Plasma TV purchase help needed

[dragon1952]

OK, it seems like every thread like this turns into an LCD vs Plasma debate. As a result you have to sift through 5 pages of responses to try and find any useful info. So please, I am looking at Plasmas.....no LCD comments .... or DLP or whatever ;)

1. Budget of $1500 or less out the door (no sales tax here :D )
2. 42" is fine
3. I am not nor will I ever be into gaming .
4. This will strictly be for watching DVD's and mostly sports on TV. Most likely DirectTV and probably HDTV programming.
5. I don't care if it's the latest model out.
6. I want to hang it on the wall.

I'm looking of course for the best in this price range. I've seen the Panasonic TH-42PX75U for as little as $1265 shipped. Is this one any good?

Thanks for the help!

[JimBRICK]

th42px60 from panasonic they are a steal right now but if you can get the 75 for that cheap go for it

other than the pioneer I've seen that panasonic has an awesome picture..........and this is coming from a non plasma fan


http://www2.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=TH42PX75U


get one of these to go with it, I love mine

http://www2.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=URC6960

[dragon1952]

Thanks for the info! I'm a little confused at all the different models. What the hecks the difference between some of these anyway?
Panny TH-42PX75U $1265
Panny TH-42PH9UK $1145
Panny TH-42PX60U $1125


Here's a couple Pioneers. Aren't they supposed to be hot ****? Why is that one only $845?
EDIT: OK..I see, it's just a monitor :rolleyes:

Pioneer PDP-425CMX $845
Pioneer PDP-427CMX $1275

http://www.tvauthority.com//Plasma-TV-Monitors-and-TVs/Plasma-TV-Monitors-and-TVs.asp

[JimBRICK]

its the end of the 2006 season so most older electronics are being dumped off. This is always the best time of yearto buy a tv

[dragon1952]

I can get an open box Panasonic TH-42PX60U 42" Plasma HDTV for a little over $900 out the door. I think I'm going to jump on it :D
Thanks for all the help guys......I mean Jim! :rolleyes:

[GV#27]

I recently purchased a Panny TH37PX60 and Im thrilled with it.If you can get a 42 for $900 you are crazy not too.
If it is an open box there is a way to find out how many hours it has been used.
Id make sure you have a return policy in case it has a ton of hours on it.

[GV#27]

Thanks for the info! I'm a little confused at all the different models. What the hecks the difference between some of these anyway?
Panny TH-42PX75U $1265
Panny TH-42PH9UK $1145
Panny TH-42PX60U $1125




The TH42PX75 is a brand new model that repalces the TH42PX60

The TH42PH9UK is the pro monitor version that has no tuner or speakers etc.

[dragon1952]

Thanks for the info! Yeah, I just finally figured out some are just displays and some have tuners. I'm way behind here guys.....sorry. I've been happy with my Mitsu 35" tube for quite awhile now.

[janmike]

You are right about the LCD/Plasma debate. After evaulation I opted for a 50" Panasonic Plasma. The seating distance IMO is one of the main factors. I am sure you will be happy.

[Cursed1]

I like the Samsung for the money.

[dragon1952]

You are right about the LCD/Plasma debate. After evaulation I opted for a 50" Panasonic Plasma. The seating distance IMO is one of the main factors. I am sure you will be happy.

My seating distance will probably be about 12 ft. I'm sure a 50" would be good for that distance. I had a 50" rear projection many moons ago and sat closer than that. I've been pretty happy with a 35" from about 8-9' for several years though so I'm hoping this 42" will do the trick.

[janmike]

I think 42" will be fine as I am about 12' feet away from the screen as well.

[engtaz]

I finally decided on projector instead. That way I could chose any size I wanted up to 106". (room size controls scren size)

engtaz

[JimBRICK]

I can get an open box Panasonic TH-42PX60U 42" Plasma HDTV for a little over $900 out the door. I think I'm going to jump on it :D
Thanks for all the help guys......I mean Jim! :rolleyes:


anytime man thats a SMOKING good price. we were selling them 6 months ago for 2999 CAD

[Cursed1]

I finally decided on projector instead. That way I could chose any size I wanted up to 106". (room size controls scren size)

engtaz


As long as you have the room for it.

[G-2]

I like the Samsung for the money.

We also own a Samsung 42" Plasma and couldn't be happier, but that Panny is less expensive and has an outstanding picture.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[disneyjoe7]

Love my Panny 42" TH-42PX60U :D

Enjoy it.

[dragon1952]

Well I'm still waiting to hear back about the warranty for the open box Panny. In the mean time, assuming the source will allways be a DVD player/cable box/satellite receiver and the sound will allways be external components, is just a plain display the way to go? I mean for the same money or a little less can you get an even better quality display vs something with built-in tuner, sound and HDTV decoder.

[engtaz]

As long as you have the room for it.


I have only 14 ft deep of a room. projectors work from 10 ft out. I have the Mit HD1000U 899 at projectorpeople and 99 for 3 year lamp warranty.

More affordable then plasma or LCD and as big as you want and no screen burn or out of focus scenes from any angle.

engtaz

[Sherardp]

I have only 14 ft deep of a room. projectors work from 10 ft out. I have the Mit HD1000U 899 at projectorpeople and 99 for 3 year lamp warranty.

More affordable then plasma or LCD and as big as you want and no screen burn or out of focus scenes.

engtaz

yep I cant wait to get mine, I bet that huge picture is quite the experience.

