VIVO 106cm (42") Plasma TV ptv42hdq - $599 (possibly $499) @ DSE

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• 

  fish on 22/01/2010 - 11:26

  Why the cheaper one are Plasma, the technology is phasing out? Or their power rating is too low?

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 22/01/2010 - 15:20

    The technology will likely eventually be phased out. It's most likely cheaper because they've been in production longer, meaning all the factories are set up and it's cheaper to keep making them than to switch to LCD.

  • 

    smokenz on 22/01/2010 - 17:19

    +1

    saw this tv at DSE ages back, seemed good for the price at the time. had ps3 connected, was able to set to 1080p over HDMI and it accepted signal, 1024x768 is fine for the price, and most 42" plasmas were this res id say at 2-3ms you would be ok with it.

    only really bad things that put me off was

    1) It has half a star on power rating, not that i realyl care about power and the cost, but come on half star out of 7 or so!!! I've never ever seen a product avertising power consumption with such a bad rating

    and 2)

    after a pre christmas drop to 599 previously on these tvs down from 699 the local store went from having 6 to only 1. then after new years, popped in there one lunch, saw a whole new bunch. what do we see, all these repair documents still attached. had a look at repair notes, one wouldn't power on, replaced some yc type board? another one had sound but only a black image, replaced some other board. one would turn off randomly after being on for 30 seconds, replaced another board.

    really made me and my mate think that at first this tv did seem like a bargain, and you get what you pay for, but judging by what we saw after new years I would be weary of this.

    if its a bedroom tv and it craps out, sweet, gets fixed and no worries, if you are getting this for your main tv, might be a bit disheartening having to get it repaired and no main viewing experience.

    i've out grown 42" plasmas for main viewing but I know many people will enjoy them as a first flat panel, and i can imagine a bad first buying experience may really gut some folks.

    • 

      sm3004 on 23/01/2010 - 08:25

      I own one and the energy rating is 2 1/2 stars, at least that's what the sticker on it says.

      Also have had no issues and it's much better than other cheap brands I have seen.

      The only disappointment I have found with this TV is that the speakers are really really bad. But luckily I own 5.1 Logitech Speakers which I got for $80 from UMart.

      As a 6 month owner, I'd recommend this TV, but you obviously cannot compare to a Samsung or Panasonic.

      • 

        Mealdama on 21/03/2010 - 16:52

        Hey I just put this tv on layby
        I've been asking the stores if this has a audio output? Eg RCA or optical out
        just so I can transfer the sound from watching tv into bigger speakers ie
        stereo or just say the logitech x530 5.1 speakers.

        So 2 questions:
        does this have audio outs? Ie optical out or
        RCA out?

        And if it doesn't have these how do I get sound out
        from the tv to my set of logitech speakers like you have done

        Please let me know.
        Matthew ealdama
        [email protected]

• 

  RJE91 on 22/01/2010 - 11:40

  -2

  The resolution on this plasma is abysmal along with the response time, having said that, its cheap and you get what you pay.

  • 

    sm3004 on 23/01/2010 - 08:22

    +2

    Response time on a Plasma? Go do your homework.

• 

  aussman on 22/01/2010 - 11:43

  +1

  not sure why they would put response time for a plasma tv it is a totally different system to LCD
  good deal though for those looking for a budget tv resolution is ok for 720p

• 

  Miss Damology on 22/01/2010 - 12:24

  Might have a look at that one. Been looking for a cheap bedroom TV and at 42" I wouldn't need my glasses ;-)
  I m woolies staff too, so another 5% off…

• 

  Cluster on 22/01/2010 - 13:07

  $599 is brilliant for a 42" plasma TV. Why does the TV have a 16ms response time on DSE's website? Plasmas have no pixel lag, unlike even the most expensive LCDs.

  I also really really doubt the TV has a 1024x768 resolution screen. It's a 16:9 display, not 4:3, so it should be 1366x768 unless the set has rectangular pixels. I would ignore the specifications given by DSE.

  • 

    BlinkyBill on 22/01/2010 - 13:19

    +2

    No it's 1024x786 and yes they do have rectangular pixels. This is quite common. Many Panasonic, Philip, Samsung Plasma's of previous generations are like this.

    Also I was at DSE Lidcombe yesterday and they have 42in FULL HD Sanyo LCD's for $799, seems like a much better buy. I don't know if it's available at other stores but they are only on sale until this Sunday and then to price goes up to $999.

