Customer Reviews

Panasonic CT-34WX15 34" TheaterWide HDTV-Ready Flat Screen TV

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Here's my setup at home:

DirecTV HD/TiVo
Sony Progressive Scan DVD player
Xbox/Gamecube/PS2
Sony DTS 5.1 receiver (4 years old)
Polk Audio surround sound speaker system including sub

While not the most braggable setup on the planet, it really does hold its own. Anyways I was finally ready to move into HD territory. I had been researching the issue for quite some time and decided that tube TVs still consistently deliver some of the best picture quality. I was really wanting the Sony 34XBR960 which is essentially their most advanced tube TV to date. I went to Circuit City and compared the Sony side by side with this Panasonic. In terms of picture quality they were the exact same but the Panasonic was about $1,000 cheaper. This was a no brainer. The main difference was that the Sony utilized their memory stick technology and the Sony also had a built HD decoder or ATSC. My TiVo box already handled that for me so I didn't need to shell out the extra dough.

Directv users take note that most subscribers cannot get their local channels in HD. I had to buy a Terk model off the air antenna that picks up local broadcasts in HD (I have no idea how it works but it is the most wonderful thing I have ever seen). I'm not a fan but I watched Nascar for over an hour last week b/c it was so beautiful and the surround sound was awesome!!!

For the money you cannot beat this wonderful TV!!! My next purchase will be the matching S97S Panasonic DVD player. It utilizes HDMI technology that upconverts all signals to 1080i. Can't wait!!!

I was originally considering the Sony 30" widescreen CRT and then decided that I needed (read: wanted) a bigger picture which opened my options to both the Sony and Panasonic 34."

Upon comparing the 2 sets side-by-side in the store, both the Sony and Panasonic seemed to have the same picture quality with HD and digital signals. It could be said maybe just MAYBE that the Sony had a tiny bit crispy picture in HD but after standing there a few more minutes, I could say that the Panasonics is just as good.

However, upon switching to a channel that was analog cable, it became clear that the Panasonic was definitely the winner. The Sony's picture was VERY grainy in comparision to the Panasonic's. This, in my mind, made the Panasonic the winner with overall picture quality.

The main short-coming I observed first-hand with the Panasonic was that its sound level or quality was not that of the Sony's. The volume the Sony was capable of putting out was way above that of the Panasonic's when comparing them inthe store. However, to me, overall picture quality was the main concern since I run the sound through my stereo receiver when I watch DVDs, so this wasn't going to be a major issue anyway.

After I got home and set the Panasonic up, the volume turned outto be more than adequate for the area I set it up in.

The pricing for the Panasonic is a little less than the Sony. The 5 year extended service plan was also less than the Sony. When I asked why this was, I was told that the parts prices for the Sonys were considerably more. The sales price and the extended service pricing made the Panasonic a clear choice.

The 30" Sony widescreen CRT received top billings in Consumer Reports. However, I've never been a huge fan of Sony, so I was happy I was able to take home a Panasonic.

CRTs still provide the best long-term service. I think I will be happy with this purchase for many years to come. So far the set operates perfectly and gives a great picture.

This is my first HDTV. I also bought the Sony DVP-NS70 1080i DVD Player with HDMI out and an HDMI cable to connect the two. Plus an Optical Audio cable to connect the DVD player to my receiver.

I can't be happier with the setup. DVDs look great. The picture is great. I'm not a videophile. I wanted a nice setup without spending a fortune and that's just what I got.

Why am I sore? 160 Lbs, three flights of stairs. My wife and I nearly killed ourselves getting the box up. It was a dangerous and clumsy procedure. Luckily, the only real damage is the soreness we both feel two days later.

Really, please account for how you're going to get it from outside to the living room. This would be a good time to buy pizza for your friends, haul it in and have a little party.

