Plasma decision made...

I-SIG

...and the winner is going to be the Panasonic 42" HDTV (TH42PX50U). None of this EDTV BS for me. Also, I don't play video games and don't leave movies paused for more than a few minutes so burn-in and all that crap meaningless to me.

With that said, I still have a few questions.

Since planning on running (at this point) Comcast cable and DVD player as my only two sources, would I be better served by the professional model that doesn't have the HD tuner built in assuming I can find a significant price difference?

Assuming I did get the professional model, how much are the DVI or HDMI cards?

Is there some model that I can't find on Panasonic's website that comes with a wall mount kit instead of a table stand?

Finally, will the EMF from my unshielded SRS's affect the performace of a plasma TV?

I think that's all for now.

Thank y'all,
Wes

disneyjoe7

Sweet looking at the same model, but a little loss with your other questions so I'll standby also......

bvette94

I have narrowed it down to the panasonic also but i am looking at the 50 hdtv. imo panasonic has the best pic quality. i suggest a built in tuner.i dont know how the unsheilded speakers will affect it.i am curious about this my self.

Mike Reeter

I-SIG,Please let us know your thoughts when it's all said and done...getting ready to up-grade monitors,and this model is on my short list...Thanks,Mike

MacLeod

I still would love to have an LCD tv but since we will be moving into a house toward the end of this year (either renting or buying) Im going to wait til then and buy something like a 34" CRT instead.

The only reason I could justify spending $2000 more on a LCD would be because its so much lighter and I wouldnt have to drag it up these apartment stairs!

SKsolutions

My 2 cents:

If you don't plan on using an antenna to get your HD, then you don't need a built-in tuner. Absolutely NOT needed.

I have a Panasonic Professional model (no tuner, speakers), and it's got the newest 8th Generation panel, a sexy as hell black picture frame look, and a PC hookup.

All this for around 2400 shipped for the HD. Better picture than the consumer model, for less money. I resarched for quite some time and this was dollar for dollar the best I found. Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK
Before you buy check it out.

SKsolutions

Here's a pic. The thumb says 65", but they all look like this 37"-65"
The same panel as the Panny $5K SvS series for less than the cheap looking silver consumer model at CC. I'm very glad I looked before buying. 2100. shipped.

madmax

Hey Isig, check out Sams Club. Our local one has a 50" HDTV plasma for $1999. Initial glimpses look like any other plasma. Worth checking out. Made by Akai but whatever...
madmax

Toxis

FYI, Panasonic plasmas went on a national back order til May. The company is doing a lot of restructuring, so they say. What they did was fire every single person except the CEO and are making everyone reapply for their jobs. Even before all this, panasonics have been in short supply for a while. Good luck finding one and if you do, I personally wouldn't buy it... I've seen a few of them come back with bad pixels out of the box or get burn in very easily. Just heads up...

SKsolutions

The mean failure rate of Panasonic is lower than anything in it's pricerange, and the warranty is honored without hassle. If you don't buy anything, nothing will ever be wrong with it.

I-SIG

MacLeod wrote:

I still would love to have an LCD tv but since we will be moving into a house toward the end of this year (either renting or buying) Im going to wait til then and buy something like a 34" CRT instead.

The only reason I could justify spending $2000 more on a LCD would be because its so much lighter and I wouldnt have to drag it up these apartment stairs!

Well, I don't have a nice stand to keep all my gear on. At this point, I figure why spend big $$ on a stand that can support a big tube and a 70lbs Parasound when I could spend most of that $$ on a plasma and wall-mount it.

Wes

I-SIG

SKsolutions wrote:

My 2 cents:

If you don't plan on using an antenna to get your HD, then you don't need a built-in tuner. Absolutely NOT needed.

I have a Panasonic Professional model (no tuner, speakers), and it's got the newest 8th Generation panel, a sexy as hell black picture frame look, and a PC hookup.

All this for around 2400 shipped for the HD. Better picture than the consumer model, for less money. I resarched for quite some time and this was dollar for dollar the best I found. Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK
Before you buy check it out.

That's exactly the one I'm interested in on the pro level screens.

My thinking is very much along your lines. If I have digital cable and a dvd player, why do I need a tuner? and why do I need speaks with a pair of SRS's and a SVS sitting around.

Who has it for $2400 shipped? Those BeyondPlasma guys off ePay?

Wes

I-SIG

madmax wrote:

Hey Isig, check out Sams Club. Our local one has a 50" HDTV plasma for $1999. Initial glimpses look like any other plasma. Worth checking out. Made by Akai but whatever...
madmax

I'll certainly give it a look see. Thanks, max.

I imagine there's probably about 2-3 folks actually making the screens, say Panny and someone else. The rest are just re-badge's, etc.

Wes

SKsolutions

Sorry, it's actually cheaper. 2100. shipped, my mistake. I got mine at www.Plasmahouse.com, and they were effecient. If they are backordered, shop around. Try www.streetprices.com. Do be aware. With some dealer: if you are not buying a stand (purchase it at Nerds.com), or 150. HDMI cables, they tend to try to put off shipping for like 2-3 weeks. Some places just don't have it in stock.
PlasmaNext has em for 2100. shipped as of today.
Try pricing:
streetprices.com
pricescan.com
cnet.com (pricing for models)
Good luck, the TV is wicked pissah.
Sean

SKsolutions

I-SIG wrote:

I'll certainly give it a look see. Thanks, max.

I imagine there's probably about 2-3 folks actually making the screens, say Panny and someone else. The rest are just re-badge's, etc.