    • 

      Cluster on 22/01/2010 - 13:53

      I just had a look at the set at DSE and it looks fine to me. At normal viewing distance (4 to 5m) the pixels are almost indistinguishable.

      The one complaint I'd have about the set is the contrast. It's very high at the expense of mid tones. Everything is either quite bright or dark. DSE had a CGI animated movie showing and the Panasonic LCD next to it looked quite a bit better. It seems TV makers have an obsession with contrast as it's an easy number to quote in the marketing blurb to dazzle people with.

      • 

        bigosmallo on 22/01/2010 - 13:58

        lol I wouldn't really call "4-5 metres" close for a 42". I have a 50" at 2.5 metres and it's perfect.

        • 

          smokenz on 22/01/2010 - 17:13

          @bigosmallo: i have 80" at same distance and that is perfect :P

      • 

        BlinkyBill on 22/01/2010 - 13:59

        Fine for TV/DVD, even blueray (I have a 42 in Philips Plasma 1024x768). But not fine for connecting a PC/Laptop as the rectangular pixels result in a squashed image.

        • 

          sm3004 on 23/01/2010 - 08:30

          @BlinkyBill: I've had one for 6 months and I use component to connect and have it set to 720P, the picture is much better than other cheap brands I have tested it on. I went to the stores with my laptop and PC cable and tested them myself before buying.

          The only regret I have is not testing the audio, because the speakers are TERRIBLE. Whip out another $80 and get some 5.1 Logitech speakers and the problem is solved.

          I'd definitely recommend it over other cheap brands.

• 

  parta on 22/01/2010 - 13:19

  +4

  The chatswood chase store has a 4 day sale on this screen for $499, I was so tempted.

  • 

    hsct on 22/01/2010 - 14:28

    Is this special still on? $499 is really a good deal!

    • 

      Horizon on 22/01/2010 - 16:00

      +3

      Well spotted parta!

      "Manager's Special for $499!"

      Following parta's post, I rang the Chatswood Chase DSE store and they have 34 in stock at a special price of $499 as of Friday PM.

      These are supposedly Manager's Specials for the official opening of this new DSE store.

      They said this specific promotional sale was supposed to start tomorrow (Saturday) but the manager went with it early.

      I rang 2 other (edit: relatively local) DSE stores who didn't know anything about the Chatswood Chase store's opening sale but who said they would price match other DSE stores!

      So possibly a better deal than $599 can be negotiated at your local store?

      EDIT: Of course the DSE stores I rang were relatively local to me and Chatswood, and would consider the Chatswood store to be a business rival, and hence would be more likely to consider price matching. Also any price matching would be at that particular store's manager's discretion and nothing to do with Head Office.

• 

  PainToad on 22/01/2010 - 14:11

  Plasma, ew. But still cheap.

• 

  RJE91 on 22/01/2010 - 14:11

  You reckon any DES stores around Browns Plains would go lower then the $599?

• 

  hoiboy on 22/01/2010 - 16:27

  $499 is an awesome price, even $599 is okay. Good work!

• 

  sandyz02 on 22/01/2010 - 18:13

  -2

  I bought a vivo TV from oo.com.au as brand new, and then found it's actually refurbished stock.
  It still has the note at the back of the TV, be careful with Vivo!

  • 

    pais on 23/01/2010 - 14:57

    +3

    That sounds like an issue with OO rather than Vivo…?

• 

  JakDac on 22/01/2010 - 18:14

  ??

• 

  hexedhavoc on 22/01/2010 - 20:41

  Doesn't look like my dick smith at werribee plaza will price match either :(

  • 

    kwanq on 22/01/2010 - 21:48

    Anyone in melb managed to get it for 499?

• 

  Mealdama on 21/03/2010 - 16:59

  Hey I just put this tv on layby

  I've been asking the stores if this has a audio output? Eg RCA or optical out
  just so I can transfer the sound from watching tv into bigger speakers ie
  stereo or just say the logitech x530 5.1 speakers.

  So 2 questions:
  does this have audio outs? Ie optical out or
  RCA out?

  And if it doesn't have these how do I get sound out to a stereo
  or logitech x530 5.1 speakers

  Please let me know.
  Matthew ealdama
  [email protected]