darlodge

Chris, Asda and Wilkinsons both had some 1.5m HDMI cables a few weeks ago for £5.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Cheers bud.

T5OLF

iTrader: (4)

Have you changed the settings yet?

I used these:
Panasonic TH42PX80 Review: 42” Viera 24p 100Hz Plasma

corradoboy

I just pop in any THX approved DVD and use the included optimizer. To do it properly you need some red and blue filter which I've got in the post with my DVE [Digital Video Essentials] calibration disc. I just have to decide whether to break into the service menus to get it perfect, but that risks ruining it too, and losing your warranty.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Will give those setting a try tonight.

Can anyone recommend a surround sound system or blue ray player?

corradoboy

Budget ????

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Probably around £300 for the lot.

corradoboy

If you intend to add BluRay then you aren't going to get even just an amp which features the new BR audio formats for that. No point spending much on something which is effectively obsolete, so I'd hang on until you can afford a full function but budget system. An Onkyo 606 would be a good AV amp and can be had for IRO £400, or within amp/speaker packages for a bit less. This will prepare you for DTS HD MA and DD True HD audio from BR as well as all the usual formats for DVD and stereo sources, and handling all video switching meaning just one HDMI cable to the TV. A speaker package such as Kef's £200 KHT1005 would be OK, but you always get what you pay for and I'd be tempted to throw some more at the speakers too.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Jes, you know your stuff!

To be honest, I'd rather just have surround sound at the moment.
I remember when my Dad bought a Daewoo complete home entertainment system from Allders some 11 years ago. The surround sound on it was really impressive. I'm not looking for lots of bass, just a setup that will make use of the 5.1 that is now common place on DVD's. Although, I would like to go Panasonic, just to keep it all neat!

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Something like this will probably do me.

Panasonic DVD Home Cinema Surround Sound System SCPT160 on eBay, also, Home Cinema Systems, DVD Home Cinema, Consumer Electronics (end time 01-Mar-09 16:07:34 GMT)

T5OLF

iTrader: (4)

Have a look on ebay and try and get a used AV amp and some good speakers and buy a new/used Bluray player. You can get carried away buying the latest HDMI amp etc but your average man in the street would find a cheapish system just as good.

I would like an Onkyo amp but my Denon works just fine so can't justify spending more cash.

YAMAHA RXV363 at Richer Sounds - HI-FI Separates, Home Cinema, Speakers, MP3 DVD Portables, Plasma LCD, etc.

YAMAHA NSP110-BLK at Richer Sounds - HI-FI Separates, Home Cinema, Speakers, MP3 DVD Portables, Plasma LCD, etc.

T5OLF

iTrader: (4)

Try and stay away from all in one systems, if you buy a seperate AV amp you can always upgrade as and when you can afford to.

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

I'm looking for a 42" plasma in the next month or so. This thread is helpful. Similar budget to cp100. What's the difference between all these panasonic 42" ones? I'm not up on any of these different specs so advice is welcome.

Only got SD sky at the mo, will use a 360 over component with it (early xbox so no hdmi).

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

The PZ80B is the full 1080P version, where the PX80B isn't. And as some have already said, on SD sky, you actually get a better picture with PX80B. Only go for the Z if you have sky hd or run a blue ray player. But, even you intend to run these at a later date, the PX80B will do a fantastic job.

I was truely amazed last night when I ran PGR4 via component last night for the first time on the new Panny. It really was 'awesome'!

T5OLF

iTrader: (4)

I run Sky HD and Bluray through my PX80B and it's just fine. You really don't need 1080p.

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

I see panasonic have a new range coming out. I'm not in a mega rush to buy but you know how it is when you have the cash and the desire for a new gadget . I'm probably best waiting to see what they're like and priced I imagine? Could mean some deals on the older models?

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Just remember that prices are set to rise on new stock due the weakening of the pound.

corradoboy

The new budget 50" is supposedly £999 RRP and 1080p too The new NEO range will be £3k+ (at first) but they are looking awesome [drool].

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Just thought I'd give a quick update on the panny.

We are still very happy with it. Actually, 'amazed' is more of an appropriate word!
I had a play with the settings (as advised on AVForums.com Home) as the shop had set the contrast very high. 'Cinema' mode does seem to give the best picture, but it's more of a 'geek' thing if you ask me. The quality is excellent in any mode though.

Build quality is very good. It doesn't feel flimsy like my old Philips did. But then at 36KG, I suppose it wouldn't!

The best part though is how my xbox 360 looks on it. I'm actually starting to get better on COD4 live......as I can see what's going on!

Apparently, the xbox only up scales DVD's via HDMI, so I will have to wait to report on that one for the moment. In sd though, they are still incredible to watch.

Thanks for all the recommendations. Scoobynet comes up trumps again!

T5OLF

iTrader: (4)

Glad you like it, told you it would be a good buy.

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

The 80B replacement got a favourable innicial review in whattv or whatever it's called. Think I'll wait for one of those.

Avi

Agreed.. i was lucky enough to get one in dixons xmas day sale for £450 and it blows all my mates 1080p LCDs away!

Dream Weaver

The picture seems to get even better as time goes on as well

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Guys.

My old LCD (Sharp) just gave out, so I'll be getting vouchers to the value of its original price to replace it (about £580 IIRC). Don't mind chipping in a bit more for something a bit nicer if need be, but lets set the price limit at £750

I know the plasmas seem to be the best deals at the mo, but say I wanted and LCD, would a Panasonic, like the following be a good option?

Currys - Shop for Flat Panel TV - Panasonic TX-37LZD80 37" LCD TV

Unfortunately, I have to buy from Currys or PCworld as that's where the vouchers will be valid for!
Cheers for any advice

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Is 37 inches the maximum you can go to?

T5OLF

iTrader: (4)

Why do you want LCD??

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

a) (Poncey technical answer) Plasma power consumption pretty horrific compared to LCD and it's not longer the obvious choice if you're going over 32 inches, also, they seem to be being phased out by some manufacturers and their future is uncertain because of the power consumption issue.
b) (real reason) Currys (and I have to get it from there don't forget -sobs) have naff all decent in the way of Plasma!

corradoboy

You DVD's are still being upscaled. As your TV has 1080 lines of resolution, the 576 lines from a DVD would barely fill half the height of the screen, so your TV takes the signal and upscales it to fill the whole vertical resolution of the screen. The major quality difference comes from the signal from the DVD player being digital rather than the player converting it to analogue, that sensitive analogue signal going through cables only for the TV to convert it back to digital before scaling it as necessary. By keeping it all digital you remove many chances for signal degradation and corruption which is where the main quality benefit arises. Some DVD players will let you choose whether or not to scale it before output. If you sent it HDMI at 576p your TV would do all the scaling, 720p would still require some scaling, and a full 1080 out of your player should be replayed without scaling, however it has already been scaled by the player. The decision about where the scaling takes place is down to which piece of your equipment you feel has the best scaler. I hope that makes sense

Nimbus

I'm currently looking to replace our Sony 25" Black Triniton and have the following shortlisted:

Panasonic Viera TH-37PX80B - 37" Widescreen HD Ready Plasma TV

Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD85 - 32" Widescreen HD Ready LCD TV

Panasonic Viera TX-32LZD85 - 32" Widescreen 1080p Full HD LCD TV

Ideally I'd like to go for the 37" plasma, but my wife may vito a screen that size. She said she does not want it to dominate the room and is not into large screen TVs. If it's only 32" we can get I'll probably go for the HD ready, rather than the Full HD. Can't see the point of full HD on a 32" screen.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Don't you live there too? Put your foot down you big wuss!