[ron_9191]

Hi everybody,

I have been shopping for big screen TV for an unbelievable 4 years. Whenever I zero down to a model of my choice, I either step over my budget or there is a new kid in the block, so the search engine starts over again.

But now after 4.8 months of search, the budget hasn't gone up accordingly but my expectation have definitely gone up and they have been better for the last 2 months.\

I am not looking at the Panasonic VIERA TH-P42U30D and trust me I love the way it looks and it is a very elegant looking display unit.

Here are the specs this thing comes with

Specifications:

Display
Screen Size : 42' (106 cm) diagonal
Panel : G14 Progressive Full-HD Plasma Display Panel with Tough Panel
Resolution : Full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 (16:9)
Applicable PC signals : VGA, WVGA, SVGA, XGA, WXGA, SXGA, 1920 x 1080
Applicable Scanning Format :
Full-HD : 1125p (50/60/24, HDMI), 1125i (50/60)
HD : 750p (50/60)
SD : 625p (50), 525p (60), 625i (50), 525i (60)
Contrast Ratio (in dark surroundings) : 2,000,000:1 Dynamic
Moving Picture Resolution : 900 lines
600 Hz Sub-Field Drive : Yes
24p Smooth Film/Playback : 24p Playback
Shades of Gradation : 6,144 equivalent steps of gradation
Deep Colour (10/12-bit) -
x.v. Colour : Yes
THX Mode -
isf Mode -
Resolution Enhancer : Yes
3D Colour Management -
Picture Mode : Dynamic/Normal/Cinema/True Cinema/Game

Sound
Speakers : 2 x 10 watt 2 Speakers
Sound Mode : Music/Speech/User
Virtual Surround : V-Audio Surround
Dolby Digital/dts : Dolby Digital

Input/Output
VIERA Image Viewer (SD Card input/USB) : Y (AVCHD/SD-VIDEO/Motion JPEG [Lumix]/MP4 [Xacti]/DivX HD/WMV/MKV/JPEG/MP3/AAC/WMA playback)
USB : 2 (side); Mass Storage/Keyboard/WiFi
HDMI Input : 3 (1 side, 2 rear)
-Audio Return Channel (Input 2)
Composite Video Input : AV1/2: RCA phono type (1 side, 1 rear)
Component Video Input : RCA phono type [Y , PB/CB, PR/CR] (1 set rear)
Audio Input (for HDMI, Composite, Component, PC) : RCA phono type (1 set side, 2 sets rear)
PC Input : Mini D-sub 15-pin x 1 (rear)
LAN Port : Yes
Analogue Audio Out : RCA phono type (rear)
Digital Audio Output (Optical) : 1 (rear)
Headphone Jack : 1 (side)

Features
VIERA Connect -
IPTV (Facebook/Shoutcast) : Yes
VIERA Tools : Yes
DLNA : Yes
VIERA Link : Y (HDAVI Control 5)
Wireless LAN Adaptor : WiFi Ready
Multi Window : PAT
Eco Navigation : Yes
Game Mode : Yes
Off Timer : Yes
Child Lock : Yes

General
Power Save Mode : Yes
Power Supply : AC 220 - 240 V, 50/60Hz
Rated Power Consumption : 275 W
Standby Power Consumption : 0.4 W
Dimensions (W x H x D) (w/o stand) : 1,023 x 637 x 93 mm
Dimensions (W x H x D) (with stand) : 1,023 x 671 x 288 mm
Weight (w/o stand) : 23.5 kg
Weight (with stand) : 26.5 kg

Warranty : One Year Manufacturers Warranty.

Gadget guru Price: 37999.00 + 4750.00 Tax unfortunately :( so the grand total is INR 42749.00

I really think this one's a value for money deal, but ...



I never had a chance to see one of these in action but according to the reviews on the internet, everybody says it is something really nice.

I would love to hear about this from our members if someone has this one under their ownership as I feel it will be a "real world" experience than by going over some opinions that are there in the internet.

[devil_klm]

Yes. It is the best VFM plasmas available from Panasonic. Other option is 42X30 which is not full HD and it does not have G14 panel. But the price can be negotiated further. Now it is available with the wireless keyboard as diwali offer. I am also interested in the same tv.

[ron_9191]

@ devil klm since you and me belong to Namma Bengaluru have you had a chance to see this baby in action anywhere. I really want to see this in action.

[niv26]

I bought Samsung 46 D5500 for 76K in Hyderabad before diwali..

After checking Sony, LG and Samsung (and Panasonic Plasma), I finalyzed on this model.

This is how narrowed down:
1. I don't need 3D as not much content available, forget 3D, not even HD available for most of the content we watch at home.
2. Next year onwards, 'OLED' coming and don't want to spend lakhs of rupees on LED/Plasma now
3. we want to replace this TV after 5 years, we currently own 32" and serviced well for 6 years and still going strong
4. Samsung was the clear winner in upscaling SD picture, period
5. BUT, LG is hands down winner for 3D which is something I am not interested.