Wes

Most major players make their own or spec order them. The panel driver is just as important, and that's where you see some manufacturers skimping.

fireshoes

madmax wrote:

Hey Isig, check out Sams Club. Our local one has a 50" HDTV plasma for $1999. Initial glimpses look like any other plasma. Worth checking out. Made by Akai but whatever...
madmax

Avoid AKAI plasmas like the plaque man. We sell a 42" monitor at work and probably half have had issues. Several DOA's.

madmax

fireshoes wrote:

Avoid AKAI plasmas like the plaque man. We sell a 42" monitor at work and probably half have had issues. Several DOA's.

I would give one a chance only from Sams Club because of their liberal returns. A warranty sounds like it would be in order too.

In any case what I-sig is looking at is better, just wanted to throw it out there because it is the first one I've seen even close to that price range.

madmax

hoosier21

decision made????? are you sure?

PolkThug

fireshoes wrote:

Avoid AKAI plasmas like the plaque man. We sell a 42" monitor at work and probably half have had issues. Several DOA's.

haha, those things suck.

My favorite HD plasma right now is a Philips model, it has better shadow detail than units costing much more.

I-SIG

hoosier21 wrote:

decision made????? are you sure?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure. I spoke with a seller with a Phoenix office. I can pick it up in PHX, but I still have to pay shipping to get it to Phoenix. If I'm gonna pay for shipping, might as well get delivered a lot closer.

Wes

okiepolkie

My favorite plasma, with the exeption of price, would have to Fujitsu. I just haven't seen others that compare to them for most models. Seeing how they hold most of the major patents for the technology, I would hope they were better. The Panasonic(at retail) is almost half(even at my cost) of the Fujitsu(P42XTA51US).

bpadget

http://www.electronics-depot.com

Check these guys out. They did right by me even during the Christmas rush.

I hung it with a peerless mount from mounts and more.

shawn474

I guess I don't understand the benefit of having a built-in tuner. I rent my tuner for HD service from comcast at $5 a month. The price difference is pretty inflated for built-in vs. external and with all of the technology, is it possible that these will need upgrading or not be able to convert future signals? I have a Panasonic rear projection that with the high def. feed looks as good as any plasma, lcd, or dlp. I am completely happy with the purchase, the quality and customer service are top of the line. I don't think I'd ever buy another brand after this experience.

punk-roc

I-SIG, i purchased that exact TV about 3-4 months ago and i've loved it ever since. I wouldnt hesitate purchasing it, i bought my locally since Onecall.com is based in Spokane, so that was convenient.

Jason

I-SIG

shawn474 wrote:

I guess I don't understand the benefit of having a built-in tuner. I rent my tuner for HD service from comcast at $5 a month. The price difference is pretty inflated for built-in vs. external and with all of the technology, is it possible that these will need upgrading or not be able to convert future signals?

Shawn,

That's one reason why I want to get the rpofessional model over the commercial. If some new format or connection method comes out, I know I can swap out a card on the back of the plasma and be ready to rock 'n roll.

As for the tuner, I'm in your boat. Why do I need it if I'm gonna pipe in a Comcast HD signal and my over-the-air reception sucks **** on my side of town?

Wes

I-SIG

punk-roc wrote:

I-SIG, i purchased that exact TV about 3-4 months ago and i've loved it ever since. I wouldnt hesitate purchasing it, i bought my locally since Onecall.com is based in Spokane, so that was convenient.

Jason

Thanks, Jason. The same guy that SKSolutions used has a place up in Phoenix, so unless a local guy here in Tucson can come through with the commercial Pioneer unit, I'm gonna drive to Phoenix and get one there. I'm gonna check onecall out to sure.

Wes

I-SIG

Well, I placed my order. He's supposed to have a new shipment of the 42" pro level HD Panny's in early February. I'll be ready for the SuperBowl if I'm lucky. I know I'll be ready for the Daytona 500! (Not to mention DVD's!)

Wes

steveinaz

ALRIGHT BIG Money! Cool beans, bust out that Sara Maclaklan....

punk-roc

Good Luck, hopefully everything works out for you. Let me know if you need more info

Jason

SKsolutions

okiepolkie wrote:

My favorite plasma, with the exeption of price, would have to Fujitsu. I just haven't seen others that compare to them for most models. Seeing how they hold most of the major patents for the technology, I would hope they were better. The Panasonic(at retail) is almost half(even at my cost) of the Fujitsu(P42XTA51US).

I have viewed Fujitsu's panels and they are stunning, and I dig their laptops too. Expect to pay double or treble for the 10% to 15% difference though. For me, it doesn't rate as high as the Panny pro-line for value per dollar.

SKsolutions

shawn474 wrote:

I guess I don't understand the benefit of having a built-in tuner. I rent my tuner for HD service from comcast at $5 a month. The price difference is pretty inflated for built-in vs. external and with all of the technology, is it possible that these will need upgrading or not be able to convert future signals? I have a Panasonic rear projection that with the high def. feed looks as good as any plasma, lcd, or dlp. I am completely happy with the purchase, the quality and customer service are top of the line. I don't think I'd ever buy another brand after this experience.

UMM, you require that 'tuna' whether or not you have one built in. The 'box' you rent is to decode the HD comcast broadcast.

There is absolutely NO reason to have a built in 'tuna' if you don't intend on stringing up an antenna on your roof. So, with DVD and Cable like most of us: NO 'TUNA' required.