"Professional" or "Commerical" Display Monitors

Cw,

The "commercial" Panasonic Plasmas are hugely popular among the informed videophile community. These Plasmas come in 37", 42" and 50" models with the 37 and 42 also being available as less expensive EDTV models.

There are lots of manufactures that offer flat panel displays that do not have some typical TV features like speakers, table top stands, tuners, etc. I think Samsung, NEC and Fujitsu (among others) sell commecial versions of their Plasma TVs. I'm less familiar with LCD flat panels as I'm not yet a fan and have not spent much time looking at them.

Personally, I did buy a consumer version of the 42" Panasonic Plasma even though I don't currently use many of the features (speakers, table stand, tuner), but I thought I may move this TV to a beadroom in the future, so I bought a TV (vs a monitor) because I don't want separate speakers, Set top box, and audio system in the bedroom.

Enjoy,

TIC

Panasonic TH-50PHD7UY might do the trick for you.

See http://www.greathometheater.com/plasma.html

Usually the new technology comes out at the top levels (with bells and whistles) and then trickles down. But this industrial model has the goods without the extras.

Be sure the hookups (inputs) satisfy your needs.

Bob Wood

Woodburger

Thanks for the tip. But further to my point, only ONE item, comes up on Ebay for the monitor you mention, and it seems to be the mounting bracket.

TIC

I assumed videophiles had tuned into this concept, but for me "hugely popular" has not yet translated into ease of research or purchase.

So if anyone has any other links which might compare models, or lead to reliable dealers, that would be great.

Oh and thanks for reminding me about stands, perhaps the cheesiest of comsumer ploys.

The last time I bought a Sony TV from one of the big box retailers, there were generous enough to throw in a gorgeous particle board, vinyl coated stand which was a $500.00 value ?!

So yes, definitely no stands, no speakers, no amps, no tuners, no low level consumer grade inputs, no "free" cables. Did I miss anything?

Just component and/or HDMI inputs into a great, HDTV ready monitor

Cw,

OK, by highly popular, I mean among the "informed". You are correct, these commercial versions are not generally available in you local B&M stores.

For lots on forum information on commercial plasmas, check the display forum at www.AVSforum.com. They are THE videophile geek forum on the net.

Now, about table stands, I'm not talking about something that you sit the TV on. Commercial Plasmas do not have any "feet". They are made to be wall mounted, or you must buy an optional "table top" stand that connects to the TV to give it some legs to stand on.

Another thing is that some commercial plasmas do not actually have built in HDMI connections. You must buy and install a "blade" (add-on card) to get HDMI.

As far as models to research, here are some popular one:

Panasonic TH-37PWD8K (37" EDTV/852X480 resolution)
Panasonic TH-37PHD8K (37" HDTV/1024X720 resolution)
Panasonic TH-42PWD8K (42" EDTV)
Panasonic TH-42PHD8K (42" HDTV)
Panasonic TH-50PWD8K (50" HDTV)
Panasonic TH-65PHD8K (65" HDTV)

There are also commercial models of NEC, Pioneer, Sony and Samsung TVs. They are similar in function to the Panasonics listed above.

Here is how I would find models. Go to http://www.pricescan.com/electronics/03010105.asp?displaytyp=plasma and check the manufacturers that interest you. Each page has a thumbnail photo of the TVs. It is fairly obvious which ones do not include speakers.

They Pannys are probably the most popular commercial plasmas, but they others have their fans too.

Enjoy,

TIC