Panasonic TH42PA50A - what do you think?

[b1_]

I'm about to buy the Panasonic TH42PA50A for $2500 Australian dollars.

Just a few questions for anyone who's bought or researched this plasma:

Is AU$2500 a good price?
At 852x480 res is it still okay to watch? It is Panasonic's lower end plasmas. I'm wondering about watching text on the screen - whether fine print (movie subtitles) pixellates. I have viewed it in the showroom and I think text pixellates.

It's not HD I know - not that HD's benefits would come through on a 852x480 res screen. I also know I'll need to buy a set top box to receive widescreen digital television.

I'm very interested in anyones opinion, especially anyone who has taken this plasma home. What do you like; what don't you like?

Should I wait for SED (like everyone else). Perhaps I should go with the Panasonic TH42PV500A at 1024x768 res but bloody AU$5000! probably out of my price range.

[aud19]

If your budget is limited I'd go with a RPTV of some kind personally. You'll get a higher resolution and bigger display for the same or less money.

My personal reccomendation would be for a Hitachi or Mitsubishi CRT based RPTV for the best PQ (and the lowest price) but being that you're looking at a flat panel I doubt you'll go for it :lol: Both LCD and DLP based RPTV's would then be a good alternative at that point and offer much slimmer cabinets. Sony's SXRD would be the best of the digital RPTV's currently but it's a little closer to plasma prices.

[peterS]

is hd readily available there?

[b1_]

Yes, I believe HD is readily available here.

[peterS]

then it is a waste of money

[aud19]

then it is a waste of money

Huh...? :scratchhead:

[Shane Martin]

then it is a waste of money

If you sit a a certain distance away the eye can't differeniate the difference between HD on a HD panel and an ED panel.

HD even on an ED display is worth it.

[peterS]

If you sit a a certain distance away the eye can't differeniate the difference between HD on a HD panel and an ED panel.

HD even on an ED display is worth it.

i highly disagree... maybe if we are talking 25 ft then yes but why
i just think its a lot of $ to spend for an obsolete technology
few years ago it was a valid argument but not now in my opinion

[Shane Martin]

i highly disagree... maybe if we are talking 25 ft then yes

Less than 9 feet they have said.

but why
i just think its a lot of $ to spend for an obsolete technology
few years ago it was a valid argument but not now in my opinion

The HD panel for him is double the money. Comparing how cheap we can get things in the states to Australia is a bit far fetched. It's not obselete if it accepts HD resolutions(which it does). If it's got HDMi, he's set for Blu Ray/HD DVD.

[Joelp]

If you can afford up 20 inches between the screen and the wall, go with a RPTV.

[b1_]

Well, I didn't get it (there was a sale which has now ended).

It's a nice picture I think. Huge compared to what I'm used to. Nice and slim. But, it's still too much to pay for a TV.

I will continue to admire from afar, eagerly awaiting some kind of price drop.

Joelp, I looked at the RPTVs but that 20" butt is still too much - I might as well get a big $1000 CRT. I've got a small lounge room anyway (3mx2m) so I like the the flat screens.

"If it's got HDMi, he's set for Blu Ray/HD DVD"
What does this mean Shane?
If this panny has HDMi it will display HD DVDs? It will still only be at 852x480 tho right?

[Shane Martin]

If this panny has HDMi it will display HD DVDs? It will still only be at 852x480 tho right?

Things have somewhat changed in that they are allowing some dvds to be seen thru component but it's a studio by studio decision. You'll likely want to hook up your HD DVD/Blu ray player via HDMI especially if you buy a fixed panel display like the plasma. While it's only 480P, you will see a much better picture than regular dvds(if HDTV programming is a good indicator).