Looking for 42in Plasma TV Please help

HDTV plasma looks sharper if it receives HD signals from HD decoder currently costing from $600-$900, depending on how fast it can change channel as the primary costly feature. Add the price of HDTV, HD decoder, well insulated component video cable, well insulated digital audio cable from HD decoder box, and power conditioner to get good no-snow images. If the price difference is still small, I would go with HDTV even though FTC signals are yet to be standardized.

EDTV plasma looks better if it receives Enhanced Digital signals, which is widely broadcast on satellite dish. Ideal digital signal for EDTV is 480. Satellite dish may feed 480i or less, depending on the number of programs it wants to squeeze through. Digital receivers are currently offered for free with 2 years contract with either Dish or Direct TV. I recommend Direct TV. Just get power conditioner and a good S-video cable to go w/ free digital decoder . Total the price to see if the difference is still small. You should get all digital channels. If you said Panasonic EDTV wins, there is only one new model that I know. If you use terrestial HD decoder with this new Panasonic model, you won't get certain programs on ABC network b/c broadcast signal are in 720. In such case, have the decoder derez down to 480, and you should be good. Good luck.

I agree with theaudiotweak. Samsung's DLP TV is the way to go. Plasma TVs are filled with a gas that WILL leak out over a ten year period. After that the TV is dead and nothing can revive it. The reason why plasma TV repair plans cost $1000 dollars a year is because of the high likelihood that the gas will leak out sooner. Rear projection TVs are less costly to buy and maintain, but are darker, have a narrower viewing area and are much, much bigger than Plasma TVs.

DLP TVs are much less expensive than a Plasma TV, but with the same brightness and viewing area. DLPs can sit on top of a table because they have no bulky base and are half as deep as a rear projection TV. DLPs have no gas to leak out. If the picture goes bad, simply replace the light bulb.

With all the hoopla over Plasma TVs and Rear Projection TVs, few realize the potential of the Samsung DLP TV. Over time the DLPs will probably win the HDTV war. In the meantime, a lot of people are making costly mistakes rushing into the HDTV game.

I'm not a lawyer, but I have to use the lawyer's response, "It depends."

So far I have not owned any TV and have not known any one to own a TV more than 10 years even though those units are in working condition. Because technology improves and changes rapidly, old TVs are ill in comparision. That's a fact. To exacerbate the matter, natural age diminishes the quality of the picture. Even my poor visions could tell the difference in image quality between a 25" console and a HDTV unit. Moreover, it is human nature to relentlessly pursue for something better. The adage states," The grass is greener on the other side... And we gotta keep up w/ the Jones." Most of us probably upgraded to a 50" projector TV that comes w/ a universal remote control when the old 25" console that came with the old clicker were still working. It's tough to own a 25" console when TV commercials, Sunday ads, and electronic stores display nothing but big screens. Furthermore, it's even tougher to go into electronic stores to purchase a new universal remote control to replace an old clicker yet to resist the temptation of big screen as one would see consumers taking turns to park their trucks in front of the store to load their new-purchased big screens. As a consumer, the purchase power often increases over time while the price of technology from yesterday drops at the speed of gravity. Given the inverse relationship, it is very tough to resist the big screen TVs, which the Jones already own 4 units in their house.

Therefore, it depends on the personal preference. DLP may be the way to go for some. For others, 10 years can be a long time for those who are labeled as "early adaptor." Redwoodgarden is right on the fact that the "early adaptors" will have to pay their price, and I mean the world PRICE as in ka-ching!

I think that the person, who started this thread, is ready for a new THX A/V Receiver w/ DVI ports for some digital signals feeding into his EDTV plasma panel as he is tired of the old stereo receiver and the 25" TV console. I wonder what the HT in front of the name Steve stands for?

Just to let you know I had a Sim Titan, Ead Sig. Aeriel 10Ts center sub and surrounds,Vidikron Crystal 1 Projector . I listen 90% music 10% movies. I went to the stereo show in SF.and heard the Legend Von Gaylord system . I sold my HT system bought the Legend system . I spent 2 hours listening to this system and was just amazed at how good it sounded and everybody the came into the room was just floored. I have friends come over and there jaw just drops . We have a closet in the family room that has doors on it . The stereo is in it and a Sony 27in TV We want to take the doors off and put a entertament system in it

There are alternative to the Samsung DLP projector, Sony and Panasonic both make RPTV using LCD that are substaintially lighter and smaller than CRT based RPTV. Sony is more expensive, but Panasonic is less than Samsung. If you have room for RPTV, CRT is king followed by LCD. DLP can't compete with LCD in image quality.