personal choice really although it is difficult to audition sets as they are rarely very well set up.

Read a few reviews, see them in the flesh and buy according to budget.

[E92westy]

Whatever make, size, resolution, plasma, lcd whatever you buy, it NEEDS to be set up properly.
I used a DVD with test patterns to set blacks, whites, contrast etc and even though it's a low (ish) spec Sony Bravia it's MUCH better for the adjustment.


PS My Dad's 32" Panny LCD has a shocking picture and he won't let me touch it as apparently "it's fine as it is". Errr, no it isnt.... but I'm sure it could be! Grrrr.

[davyk31]

My £200 Toshiba is a 1080p model, more than happy with it for the price paid.

Why Plasma over 40" and not LCd for those sizes? I'm needing to upgrade the lounge
32" CRT set very soon so some advice would be useful.

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by davyk31

I'm needing to upgrade the lounge
32" CRT set very soon so some advice would be useful.

A 32" CRT? Christ. How about another sofa in the space you'll save?

[CarAbuser]

Surely LED is the way to go. After a recent trip around the usual shops looking for a 42" screen I came to the conclusion that LED was miles ahead.

[davyk31]

Originally Posted by rich1068

A 32" CRT? Christ. How about another sofa in the space you'll save?

Can't see it saving much space, won't be a wall mount as in the corner of the lounge and still need somewhere for the Sky +, DVD player and surround sound.

[Dr Dave]

My plasma doubles up as a great room heater, fackin' thing.

[225_AB]

Originally Posted by CarAbuser

Surely LED is the way to go. After a recent trip around the usual shops looking for a 42" screen I came to the conclusion that LED was miles ahead.

There is really no such thing as LED tv, the sets described as such are LCD sets with a variety of LED lighting such as edge or backlighting.

In a bright showroom with poorly set up tv's the "brighter" LCD sets may appear better and indeed some maintain that LCD sets are now better than plasma sets because they can achieve the same black levels as plasma sets (at the very top end only however). Fast moving action was also traditionally better on plasma sets.

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by CarAbuser

Surely LED is the way to go. After a recent trip around the usual shops looking for a 42" screen I came to the conclusion that LED was miles ahead.

LED sets look better under fluorescent lighting than plasma, they are much brighter so tend to have a a blacker/darker glass, so in showrooms look brighter and have better looking blacks.

However.....

Get home and set the backlight to a level where it is not making your eyes bleed and you will start to see that they loose all their punch.
You also have the problem of very blotchy backlighting that leaves some areas, especially around the edges and corners, more lit than others which can be really annoying.

I have just been playing with the top end Sony, and this is said to be the first plasma beater by many of the calibrators, and it is good, but there is no way I would swap my Panasonic 5 year old professional plasma for one, still too many annoyances imho.

A plasma looks like a big CRT TV, an lcd still looks like a digital display to me.

Don't get me wrong I have them, but would never consider one as my main set.

[Dr Dave]

I just wish my plasma wouldn't run so bloody hot! Still, the wife is home all day so that probably explains why it is at 120deg c by the time I get home..........