Which HD Plasma and STB best to buy ?

[dvddisc]

We looking to buy a HD plasma 42" and STB ?. Which is the best value for money ? Good quality picture and STB with good function.

Appreciate any advise or help. Thanks

[jokiin]

Most of the 42" Plasma's on the market are only SD which limits the choices somewhat, have you made a shortlist yet?

[dvddisc]

No I have compile a shortlist, however, the new Panasonic looks good and the HD Hitachi picture also look very impressive.

Anyone have any experience with these 2 model ?

[jokiin]

I've seen a HD Panasonic and was impressed by the picture quality but it was a 50", not sure if the 42" is the same. That was a few weeks ago at the Panasonic factory in Shanghai, not sure if its been released yet

[bac]

I've seen a HD Panasonic and was impressed by the picture quality but it was a 50", not sure if the 42" is the same. That was a few weeks ago at the Panasonic factory in Shanghai, not sure if its been released yet

Panasonic currently have at least two 42" plasmas on the Aussie market - one HD (~$6K) and one SD (~4.5K).

Interesting to note that 99% of the "SD" plasma units have only 480 line panels - i.e. not full PAL SD resolution (576 lines).

BAC

[jokiin]

I think the figure is 100% but perhaps some knows of some model that I'm not aware of. You need to read between the lines in the specs too, 3:2 pulldown is not the same thing. In the US they refer to some of these as ED panels (enhanced definition) still only 480 lines though.

[dvddisc]

Anyone owns HD Hitachi 42" plasma. What price did you pay and is the plasma any good ?

[snapper]

I was looking around for a plasma at one stage and every time I researched the topic it always came down to these 3 manufacturers:

Panasonic
Hitachi
Pioneer

The pioneers picture quality wasnt as good as the others but they come with installation, 5 years warrenty and they supply a temp monitor if yours is ever taken in for repair. They also come and pick up your monitor for repairs if needed.

So for peace of mind I would get a pioneer myself, my next choice would be panasonic as they seem to be updating thier monitors all the time and ive generally heard good things about them then I would get the hitachi.

Look out for other features of the display such as the inputs and outputs having DVI is a good plus as you could connect your PC to it then grab a wireless keyboard/mouse combo (such as Logitechs MX Duo which i have and love) and your set.

Some good sites and forums for more info is here:
http://www.dba.org.au./ (forum located here: http://www.dtvforum.info/)

there was also aa HT theater forum but I cant get the URL for it, plaza members might know it.

[scalpel]

This thread really should be here:

home theatre forum (http://www.teac.com.au/documents/DVB800.pdf)

I am also currently looking at plasmas. My thoughts would be the NEC new range.

New panasonic - no DVI inputs - this sucks bigtime and if you think that "ahh but I wont use this", just remember that these screens will be with you for a while and DVI/HDMI is becoming more ubiquitous. Also, if you want the panasonic stand, it is VERY expensive.


For my mind - the new NEC screens are brilliant (I am beginning to sound like a salesperson!) 42XR3w (or 42XM3w - the black or silver versions of the same screen) and 50XR4w and 50XM4w (all are "HD" panels - 42 inch 1024*768, 50 inch 1365*768). They are rather new (so a lot of retailers dont have them yet or talk about the old models) and are monitors (ie dont come standard with speakers, although can be bought as accessories). Given most people will have a home theatre system at these levels of equipment, the speakers are redundant. The quality is superb - however they dont quite have the blacks of the panasonics (my other favourite choice) BUT cost is important. They have DVI plus lots of other inputs (2 DVI inputs would be nice - ahh well)

You should be able to get the 50 inch WITH stand or wall-bracket for sub $8000 and the 42 inch for sub $5500 (ditto stand/bracket). These are Sydney shipped prices online. I can help with this if you need it

Here are the links to the US version of the screens (thus "a" at the end of the model instead of "w")

NEC 50XR4 (http://www.necvisualsystems.com/applicationFiles/productDetails/appl_productDetail.cfm?Product_id=443)

42 XR3 (http://www.necvisualsystems.com/applicationFiles/productDetails/appl_productDetail.cfm?Product_id=446)

Hope this helps


It is really worth looking in this site for reviews of the plasma screens (as mentioned above)

DBA widescreen forum (http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showforum=6)

This is a ?US HT forum - not sure how useful

HT Forum (http://www.htguide.com/forum/)

Regards the STB - Personally the Teac HD DVB800. Teac are very good at upgrading their boxes and addressing known faults. They also READ the DBA forum and act on complaints.

Teac DVB800 link (pdf file, thus a little slow) (http://www.teac.com.au/documents/DVB800.pdf)

Maybe also Topfield or Toshiba.

Would suggest you avoid the Panasonic HD STB's (look on DBA HD STB forums for why, ditto Digitech) - but you never know, you might be lucky and get one that works!

J.

[Big Guns]

I really do not understand the fascination with Plasma atm. For the same money you can get an LCD RPTV that is 50% - 100% bigger. The PQ is great too. Granted the footprint is bigger (although they take up less space than a big CRT TV) and you cannot hang them on the wall and they can not do blacks as well.

I have the Samsung 61" (155 cm) which is HD and every now and then I check out what is around. I have seen some nice plasma screens, but to get one the same size as my Sammy I would have to spend over $20,000, which is almost three times the cost of the Sammy now. Believe me when I say that the PQ of the plasma is not 3 times better. Far from it.

I think people just have an inherent prejudice against RPTV (as I once did) and are seduced by the more sexy plasma screens.

Just MO.

[termite]

NEC & Fujitsu are the only companies {OEM}that make Plasma screens,. NEC is what I looked at and bought,lots of good features...

[jokiin]

NEC & Fujitsu are the only companies {OEM}that make Plasma screens,. NEC is what I looked at and bought,lots of good features...


Not sure where you got this info from, I've been on a tour of the Panasonic plasma factory, they make screens for other also.

[termite]

Well I am impressed, I was of the understanding that Panasonic and Pioneer had joined NEC & Fujitsu only in the development of plasma pannels,but not as yet manufactured any,as it stands their are a whole lot of OEM to come,especially out of Korea.

[jokiin]

There are others, I have toured another manufacturers factory also, and they are an OEM supplier only, they are a Panasonic partner with other products and they had done some knowledge sharing with them to start their own plasma factory. Also quite a few in Taiwan, I think there is a bit of urban legend surrounding plasma panels, quite a few are quoted as coming from the same supplier and this is not the case. There is a fair amount of shared technology that has gone on though.