Looking for 42in Plasma TV Please help
Demo the Panasonic, Pioneer, and Fujitsu. And join the plasma addicts here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=40 Yes, it will become an addiction...you've been warned! |
Isnt it the Plasma screens that Buzz? I was in soundtrack the other day, and i was checking out all of the plasma screens and man, it sounded like a damn bee-hive. I might be "bass ackwards" on this, but i think the best way to go is LCD, because the LCD screens dont Buzz and they also hit darker levels of black, while Plasma never gets darker than a real dark grey. The plasma's sure are slick, but when you hit a quiet part of the movie, that buzzing will sound as loud as a bug-zapper. if you are looking for something 60 inches across, you gotta go with a LCD, cause i dont think philips has finished its 60 lcd panel factory. Either way, next time you are checking these out, listen for the buzz. |
At 9feet, you will be hapy with just about anything available. the bigger question is what you are going to use as your DAC(digital/audio converter). If you are planning to use the DAC that comes with the plasma screen, understand that the whole world is in chaos. Satellite and DVDs are about to come out with high definition quality feeds that might contain certain copy protected signals. it is a bit like macrovision on High Definition. So, if you plan to use the DVI input on your plasma which means you will be using the screen's DAC, be sure that it has the copy protected circuits. Otherwise, your picture will be a bit degraded. If you are simply using the screen as a monitor, which means your DAC preceeds the screen, I don't believe this will be a problem. anyway, be aware of this process as many current models lack the processor and you might find yourself redundant before you know it. another thing, do searches on plasma screens on the internet and you will find some good deals. Chech out the Plasma Depot, amoung others. |
First of all, check out www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com (plasma tv buying guide.com) to educate yourself. I spent countless hours on there, and I have owned a 42" Panasonic for about 6 months. LCD is supposed to last longer than plasma. However, it has not reached 42" size or larger due to brightness issue as a result of a single light bulb, which is replaceable. Plasma can resolve the brightness issue. However, it has problem with achieving blackness. Darkness level on plasma cannot be like a tube TV. However, Panasonic has achieved the best blackness level based on my research 6 months ago. Technologies may have changed for other brands. Do your research. Unlike light bulb of LCD screen, plasma gas cannot be recharged. Plasma life is about 20K-30K hours of watching TV. If I watch 11 hours of TV/day, that would last me ~ 5 years minimum, based on conservative calculation, which amasses about 20K hours. By then, I ought to purchase new TV. As far as the buzz noise, it can be due to the fan noise since plasma consumes lots of power and generates lots of heat. Panasonic is considered to consume least power in its class, i.e. average about 280-300w (which is equivalent to a HOT 300w halogen lamp). Others consume up to 500w. Since Panasonic consumes relative little heat, it does not have a fan. Thus, there is no fan noise. I don't know what it's like to own a plasma in Arizona in the summer since I live near coastal area of Los Angeles. However, it will keep you cozy in the winter. By this summer, Panasonic should have released new plama panel with Digital Video Interface (DVI) port. With DVI, signals can be processed pure digitally, which is at High Definition signal or ~ 1280 dpi. However, a 42" HD panel w/ such high resolution costs almost twice as much as a 42" EDTV plasma (native resolution is 480 dpi). If you decide to purchase an EDTV panel (480 dpi), DVI port does not help b/c signals has to derez (deresolution) from HD 1280 down to ED 480 dpi. You should always look at the signals and resolution of source and target. If you use cable for signals, get EDTV w/o DVI to save $. If you use Dish or Direct TV w/ regular standard free decoder, get EDTV b/c signals from such satellite dish provider often come at maximum 480 dpi or less. Those satellite dish companies often try to squeeze as much programs through as much as possible, signals has to be compromised in order to push many programs through, meaning it is less than 480 dpi. If you want the best, get HD plasma w/ DVI port & HD decoder. HD plasma is very expensive. HD decoder is still very expensive ($500-$700/ unit depending mostly on how fast it can change channel). Since most satellite programs currently do not broadcast in HD signals, you probably will get standard satellite dish decoder to process at a max rate of 480dpi. Matching signals are the best since there will be no conversion. Converting up or down is not optimal. Try to keep native resolution matched. For example, get EDTV 480dpi w/ standard free decoder for satellite dish broadcast mostly at 480 dpi for most programs. Don't get HD plasma and get standard 480dpi decoder. You will waste your $ for not spending wisely. To improve plasma resoln', use component cable for video and power conditioner to minimize noise on plasma screen. I have seen improvement on my part. All I can say is that I saw T3, Matrix Reload, and Italian Job in theater -- I didn't like any of them b/c giant theater screen is so blurry compared to plasma. When you magnified so big from a little 35mm film, things will get blurry. As far as cinemic sound, that's what Audiogon is for. Personally, I like to watch new release on DVD more than to watch new release in theater. If you have no idea what I am talking about, neither do I b/c it's 1 AM right now. JK. Just ask more. |
