Which Plasma?

[grd4spd]

hello all!

well the time has come in the construction/remodel to choose and install the monitor. location is above the fireplace, wall mount.......origionally i wanted to install a LCD as the cost/value factor vs Plasma was to my liking....HOWEVER the contractor did not intall the firebox/fireplace far enough back (got another 12") in the wall (he set it flush) so now i HAVE to go with a Plasma due to space constraints....kind of a bummer.....but thats the deal.....maybe it was the Gods of Audio way of steering me into the plasma setup.....anyway, im looking to pickup a 40-50" monitor.....ive been looking (and will again today) at the plasmas at Costco.....they look like a good value.....any thoughts? ideas? im headed there today to see what they have and will report back with some model # for your highness(s) review(s).

also, i have not ruled out picking up a "previously owned" plasma....but dont know enough about them to make a sound decision....any thoughts there as well? BTW----- im located in the mountians of idaho, sun valley/ketchum, elevation ~5000+ft.....so please take that into consideration.

thanks for your thoughts and time!!

regards,
terry

 

[moverton]

Panasonic TH50PHD7UY 50"

I can recomend the Panasonic 50" commercial plasma with no hesitation. It is an excelent performer at a very reasonable price. You can get it from a panasonic dealer for $3600 (and I would highly recomend staying away from the non-official dealers, they are mostly scam artists).

As for LCD, I've had two friends over that have large LCDs. They both clearly thought the plasma was better. Much brighter, clearer off axis, and much better contrast ratio.

Commercial versus Consumer models
The commercial version has no tuner but you probably don't need one.
I think it is better looking than the consumer models. Simple black.
More flexible with inputs (modular so you may need to buy an extra $100-150)
Same display as far as I can tell.
Much cheaper

-mark

 

[XtremeAV]

Plasma

There are many models avail. for good prices what price range were you trying to stay in?

 

[grd4spd]

thanks for the reply/suggestions mates!

went to costco/best buy today and here is what i saw....

Costco:

Akai -
42" PDP4298ED1 - $1499

Vizio -
42" P42HD - $1999

Panasonic -
42" TH-42PA25U/P - $1999

Pioneer -
43" PDP-4312 - $2999

Pioneer -
50" PT-50LC14-B - $4999



Best Buy:

Sony -
50" KDE50XS955 - $6999

Sony -
42" KD542XS955 - $4999

Toshiba -
42" 42HP84 - (was) $3199, (now) $2999

Zenith -
42" Z42PX2D - $2999

Pioneer -
50" PDP5051HD - $6999

now, i have no idea which is the best value.....this is the beginning of my education on these things....starting here with the good folks at Audioholics.

the commercial side of things is an interesting prospect.....

tuner?
yes, i will be dumping Cox Cable for Dish as im tired of the market domination, lackluster programming and crappy reception....with Dish (as i understand it) i can get TRUE High Def broadcasting. this will be plugged into a home theatre/home audio system, so no accessories will be needed.


price?
"best value for my money?"


other considerations....

1) please recall that i am "at altitude" here in Sun Valley, ID., does it need to be "elevation rated"? or is that BS?

2) i want to be able to plug my PC into the monitor, so that i can use "visualization" programs whilst playing streaming music over the net or PC/CD.


so gents, where do i go from here? all thoughts, ideas, feedback are most welcome!!!

regards,
terry

 

[grd4spd]

reading reviews from this site, a fella mentioned this about the Panasonic TH50PHD7UY 50"....

Summary: just make sure when you buy from any of these retailers, the price includes at least the component board with the RNC to BNC adapters. some of these retailers take the component boards out and sell them to you separately. some retailers include the dvi boards but in case they don't, spend the $150 to $175 and have them install it for you.. DVI HD reception will get you the biggest "oh my god" factor. be careful, you will become an HD snob! digital reception just won't cut it.

