The state of Value in 1080p Flat Panel TV's (Updated11/26)
See bottom for update.
Like many people, I'll soon be in the market for another TV, but it's a perilous world out there. Technology is marching on incessantly, and I don't want to get caught buying the betamax of the TV world. I'd argure that 1080p represents one of many inflexion points in TV technology, a major one to some tech savvy people, a minor one to others. While resolution isn't the only measure of TV quality, it is important, so I'm watching for the best value in 1080p flat panels.
Right now, the major plasma and LCD manufacturers are introducing their 1080p sets, and they're priced, for the most part, north of $2,000 for 46-50" panels, often more. So far there's an LCD and Plasma Contender.
The LCD:
Sharp LC-46D62U 46" LCD is $1,549 at B&H in Manhattan. CNET calls it this way:
The Plasmas:
Panasonic 720p plasmas are now around $1500. The 720p Panasonic TH-50PC77U was temporarily $1599 at Costco, but the similar TH-50PX77U is $1594 at B&H now, and is the value leader for 720p big plasmas at the moment. If you want speakers on the bottom and can do without some front jacks (composite/Svid/Audio), you can save about $100 but going with the 75U model which is slightly taller and narrower.
Panasonic 1080p plasmas are well over the $2k mark, but coming down. 1080p Th-50PZ700U is $2,289 + $135 shipping at B&H. While the 42" TH-42-PZ700U is well priced at B&H at about $1474 + $135 shipping.
Conclusion:
OK, I bought the 42" Panasonic 1080p at B&H for $1350 plus obligatory $135 next day shipping. The 42" plenty big enough for my bedroom where I'm viewing from approximately 11 feet. A bigger screen wouldn't be bad from that distance, but watching TV images in a dark bedroom generates some eyestrain, depending on the content, so an even bigger screen may be too bright for the setting. So far, I love the TV, and that's before calibration with the Avia DVD. A final note: after buying it, I was pleased to discover PC Mag's Editor's Choice review! I feel validated now!
PC Mag Editor's Choice Review of the PZ700U
CNET's Review
Like many people, I'll soon be in the market for another TV, but it's a perilous world out there. Technology is marching on incessantly, and I don't want to get caught buying the betamax of the TV world. I'd argure that 1080p represents one of many inflexion points in TV technology, a major one to some tech savvy people, a minor one to others. While resolution isn't the only measure of TV quality, it is important, so I'm watching for the best value in 1080p flat panels.
Right now, the major plasma and LCD manufacturers are introducing their 1080p sets, and they're priced, for the most part, north of $2,000 for 46-50" panels, often more. So far there's an LCD and Plasma Contender.
The LCD:
Sharp LC-46D62U 46" LCD is $1,549 at B&H in Manhattan. CNET calls it this way:
The good: Best black-level performance of any non-CRT we've tested yet; resolves every detail of 1080i resolution sources; image stays relatively true from off-angle for an LCD; distinctive two-tone styling.
The bad: Inaccurate color temperature; irregular bands across screen visible in some scenes; lacks picture-in-picture; no PC input.
I'm a pig for black levels, and this set allegedly delivers near plasma level blacks, and LCD's are bright. I might be able to live with the bad, as I'm not hyper critical of color temp. Banding may be annoying.
The competition is thin out there. The arguably somewhat better Samsung LN-T4665F is $2,100 at B&H is $400 more and is over $2k. The better by some measures Samsung LN-T4681 is well over $3k.The Plasmas:
Panasonic 720p plasmas are now around $1500. The 720p Panasonic TH-50PC77U was temporarily $1599 at Costco, but the similar TH-50PX77U is $1594 at B&H now, and is the value leader for 720p big plasmas at the moment. If you want speakers on the bottom and can do without some front jacks (composite/Svid/Audio), you can save about $100 but going with the 75U model which is slightly taller and narrower.
Panasonic 1080p plasmas are well over the $2k mark, but coming down. 1080p Th-50PZ700U is $2,289 + $135 shipping at B&H. While the 42" TH-42-PZ700U is well priced at B&H at about $1474 + $135 shipping.
Conclusion:
OK, I bought the 42" Panasonic 1080p at B&H for $1350 plus obligatory $135 next day shipping. The 42" plenty big enough for my bedroom where I'm viewing from approximately 11 feet. A bigger screen wouldn't be bad from that distance, but watching TV images in a dark bedroom generates some eyestrain, depending on the content, so an even bigger screen may be too bright for the setting. So far, I love the TV, and that's before calibration with the Avia DVD. A final note: after buying it, I was pleased to discover PC Mag's Editor's Choice review! I feel validated now!
PC Mag Editor's Choice Review of the PZ700U
CNET's Review
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