Best 42inch Flat panel??

[FredtheFilmFan]

<p>To narrow the search, about $1500 +/- $300.&nbsp; I''m looking to wall mount a flat panel in the living room, and there are too many to choose from.&nbsp; I don''t need a tuner or cable card.&nbsp; I think that I''d like a plasma, unless somebody can make a convincing argument why not a plasma.&nbsp; Even some help as to which make would be good.&nbsp; I''ve been looking at Sony, Panasonic, Samsung...I''m sure that there was two more makes, but I can''t remember which ones right now.</p><BR>

[Rope]

<div><a title="Panasonic TH-42PH9UK" href="http://www.visualapex.com/plasma/Plasma_details.asp?chPartNumber=TH-42PH9UK&amp;MFR=Panasonic">Panasonic TH-42PH9UK</a></div><BR><div>Rope</div><BR>

[FredtheFilmFan]

Hey, Rope, your name is now "Swamii", you read my mind!&nbsp; That was on my short list.&nbsp; Actually, that was my entire short list.&nbsp; <BR>

[Rope]

<div>EJ owns that exact panel and probably others here also.&nbsp; Excellent plasma dollar for dollar and fine folks to do business with at Visual Apex.&nbsp; Here''s a <a title=LINKY href="http://www.mountsandmore.com/Peerless-SF660-PE0428.html">LINKY</a>&nbsp;that handles different wall mount (Peerless)&nbsp;options for that model plasma.&nbsp; GMTA (Great Minds Think Alike)</div><BR><div>Rope</div><BR>

[FredtheFilmFan]

I''m a big fat LIAR!! Liar! I say!&nbsp; I was looking at the TH-42PX60.&nbsp; This is why we have this forum, because there are too many choices.&nbsp; So, tell me, great and wise holders of A/V knowledge....what''s the difference?<BR>

[Andy]

I have the 42PX60U.&nbsp; If I had to do it all over again, I''d get the 50" 50PX60U.&nbsp; I picked mine up for a hell of a deal the day after Thanksgiving.&nbsp; If you follow the sales and online deals, you should be able to get the 50" for under $2k.&nbsp; Other than wishig I had the 50", I am pleased with the TV thus far.<br>

[Rope]

<div>Fred -</div><BR><div>Panasonic offers consumer grade plasma displays and also <a href="http://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/proplasma/plasma_landing_page.asp">professional </a>grade displays, the latter are used in applications such as airports, stock exchange, etc.&nbsp; I'm not as familiar with their consumer models since the pro models, which are upgradeable with different board variations, fit my particular applications best. Here's&nbsp;another <a href="http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/">LINKY</a>&nbsp;that will further explain the pros and cons between the two panels in more depth.&nbsp; The pro models are more versatile, resist burn-in, (which is really no longer a concern)&nbsp;boast&nbsp;a half-life of 60,000 hours&nbsp;and from all accounts have better PQ.</div><BR><div>Rope</div><BR><br><BR>

[MatthewB]

Fred I would highly recommend the Samsung 4253x, just one of the best plasma pictures I have ever seen (with the exception of the Pioneer Plasma at 3,000 more) The pQ matches a CRT tube set. HD is fantastic and has two HDMI inputs (two component).&nbsp; I researched Plasmas for about six months before choosing this one. And it can be had for 1,300 at Fry's&nbsp; <a href="http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4812060">http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4812060</a>&nbsp;has a 10,000/1 contrast ratio 549 Billion colors with it's 13 bit chipset. And incredible off axis viewing 175 degrees with crystal clarity.<br><BR>

[FredtheFilmFan]

<div>Thanks Matt.&nbsp; Does the "X" on the end mean anything?&nbsp; I''ve found some listings for&nbsp;a 4253, no X.</div><BR><div>&nbsp;</div><BR><div>I''ve called my "Guy" on both tv''s as he carries both panny and samsung.&nbsp; I live in a small town, so I like to try and buy local.&nbsp; </div><BR>

[MatthewB]

<div>Fred click the link in the post I wrote, it shows the model number as 4253x, also if you scroll down on that link it gives you a rundown of all the features this plasma has.&nbsp; I''m sure the 4253 and the 4253x are one and the same, just some people want to include the x others don''t.&nbsp; I gotta tell you the PQ compared right up there with the Pioneer, hold on one second and I''ll give you a great link where a ton of people love this TV.</div><BR><div>&nbsp;</div><BR><div>Here ya go.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=667231">http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=667231</a></div><BR>

[MDRiggs]

This could help you figure out which specific models fit your requirements: <a title="HDTV Buying Guide" href="http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/custom/hdtvs/" target=_blank>HDTV Buying Guide</a>.<BR>

[Decksmooth]

