Its out supposedly but I am yet to see one. Anyone know any specs on this model? Seen a picture? There is nothing on the Palsonic website.

I had a response from Palsonic via email and they say they use Toshiba tubes... I know they are both made at the same factory in China but I would have thought the Toshiba was of a higher spec...

Cheers

PS I have to make a decision on a new TV soon. I'd love the Sony HR36 but its so much more expensive than the other 86cm options. The Panasonic 86 cm is pretty attractive now it can be had for around $3500...

And has anyone got an suggestions for stands on which to hold these huge beasts? The optional stands with the Sony/Panasonic are outrageously priced.

OK chaps. Received some info from Palsonic on their new 86cm widescreen CRT. In short, it appears to be EXACTLY the same as the 76cm but bigger:

• 86cm Pure Flat Wide Screen (16:9) Picture.
• Compatible with 480p, 720p, 1080i.
• PAL/NTSC/SECAM World Multi System in-built analogue tuner.
• High Quality Images (Digital Picture Noise Reduction, Digital Colour
Transient Improver, Digital Comb Filter, Scan Velocity Modulation Circuit).
• Computer Compatible up to XGA (1024 x 768).
• DVD Component input.
• Automatic Volume Leveller.
• Stereo & Virtual Surround Sound.
• Bass, Treble & Balance Controls.
• Dynamic and Clear Sound from High-Power 16W (RMS) Output.
• Multi Page, Multi Function On-Screen Displays for easy operation.
• Selectable Picture Modes: Panorama, 16:9, 4:3 & Zoom.
• 4 Picture Settings: Standard, Bight, Soft & Personal.
• 2 Rear AV-Input, 2 S-Video Inputs.
• 2 HDTV inputs (1 x XGA, 1 x Y, Pb, Pr, Audio L/R) & 1 AV Output.
• 1 Front AV, S-Video Input & Headphone jack (side).
• Programmable On/Off Timer & Alarm.
• 3 Years Warranty.
• Shown with optional Stand.

PAL/NTSC/SECAM World Multi System
VHF: 2-12, UHF: E21-E69; CATV: Hyperband
Total 16W (8W x 2)
AC 240V, 50Hz
1060 (W) x 660 (H) x 620 (D) mm
85 kg

The case also appears to be identical to the 76WSHDA - ie pretty ugly, bulky and silver. (Its even wider than the Sony HR36!!!)

I still haven't seen the 86cm in the flesh. Apparently Domayne Alexandria (Sydney) has one. But I finally saw a 76cm in Retravision today.

I have to admit the picture on the 76cm was better than I expected (and I am very familiar with the Sony and Panasonic 86 cm CRTs).

However, I did see the much discussed horizontal banding when watching the Ch 9 HD loop through the XGA input. When we switched to the component input it was gone. However, it appeared to get better on XGA as the TV warmed up...

I also noticed 50Hz flicker when watching Ch9 HD. But only when looking away from the TV out of the corner of my eye. I did NOT notice it when looking directly at the picture so not a big deal (some people are apparently more sensitive to this than others). However, I presume this flicker is present on all CRTs at 50Hz (including the Sony etc) when showing 1080i... I am going to go check this out on the Sony/Panasonic tomorrow.

I also saw my first Samsung RPTV today (the SP-61L2H). Wow! SO superior to any RPTV I have seen before. I can't imagine what the new one with the 2nd gen Texas Instruments DLP is going to be like when it gets here... But I can't wait for this (and doubt I could afford it anyway).

So where does this leave me? Palsonic 86WSHDA is available for around $3k or better. Has all the features I want (ie proper HD connections (ie one RGB/VGA), displays all resolutions). Has 3 year warranty. But many more complaints about the 76cm TV than any other brand I have seen (re banding etc). Little/no whinging from the Sony or Panasonic. Supposedly a Toshiba tube made in China according to Palsonic. Palsonic case also looks pretty ordinary and is the bulkiest 86 CRT of the lot. Pict qual (on the 76cm) otherwise better than I expected. Stand probably much cheaper than Sony/Panasonic (I haven't checked this but 76cm stand is way cheaper than Sony/Pana)...

Panasonic TX-86PW200A available for about $3500. Nice looking set. Great picture quality. Would love to compare this side by side with the Palsonic but difficult getting this sorted in the shops. Smallest dimensions of the three. Stand super expensive $700. A name brand (v Palsonic). But doesn't have any true (analog) HD inputs (ie no VGA/RGB) which is a bummer if you want to plug your PC in (although can use s-video from a video card that has TV out). Only has composite inputs otherwise. Only 1 year warranty.

Sony KVHR36M31 available for under $4800 (by quite a bit if you try hard). The best PQ of them all but the Panasonic TX-86PW200A is not far behind to my eyes (I have seen these side by side). Does all resolutions, has a proper HD (analog) RGB input (although via 5 RCA type cables not a DB15 like the Palsonic - can any one tell me where I'd buy a 5 cable RGB to DB15 connector please - ie so I can plug my PC into the Sony via my PCs VGA output?). Case looks good. Hefty TV though - the heaviest but the Palsonic comes close. Thinner than the Palsonic but wider than the Panasonic. Stand costs a fortune.($700). Only one year warranty! Has nice memroy stick functionality which is great if you have a Sony digital camera (this works surprisingly well and will impress friends. A very neat feature).

