Please help me select my first TV from this list of 5

Originally Posted by rbhambha

Oh, and throw in the Panasonic TH42PZ80U

Originally Posted by rbhambha

Oh, and throw in the Panasonic TH42PZ80U

Originally Posted by rbhambha

Hey all,

This is my first post here at AVS, although I've been browsing through the forums for quite some time.

I'm looking to buy a new TV for my game room upstairs, and I've come across 5 televisions I'm interested in. After reading each one's respective thread here at AVS, I still have no idea how to select from this list.

All of these televisions are around the same price range, so that's a non-issue. I don't mind if it's 37" or 42". LCD or Plasma is fine. The brands are all name brands, so that doesn't matter to me either. Here is what does matter to me.

I'm going to be using this television primarily for gaming (PS3) and watching movies (DVD, Bluray). I'll be sitting 10 feet away from the screen. My game room is a midsized room with two blinded windows that I do open during the day. I will not be purchasing a home theater system to complement this television, at least not for a while, so the sound on the TV is relatively important.

Also, I've read the 720p vs 1080p debate, and I know that there won't be that big of a difference at a viewing range of 10 feet, and with a television size of 37" or 42". However, for some reason I can't get past the fact that 1080p is the latest technology, and that the PS3 utilizes this technology. Please put me in my place by telling me it doesn't matter! Or if it does, please do tell me it does matter!

My question is, which of these TVs would best fulfill the needs listed above? Here's the list:

Panasonic TH42PX80U
TOSHIBA 37AV500U
Panasonic TC37LZ85
TOSHIBA REGZA 42RV535U
Sony Bravia KDL-40V4150

Thanks in advance for all of your help. I really appreciate it!

Originally Posted by rbhambha

Thanks for all of the advice guys, it's really helpful.

With regards to a 50" television set, unfortunately that will be too big for me right now because the TV will have to be mounted between two desks, and the width of that space is 44" max.

I've narrowed down my selection to one of the 42" Panasonic Plasmas. I'm going to go with either the PZ85u or the PZ80u. Randy, thanks for that info on speakers. From what I've read, the only differences are the contrast ratio, and the speaker orientation. Are there any other differences I should be aware of?

I checked out the Samsung A550, and supposedly it has terrible built-in speakers, so I'm going to have to pass on that one. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Originally Posted by Tool Guy

The Sami 46" 630 is 44" wide.

Possibly other slim bezel 46's would fit???

Originally Posted by rbhambha

I'm going to stick with a 42" just because I feel like getting a 44" wide TV would be cutting it way too close. The space is EXACTLY 44", so I think the TV would be crammed in there

Originally Posted by cavu



You DO realize that the TV spec is a DIAGONAL measurement and you sound like you are measuring WIDTH!!??

Have you actually measured or checked the spec width of the TVs you are considering?!

Originally Posted by rbhambha

haha, yes I have. The width of the 42" panny is 41.9" according to NewEgg. Or so i think?!

Originally Posted by duffman13

i think a 46" pz80 can be had for about $1k too, but that may be too wide for you.

Originally Posted by rbhambha

between these two television sets, which would you say is the better choice?

Originally Posted by rbhambha

I've stumbled across the Toshiba 42XV545U (LCD)

So now, between these two television sets, which would you say is the better choice? Since I'm going to be using the TV primarily for gaming and watching movies, would it be safe to say the plasma would be best for these two things? I'm aware that plasma has no motion blur, and much better color rendition overall. But this Toshiba set has 120hz technology to reduce motion blur, along with superior color rendition supposedly.

Anyone have any info for me that will make this decision easier? I'm still leaning toward the panny, but after reading up on the 42XV545U a bit, I'm not sure anymore!

Originally Posted by rbhambha

Thanks for the responses guys! Randy, thanks for that additional info. I'm gonna stick with the panny.

Do you think I should wait for the G10 to release before purchasing my PZ85U? Do you think there will be a significant decrease in price of the PZ85U when the G10 is released in March?

Originally Posted by rbhambha

Thanks for the responses guys! Randy, thanks for that additional info. I'm gonna stick with the panny.

Do you think I should wait for the G10 to release before purchasing my PZ85U? Do you think there will be a significant decrease in price of the PZ85U when the G10 is released in March?

Originally Posted by rbhambha

I appreciate the information you've written out here woodyjoe!

I actually went to Best Buy today to take a look at some of the TVs, and I noticed that the 120Hz TVs did have that soap opera look to them that everyone talks about. I'm not sure if I'm a fan of this look, so I don't think I'm going to buy the 545. It is a great price, however.

I've decided I'm going to be patient and wait for the new line of Panasonic G10s and S1s to release. I don't see why I would invest $1100 into an old line when a brand new line is about to come out in March. Hopefully they won't be too expensive!