<div>I know that you said $1,500 +- $300, but if you can work your way up to $2000, you can get the Sharp Aquos 42" that is 1080p.&nbsp; It's LCD versus Plasma.&nbsp; This might be something to think about.&nbsp; I'm thinking seriouslly about the 46" version for approx $2,500.&nbsp; I'll have to check out some of the plasmas mentioned below before I do anything.</div><BR><br><br><br><BR><div><a title=Sharp href="http://www.jr.com/OMBasketDetail.process?RestartFlow=t&amp;OMProductId=4 145547&amp;PEEK=BOO&amp;AddToBasket.x=31&amp;AddToBasket.y=2">Sharp</a></div><BR><br><br><br><br><br><BR>

[MDRiggs]

I don''t think 1080p display capability should be an overriding consideration for most people, especially at screen sizes below 50 inches. See <a title="Maxing Out Resolution" href="http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hitech/1137/maxing-out-resolution.html" target=_blank>Maxing Out Resolution</a>&nbsp;for a thorough breakdown of the relationship between screen size, viewing distance, and resolution.<BR>

[FredtheFilmFan]

<div>I''m not looking at the 1080p models as at that size (42inch)one cannot discern the added resolution.&nbsp; Not much extra bang for the buck.&nbsp; Also, not a lot of 1080p sources available AND I''m holding out on 1080p until HDMI 1.3 is all flushed out and is the norm in the industry.</div><BR><div>&nbsp;</div><BR><div>I really do like the idea of the panny commercial unit and I know that Samsung makes some nice TV''s, so I definitely need to look at those.&nbsp; Besides, Matt is always right....right?&nbsp; I need to hit BB and check out my local Sears.&nbsp; Also, as I said, I''ve got a "guy" who''s working on a couple of things for me.&nbsp; Too much to think about.&nbsp; PLUS, I need to finish selling the missus.&nbsp; She has mentioned some interest (like the words "we''re not buying anything else until....") in a new washer/dryer and&nbsp; a new fridge.&nbsp; When you factor that in, my $1500 TV will wind up costing 8-10 grand....taxes in.</div><BR>

[MatthewB]

Nah, I''m never right, I''m just very good at B.S.''ing&nbsp; ;-)<BR>

[MDRiggs]

<BLOCKQUOTE><TABLE BORDER=1><TR><TD><b>Date:</b> 2/2/2007 12:42:22 AM <b>Author:</b> FredtheFilmFan<BR><div>I''m holding out on 1080p until HDMI 1.3 is all flushed out and is the norm in the industry.</TD></TR></TABLE></BLOCKQUOTE></div><BR><div>1080p&nbsp;is not tied to&nbsp;HDMI 1.3; earlier HDMI versions can handle it.</div><BR>

[FredtheFilmFan]

<p>Thanks for clarifying,MD.&nbsp; I didn''t mean to imply that you had to have one to have the other.&nbsp; <i>I''m</i> just waiting on a 1080p until the whole HDMI 1.3 thing is all flushed out.&nbsp; My expectation, misguided as it may be, is that there will be more 1080p sources and sets capable of true1080p when 1.3 is available.&nbsp; Come to think of it, after the tv for the living room, the next thing to be replaced would be my HT Projo which is just a year old.&nbsp;&nbsp;Soooooo, 1080p is a long way off for me. /idealbb/images/smilies/7.gif </p><BR>

[MDRiggs]

<div><BLOCKQUOTE><TABLE BORDER=1><TR><TD><b>Date:</b> 2/2/2007 11:34:58 AM <b>Author:</b> FredtheFilmFan<br>I didn''t mean to imply that you had to have one to have the other. <i>I''m</i> just waiting on a 1080p until the whole HDMI 1.3 thing is all flushed out. My expectation, misguided as it may be, is that there will be more 1080p sources and sets capable of true1080p when 1.3 is available.</TD></TR></TABLE></BLOCKQUOTE></div><BR><div>HDMI 1.3 is available now, although in a relatively limited number of products. There will certainly be more and more sets capable of accepting 1080p input as time goes on. This just requires manufacturers to change their basic chassis designs to accommodate it. Until recently, the video signal processing on the boards has been designed for 1080i max.</div><BR>

[EJR]

As Rope mentioned I own the Panny 42PH9UK.&nbsp; My only complaint is the size.&nbsp; I sit 7.5 feet away and would really love to have the 50" model.&nbsp; At the time I bought, however, the sets were about twice the price they are now.&nbsp; I don''t know if the picture quality is any better on the 9UK than the 60u series, but there is certainly more adjustibility.&nbsp; I also like the charcoal grey form factor more than the silver on the 60u.&nbsp; If you don''t need speakers and a built-in tuner you also save a couple hundred dollars by going with the 9UK.&nbsp; <a title="Visual Apex" href="www.visualapex.com">Visual Apex</a> is a great place to purchase this set.<br><br>-Eric<br><br>

[Rope]

<div>In addition to EJ''s comments, if you would like to add speakers (TY-SP42P6S, $279.00)&nbsp;at a later date you&nbsp;may do so along with any additional boards such as HDMI, DVI and others.&nbsp; I know of no retail outlets that stock and actively sell the professional series flat panels so in terms of auditioning a display you would need to find an owner.</div><BR><div>Rope</div><BR>