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hi all. I've put off buying one for over a year as each time I'm ready, I find a painting I would prefer more. Now that the walls are taken care of, I'm ready to upgrade the television. I'm pretty sure that i want a 44 or 50 inch plasma and have seen what marantz has to offer and that's about it. I'm sure some of you have some and would like your thoughts. What should I be looking for and what functions can I not live without? I'm assuming I can get a great looking screen for under $8k and would love to get it even cheaper. Are there any that have the hdtv receiver built in and are they any good or should I try and keep everything seperate? Would love suggestions on brands, model #'s, and where to buy. My room is very large, so no size constraints. Thanks in advance, lee
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Looked at my notebook...for on-line bargains try Dell (15% off coupon), 1800plasmas.com with their 3% discount for cash (Pany 50" 50PHD5U MSRP 11K their price $6879), plasmatek.com, plasmainfo.net...but go first to avsforum and check out the FAQ.The model numbers for the Panasonics are INSANE, it seems like there's hundreds for the same display. With the 42" and smaller screens, you also get into "Enhanced Definition" vs true high definition i.e. the Pany 42" is 42PWD4U for "enhanced". But the 42PHD5U is true hi def. (You can get the 42" panys anywhere from $3600-5200, although last years 42" ED models are selling out quick.) From more 8'-9' away, you can't tell the difference on HD between the ED and HD Panys.
The Fujitsu 50" is either the PDS5001 or PDS5002. (TPV says it's the best display device of any kind *period*.) The 42" was PDS4302. I think the Pio I saw was the 50" 503CMX. Couldn't swear.
The connectivity and features lists for any of these displays is such that you really need to research before you buy - they're all good, but they all have slightly different strengths and weaknesses depending on your sources and viewing habits. They really are like audio separates, you can add outboard scalers, they have native PAL and 720p, you can hook up your computer or do HTPC.
To me, after looking for hours, the Panys and the Fujitsus (Fujitsu uses Pany glass then upgrades) had the best, most arresting pictures - the least noise, artifacts and solarization (as in NONE) and the best contrast, detail, color and brightness. The Fujitsu has better shadow detail than the Pany, but it's more expensive (15K list, probably street for 9K). These two brands raised my pulse fersher.
Thx a bunch for the info harmonia. I did some reading at the avs forum which is incredibly helpful. Also, happened to come face to face with the 42 inch panasonic at the tower records here in sf over the weekend- looked great. It seems that last year's 42 panasonic goes for ~4500 which you mentioned is the ED model which is a great price. Now, they also have the 42 inch HD which goes for ~$6k. My couch is about 8 feet away from the display, so it may not make sense to pay up for the HD- is that what you are saying? I really don't watch all that much tv, but would like something that gives off a great picture for at least 4 years. I don't use the sound on the tv as I feed that to my stereo and i have satelite feed with a dvd player and lexicon processor. I suppose I will need to upgrade my dvd player to a newer model which features progressive scan to get the most out of the plasma televeision as well as a stand for the plasma. Is there anything else that you might think I'm missing that I can't live without with respect to owning a plasma?Lastly, I have seen all of the marantz plasma's and came away thinking that 60 inches is just too damn big for the technology as there were all kinds of artifacts even when viewing a dvd. You had mentioend the 50 inch fujitsu being gorgeous, but I really don't feel like droping $15k on this tv. Are you aware of any offereing from panansonic that are 50 inches that don't lose the crisp detail of the 42 inch models and cost less than $10k? Thanks again for all of your help.
...you should go to avsforum.com and check out the plasma forum there. Best info I've found on plasmas.Today I spent several hours looking at plasmas. Hands down, the best I saw were the Fujitsu 50" and 42". Beautiful. (The 50" is not in your 8K budget, but it's awesome.) The next were the Panasonnic 42" and 50", also gorgeous to look at. Third would be the Pioneers, but I wouldn't buy the Phillips or the Sony models. No way. Didn't see a Marantz anywhere.
Plasmas generally come a la carte. They're flat, thin displays - where you gonna put the ATCS tuner???? Several models come with various boxes, but I actually like it that I don't have to pay for a crappy NTSC tuner, crappy internal amp and woeful speakers. I already have an S-VHS with NTSC tuner anyway, plus digital cable, plus nice speakers. I'm going to get a separate HD STB, with the feautures and quality *I* want, not what the manufacturer selects for the price point. (Gee, this sounds a lot like buying high end audio components.)
There are some great prices out there right now, and since plasmas qualify as "monitors", many on-line stores have commercial models that are considerably less than the corresponding consumer model.
Go now to avsforum...what you want to know is awaiting you there.
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