[disneyjoe7]

Well I'm still waiting to hear back about the warranty for the open box Panny. In the mean time, assuming the source will allways be a DVD player/cable box/satellite receiver and the sound will allways be external components, is just a plain display the way to go? I mean for the same money or a little less can you get an even better quality display vs something with built-in tuner, sound and HDTV decoder.


That model you listed above 60U has a built-in tuner which can pick up both old analog channels or HD channels.

[ViperZ]

My 2 cents (all within your budget):

#1 (quality - amazing): Pioneer (but pricey).

#2 (quality for the price): Panasonic (outpost.com Fry's had a really good deal on 42" a couple of weeks ago, not sure about now).

#3 (cheap, but still good) - Samsung, Hitachi... (saw a really cheap 42" Samsung at CompUSA, which was closing down, but that was 720p/1080i panel).

[dragon1952]

I was also looking at the Samsung HP-S4253 for $1145 shipped. Evidently there is a newer replacement model the HP-T4254 I can get for $1225 shipped. I heard the HP-S4253 had a few problems, like with greens and something else and I wonder if the new one has addressed those. The new one does have improved contrast at 15000:1 and a nice anti-glare screen though.

[engtaz]

My mom and dad came down and were floored by the size. They had bought a 42" HDTV. They really like the fact that the was not a bad seat in the house. They could walk right beside the screen and still see it perfectly.

engtaz

[madmax]

I have a pioneer 50" and I can tell you that with my head 10 feet from the screen it is a little too large. At 12 feet you should be fine. Its not that big of a deal, just feel that something around 40" would have been more suitable.
madmax

[JimBRICK]

I was also looking at the Samsung HP-S4253 for $1145 shipped. Evidently there is a newer replacement model the HP-T4254 I can get for $1225 shipped. I heard the HP-S4253 had a few problems, like with greens and something else and I wonder if the new one has addressed those. The new one does have improved contrast at 15000:1 and a nice anti-glare screen though.

go for the sony grand wega lcd projo. they are much better

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=1003131&navigationPath=32050n45260

[ViperZ]

go for the sony grand wega lcd projo. they are much better

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=1003131&navigationPath=32050n45260

Sorry, but you must be reading impaired. OP's original post quote: So please, I am looking at Plasmas.....no LCD comments .... or DLP or whatever .

[JimBRICK]

I quoted his own quote, you need to read before you post

[halo]

Sorry, but you must be reading impaired. OP's original post quote: So please, I am looking at Plasmas.....no LCD comments .... or DLP or whatever .
Did you not notice that engtaz is suffering from the same impairment? ;)

[dragon1952]

Well actually :o uh, I have been kinda sorta looking at the DLP's recently :D
No LCD's though!!! :mad:

[dragon1952]

Some choices so far:


Panasonic TH-42PX75U (new model) Plasma $1265 shipped
Panasonic TH-42PX60U Plasma - $918.96 shipped (open box)
Samsung HP-T4254 Plasma (new model) - $1390 shipped
Samsung HP-T4253 Plasma (old model) - $1145 shipped

[dragon1952]

Looked at a SONY 50-IN LCD GRAND WEGA tonite as well as a Samsung DLP and the Panny TH-42PX60U Plasma. They all looked nice but I think I liked the plasma a little better, but the Sony was really interesting. I can go up in screen size for about the same price. I think the 50" would be a tad too big. I've heard too many bad things about the Samsung DLP's lately. I think I've narrowed it down to the Panny TH-42PX60U or TH-42PX600U Plasma or the 46" Grand Wega. I can get the 46" Sony for $1145 shipped! Damn, so many choices :confused:

[66chevyIISS]

Buy the biggest you can afford. You don't want to regret not going bigger later. I started my screen off at 126" then went to 134". Now when I go back to 126" it looks too small heh.

[dragon1952]

Yeah, in that room with all the 50" screens that little 42" looked pretty puny :)

[JimBRICK]

Panasonic TH-42PX60U Plasma - $918.96 shipped (open box)
that price is WILD get 2

[jvarnadoe]

If your room is bright or if you have windows behind your viewing area you might want to try the new Panasonic TH-42PX77U. It has an anti-glare coating that will cut down on room reflections.

[dragon1952]

I will have lots of windows, that's for sure. However, this is the Oregon coast so bright light may be a different story :D

[dragon1952]

Man...what a tough decision!
OK, I finally made up my mind and went with the Panasonic TH-42PH9UK. I got it for $1034.84 shipped, brand new. Panasonic has been offering a free 5 yr extended warranty on this model which helped make up my mind. This is just a display of course which is fine since I always plan on using a cable box or satellite receiver. I couldn't get channels via antenna anyway considering our remote location. I'll have to buy some accessories, like a stand and an HDMI board but supposedly these are (arguably) a little better displays than the consumer models. So, so far my little budget system is looking like this for the new house:
Panasonic 42" plasma
RC85i's x 5
Oppo 971H DVD
DirectTV dish
Velodyne sub

I still have to decide what to do about an AVR. I've got a Pioneer Elite that needs a little repair and I've got my Kenwood 6050 from my old living room setup. I may just say 'screw it' and go with the Kenwood. It's been a surpisingly good little receiver for me.

[janmike]

Congrats. I am sure you will be happy. My 50" Panasonic Plasma arrived today. Bring on the playoffs.

[GV#27]

Congrats to both you gentlemen on your new Pannys,you won't be dissapointed. I understand that the pro model also has more user adjustability compared to the consumer model.I much prefer the look of pro units thin black besel.
Janmike ,the hockey in HD will be awesome on that 50".
I have the baby 37PX60 and the Hockey and Nascar are a treat.