Audio/Video, Advice, Editor's Picks, TV
Just Tell Me What To Get: 42-Inch Plasma
A reader writes: So, I'm ready to get into the HDTV world now that the TVs are somewhat affordable. I want a 42-inch plasma that will be easy to set up, look good and last a long time. I'm not really looking to set up a surround sound system just yet, but I'd like to have that option in the future. Just tell me what to get!Hey reader: There are tons of 42-inch plasmas out there, and the prices vary widely. You're absolutely right that they're somewhat affordable now, too -- some are under $1,000 while others run around $3,500! It's a confusing market, indeed.
While it would be easy to tell you to just get the cheapest one you can find, instead we'll tell you to pick up Panasonic's TH-42PX77U TV. This shiny black beauty will run you around $1,200 to $1,500, and you'll get one of the best plasma screens available. It sports the perfect mix of value and quality. You won't be overspending, but you also won't be short-changed by weak features and substandard picture.
Don't get caught up in the "true HD" chatter. While the TH-42PX77U has 768 lines of resolution as opposed to "True HD's" 1080, at 42 inches, those 312 lines won't make much of a difference -- if at all -- unless you're sitting inches from the screen. Plus, with the Panasonic's fantastic contrast ratio (how bright vs. dark the pixels get) and color accuracy, you're going to be in HD bliss before you know it.
The Panasonic also has all the connections you'll need right out of the box, including HDMI and component video for HD feeds from your cable or satellite box. It still has all the standard connections for your current equipment (like game consoles and VCRs), too. It sports an SD memory card slot so you can watch slide shows you took with your digital camera. If you're worried about daytime-watching glare due to the shiny glass of plasmas, worry not, as the Panasonic has an anti-glare surface.
Again, while we could show you cheaper 42-inch plasmas, this is the one we would get. Enjoy the HD -- you'll never want to go back!
Also -- for those of you confused about the difference between plasma and LCD, check out this feature from Digital Lifestyle.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Donan Iacovone said 8:16PM on 6-26-2007
I bought a Vizio brand 42" Plazma TV and am thrilled by the picture quality and the price was only $799. One note, make sure you get a TV with built in speakers or you will regret having to hook up a home theater system just to play sound for your new TV. My TV has built in speakers. I do love the sound of a home theater Phillips system I set up with it when I play DVDs. Also, make sure the TV has HDMI compatibility and can show 1080i picture quality. Good luck.
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Robert2 said 10:13PM on 6-26-2007
This is NOT an attempt to be cute or insulting or anything else. But...are these comments paid advertising or not? Inquiring minds want to know!
Thanks,
Robert T.
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Danny said 7:35AM on 6-27-2007
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. Why would anyone in a "tech" column recommend outdated technology to anyone? 1080i is the lowest anyone should go. Plasma? They use at least 1/3rd more power then a similar LCD. Burn in? Worse with a plasma then an old CRT TV.
There's a reason so many LCD's are being sold today. Blacks are much better then the old tech.
Brand? Cheap? Look at an Olivia.
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randy said 8:07AM on 6-27-2007
i bought a hitachi 42 inch plasa 18 months ago. now i did spend more money than they cost today because they have become much more affordable.
but my hitachi is the best on the market and in 18 months, i have not had one pixel burnout. plus my hitachi has a remote controlled swivel screen unit built into the base. i would recommend some kind of movable swivel screen either remote or just by hand. if you have a sunny room, it is a big bonus to move the screen away from the light. don't believe those lcd hypes about anti glare screens. just a lot of bunk.
and if you think lcd has a more clear and defined picture than plasma, then just pick up any electronics publication and read the reviews and comparisons. plasma beats lcd hands down.
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jerard59 said 8:26AM on 6-27-2007
I own the Vizio Brand 42 inch plasma and a Panasonic 42 inch Plasma and I prefer the picture of the Vizio over the higher cost Panasonic. Vizio's blacks are blacker and color spectrum more vivid than the Panasonic.
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Bruce said 9:04AM on 6-27-2007
I have a friend who bought a plasma Panasonic 42 inch a couple of years ago. He's been to my place and watched TV on my 32 inch Samsung LCD and claims that MINE has a better picture. I say LCD is the format to buy!
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Joshua Fruhlinger said 9:52AM on 6-27-2007
Hey guys - Josh here - thanks for your comments. No, we're not endorsed by anyone to recommend their products, I promise. This plasma just really happens to be my favorite in terms of picture quality and aesthetics, especially for a living room - and believe me, I've seen a ton of plasmas.
But - to each his own! Enjoy what you have if you already have one and love it.
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thomas said 11:32AM on 6-27-2007
I am a specialist with A/V in my hometown of Bako, Ca. I hear a lot about 1080i, 1080p, HDMI. The truth is Panasonic is the only plasma TV I recommend. It's like the BMW, or Lexus of Plasmas. If you do not hook up a home theater system to the plasma, then get a panasonic with built in speakers, and make sure it has a built-in tv tuner. The hardest part of my business is educating folks on LCDs, LCOLs, DLP, plasma and ofcourse the good ol' reliable CRT.
I have no problem people contacting me for info.
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carl venkus said 5:40PM on 12-30-2007
I own a 42inch Vizio LCD AND A 42 inch Panasonic plasma. While the Vizio has deeper blacks, the overall plama picture is superior!
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MTP said 12:32AM on 12-31-2007
Plasma Display (PDP) technology is still superior to LCD when it comes to displaying video, especially HD video. While LCDs are brighter, they crush the low level black images and do not have as high a contrast ratio (differnce between viewable white and black images)as PDPs. LCDs also have a slower refresh rate than PDPs. This means that with some fast moving scenes, you will see smearing or pixelization because the LCDs themselves can not keep up with the changing images. This LCD annomoly is more evident in HD video where there is more up to 4 to 6 times more information changing on the display than with a standard definition video image. And although LCDs might look like they are more colorful, they do not produce as many colors as PDP technolog does. If you need evidence, look at peoples faces on both an LCD screen and a PDP screen. Hopefully you will notice the more color variation with peoples faces on the PDP display. Lastly, to clear the PDP "Burn-in" issue for once and all, yes PDP's (like conventional CRT TV's)use phosphors to produce their image. Because of this, PDPs will burn-in an image if the image remains static on the display and doesn't change. This can be a problem if you are using your PDP as a computer display, showing static images (like a Excel Spreadsheet) and do not have your screen saver turned on. But if you are using a PDP display for viewing TV shows, you will never have a problem with burn-in with a PDP becasue the video images are always changing. And remember that with the new phosphor technology, PDP screens will last up to 60,000 hours (that's 8 hours a day for 20 years when displaying moving images) before the PDP display reaches half brightness. LCD backlights are also good for 50,000 to 60,000 hours of life, but will start to show signs of being less bright after 30,000 to 40,000 hours of use. So unless you plan on viewing static (non-changing) images or are placing your large screen display in area of high ambient light, I suggest you really consider purchasing a PDP over an LCD display. And yes I do work in the display industry and I'm asked this same question everyday.
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