Need Plasma Advice (42")

[neuroking]

Hey kids,

I am thinking of getting a plasma, since I found a great deal at a store (basically I know someone working there and have an 'in'). Does anyone have any recommendations?

I'm thinking:
size: 42"or more
price: $6k or less
Most important: picture quality>size>price (within range)

I really liked the Panasonic 4P model.

Thanks,
Brandon

ps-no projection tv suggestions, please. I'm moving to a new condo and don't have the depth room.

[Ioman]

The Panasonic TH-42PWD5UY is supposed to be an awsome plasma due to its 3000:1 contrast ratio, which means the blacks look great, but unfortunately, the native resolution is only 852x480 so if you plan on using the plasma for a computer monitor I would look somewhere else. I believe it only supports a 480P HDTV signal too, which means that higher resolution signals will be down converted if I am not mistaken.

The Hitachi CMP4121HDU looks like another popular plasma. While the contrast ratio is only 500:1 it does have a higher native resolution of 1024x1024 which is great for computer use. It also supports more HDTV signals, 480p, 1080i, 720p which is what I would be attracted to.

But my all time favorite and what I would probably get is the Panasonic TH-42PHD5UY Plasma TV. Not only does it have a 3000:1 contrast ratio but it also has a higher definition native resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels perfect for computer use. AND it supports 480i/p, 576i, 1080i 50/60, 1080p 24, 720p 60, VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA signals. You should be able to find this set on the net for under $6000.

I also recommend buying the Philips extended warranty. It costs about $500, but a TV this expensive is worth it. The warranty should cover the set for 4-5 years. Most plasma's only have a 2 year warranty stock. http://www.plasmadepot.com/tvs/plasmatvwarranty.html

And in case you were wondering, the lifespan of a plasma is about 30,000 hours....the same as a conventional CRT set!

[llbbl]

Sounds like you got a new posh job, if you are moving too a new place and looking to buy a new Plasma. Congrads if you did land one. :D

I would have to agree with Ioman on the Panasonic, it sounds like the one!

[Ioman]

BTW, don't worry about getting a set with a tuner in it. Digital cable and satellite use their own boxes anyways. We also learned at CES that cable companies will be supporting HDTV, but again you would need an external ATSC tuner box, so there really is no need for an integrated tuner. Integrated speakers would be nice, but for me small book shelf or Bose speakers would be just fine as well.

[neuroking]

BTW, don't worry about getting a set with a tuner in it. Digital cable and satellite use their own boxes anyways. We also learned at CES that cable companies will be supporting HDTV, but again you would need an external ATSC tuner box, so there really is no need for an integrated tuner. Integrated speakers would be nice, but for me small book shelf or Bose speakers would be just fine as well.

Actually Panasonic has a special going on through March where you get a free HDTV tuner when you get a plasma. As for speakers, I just got a nice Yamaha less than a year ago, so no need to add those on (which is why I posted to that thread on receivers. I had just done alot of research on them)

I'm new to the whole HDTV thing. I assume it can take an analog input or composite, and some have a monitor port (since I might hook up an old puter to it, too). Right now, cable, even digital cable is all standard resolution, right? Is Direct TV HD?

Sounds like you got a new posh job, if you are moving too a new place and looking to buy a new Plasma. Congrads if you did land one.


Actually, I landed a decent job after the last place started sinking, and now, a year later, I'm finally feeling a little more secure. Besides, the new place is barely more than my place now, if you add up the mortgage, assessments, and taxes. I've been considering a plasma over a new computer, but now I have the option of no interest and low minumum payments over 18 months, I figured I'd jump. And it's my first tv (always got hand me downs), so I figured I'd so it in style, hehe. Thanks, though.

Gawd, it's 4:40 am . No wonder I'm babbling.

Thanx,
Brandon

[Ioman]

They will take any signal there is basically. From Analog, to digital to VGA.

[ECA]

Myself as a wish list item.
would rather a projection setup.
Most start at 6' and go up. So, what ya got to paint a wall White, and if possible inbed some glass spackling. And if Im right, they cost LESS now days anyway.

[llbbl]

I'm new to the whole HDTV thing. I assume it can take an analog input or composite, and some have a monitor port (since I might hook up an old puter to it, too). Right now, cable, even digital cable is all standard resolution, right? Is Direct TV HD?

Yes DirectTV has HDTV signals. No word on how many channels you can get in that format. I would imagine that it would depend on what stations are broadcasting.

Can I get HDTV with any DirecTV System?
Yes, but in order to receive HDTV broadcasts, you need a slightly larger 18" x 24" oval direcTV Multi-Satellite dish as well as a special receiver that decodes HDTV signals.

http://www.dish-network-vs-direct-tv.com/directv-faq.htm


If you don't want to order the bigger dish but you still want to recieve the signals, what you need to do is get a Antenna.



The TV55 indoor/outdoor amplified antenna is optimized for HDTV reception. The TV55's helical coil technology and patented dual-mode ultra-low-noise amplifier provide clear, powerful reception of HDTV and analog VHF/UHF broadcast signals, and its slim-profile design allows easy mounting under a windowsill, on a rooftop, on a wall or in any number of locations inside or outside a home.

http://www.consumer-direct.com/detail.cfm?vpartno=TERKTV55&tot=128

I found some important tips to consider when buying a new TV. They have some good information on the progress of the HDTV standard.

5. You don't need an HDTV now.

You may have heard that the government is mandating that all television broadcasting be digital by a certain date in the near future. That doesn't mean you need to buy an HDTV now--or ever. Standard TVs will work fine after the switch to digital broadcasting (currently slated for 2006) because the external digital tuner, usually a satellite or cable box, can always output an analog signal.