WTF is he saying?! greek to me.....please decode!!

regards,
terry

 

[moverton]

<<<<<<<<<<Summary: just make sure when you buy from any of these retailers, the price includes at least the component board with the RNC to BNC adapters. some of these retailers take the component boards out and sell them to you separately. some retailers include the dvi boards but in case they don't, spend the $150 to $175 and have them install it for you.. DVI HD reception will get you the biggest "oh my god" factor. be careful, you will become an HD snob! digital reception just won't cut it.>>>>>>>>>>

Part of what he is talking about is that the commercial version has little boards that can be added/removed for different input signal types (another advantage over the consumer version).

I don't know if some sellers actually do this kind of stuff but here is my advice. Buy from a Panasonic authorized dealer. You can get just as good a price. The TH50PHD7UY comes with one component, one s-video, one PC VGA, one composite. You will need to buy the DVI input board if you need it. I bought one from buy.com for $110.
If your source is HDMI then you need an adapter to go to DVI plug(no big deal); my source uses the DVI plug.
Also, the component input comes with BNC plugs so you will probably need 3 RCA->BNC adapters if you plan to use the component input.
The PC input is standard VGA type plug.
Also, beware of spending ridiculous amounts of money on cables; a DVI or HDMI cable is digital. Spending $50 or $100 on one is absurd (like spending $100 on a Ethernet cable). You should be able to get good ones for 10-20$.
The component input that comes with the set (and I'm sure will be on your satellite receiver) gives an excellent picture. I did not add the DVI for that reason, just needed another hdef input. You should probably just hook up the components as a starting position and then think about adding the DVI/HDMI input.

I bought my set from G&G technologies in New Jersey. They were excellent with service and delivery. This is not a plug for them; just information. They are listed on Panasonic's site as a commercial plasma dealer. I think you said you were from the mid-west and I think there is another dealer out there. The price was $3600 last month from G&G. Their delivery charge was also very reasonable.
http://www.ggvideo.com/plasma.htm


It sounds like you do not need the tuner as you will have a satellite receiver.

It is crazy to spend $5000 or $6000 for the consumer version of this panel (IMHO) or spend $3500 on the consumer 42”.

-mark

 

[moverton]

P.S. the panels you listed from costco/best buy vary widely in capability and quality. Some are EDTV (not HDTV- lower resolution). Some are low quality korean sets. The Sonys are nice but way overpriced and getting outdated.

It sounds from your questions that you are not a super expert in the new crazy HDTV technologies. They have become very complicated. Either take the time up front to learn what all of the options are or find someone you can rely on. It is very easy to waste a lot of money on things that will never be used or make no difference. A large part of the costs of some of these sets is devoted to circuitry that will not even turn on in 90% of peoples setups.
Examples: cablecard slots, internal tuners, program guides, speakers and sound processors.

 

[tedmjr2]

I'd agree with Moverton on choice of Panasonic monitor but I prefer the HDMI board instead of DVI. You have more control of picture "aspect" with HDMI and if you decide to purchase the optional speakers, no additional audio cables are needed. DVI board's picture aspect is set to FULL and switching is not possible (e.g., NORMAL, ZOOM, JUST & Panasonic AUTO - pg. 19 manual). HDMI board can be purchased for $10 more and DVI to HDMI cable/adapters are cheap from monoPrice.com.

Note: The Panasonic's I/O boards are easily removed and installed by anyone handy with a small screwdriver. Just two screws involved and the board slides in/out like a drawer.

 

[grd4spd]

hello mark!! wow! thanks for the awesome reply!! full of info that i know nothing about!!.....but will soon with your help and guidence.

It sounds from your questions that you are not a super expert in the new crazy HDTV technologies.

errr....does it show?

They have become very complicated.

you got that right!!!

Either take the time up front to learn what all of the options are or find someone you can rely on.

im TRYING to do a little of BOTH here on audihaulics.

It is very easy to waste a lot of money on things that will never be used or make no difference.

ok....im all ears.....

