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Panasonic vs JVC in 42" EDTV

999 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  tivoboy
My wife and I have been looking for a few weeks and keep coming back to the 42" EDTV plasma displays as the best picture we can get for under $3K. I'm still a little scared of the DLP complexity/unknown reliability, and to me the LCD rear projectors don't have the impact of the plasma image.


We initially were very attracted to the JVC PD42V475 we saw at BB. Now we have also seen the Panasonic TH-42PD25u at another large store, which also had the JVC (black 485) in the next aisle, so we couldn't really view them side-by-side. I'm pretty convinced the basic PQ is going to be the same for these two units, but was wondering if anyone else had considered them and developed some specific pros/cons for them.


One factor for us is space considerations, and the narrower JVC with speakers below is an advantage. I also think the Panasonic speakers look to be very small (narrow vertical strip), so I'm guessing the JVC sound quality is probably better.


Another AVS thread had pointed out that the JVC can stretch digital signals that are broadcast with black pillar boxes, while the Panny can't. We will be hooked up to a digital cable box, with DVD as the other main input, plus surround sound receiver (but the built-in TV sound will still be used sometimes so is a factor). Will still be watching a lot of SD material (probably like everyone else). Might be interested in cable card capability, but it's not a big factor.


Anyone have any experience with real-life glare/reflections performance with these two units?


thanks!
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Don't know much about JVC, but the Panny is at the local Costco for a lot less than what BB sells it for and it has an ATSC HDTV tuner and SD card slot, the JVC doesn't and that would be nice to have. The only advantage I can see of the JVC is that it does look better although the Panny's looks have been growing on me.
Quote:
Originally posted by buellwinkle


...the Panny's looks have been growing on me.
Eww... you might want to see a doctor for that growth.
Pansonic Pros: Good black level, cable card slot, atsc tuner, hdmi, excellent picture quality. This is highly regarded on this forum.


Cons: weaker speakers and (for me) too wide. More limitations with stretch modes than JVC.


JVC Pros: HDMI, no limitations on using stretch modes, great picture quality, speakers underneath (due to my width limitations).


JVC Cons: No cable card slot, no atsc tuner.



If I had the space, I would go for the Panasonic. Due to my width limitations the JVC is #1 on my list. I may wait until the next model to see if a cable card slot and atsc tuner are added. Of course by wating they may change the styling and put speakers on the sides.



JCPZero
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Quote:
Originally posted by wblynch
Eww... you might want to see a doctor for that growth.
That's why I have to the the 7UY, it's never grown on me but it's cheap.
Quote:
Originally posted by jcpzero
Pansonic Pros: Good black level, cable card slot, atsc tuner, hdmi, excellent picture quality. This is highly regarded on this forum.


Cons: weaker speakers and (for me) too wide. More limitations with stretch modes than JVC.


JVC Pros: HDMI, no limitations on using stretch modes, great picture quality, speakers underneath (due to my width limitations).


JVC Cons: No cable card slot, no atsc tuner.



If I had the space, I would go for the Panasonic. Due to my width limitations the JVC is #1 on my list. I may wait until the next model to see if a cable card slot and atsc tuner are added. Of course by wating they may change the styling and put speakers on the sides.



JCPZero
More pros for the JVC, it also has noise reduction, 720P support, 3:2 pulldown!!
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Well, you found me.


I was in exactly this same position tyring to buy tvs for my GFs parents new appartment.


I have a 42" 6UY and a 50" 7UY Hd. So, I know quality of picture and what is imporant to me at least.


I really wanted to get them something nice, they didn't want the HD's and are only watching DTV SD. they cannot get HD yet in this new appartment.


So, I was going to get the consumer panny for all the reasons you listed, as well that I really LOVE the picture quality, and liked the integration. tuner, speakers, everything. I won't be able to setup the AV system for some months now, and wanted them to have speakers and such to get going. I know, I know WHY woultn'd I just buy them a 42" 7UY and be done with it, that would actually be cheaper and the money could go to buying the AV center and all. But, I needed integration.


So, i was set on the panny. BUt, BUT it didn't fit. Too wide. so, I looked at hte Sony, but it was .33 inches too wide too, AND I didin't really like the picture quality. A bit softer, a bit more color saturation. I also don't really like the solid silver form factor.


