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General discussion

Plasma v. Rear Projection, EDTV v. HDTV

Sep 25, 2005 11:41PM PDT

I am looking for a 42" TV for my great room. Because it is a bright room I was considering plasma since picture appears brighter from all angles.

I am considering the Panasonic 42PD5OU or the Samsung SPR 4232.

I will be putting a home theater in my basement with an 8 foot screen so I don't feel like I need anything too exceptional. I will be watching mostly cable tv, network shows, news channels, etc. on the tv I buy.

1. Is plasma better for a bright room than a DLP or LCD projection?

2. Will there be that much of a difference between ED or HD from about 6 to 8 feet away? It's my understanding that the picture is similar on a 42" plasma.

Discussion is locked

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Plasma v. Rear Projection, EDTV v. HDTV
Sep 26, 2005 7:29AM PDT

Well EDTV is dead or at least it's days are numberd.
I have compared HD and ED plasmas sdie by side HD is better. The vast majority of the new plasmas for thie year are HDTV NOT EDTV.
But plasma would be the best for a bright room.
You can save some $$$ by getting a ED plasma. John

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Plasma
Sep 27, 2005 11:03AM PDT

Plasma is your best bet. It is brighter and has the best viewing angle by far. If it is for casual viewing, check out Sams and Costco. They have HD plasmas by Viore, Vizio and Maxent that are in the 1500 to 2000 dollar range. While the ED sets are a big step up from SD, HD looks even better. One of these budget HD plasmas will look sharper than an ED from Panasonic or Samsung and at about the same price.

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hope this helps
Sep 27, 2005 4:26PM PDT

I work at a retailer and I can tell you we have a DLP, LCD projection And a plasma under huge lights at a warehouse setting, the plasma is way easyer to see, if it was my money I would look at the panasonic ED plasma, or if money is no object take a look at Sony's new 40 inch XBR LCD flat panel it is a little brighter and HD res.

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ED is useless, consider glare.
Sep 27, 2005 11:31PM PDT

I am in audio video sales, we have the TH42PD50U and in my opinion the tv is horrible. If you are considering plasma just based off of brightness, i would hope you have consider the glare factor. If your room is very bright because of direct lighting, the matte finish on a dlp or lcd projection would be best. In the long run the plasma should be less maintenance once you've had it calibrated in a year or so, but 250 dollars for a projection bulb every time is goes out will add up. On average a plasma will raise you electric bill by about $20 a month. If you haven't looked at the hitachi 42HDT52 then you haven't seen a good plasma. With the screen wipe feature for burn in that may occur as well as the use of Hitachi's alis technology, you'll never see the screen door.