I mislabeled the HDTV. I meant to say the TH-42PX500U. My choice is between that and the EDTV 42PD.
Hi,
First time to these boards. Many of you seem very knowledgeable and helpful. I hope you can help me out as well.
I get a discount for buying Panasonic TVs so I was considering buying a 42" plasma from them. My choice basically comes down to the TH-42PD50U (EDTV) and the TH-42PD500U (HDTV). The price difference between the two to me is $900.
At first, I was all for the HDTV one. However, after thinking about it awhile, I won't be getting HD programming (wife isn't on board with that) and will use the TV mostly for DVDs and regular viewing (through DirectTV).
Now, my understanding is that DVDs will look the same on either TV, so I get no benefit to DVD-watching if I got the HDTV. Also, what concerned me was the fact that although both have a 16:9 aspect ratio, the native resolution for the HDTV was 1024x768, which is actually a 4:3 ratio.
So correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't that mean that I can't even watch DVD films at full screen? Since those are displayed at 16:9 ratio or higher, there will be black bars on top and bottom with the HDTV. To get rid of those bars, the HDTV would have to zoom in and cut off part of the viewing image on the left and right. Is that correct?
The EDTV, on the other hand, has an 852x480 resolution, which is true 16:9 ratio. That means I can watch DVDs at full screen, or with minimal bars on top and bottom. Correct? If that is the case, isnt the EDTV better for DVD viewing?
I just wanted to confirm that my assessment is correct. I am especially concerned because I was hoping to watch movies full-screen without the whole letterbox thing going on, as if I was in the movie theater. But I am now disappointed that I won't be able to with the HDTV.
Thanks in advance to the community for any advice you can give.

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