A large part of the costs of some of these sets is devoted to circuitry that will not even turn on in 90% of peoples setups.
Examples: cablecard slots, internal tuners, program guides, speakers and sound processors.

as mentioned.....im employing my own speaker/sound setup as well as sat tuner, DVD, CD, streaming audio, PC visulizations....ect....looks like all i need it a damn good monitor with audio/monitor outputs and PC inputs?

Summary: just make sure when you buy from any of these retailers, the price includes at least the component board with the RNC to BNC adapters.

ok....sounds good.....however what are RNC, BNC adapters? hell what is all that stuff? while we are at it what are the following acryonyms/componets? i can drown most humans with race car part acryonyms....but im clueless with the secret code society of the audiophile....

1) DVI HD board

2) PC VGA

3) HDMI

the rest of your reply is greek to me.....im just not there yet.....dont think i need to be....just need enough info to make a sound decision on a monitor purchase.

alot of the cabeling has been prerun.....as with the speaker wiring.....here is a pic of the cableing....

those are the inputs/outputs i have wired......i think i may have to pull a PC input as well, dont know if my guy did that.....i have one going from the upstairs office (RCA audio) from the back of my computer to the central hardware/processor location under the house, but i think that is just for audio......by looking at the available wires shown, i need a PC input into the monitor (for visualizations)? correct?

i have two "coax" (RG) cables, one for cable, one for sat? hell i cant remember......all these wires go into the wall, under the house and will pop up behind the sofa (~12-15') in front of the monitor, behind the couch.

that all said, what do i need as far as cards/inputs on the stripped down commercial unit?

thank a bunch!!

regards,
terry

some of these retailers take the component boards out and sell them to you separately. some retailers include the dvi boards but in case they don't, spend the $150 to $175 and have them install it for you.. DVI HD reception will get you the biggest "oh my god" factor. be careful, you will become an HD snob! digital reception just won't cut it.>>>>>>>>>>

Part of what he is talking about is that the commercial version has little boards that can be added/removed for different input signal types (another advantage over the consumer version).

I don't know if some sellers actually do this kind of stuff but here is my advice. Buy from a Panasonic authorized dealer. You can get just as good a price. The TH50PHD7UY comes with one component, one s-video, one PC VGA, one composite. You will need to buy the DVI input board if you need it. I bought one from buy.com for $110.
If your source is HDMI then you need an adapter to go to DVI plug(no big deal); my source uses the DVI plug.
Also, the component input comes with BNC plugs so you will probably need 3 RCA->BNC adapters if you plan to use the component input.
The PC input is standard VGA type plug.
Also, beware of spending ridiculous amounts of money on cables; a DVI or HDMI cable is digital. Spending $50 or $100 on one is absurd (like spending $100 on a Ethernet cable). You should be able to get good ones for 10-20$.
The component input that comes with the set (and I'm sure will be on your satellite receiver) gives an excellent picture. I did not add the DVI for that reason, just needed another hdef input. You should probably just hook up the components as a starting position and then think about adding the DVI/HDMI input.

I bought my set from G&G technologies in New Jersey. They were excellent with service and delivery. This is not a plug for them; just information. They are listed on Panasonic's site as a commercial plasma dealer. I think you said you were from the mid-west and I think there is another dealer out there. The price was $3600 last month from G&G. Their delivery charge was also very reasonable.
http://www.ggvideo.com/plasma.htm


It sounds like you do not need the tuner as you will have a satellite receiver.

It is crazy to spend $5000 or $6000 for the consumer version of this panel (IMHO) or spend $3500 on the consumer 42”.

-mark

 

[grd4spd]

I'd agree with Moverton on choice of Panasonic monitor but I prefer the HDMI board instead of DVI.

ok....what is that/those?

You have more control of picture "aspect" with HDMI and if you decide to purchase the optional speakers, no additional audio cables are needed.

im setting my system up for two mains, center, rear effect and sub....what more do i need? i have tons of other speakers around the house....but they are for music/ambient......what more do i need more for the monitor/theatre viewing?

