[mariokrt64]

I just bought the Sony KDL-52-EX701 a couple of weeks ago but I had always been struggling between the Sony and the Panny TC-P54G20. I am still within my "no questions asked" return period and just saw the Panny price lowered $200 below what I paid for the Sony....which is a little tempting...


Regardles of Price considerations, I would like your assesement on these two units..if possible pros/cons....


I know that I am posting in the Plasma board, so pls. try to be as un-biassed as posible to help me make my mind


So far my experience with the Sony is prety good..like the picture quality, has an excellent warranty (three years+one additional with the AMEX), includes the WIFI dongle, has 24p capabililty (the panny does not?). On extremely dark images it performs well, but I would not rated it as "excellent"....


I can get the Panny for $200 less with 2 yrs warranty (+ one addtl. with AMEX) so the warranty is pretty good too......heard about the issues with the black levels...


In general, I appreciate performance in dark images, so I guess the Panny may have an edge in that respect???


Pls., any feedback is appreciatted.....

 

[mariokrt64]

Any takers?

 

[neoshredder27]

They are pretty equal. Sony has a lot of pop on their led pictures but I really like the smooth picture of the Plasma's. THX Mode is great. Sony's can get really expensive. I think the better deal is the Panasonic tc-p54G20.

 

[mariokrt64]

Thks for your input.....


Anyone done something close to a side by side comparison or an evaluation/review.....any links....

 

[mariokrt64]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mariokrt64 /forum/post/19518309


Thks for your input.....


Anyone done something close to a side by side comparison or an evaluation/review.....any links....

I thought there maybe some more owner of these two HDTV's that may want to venture their opinion?

 

[mariokrt64]

Stopped by the store and they have the G20, 54 inches for less than $1,000...really tempting to pack my Sony, return it, save $300, and get the G20....


I do have an issue with watching the G20 in a lighted room....I watched it on BB and it looked great..but it was in "Vivid" picture setting...with the contrast cranked to 100%....I asked the associate to change it to THK and it looked much more muted....I understand that THX is for movie watching in dark room environment...but wonder how it would look in a lighted room in any other mode/twiked...other than "Vivid"....which I heard is not recommended for a Plasma...due to potential screen burn out.....


I need to decide in the next few days....so input is appreciatted.....

 

[hhaller]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mariokrt64 /forum/post/19523689


Stopped by the store and they have the G20, 54 inches for less than $1,000...really tempting to pack my Sony, return it, save $300, and get the G20....


I do have an issue with watching the G20 in a lighted room....I watched it on BB and it looked great..but it was in "Vivid" picture setting...with the contrast cranked to 100%....I asked the associate to change it to THK and it looked much more muted....I understand that THX is for movie watching in dark room environment...but wonder how it would look in a lighted room in any other mode/twiked...other than "Vivid"....which I heard is not recommended for a Plasma...due to potential screen burn out.....


I need to decide in the next few days....so input is appreciatted.....

The Sony is always going to be brighter than the plasma during the day. Conversely, the plasma will look better at night. It just boils down to what is more important to you.


You could always try to snag a local dimming LED within your price range if you play your cards right. Have the best of both worlds.

 

[mariokrt64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hhaller The Sony is always going to be brighter than the plasma during the day. Conversely, the plasma will look better at night. It just boils down to what is more important to you. You could always try to snag a local dimming LED within your price range if you play your cards right. Have the best of both worlds.

My Sony is edge lit LED...pretty nice......A local dimming may be well beyond what I paid for mine.....I just wonder if for $300 less the Panny will do the trick...I've seen it labeled as the best TV in its class????


I do have a projector for movie watching but I had to admit that the TV image is better in most respects...so I found myself watching the TV more than I thought I will.....Some material that looks close to unwatchable by my stds on the PJ...looks nice in the TV.....

