42" Plasma Recommendations
Bookmark this page:
 Yahoo!
 Google
 Windows Live
 del.icio.us
 digg
 Netscape
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Posted by Ray on September 25, 2007, 10:36 pm
Please log in for more thread options rather sudden way). It has faithfuly served me through VHS, LaserDisc, DVD, and DirecTiVo. I feel like I've lost a beloved member of the family. Ok, now the good news...I basically have carte blanche from my wife to buy a Plasma set so I don't want to blow this opportunity. Viewing distance is about 10 feet. Based on preliminary research, I'm pretty sure a 42" set will work in my living room, but if there is a different set in that size range that someone is in love with, I'd be happy to hear about it. I'm also thinking that $1500-$2000 will get me what I need (also based on prelim research). So here are my questions... Do I need 1080i right now? I understand that most programming is 720p, but I do want to buy something that gives me room to grow. That also applies to inputs/outputs. I have DirecTiVo and will eventually upgrade to their HD package if that means anything. As for the TiVo portion, I know that DirecTv does not offer built in TiVo in their HD boxes, so I might consider a stand-alone HD TiVo because I really like their DVR platform over DirecTv's. Should I go for Plasma or will I be happy with LCD? Lastly, what other questions should I be asking? Hopefully I didn't do too much rambling, but it isn't every day you get to buy a new toy like this so you can imagine that I'm quite excited. I can only hope that this one will last 13 years too (if the technology doesn't change by then, lol). Thanks for any brands and/or models you can recommend. Ray Remove NO and SPAM to reply | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Posted by Dennis Mayer on September 25, 2007, 10:58 pm
Please log in for more thread options Ray wrote: For Digital TV program watching Now..... TV source Programing is probably split 25% 480i, 25% 480p, 25% 720p & 25% 1080i. Some digital sets have trouble with the fuzzy 480i analog picture quality. 720p sets are cheaper than the newer 1080p HDTVs now available. A good 720p or 1080i set will save you some $$$ today. With HD-DVDs arriving, a 1080p set will be a little bit more future proofing IF that 1080p set Deinterlaces correctly & that 1080p set has HDMI 1.3a. > I do want to buy something that gives me room to grow. That also applies to
> inputs/outputs. > > I have DirecTiVo and will eventually upgrade to their HD package if that > means anything. As for the TiVo portion, I know that DirecTv does not offer > built in TiVo in their HD boxes, so I might consider a stand-alone HD TiVo > because I really like their DVR platform over DirecTv's. > > Should I go for Plasma or will I be happy with LCD? > > Lastly, what other questions should I be asking? > > Hopefully I didn't do too much rambling, but it isn't every day you get to > buy a new toy like this so you can imagine that I'm quite excited. I can > only hope that this one will last 13 years too (if the technology doesn't > change by then, lol). > > Thanks for any brands and/or models you can recommend. > > Ray > > Remove NO and SPAM to reply | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Posted by Alan F on September 25, 2007, 11:20 pm
Please log in for more thread options Ray wrote:
> Well, after 13 years my 27" Sony Trinitron has given up its ghost (in a
> rather sudden way). It has faithfuly served me through VHS, LaserDisc, DVD, > and DirecTiVo. I feel like I've lost a beloved member of the family. > > Ok, now the good news...I basically have carte blanche from my wife to buy a > Plasma set so I don't want to blow this opportunity. Viewing distance is > about 10 feet. Based on preliminary research, I'm pretty sure a 42" set > will work in my living room, but if there is a different set in that size > range that someone is in love with, I'd be happy to hear about it. > > I'm also thinking that $1500-$2000 will get me what I need (also based on > prelim research). So here are my questions... The better brand name 42" 1024x768p plasmas are going for less than that, around $1200 to $1400. For plasmas, I would stick with Panasonic (the best of the price competitive brands), Samsung, or Pioneer. Pioneer has the best plasmas now, but they have adopted a higher pricing strategy. Checking Best Buy, they are currently selling the Panasonic TH-42PX75U (1024x768 resolution) for only $1150. Personally, I still rank plasmas ahead of LCDs for overall display quality. The gap has narrowed considerably over the past several years, but the better brand name plasmas still win on black level, viewing angle, and color accuracy. If you are into heavy computer gaming use or your TV room is very bright in the daytime, then the LCD would be way to go. > Do I need 1080i right now? I understand that most programming is 720p, but
> I do want to buy something that gives me room to grow. That also applies to > inputs/outputs. Most HD channels are 1080i. ABC, Fox, MNT, ESPN-HD, ESPN2-HD, National Geographic are 720p. Any current HD TV model will accept 720p and 1080i inputs via component or HDMI. Because plasmas and LCD flat panels are inherently progressive, they are 768p or 1080p panels. The one exception are the Hitachi plasmas which are 1080i (sort of). At 42", you really only need a 720p or 768p resolution screen, be it LCD or plasma, unless you sit 5 or 6 feet from the screen. However, at 40" and up, the LCD TVs are all moving towards all 1080p models. Panasonic does have a 1080p 42" plasma, the TH-42PZ700U, which is currently $1900 at Best Buy. > I have DirecTiVo and will eventually upgrade to their HD package if that
> means anything. As for the TiVo portion, I know that DirecTv does not offer > built in TiVo in their HD boxes, so I might consider a stand-alone HD TiVo > because I really like their DVR platform over DirecTv's. The new DirecTV HD satellite is now reported to be going live Wednesday morning. DirecTV will have a lot of HD channels - provided you get the 5 LNB dish and new STB or DVR - by October. But while waiting to upgrade DirecTV, don't forget the free over the air option for HD channels. Depends on where you live, but in most major cities, the major broadcast networks - ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW, PBS, MNT (ok, not a major net) may be available in HD with a TV antenna. I get 17 digital stations OTA, 13 of them with a HD sub-channel, with an ATSC tuner using a Channel Master 4221 4 bay bowtie antenna in my attic. > Should I go for Plasma or will I be happy with LCD?