DVI board's picture aspect is set to FULL and switching is not possible (e.g., NORMAL, ZOOM, JUST & Panasonic AUTO - pg. 19 manual). HDMI board can be purchased for $10 more and DVI to HDMI cable/adapters are cheap from monoPrice.com.

ok.....so DVI is very limiting, so i need to go with the HDMI card....correct?

Note: The Panasonic's I/O boards are easily removed and installed by anyone handy with a small screwdriver. Just two screws involved and the board slides in/out like a drawer.

ease and versatility is good....what other monitors compare? choice is good too.....

regards,
terry

 

[moverton]

DVI vs. HDMI

... DVI board's picture aspect is set to FULL and switching is not possible (e.g., NORMAL, ZOOM, JUST & Panasonic AUTO - pg. 19 manual)....

Exactly my point of how complicated this is getting. I did not realize they made two different input boards dvi/hdmi. Would have gone with the HDMI. I may return the one I just got. you reference page 19 of the manual. Which manual?

 

[moverton]

...DVI board's picture aspect is set to FULL and switching is not possible (e.g., NORMAL, ZOOM, JUST & Panasonic AUTO - pg. 19 manual)...

I looked at the monitor manual. I see what your talking about. I guess I'm wondering if this is relevant. When I use component inputs and they are feeding hidef, i cannot switch the aspect ratio either. This is not an issue because the hidef ratio is correct for the display. Why would I want to override it?
Also, they mention the ones that will not switch but do not say the HDMI will. Seems like they are saying any signal at 1080 or 720 resolution will not switch aspect ratio. Seems to make sense. I wouldn't think the HDMI would switch either when actually sending those signals.
-mark

 

[moverton]

...
that all said, what do i need as far as cards/inputs on the stripped down commercial unit?...

Quite a bunch of wire you got there.

1. It looks like the video cables are component (the red/green/blue set) and one s-video. I would just hook up the component cables from the satellite to the TV. Not sure what the s-video cable is for. The TV comes with component inputs stock. My question is about running component (analog) signal that far. Does anyone know if DVI/HDMI would be more reliable?

2. I don't know what is intended with the audio cables. Your sound source is the satelite receiver, not the TV. you need to connect it to your audio receiver. There are way to many possibilities to be sure what to tell you exactly.

3. You need to get someone in there that knows exactly what they are looking at and is reputable. So many things can go wrong in this type of setup. You are running signals for long distances. I would get the connections written down from/to each component you have and match them up with the equipment. Post that here and I or someone else can look it over. I would say it is worth paying someone a few hundred to consult (not sell you more equipment).
-mark

 

[grd4spd]

Quite a bunch of wire you got there.

thanks!! i didnt do it myself!

2. I don't know what is intended with the audio cables. Your sound source is the satelite receiver, not the TV. you need to connect it to your audio receiver. There are way to many possibilities to be sure what to tell you exactly.

yeah, not sure either....gotta ask the guy who set it up....

3. You need to get someone in there that knows exactly what they are looking at and is reputable. So many things can go wrong in this type of setup. You are running signals for long distances. I would get the connections written down from/to each component you have and match them up with the equipment. Post that here and I or someone else can look it over. I would say it is worth paying someone a few hundred to consult (not sell you more equipment).
-mark

thanks mark, i will get back with my AV guy who did the wiring.....hes good and know what/why he did what he did.....looks like i need a PC wire eh?

saw a nice 50" Fujitsu unit model# P50XHA40US, at a local AV store today http://soundwaveinc.com/ .........$7K....errr...ahhh..."no"......i mentioned commercial (non consumer) units....he said the glass is generally last years technology and that the picture is not as good as consumer units.....is this true?

regards,
terry

 

[Mort Corey]

[QUOTE

saw a nice 50" Fujitsu unit model# P50XHA40US, at a local AV store today http://soundwaveinc.com/ .........$7K....errr...ahhh..."no"......i mentioned commercial (non consumer) units....he said the glass is generally last years technology and that the picture is not as good as consumer units.....is this true?

regards,
terry[/QUOTE]

Not sure about Fujitsu (nice display though) but Panasonic commercial units are the leading edge with the consumer units following closely behind. PQ, of the same generation glass, should be identical.

