redcolours

similar to this thread:
http://forums.gotapex.com/showthread.php?t=98142

im now looking for a 42" plasma HDTV.
im set on the size - anything bigger is too big, anything smaller is too small. I had a change of heart when i went in to beastbuy yesterday and saw 2 42" plasma HDTVs. At first glance and upon continued watching, i was convinced: the PQ was simply amazingly clear and sharp. This with all the bright lights in the store. If its already looking great with all the harsh conditions and poor lighting, imagine if you set them in a darkly lit room (the way i watch), and you tweak the bugger even more. i got chills down my spine just thinking about it (yeah, im THAT obsessed with PQ).

And the price was well within my budget (if i wait a few months more to save up) - i didnt think plasma HDTVs that big came down in price already. I was originally looking at a 32" Olevia LCD TV for $1000. Now for about $700 more (maybe less), i can get a much bigger HDTV. comparing sizes, 32" just seemed small and ordinary now. the 42" screen seemed to fit the exact image of what i imagine to be big. and its plasma!

But now im TOTALLY lost. i know what to look for in an LCD HDTV, but i have no clue where to start with whats good in a plasma.

what specs must i be looking for? how do i know if a certain plasma is an older model (where the half-life is shorter)? which ones are rated to last far longer? What specs do i avoid?

my budget is under $1700. no more than that. i refuse to buy anything over that. ive seen the PQ to be excellent with those two i mentioned, so no need to spend more than that. Anyone know of any other 42" plasmas under $1700?

im doing my own research on AVS forum, but id like to know what YOU folks know.
thanks to any relevant info!

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IrishSS

I know you said you're set on the 42", but let me offer just this one alternative.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=S223-5014

The Sammy 50" at Tiger Direct for $1699. I have the previous model 56" and it is one of the best looking TV's I have ever seen. I researched for nearly 6 months before I bought my set... I paid $4500 about 18 months ago. To get this set (2 years newer model... even has a CableCard slot) is an unbelievable deal.

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Spigs, you MFR#1N!

redcolours

wow - that IS one hell of a deal! very nice DLP.
man, if i only had the space....
see, thats one major reason - 42" is all i can fit in my place right now. even if i do move in to a house (any house) im thinking of buying soon, the house itself isnt gonna be that big either.

that being said though, thanks for the heads up on tigerdirect. i never thought of looking there. lots of options, and some are even cheaper than what ive seen so far. they even got a nice little primer on Plasma vs. LCD. For those interested:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/static/ht...or-plasma.html
very insightful on what the big differences are.

now im rethinking my Plasma-over-LCD choice real hard... do i jump on a sub-$900 32" LCD now (cheaper, satisfy my hi-def withdrawal NOW), or do i wait another 3 long months to get a sub-$1700 42" plasma (get the size i want)... this hi-def withdrawal is killing me!

brainsmile

do you need the stand? I would buy it if it wasn't necessary to run

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"Nobody beats Vitus Gerulaitis 18 times in a row." - Vitus Gerulaitis on beating Jimmy Connors after 17 failed attempts.

IrishSS

For the Sammy? Aye, it's actually where the light engine resides. It allows it to be somewhat thinner than other DLP sets front to back...

Jcranmer

I just bought the Vizio P50-HDM, and am loving it! They do have a 42'' model that looks every bit as good. I was going to give you the link to samsclub where I bought it, but for some reason it's no longer listed on the web page.