Samsung TXM3298HF:
a great value for 4:3-aspect ratio HDTV
Check latest prices

6. But HDTVs are getting cheaper.

If you're thinking about getting a bigger TV, you should seriously consider going high-definition. In addition to displaying the latest high-def digital broadcasts, HDTVs make regular TV look better and DVDs look spectacular. You can find 27-inch HDTVs for less than $1,000 and, when you get to 36 inches and above, the price difference between standard and high-definition sets shrinks significantly.
7. Consider wide-screen vs. standard-screen TVs.

If you do decide on an HDTV, the biggest choice is whether to stick with the standard, 4:3 aspect ratio screen or splurge on the movie maven's dream, a 16:9 wide-screen HDTV. Again, it depends on what you watch most. Wide-screen sets are great for DVD fanatics and people who subscribe to HDTV over satellite, but most people still watch mostly standard-shaped TV programs and will probably prefer 4:3 HDTVs, even if it means black letterboxing bars above and below the picture. Remember that wide-screen TVs have smaller pictures when displaying 4:3 TV, placing window-box bars on either side of the image. Wide-screen sets also let you stretch the image horizontally to eliminate the window-box bars (which makes everyone look shorter and fatter) or otherwise broaden or crop the picture to fill the wide screen.
8. You should know about HDTV's progress.

As we mentioned earlier, every HDTV has the ability to take regular antenna, cable, and satellite broadcasts and make them look a heck of a lot better. The process they use is called progressive scanning, or line doubling, because it essentially doubles the amount of picture information on the screen. Imagine horizontal venetian blinds over a window, closed halfway. Each horizontal slat is like a line on a regular TV, and if you sit too close, you can see the lines themselves making up the picture. Progressive scan closes the blinds, so all you see is the picture and no lines. A progressive-scan picture is much more stable and filmlike than anything you'll see on a standard TV.
9. What about the elusive HDTV grail?

True high-definition TV is still as rare as a forthright politician. Most major metropolitan areas have HDTV broadcasts, but the majority of HDTV owners don't have any way to view them. That's because most HDTVs actually don't contain high-definition tuners. The tuners, sold separately as set-top boxes, cost an extra $750 and up. Most people buy HDTVs for the improved picture when watching DVD and standard television, not for actual high-definition viewing. True HDTV comes in either 1080i or 720p formats, and it looks absolutely stunning--if you want to spend the money to watch it.


http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342366-8-20666574-1.html


I hope this answers all your questions. :D

[neuroking]

Originally posted by TecknoGeek

I found some important tips to consider when buying a new TV. They have some good information on the progress of the HDTV standard.

http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342366-8-20666574-1.html


The only problem is, it's from Cnet, which is horrible when dealing with consumer electronics. If you look at the reviews, they rate the Gateway plasma as one of the best and it is clearly not. In fact, they call it High Def and it is only Enhanced Def. Also, I think the author just took info off the net, since it was published in Nov, but I swear I see ALOT of HDTVs everywhere. Maybe not as many as standard, but about half as many.

Anyone know of a good site for consumer electronics along the lines of what Cnet is for comps (or better, what Tom's Hardware is for comps)? No, consumer reports doesn't count.

I think I'm being unnecessarily paranoid. I just can't remember spending this amount of money on anything, except a car. I've researched alot, but can anyone think of something I might have missed?

Thanx for all the advice guys,
Brandon

[Ioman]

Originally posted by neuroking


The only problem is, it's from Cnet, which is horrible when dealing with consumer electronics. If you look at the reviews, they rate the Gateway plasma as one of the best and it is clearly not. In fact, they call it High Def and it is only Enhanced Def. Also, I think the author just took info off the net, since it was published in Nov, but I swear I see ALOT of HDTVs everywhere. Maybe not as many as standard, but about half as many.

Anyone know of a good site for consumer electronics along the lines of what Cnet is for comps (or better, what Tom's Hardware is for comps)? No, consumer reports doesn't count.

I think I'm being unnecessarily paranoid. I just can't remember spending this amount of money on anything, except a car. I've researched alot, but can anyone think of something I might have missed?

Thanx for all the advice guys,
Brandon

The new Designtechnica site will be up very soon and will focus a lot more on the Audio/Video side of things. In fact if you or anyone you know is interested in helpin gus review products, please PM me. We have some great industry contacts and should have no problem getting things to review.

Have you decided on a plasma yet?

[neuroking]

Originally posted by Ioman


The new Designtechnica site will be up very soon and will focus a lot more on the Audio/Video side of things. In fact if you or anyone you know is interested in helpin gus review products, please PM me. We have some great industry contacts and should have no problem getting things to review.

Have you decided on a plasma yet?

I would love to review stuff, but I have a ton on my plate right now. Moving, work stuff, and either B-School or Med School coming up within the next 2 years. Gawd, I'll prob still be paying off the plasma while in school! LOL! But I will keep it in mind. Always wanted to do that!

And I think I have. I think I'm getting this puppy (http://www.prodcat.panasonic.com/shop/NewDesign/ModelTemplate.asp?ModelId=15855&show_all=false&product_exists=True&active=1&ModelNo=PT-42PHD4-P&CategoryId=2711) somtime within the next two weeks. I'll keep you updated. But I might buy it and wait to have it delivered to the new place end of March. Haven't figured that part out yet.

Brandon

[llbbl]

How are we going to come up with a standard for testing Video or Audio electronics? I am going to have to put some thought into this one.

[neuroking]

Originally posted by TecknoGeek
How are we going to come up with a standard for testing Video or Audio electronics? I am going to have to put some thought into this one.

I think that by far my favorite reviews of products have been the type comparing every available model on a certain price tier. Reviewing one model of a mobo or plasma display tells me nothing about how it compares to the next best one that is only 10% more $$$.

Just my $.02
Brandon