42 inch TV Advice

[Padge1]

I’m looking for advice on a 42 inch HDTV. This will eventually wind up in the bedroom, but for the next year or so be in my living room. The room receives quite a bit of outside light, though not direct sunlight. I primarily watch television (sports and movies), and the occasional DVD. I’m looking to keep the cost down on this one and spend more for a bigger one in a year or 2.

If I don’t use it for video games or Blu-ray, do I need 1080p? My gut tells me that with the smaller screen size, I won’t notice the difference, and might save some money. How much light will it take to affect a plasma picture?

 

[bandphan]

I’m looking for advice on a 42 inch HDTV. This will eventually wind up in the bedroom, but for the next year or so be in my living room. The room receives quite a bit of outside light, though not direct sunlight. I primarily watch television (sports and movies), and the occasional DVD. I’m looking to keep the cost down on this one and spend more for a bigger one in a year or 2.

If I don’t use it for video games or Blu-ray, do I need 1080p? My gut tells me that with the smaller screen size, I won’t notice the difference, and might save some money. How much light will it take to affect a plasma picture?

If the lighting isnt direct or can be controlled, 42 panny plasmas are impossible to beat @699

 

[D-Jingle]

Depends on your viewing distance

The answer depends on your viewing distance.

To get benefit of 1080P, you should be sitting no further than twice the screen size. For a 42" panel, you can sit 84" (7') away to still benefit from 1080P resolution.


this chart gives a good idea of the relationship between screen size, viewing distance, and resolution:

 

[Padge1]

That's a great help. I have a decent sized living room, so the viewing distances are from 12 to 15 feet. Even when in the bedroom, it will be at least 10 feet. Since so many of the newer models are 1080p, is there a big price advantage to 720p?

I'm thinking plasma will be the answer, and if the room is too light for it I'll have to invest in curtains - I just like wooded view out of the windows!

 

[Hi Ho]

The new Panasonic plasma sets have pretty much smashed any advantage LCD might have had in a bright room, IMO. The anti-reflective coatings coupled with the new gas formulations (brighter) in their new models make them competitive with LCDs in bright rooms and they kick some serious butt in a light controlled environment. I second the TC-42X1 suggestion. It is an awesome set.

 

[Padge1]

Thanks for the advice. The best price that I could find online was $749.99 with free shipping from 3 different sites. That sounds pretty good for the 2009 model with its improvements.

 

[Highbar]

I'd say the same thing everyone else already has I'm looking into getting a 46" Panny in the next few months.

That's a bad deal on the 42 at all.

 

[Padge1]

I ordered the Panasonic TC-P42S1. Found it for $829 with no tax or shipping charges. This was quite a bit less than most sites and only $80 more than the best deal on the 720p version. Thanks for the advice, and I'll let everyone know how I like it in a week or two.

 

[rekced]

The new Panasonic plasma sets have pretty much smashed any advantage LCD might have had in a bright room, IMO. The anti-reflective coatings coupled with the new gas formulations (brighter) in their new models make them competitive with LCDs in bright rooms and they kick some serious butt in a light controlled environment. I second the TC-42X1 suggestion. It is an awesome set.

A lot of inexperienced consumers think plasmas look "washed out" in bright rooms when compared to LCDs, even if what they're seeing is more accurate. Plus the plastic matte finish some LCDs (this seems to be going away) will dominate Panasonic's anti-reflective coatings at reducing glare on the screen.

Just hoping to give the OP an idea of what to expect.

 

[Hi Ho]

Have you been the new Panny models? The panels themselves are darker in direct light and the picture is capable of being brighter. It is a significant improvement over last year.

 

[bandphan]

A lot of inexperienced consumers think plasmas look "washed out" in bright rooms when compared to LCDs, even if what they're seeing is more accurate. Plus the plastic matte finish some LCDs (this seems to be going away) will dominate Panasonic's anti-reflective coatings at reducing glare on the screen.

Just hoping to give the OP an idea of what to expect.

There seems to be alot of bs still going on in regards to plasma displays.

 

[rekced]

There seems to be alot of bs still going on in regards to plasma displays.

You're telling me that a completely FLAT MATTE plastic finish is going to be equal to a glass screen with anti-reflective coatings? Forget what anyone writes anywhere in the web, go into a store that still sells LCDs with flat finishes (they vary a lot depending on brand/model) and compare it to a plasma. Turn off the power and look at your own reflection.

Saying that a anti-reflecting coating makes the glare factor equal is like LCD fans saying that 120hz with motion interpolation makes LCD's motion equal to a plasma.

When I observe televisions I actually LISTEN to what customers in the store say about their initial impression, regardless of how uninformed they are. This provides valuable insight in helping people understand what they are seeing.

 

[Padge1]

Just a follow-up: I got in my Panasonic TC-P42S1 plasma yesterday, and I must say that I couldn't be happier. I’ve hooked it up to both my HD cable/DVR and a DVD player, and the picture is outstanding. Very easy to set up, though I won’t connect it to the rest of my equipment until this weekend. Thanks to those that recommended the new Panasonic plasmas. I have several friends that own 37” and 40” LCDs, and I wouldn’t trade with them for anything.

 

[bandphan]

You're telling me that a completely FLAT MATTE plastic finish is going to be equal to a glass screen with anti-reflective coatings? Forget what anyone writes anywhere in the web, go into a store that still sells LCDs with flat finishes (they vary a lot depending on brand/model) and compare it to a plasma. Turn off the power and look at your own reflection.

Saying that a anti-reflecting coating makes the glare factor equal is like LCD fans saying that 120hz with motion interpolation makes LCD's motion equal to a plasma.

When I observe televisions I actually LISTEN to what customers in the store say about their initial impression, regardless of how uninformed they are. This provides valuable insight in helping people understand what they are seeing.

I dont have to go into a store, we have plenty of inventory to view without looking at anothers displays in a flourcent lit showroom. All thing equal light control in a home setting is completly different and should be able to be controlled. I dont diagree that a matte LCD sceen diffuses light beter than most displays, but then agian unless its an outside tv it really should not matter.

 

[bandphan]

Just a follow-up: I got in my Panasonic TC-P42S1 plasma yesterday, and I must say that I couldn't be happier. I’ve hooked it up to both my HD cable/DVR and a DVD player, and the picture is outstanding. Very easy to set up, though I won’t connect it to the rest of my equipment until this weekend. Thanks to those that recommended the new Panasonic plasmas. I have several friends that own 37” and 40” LCDs, and I wouldn’t trade with them for anything.

Congrats on the purchase, im sure you made the right descion and will enjoy for sometime to come

 

[rekced]

I dont have to go into a store, we have plenty of inventory to view without looking at anothers displays in a flourcent lit showroom. All thing equal light control in a home setting is completly different and should be able to be controlled. I dont diagree that a matte LCD sceen diffuses light beter than most displays, but then agian unless its an outside tv it really should not matter.

Yeah, the problem is that some people just keep their rooms SO damn bright it's stupid. The worst is when they have a room with moderate lighting and a huge window that faces the sun going down every evening. This makes it even harder to see than a bright sales floor IMO. Of course, the whole thing isn't complete until they wall mount the TV perpendicular to the couch.

 

[farout]

farout here

i have a 42 viera in my living room and the bright light i morning does not affect the picture at all. thats true.