THen, I looked at the SAMSUNG. All I can say is stay away from the samsung. I don't think the picture quality is anything like these other TV's.


Finally, I found the hitachi and the JVC thanks mostly to people on this forum. Of course I went to look at them, and I think the JVC has a clearly better image quality.


After having it now a week, I was able to get some tweaking done and they love it and I am actually pretty happy with the image quality I was able to get it to display.


Blacks are good (probably due to panasonic glass) resolution with SD is strong. DVD's look great. Has some warbling burn in reducer.


Would I have liked an ATSC tuner YEAH! But, wasn't to be.


If you like me have size restrictions, then I don't think you will be disappointed with this TV.


I do like the all black version, and video only can sell you one cheap. Cheaper than Best Buy. Look for anothre retailer in your area though, since BB will price match. AND, buy the best buy rewards card for 9.99. It gave me 90$ back on the purchase.
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Thanks Tivoboy and all others who posted their opinions. Very helpful, but it didn't protect me from myself. Oh boy, what have I done??!!


My wife and I went out to make the decision between the Panny and JVC EDTV models and got suckered into buying the Sony HD plasma KE42XS910. BB has it on close-out for almost $1800 less than the new 955 replacement model. Hadn't done a lick of research on the Sony 42 HD plasma, but signed on the dotted line assuming it was great.


The Sony won't be delivered until Saturday, so there is still time to change this. I am a bit worried about the Sony's 1080x1080 resolution and whether SD will look much worse on this (compared to the EDTV) because of how much more upsampling must be done. Also, the Sony has the same limiation as the Panny EDTV in that it can't stretch HD signals.


Any thoughts on how the Sony compares to the Panny EDTV in PQ, features and overall capabilities? We will be watching TV (fair amount of SD I guess) plus movies on DVD, so I'm still not convinced that HD will give me benefits compared to ED, plus I don't want HD to penalize me with worse PQ on what we do watch. But having HD now did feel like it might protect us a few years down the line in that the ED might seem obsolete or too limiting at that time.


thanks - and it's OK to call me an idiot.
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Hey tivoboy...


For your own peace of mind, the panny's cheap version you could have found at COSTCO is the PA version, not the PD; meaning it doesn't have the ATSC tuner...


Enjoy the JVC!
well, you can always return it, or exchange it.


the sony, the ED version I didn't like the colors or resolution and found the panny ED more appealing. As for SD material, I firmly believe that SD looks better on an ED tv, and only have the ED panny 6Uy and HD 7uy to compare it to. but, HD is coming on fast, so there is much more of it, and yes one can notice the diff b/w HD on an ED and on an HD. I would put it around 10% or less, even though people will quote a much higher number from a technical standpoint.


As for HD making SD look better. I don't htink that will happen.


and as for HD needing to be stretched. All these TV's are 16:9, so HD will fill the screen with no need to stretch it. When it is a commercial or something, just let the HD feed do 4:3 most channels are good about that.


Nice thing about BB, if you don't like it you can return it and get the other one. You will have to pay to return it though, or do it yourself.
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Quote:
Originally posted by lacv75
Hey tivoboy...


For your own peace of mind, the panny's cheap version you could have found at COSTCO is the PA version, not the PD; meaning it doesn't have the ATSC tuner...


Enjoy the JVC!
Whew! I was indeed sweating that one!


:)


Aswell, the panny would not fit in the 42" width box I had to put it in. I thought about mounting it ON the box, but that would block cabinets behind. And, I actually like the form factor of the jvc.


I really liked the black model, but could only find it on the west coast, and had to get this one in chicago.
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Quote:
Originally posted by tivoboy

I really liked the black model, but could only find it on the west coast, and had to get this one in chicago.
Tivoboy, FWIW we found the all-black JVC here in Kansas City. The same company has stores in Omaha and Des Moines, but that's still a ways from Chicago!
yeah, I wanted that one, and the VO store here was ready to sell me for 2.2

but BB was 2.5 with PM to ABT.

I see today, that all the stores I checked online are now UP to 2.8-3.0


don't know why it has risen in price
Yep. Prices here this weekend for the JVC (either color) were 2.7


That's why the Sony 42" HD seemed like a good deal at 3.5


Remains to be seen if it's a good deal or no...
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