So, I have to mull all this over... Views/opinions welcome.

If I had the time/money I'd wait for that new Samsung RPTV with 2nd gen DLP and combine it with the new Samsung HD937 hypervision DVD player (how good does that look?)...

An aside, can CRTs accept DVI in theory (I am no techy expert)? None exist to my knowledge... And today I read about HDMI, the followup to DVI. The upgrade cycle will never end will it? Sigh.

Cheers

Purple Haze

What no 576p?

thats a pity as I would have thought there would be a lot more HD digital around in 576p than the 720p capability provided.

If the sony goes for $4800 and the panasonic at a $1000 less sells for $3,800 not sure why you'd go for the Palsonic given all the dramas documented for the 76SHDA set on these forums

Was at Harvey Norman Highpoint today and asked about the 86cm Palsonic, they guy said they have them in stock but havent had a chance to put them out yet.
Hey said they were $2995.00.

I f you push at leading retailers you can get the Sony KVHR36 for $4400 ie:JB, e&s, and sony central.

Just to confirm that you can see Palsonic 86WSHDA in Domayne, Alexandria store. Price is $3299.

Harvey Norman highpoint have the 86cm Palsonic in the flesh, buts its in a pretty shitty area and on an angle .
Its also nowhere near the other 86cm tvs?????

Thanks for that, going to go check it out. Connected via composite I assume?

Hey purple haze ive seen the pana 86cm aswell for under $3.5k and think its a great unit now at a great price,although i dont know a hell of a lot about the palsonics but reading the forum alot of praise for them. But yes they are ugly.10 bonus dvds with pana but obviously that shouldnt be the reason to purchase it but nice bonus anyway.Also Ikea is a great place for tv related furniture ther gear looks good and is cheap but you have to assemble yourself but if i can do it anyone can.Or which ever set choose just demand a free stand,what have you got to lose.When i purchased my tv i did just that although it was only 76cm and i brought a sammy and i got a teac stand out of them which isnt to bad.
Cheers Ryan

Did you see that the guy that started Ikea is now the richest man in the world?

He overtook Bill Gates last month. He lives in Switzerland as a recluse apparantly.

I think that his house is constructed of spare allen keys.

Spotted the Palsonic 86cm at Homezone, Moore Park Supa Centa (Syd). It is sitting not next to, but close enough to the 86 Philips w/natural motion and the 86 Sony 36HR. It's ticket is $2999, less for haggle.
Given that I was cashed up to walk away with one, I was a bit disappointed. They only had them hooked up to DVD players (did not check wiring), and were playing Shrek and some Ben Affleck movie.
Both movies on the Palsonic looked dull compared to the Philips and the Sony. The Ben Affleck movie particularly looked very shadowy/dark and the red was too bright. I did not try to or get them to change settings.

So for me, I am a little turned off the idea of the Palsonic for now.

By the way, the Hitachi Plasmas (5000 range) look fantastic.

i am really fed up with you all. judging a tv from where the retails display it.
ignoring the tv's capability.
of course they would spend a bit of time tuning the sony and pana's. because they can make more money.
to be very honest, all the problems of the 76cm can be EASILY FIXED in the service menu. in the TESTING menu.
both picture, color, Freq. AFC.
i have already post up the menu. what's the FUZzzzzzzzzzzzz???

Please do yourself a favour & not judge the set by how the shop displays it.


If the Palsonic is like the RanakArena, there are two display modes controlled by the RC, Ie Text or Image mode. The text mode is quite dull compared to the image mode.

Secondly I have found that most HD STB's with XGA show a far better image than pure component YPbPr

Finally a little playing by the previous viewer would have thrown out the brightness & contrast..... as these are the only 2 things things that shoppers know what to do .....



Would you judge a car based on how the previous driver adjusted the seats ?

You are spot on dugby !!

------------------------------------------------------

Hey charliebeagle . When I try to get to this menu,I am only changing the channels... Do I miss something or is it for the A models only?


Thanks

How do you get to the service menus?

press the(-/--) button until you see THREE --- on the screen
the press (9) (5) (1) Slowly
PRESS the (RECALL) {below the (9)}
PRESS (0) (-/--)
PRESS (MENU) (up)
this should get you to the service menu
to get to the geometry and contrast menu
PRESS (TEXT?IMAGE) (MENU)

to get out of this repeat the steps.
but until you are back on the service menu
go to the shipment and press (RIGHT ARROW)
OH BY THE WAY HAS ANYONE GOT A PERFECT GEOMETRY ON THE XGA MODE.
MIDE IS NEAR PERFECT JUST A BIT OFF ON THE RIGHT TOP CORNER.
THANKS

Said to do 480p 720p 1080i

Does it do 576p? (which is what Seven and SBS are using)

I paid $2600 for my 86WSHDA today at Harvey Norman in Melbourne. On credit card and with no haggling. I just asked for $2600 (including delivery) and got it straight off.

FYI:

Just got off the phone with Palsonic.

A DVI input enabled version of the 86WSHDA is due in Mid August. This is the same as it's US counterpart the ADVENT HT3461A.

Philby