I ordered an S 97 as well as a CT34WX15, 34 inch CRT monitor. The S97 arrived first. It is very compact and all my CD's sounded better then on my old one. The drawer is nice, it virtually snaps out when you press the button and, as the drawer is made of translucent material, the whole thing lights up with the little blue light when open. All in all, a very nice unit.
When the TV arrived, the first thing I noticed was that the box was open. Now this is a one hundred eighty pound TV in the box. The box itself could hold a small refrigerator. I examined the contents and noticed that the shipping material looked as though it had been rearranged from when it was originally packed. I got the TV set up, and turned it on. Well there was a big green blemish on the screen and some other blemishes on the edges, nothing I did could make it go away so I called Panasonic. Now I ordered it directly from Panasonic and while it did take me a few tries to get through their answering system, which by the way is the best voice recognition system I have been exposed to, it actually seemed to get what I was saying, I did finally get a human being. The big surprise was that, in about five minutes, I had been directed to the right people, and the new set was on its way. After reading some of the reviews with customer service nightmares, especially concerning Sony, I was defensive at first. Now all I can say is that Panasonic service concerning this replacement was first rate. They paid shipping for the whole thing and really were gracious and seemed to be interested in taking care of the problem. The new set is here and it works great. It was un opened and the packaging was factory fresh.

First off, the problem with some reviews on Amazon.com are like Osbornes below & the reason I rely on Circuit City Reviews more (they are more objective & not in the Twinky Zone like this Osborne fellow- he makes Ozzy seem more intelligent). Anyway, I needed a second HDTV set for my bedroom as the 30" one I had was simply too small though it had a good picture. I should preface that I have a 48" Mitsubishi Rear Projector HDTV in my living room which I love & bought for $1600 in 2004 which I think you can get now for $1300. Anyway, this 34" HDTV set is perfect for a bedroom set as I watch it from about 10' away from my bed & it sits on top of my dresser. Cosmetically it looks beautiful and the picture & size of the picture is superb. Even Non-HD Shows look great on this set which wasn't the case of my 30" set. DVDs look great as well whther in widescreen or 4:3 (which I would recommend for old TV Shows). One thing I like about it, is that it has 3 factory preset picture options. I prefer Vivid. The beauty of this is even if you try to fine tune the colors & you don't like the results, you can press one of the 3 preset buttons & get back to the same picture setting. When I buy an HDTV my only concern is picture not sound & that should be yours too, because anyone who owns an HDTV and doesn't listen to their audio via a receiver with 5.1 sound, doesn't deserve to buy an HDTV. Therefore sound quality is irrelevant for my purposes. One of the most ridiculous criticisms I've seen by some nincompoops are their concerns over the weight of this set which makes no sense and shouldn't be a factor. I had my set delivered & installed (for free) & I'm sure 95% of you will as well, so why should weight be a concern if your getting someone else to carry this into your place and putting it where you want it. You can't beat the price. I got mine for $1100 including free shipping & installation. For the money you can't beat this set. I also wouldn't recommend you buy any HDTV that is 30" or below and possibly even 32" or below (I haven't used 32" sets) as the picture is too small. With a 34" Widescreen TV the picture is the perfect size for a bedroom set. If you want to spend $2500 to $3,000 on a brand name HD LCD thats 34" or better, by all means go ahead, but if you are on a budget, this TV is perfect for the price.

After reading the reviews - thank you - I opted for the Panasonic CT-34WX15 instead of models offered by Sony and Samsung. The set is great and delivers as promised. But, if I had it to do over, I would not purchase this TV because Panasonic has chosen to exclude the `little conveniences' that I have come to appreciate, i.e.,

· Channel delete options (I can choose `All', which is too many - or - I can choose `Fav' which gives me 16, which is too few). There is no option to delete channels.
· Channel indicator (I would like to have the option of having the channel number remain illuminated, burn in or not, on the tube!)
· Previous channel (the option is for only 2; I would like to have 4)
· Smart Sound (automatic sound leveling between channels is not an option)

Picky?; maybe - but that's my choice! Possible? - definitely because ALL of these features are found in my `old' 27" Magnavox sets. Panasonic's `fault'? - no, it's actually my fault for not checking much deeper. Bottom Line = if you too like those `little things', then avoid the Panasonic CT-34WX15.