I own a Panasonic 42" TH-42PHD7UY commercial plasma I got over 2.5 years ago for HD viewing, which incidentally replaced a then 10 year 27" Trinitron. I have been very happy with it. If I has to replace it today, I would go for a 50" (or bigger) Panasonic or Pioneer plasma. Warning: the picture quality of HD wants you to get a bigger TV. 42" tends to look small, especially for letterboxed widescreen 2.39:1 cinemascope movies. For LCDs, check the Samsungs, Sharps, and Sonys. Whether you would be happy with an LCD or plasma is not a question I can answer. Go to the stores (not just one) and take a look. But the key to looking is to stand at your normal viewing distance and look for details and lack of black crush in dark scenes. > Lastly, what other questions should I be asking?
> > Hopefully I didn't do too much rambling, but it isn't every day you get to > buy a new toy like this so you can imagine that I'm quite excited. I can > only hope that this one will last 13 years too (if the technology doesn't > change by then, lol). > > Thanks for any brands and/or models you can recommend. If you want to do some serious research, go to http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ and check the LCD and plasma flat panel forums there. Check the HDTV Programming forum for info and threads on HD programs. Good luck, Alan F | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Posted by Mark A on September 25, 2007, 11:30 pm
Please log in for more thread options > Ray wrote:
>> Well, after 13 years my 27" Sony Trinitron has given up its ghost (in a
>> rather sudden way). It has faithfuly served me through VHS, LaserDisc, >> DVD, and DirecTiVo. I feel like I've lost a beloved member of the >> family. Let's not kid ourselves. Your TV broke when you pushed it off the stand and it hit the floor hard, so you could go out and buy a Plasma TV. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Posted by on September 26, 2007, 6:20 am
Please log in for more thread options Get the Hitachi 42" plasma. It has 1080 and sells under or about
$1k. Picture is as good as any and has 3 hdmi inputs. > > Ray wrote:
> >> Well, after 13 years my 27" Sony Trinitron has given up its ghost (in a
> >> rather sudden way). It has faithfuly served me through VHS, LaserDisc, > >> DVD, and DirecTiVo. I feel like I've lost a beloved member of the > >> family. >
> Let's not kid ourselves. Your TV broke when you pushed it off the stand and > it hit the floor hard, so you could go out and buy a Plasma TV. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Similar Threads | Posted |
| 42" Plasma Recommendations | September 25, 2007, 10:36 pm |
| Theather seating recommendations please | February 24, 2006, 12:41 pm |
| Amplifier/Receiver recommendations | July 24, 2007, 12:10 am |
| Home theater recommendations with the TX-NR5000E | February 12, 2005, 2:13 am |
| NEW TV, LCD or Plasma | June 14, 2005, 9:38 pm |
| 50 in plasma vs 50 in lcd | December 3, 2005, 7:04 pm |
| Plasma Calibration | December 21, 2004, 3:27 pm |
| Plasma Calibration | January 31, 2005, 1:29 pm |
| Plasma Screen and PC use | March 9, 2006, 2:32 am |
| LCD, DLP, Plasma -- cant they do blacks? | August 28, 2006, 4:04 pm |
| Plasma buzz | February 7, 2008, 1:05 am |
| How to assess used Plasma Monitor/TV? | January 4, 2005, 6:51 pm |
| The Great Debate - Plasma, DLP, or LCD TV | June 27, 2005, 8:46 pm |
| WTB: 42" NEC plasma dispalys for parts | January 29, 2005, 12:17 pm |
| Home theater LCD and Plasma | February 28, 2006, 4:13 pm |
> Well, after 13 years my 27" Sony Trinitron has given up its ghost (in a
> rather sudden way). It has faithfuly served me through VHS, LaserDisc, DVD,
> and DirecTiVo. I feel like I've lost a beloved member of the family.
>
> Ok, now the good news...I basically have carte blanche from my wife to buy a
> Plasma set so I don't want to blow this opportunity. Viewing distance is
> about 10 feet. Based on preliminary research, I'm pretty sure a 42" set
> will work in my living room, but if there is a different set in that size
> range that someone is in love with, I'd be happy to hear about it.
>
> I'm also thinking that $1500-$2000 will get me what I need (also based on
> prelim research). So here are my questions...
>
> Do I need 1080i right now? I understand that most programming is 720p, but