Panasonic Launches New 2008 Viera Range Of Plasma, LCD TVs In India

hey vinod, i don't know if they are available in chennai and when they will come. but it looks we're both on a similar quest in chennai, so we should keep each other updated. My candidates though are one rung lower than yours. Yours seems to be the Sony V series and the LX800 whereas mine is the Sony S series and the LX80. Do let me (and everyone else) know if and when you manage to compare these models.

I wonder why they didn't launch the 42inch full hd model(py800) in India! They have launched it everywhere in South East Asia. We continue to get the step motherly treatment from the Electronics manufacturers.

As it happened, I had the opportunity to compare the TH-42PV8 and TH-42PV70 side-by-side in a shop; the latter was clearly better than the former. The salesman said that was because the first model's display was made in Singapore and the second one's in Japan; I can certainly attest to the latter since I ended up buying it at about the same price as the newer, lower-end PV8 model and checked (the unit itself is Singapore-assembled). Count me in as part of the brigade that thinks that hyped contrast ratios etc. tell you nothing about picture quality.

So I ended up getting the PV70 at a price of about Rs 66,000 rather than the PV8 that was being offered at Rs 65,000; the forthcoming PV80 is listed at Rs 75,000 so I am fine with that although I could have tried to bargain it down another couple of thousand bucks I suppose. Am happy with the purchase and the black levels are great!

Since I am breaking it in on soft contrast mode, my PS3 gaming is currently restricted although I am enjoying that too!

Were the picture settings in the menu same? Probably there was higher sharpness dialed in on the PV80. Both the TVs have the same image processor and panel. There should be no difference. Where the panel is made has no relevance.

Thats interesting.. The online reviews and user experiences seemed to suggest that Pv8 had slightly better black levels than PV70 but otherwise they weren't so dissimilar.

That was my experience, although I acknowledge that the contrast/brightness settings could have been different.

The salesman was initially steering me towards the PV8 before I stated that the PV70 looked a lot better. Maybe he saw it as an opportunity to get rid of old stock before the PV80s arrived!

But I did get a more positive impression overall from the PV70 and thought it even looked better. My understanding is that the PV80 is at best an incremental improvement over the PV70, although the additional HDMI input could be useful for gamers. Plus I got a decent price, so no complaints.

Added: FWIW, Richer Sounds in the UK claims that the PX8 is "inferior" to the PX80 (equivalent UK models). Doesn't specify how except to say that the PX8 has a matt screen, so not a definitive claim by any means.

Yes I have heard that its only an incremental change. What dvd player are you using? Do post your review of the pv70 after you start using it.

Using my PS3 as a DVD player; works quite well. I had earlier contemplated getting a higher end DVD player such as the Denon 1740 or 1940, but since I wanted a PS3 decided against it since the PS3 has decent Blu-ray playback and is somewhat future proof.

Will post a review after I have spent some time with the TV.

There is one difference between both - the PV80 has an ambient light sensor and adjusts the brightness contrast based upon ambient light. The PV8 lacks that sensor. Maybe there lies your difference in image quality. However the panels are the same and a matt or glossy screen treatment makes no difference.

If you have the budget, why don't you get the Pioneer 428XD for 110k? Far better than any of the panasonics.

Two reasons:

(1) I went to the Pioneer India website, and they had no mention of plasma or LCD TVs in this market. So I got the impression that all sales are gray market and may not get full support. As it is Panasonic warranties are pretty miserly at 1 year, and I didn't want to take on more risk with a set that costs twice as much.

(2) Wasn't sure I wanted to spend about 2x for a technology that is rapidly changing. Might want to get a bigger set in 3-4 years with full HD etc.