50" Panasonic - is this a good deal?

[Nuisance_Value]

Wandered into Currys today and saw a Panasonic TXP50S20 for £899 so thought we would have a quick check and duly saw this deal at John Lewis.. Same thing, £809 and a free 5 year guarantee.

http://www.johnlewis.com/230911083/Product.aspx

Is this a good deal? Are prices likely to be better than this in the Christmas/New Year sales as I'm happy to wait if I get one for £500 - £600. Would really like a 60" tv but can't see them being about £600 anytime soon at all, so will settle for a 50"

We would mainly use it for movies and xbox, with some normal tv viewing which we get through Virgin (just a standard box I think (Samsung) not really sure). Not bothered by 3D at all.

So should I get my tight Yorkshire wallet out or wait?

[miniman]

A decent 50" panel needs a decent signal IMHO. Feed it Xbox and BluRay movies and you'll love it. Standard def TV over cable... I think you'll be disappointed. Think of it this way: the saving you're making is nearly a year of HD subscription.

[thetapeworm]

Built in Freeview HD should give you a decent enough picture, isn't this the non-UK model though? I thought they put a B on the end of the model number for us (TX-P50S20B)?

Dixons have the TX-P50S20B for the same price as John Lewis but the guarantee is lacking.

[Nuisance_Value]

Thanks guys

miniman said:

A decent 50" panel needs a decent signal IMHO. Feed it Xbox and BluRay movies and you'll love it. Standard def TV over cable... I think you'll be disappointed. Think of it this way: the saving you're making is nearly a year of HD subscription.

We're on Virgin cable already, but it just comes to a Samsung box and then from that into my old Panasonic TX32PF10 CRT. I'm on a basic tv tariff with Virgin which presumably means I get freeview already, is that not HD then? I guess it could be upgraded if not.

thetapeworm said:

Built in Freeview HD should give you a decent enough picture, isn't this the non-UK model though? I thought they put a B on the end of the model number for us (TX-P50S20B)?

Dixons have the TX-P50S20B for the same price as John Lewis but the guarantee is lacking.

No idea about models, is there any/much difference between UK and European versions?

It would appear that the price offered by JL is good inc the 5yr guarantee then, but is it worth me waiting to get a better deal?

[thetapeworm]

Nuisance_Value said:

It would appear that the price offered by JL is good inc the 5yr guarantee then, but is it worth me waiting to get a better deal?

I've been watching a 36" CRT for 5 years while I wait for a better deal, as a Yorkshireman there will always be a better deal around the corner but sometimes you just have to take the plunge if you feel happy with the price offered at this time.

The 5 year warranty would cost you £100+ elsewhere so even if Dixons put the same set at £650 you'd pay the same if you wanted the cover.

AVForums will probably give you some more opinions on that particular set.

[RobinSherwood]

Until 31st October Panasonic are offering a manufacturers 5 year guarantee on TV's bought in store rather than on the internet, so it gives a bit more freedom to shop around.

More information here

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Dealers/Vier...

[Nuisance_Value]

thetapeworm said:

, as a Yorkshireman there will always be a better deal around the corner but sometimes you just have to take the plunge if you feel happy with the price offered at this time.

You're right of course, and I was watching the stock levels. They sold 5 last night and another 3 this morning which left 2. Not seen one cheaper and with the warranty included in the price so I decided it was a good enough deal and bought one this morning. As long as it does me ten years like my last Panasonic did, then I'll be happy.