IMHO, I don't think it would be wise investment to spend so much on TV like 1.5L etc though we can buy it.

Just my 2 cents.

[asdon]

I am looking out to buy a 3D LED(40") with max price of 60,000/- can anyone suggest one or two good models? not looking at LG products. And one question, if I buy a 3D tv, can I watch it in 2D mode too? can't have the 3D glass all time.

[garry.brant]

I recently bought LG 42" Smart 3730 for 60.5 K.
Along with the TV I got Airtel HD DTH connection with a subscription of 3 months and 101 DVD blockbuster pack.
I think I have captured a good deal there, let me know if anyone has got a better deal than this.

[Vid6639]

Just bought Samsung 32" LED TV model UA32D59000. Must say it's pretty impressive in terms of PQ as well as design of the panel. one of the sleekest panels.

Git it from Devi International, Jaynagar for 42.5K with a free Samsung Blu-Ray DVD player.

The Blu-ray player is Rs.6,000 as is. If you don't take the blu ray offer they knock 3K off the panel price.

The lower model 32D5000 is 37K with a normal DVD player. Without DVD player they knock 1K off.

So overall the D5900 was a better deal as I did not want an ancient DVD player and was looking for a Blu-ray player anyways.

[devil_klm]

Originally Posted by ron_9191

@ devil klm since you and me belong to Namma Bengaluru have you had a chance to see this baby in action anywhere. I really want to see this in action.

Yup I saw this in pie international and girias. picture is not as vivid as some other led or LCD. Modern world were giving some offers on panny+onkyo combination. dont know which models though. but the least price will be at devi international jayanagar. If you are interested in we can try for a group buy

[speedfreak01]

I would be buying a Samsung LED this or next week..I have a viewing distance of about 10' from the bed to the tv, now this got me confused as earlier I was thinking of gettin a 40" LED but many people have told me that 32" would be enough for the room and 40 might look a little big and out of place

I wanted to know if i have a viewing distance of exact 10'...would a 32" LED be enough or should I get the 40" one?

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by speedfreak01

I wanted to know if i have a viewing distance of exact 10'...would a 32" LED be enough or should I get the 40" one?

Both will work fine but 40" will be much better and not look big. Infact I'm using a 51" plasma from 10-11ft without any issues.

[devil_klm]

Originally Posted by speedfreak01

I wanted to know if i have a viewing distance of exact 10'...would a 32" LED be enough or should I get the 40" one?

This attachment may help you

[speedfreak01]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Both will work fine but 40" will be much better and not look big. Infact I'm using a 51" plasma from 10-11ft without any issues.

I've finalized the 40" LED..thanks for your inputs

[ron_9191]

@ devil_klm are you sure you saw the TH-P42U30D at Pai International? because what I see in most of the shops out there with attractive offers are these models

1. TH-P42X30D
2. TH-P42A20D
3. TH-P42X20

All the 3 models I just mentioned above are 42-inch and have a native resolution of 1024x768 px so they are Extended Definition (ED) tv's. I have seen a lot of offers as you said at many shops and they say all these models are "Full HD"

I am sure you are well aware of how big is the gap between a "HD Ready" and "Full HD"

To my knowledge TH-P42U30D is the only Plasma that is within my reach and is Full HD.

You could have a look at this here

[Jedi.Knight]

A bit OT.

We have a Sharp LCD tv bought in 2007. Couple of days back, there was sparking in the extension box after which the tv refused to power up. The Sharp service guy promptly showed up within 24 hours on calling the toll free customer care number.
Now his report is that the entire board needs to be replaced (along with the fuse) estimated at approx Rs. 11,000.

Wanted to check with the fellow bhpians whether the tv can be repaired with a local reliable electronic repair shop in Bangalore. Plan is to get it repaired and then exchange with a newer tv.

Contact details of any known repair shops in Bangalore would be highly appreciated. Thanks.

[ron_9191]

Originally Posted by Jedi.Knight

A bit OT.

We have a Sharp LCD tv bought in 2007. Couple of days back, there was sparking in the extension box after which the tv refused to power up. The Sharp service guy promptly showed up within 24 hours on calling the toll free customer care number.
Now his report is that the entire board needs to be replaced (along with the fuse) estimated at approx Rs. 11,000.

Wanted to check with the fellow bhpians whether the tv can be repaired with a local reliable electronic repair shop in Bangalore. Plan is to get it repaired and then exchange with a newer tv.

Contact details of any known repair shops in Bangalore would be highly appreciated. Thanks.

@ jedi I think it is better that you go with the Sharp service people than a local technician. It is ok if you had a normal TV but not with the LCD's, LED's or the Plasmas as even though they are so big, the tech that goes into them is very precise and cannot be fiddled around by untrained hands.