 

[mariokrt64]

Rising black levels...and now I became aware of the "floating Blacks" on another AVS thread.....I am not sure now if it is worth pursuing the 54GT20, even for that much less money!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1236475


Come on Panasonic...what's going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[neoshredder27]

Not sure you will be able to notice the rising blacks or floating blacks. The only thing I've noticed is the flicker and buzz.lol

 

[mariokrt64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by neoshredder27 Not sure you will be able to notice the rising blacks or floating blacks. The only thing I've noticed is the flicker and buzz.lol

Maybe not, though I tend to be a little picky about these issues.....I had mixed feelings about not getting the 54GT20 in the first place..now its for sale for $300 less...so the feelings were stronger....


I would have to re-package the sony and take it back which is a little hassle....but now with these issues with the Panny, I think I just might keep the Sony....


Will see what I end finally doing!!!


thks for your input

 

[mariokrt64]

I am about a third thru the Panasonic Floating black thread and I hear a lot of complaints...most of those people selected Panasonic based on supposed better black levels and contrast ratio...and they are not happy with the performance they are getting...mostly related to the floating blacks....and the increasing black level feature programmed into the Panasonic Plasmas....

 

[mariokrt64]

Any update on the floating black front????Any chance of a firmware update to fix it?

 

[mariokrt64]

My "no questions asked" return period is running off, and I have not been able to make my mind of going for the G20....I guess the guys at the floating blacks thread kind of showed me the light!!!!!!!!!!!!!


It's a shame this TV shows thes issues as I was getting to pull the trigger (to exchange the Sony for it)[email protected] less than $1k!!!!

 

[2muchtime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariokrt64 I just bought the Sony KDL-52-EX701 a couple of weeks ago but I had always been struggling between the Sony and the Panny TC-P54G20. I am still within my "no questions asked" return period and just saw the Panny price lowered $200 below what I paid for the Sony....which is a little tempting... Regardles of Price considerations, I would like your assesement on these two units..if possible pros/cons.... I know that I am posting in the Plasma board, so pls. try to be as un-biassed as posible to help me make my mind So far my experience with the Sony is prety good..like the picture quality, has an excellent warranty (three years+one additional with the AMEX), includes the WIFI dongle, has 24p capabililty (the panny does not?). On extremely dark images it performs well, but I would not rated it as "excellent".... I can get the Panny for $200 less with 2 yrs warranty (+ one addtl. with AMEX) so the warranty is pretty good too......heard about the issues with the black levels... In general, I appreciate performance in dark images, so I guess the Panny may have an edge in that respect??? Pls., any feedback is appreciatted.....

You might want to post this on the flat panel general forum.

 

[neoshredder27]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mariokrt64 /forum/post/19552485


My "no questions asked" return period is running off, and I have not been able to make my mind of going for the G20....I guess the guys at the floating blacks thread kind of showed me the light!!!!!!!!!!!!!


It's a shame this TV shows thes issues as I was getting to pull the trigger (to exchange the Sony for it)[email protected] less than $1k!!!!

Not a problem with motion tv. Still images like slides and you will see it though.

 

[mariokrt64]



Quote:
Originally Posted by neoshredder27 /forum/post/19552976


Not a problem with motion tv. Still images like slides and you will see it though.

thks...a lot of pages with issues in the floating black thread, though

 

[neoshredder27]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mariokrt64 /forum/post/19554289


thks...a lot of pages with issues in the floating black thread, though

Every little problem gets exposed on the forums though. People are awfully picky here.

 

[mariokrt64]



Quote:
Originally Posted by neoshredder27 /forum/post/19554635


Every little problem gets exposed on the forums though. People are awfully picky here.

Yeah, that's probably true, although I consider myself a little picky, as well. That's one reason why I had been struggling with this issue....


I think I might have decided to stay with the Sony. I throws a good picture and its performance under dark images is good. Only wish it had a little better shadow detail in the darkest images. I do have a PJ so I would be using the Sony for TV watching, mostly...


Thanks, and good luck with your purchase....I will keep tracking the 54" G20. They had about six in my store under $1k... and its being a slow mover...they may even lower the price even more, although I doubt since its already very low, to liquidate them...and maybe I will jump in for a second TV...