32" Panasonic Superflat or 32" Sony Wega?

[mithrandir2001]

I stopped by the local Tweeter last night and saw some good deals on 32" sets. I need a new set for the living room in my new house.

They have a clearance sale on the Panasonic CT-32SF37, which is their 32" SuperFlat model. This isn't a Tau (which I think is the best analog tube available) but this particular model was Panasonic's best 32" set before they released the Taus last year. It has a 3D digital comb filter, velocity modulation scanning, edge correction, color temperature controls, dual-tuner PIP, component video inputs (for DVD), 2 S-video inputs, 4 component inputs and an illuminated universal remote for $677.

They also had a sale on the Sony KV-32FV13, which is Sony's "entry-level" 32" Wega. This is a new model and features the 16:9 widescreen mode for anamorphic DVDs. You also can disable the velocity modulation scanning. Their sale price on this Wega is $849.

I fiddled with both of sets to produce the best possible picture (within reason). Even though the Panasonic is not a true flat-screen, it stood up remarkably well to the Wega in picture quality. Overall, I'd give the nod to the Sony - it has a certain "pop" or "punch" that is appealing, as well as more perceived sharpness - but the Panasonic had superior color rendition and shadow detail. The differences weren't too great; I was surprised how similar the two looked.

Is the Sony worth another $172, that's the question. The Panasonic's cabinet is much more streamlined in size, which I find advantageous, but it seems the Sony's 16:9 mode is some knock-out feature. What is the 16:9 mode anyway? The set is going to have a 4:3 tube no matter what you do, so what is 16:9 mode going to give you?

I'm leaning toward the Panasonic because I think the picture quality is competitive with the best analog sets on the market and the price is very reasonable (used to cost $999 when it was released last year, so this is 32% off). Any thoughts?

 

[Viper GTS]

16:9 mode squeezes the entire vertical resolution into 2/3 the space - producing higher resolution in the area that is still scanned. It's used for anamorphic DVD, which is encoded in such a way as to use the entire vertical scan resolution, but has to be displayed "squeezed" to be the correct aspect ratio.

Viper GTS

 

[mithrandir2001]

So if DVD provides 400 lines of vertical resolution, a regular 4:3 tube would display 227 lines (400*1.33/2.35) of a 2.35:1 anamorphic DVD and 288 lines (400*1.33/1.85) of a 1.85:1 anamorphic DVD, thanks to letterboxing...the Sony's 16:9 mode would display both DVDs with all 400 vertical lines. With non-anamorphic DVDs, I gather it doesn't make a difference.

What percentage of DVDs on the market are encoded in anamorphic mode? I thought they were somewhat rare....limited to special "collector's" editions, whereas the stuff you rent at the video store is typically the conventional letterboxed DVD.

 

[Viper GTS]

<< So if DVD provides 400 lines of vertical resolution, a regular 4:3 tube would display 227 lines (400*1.33/2.35) of a 2.35:1 anamorphic DVD and 288 lines (400*1.33/1.85) of a 1.85:1 anamorphic DVD, thanks to letterboxing...the Sony's 16:9 mode would display both DVDs with all 400 vertical lines. With non-anamorphic DVDs, I gather it doesn't make a difference.

What percentage of DVDs on the market are encoded in anamorphic mode? I thought they were somewhat rare....limited to special "collector's" editions, whereas the stuff you rent at the video store is typically the conventional letterboxed DVD. >>



Virtually all new DVD releases are anamorphic, I don't think I have a single non-anamorphic title in my collection.

Here's a more complete anamorphic explanation

Viper GTS

 

[308nato]

I have the Sony and the 16:9 feature is very functional for my growing DVD collection. That was one reason why I bought the WEGA.

 

[Mister T]

get the SONY.

I have bought 2 Sony's in the past year:

36XBR450
24 FV300

love them both

I hate Panasonic's dark tube

 

[Koing]

I'd go with the Sony screen.

 

[edc03]

i want the exact same sony...

 

[Prong]

You might swing by Circuit City (if there's one in your neck of the woods). I picked my 32" Wega up when they were running one of their monthly (it seems) TV sales for $785 + tax.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Welp, I bought neither.

Before I went back to Tweeter, I stopped by Circuit City and they had an open-box CT-27SX12 available for $427. This is Panasonic's base 27" flat-screen Tau. The original purchaser said it didn't fit in their intended spot so the store took it back and knocked $72 off the regular $499 price. I was planning on getting a 32" but this was a good opportunity to get a fantastic looking screen for not much money. I thought about the two sets at Tweeter and considered that I would have to pay $30 more to have one of them delivered because I just can't fit a 32" set in my Accord; however, the 27" Panasonic DID fit. So the decision effectively became: 27" Tau for $427 or 32" Superflat for $707 or 32" Wega for $879...The Tau wins.

The 27" is a little smaller than I'd like in my living room; however, a 32" TV would be too imposing and disrupt the somewhat formal furnishings arrangement I have. I know the Wegas have better remotes and on-screen menus but hot-damn, this 27" Tau produces drop-dead beautiful images for NTSC analog. Can't wait to hook up my DVD player via s-video or component line.