Mort

 

[grd4spd]

Not sure about Fujitsu (nice display though) but Panasonic commercial units are the leading edge with the consumer units following closely behind. PQ, of the same generation glass, should be identical.

Mort

morning mort, thanks for the reply.....

i was alarmed/interested to find out if the statements by the sales guy regarding the commercial units was true, or i was being BS'd into buying a con$umer product......


regards,
terry

 

[moverton]

...saw a nice 50" Fujitsu unit model# P50XHA40US, at a local AV store today http://soundwaveinc.com/ .........$7K....errr...ahhh..."no"......i mentioned commercial (non consumer) units....he said the glass is generally last years technology and that the picture is not as good as consumer units.....is this true?...

This is backwards, Panasonic commercial units usually lead thier consumer models. As far as I can tell, the new Panasonic consumer line (...50u and ...500u) just caught up to the glass on the 7UY after a lag of about 9 months. The TH-..PD25UP series was 6th generation. 7UY and 50U are 7th.

(messy details- actually I think Panasonic made the TH-50XVS30 Onyx model with the 7th generation glass like the 7UY, this is a more expensive consumer line than the ones you see in bestbuy, etc)

Also, the Fujitsu 50" plasmas use the panasonic 7UY display unit, Fujitsu doesn't manufacturer them at all (DISCLAIMER: this is second hand info but confirmed by several sources). I usually hear the argument that the fujitsu units have better electronics but the same display. I have no way to know if this is true or not. I have looked at the fujitsu and it looks almost identicle to the Pany if you ask me.

 

[SATMAN]

what you have already ran is, a set of component video cables...( I guess for dvd?) then I see a, is that one set of audio cables? I also see a s-video , that's for your satellite receiver?..then two coax's ( You will need two coax's if you ever want to go high def TIVO/DVR) though a satelite receiver..What you are missing , now this will get tricky, you will either need another set of audio cables and a DVI cable for your new tv to have best quality pic, If your sat receiver and tv are equiped with a HDMI port , that would be best to utilize. I hope that isn't "Too Greek" for you.

 

[geo75]

Definately not Pioneer

If you have kids who will be using the unit don't go with Pioneer. I have the Japanese couterpart to the Pioneer you have listed. If anything is paused it can begin burn in in 5-10 minutes. My wife and I are constantly going behind our kids making sure the TV is off when noone is in the room. May be something to consider in whichever brand you choose.

 

[grd4spd]

what you have already ran is, a set of component video cables...( I guess for dvd?)

yes!

then I see a, is that one set of audio cables?

yes!

I also see a s-video , that's for your satellite receiver?..

yes (i think)? or SV for input DVD?

then two coax's ( You will need two coax's if you ever want to go high def TIVO/DVR) though a satelite receiver..

ok!

What you are missing , now this will get tricky, you will either need another set of audio cables and a DVI cable for your new tv to have best quality pic,

well there was discussion earlier that DVI was not as versitile as HDMI?

If your sat receiver and tv are equiped with a HDMI port , that would be best to utilize.

dont have the sat yet.....but i would like to get the best hardware that will best suit my need for the highest quailty image.....HDMI?

I hope that isn't "Too Greek" for you.

i THINK im still with you!


how about PC input? no one has addressed that.....except me (several times)....

If you have kids who will be using the unit don't go with Pioneer.

#1 rule...i have NO kids, NEVER, EVER......but my girl can be tech challenged at times.....but ill train her.


regards,
terry