LCD TV 20'' 4/3: SONY vs LG vs PANASONIC vs SCHAUB LORENZ

[arturo83]

Hello, I wish to buy a 20'' LCD TV 4/3. The budget is not a problem.
I'm looking for the best quality for Video and also for Audio.
I was thinking to buy one of these four models:
- SONY BRAVIA KDL-20G2000AEP
- LG 20LS1R
- PANASONIC TX20LA60F
- SCHAUB LORENZ LTW 26-43H1-6

Does anyone could suggest me anything (even among other TV models)?
Thanks!

[Richard_G]

It is generally accepted that there is little to choose between Sony and Panasonic, but why buy a new TV that is obsolete when you get it? Why a 4:3 and not a 16:9?

[arturo83]

It is generally accepted that there is little to choose between Sony and Panasonic, but why buy a new TV that is obsolete when you get it? Why a 4:3 and not a 16:9?

In Italy most of TV transmissions are in 4/3 format; a 16/9 TV should be at least 23'' to have the same picture size of a 20'' 4/3 TV (when viewing a 4/3 tranmission).
Unfortunately, I haven't got space enough for a 23'' 16/9 TV, in the location where I'll place it.

The SONY BRAVIA KDL-20G2000AEP has got a contrast of 500:1, while the PANASONIC TX20LA60F has got one of 800:1. But The SONY has also got a DVB-T tuner.
More over I don't know if the declared values are really true.
So, do you think the choice to do is between SONY and PANASONIC?

[normcar]

Try a google search to find reviews of the exact TVs you are looking at. Try looking at cnet.com. They have a lot of info about TVs.

[Richard_G]

While I'm not that familiar with Italian TV, I do know that most DVB-T in UK and France is broadcast in 16:9. I assume Italy is going the same way as the rest of us and moving over to digital transmissions.

I suppose what you need to ask yourself is, which will be more obsolete first? 4:3 or analogue tuner? Personally, up until recently I always went for Sony gear but my latest TV is the Panasonic 42" plasma (TH42DX60) which is both 16:9 and with DVB-T tuner. The equivalent Sony Bravia is LCD and not plasma and, despite the Sony being good, a side by side test showed that the greater contrast ratio of the plasma did make a noticable difference. I would suggest your best bet would be to do the same. Find a retailer with a number of different models and just see which one looks best.

[SatStorm]

SCHAUB LORENZ, is a great alternative (and very cheap).

In Europe, especially on the non English, German and French speaking countries, the situation won't change soon regarding 4:3 transmissions.