Recent Plasma TV purchasers?

Question

I'm looking to buy a plasma tv very soon (after the Superbowl though). My buddy bought a 60" LG Model: (not sure of the model number, but it's in the same series as the 50" model I saw online).

LG 50PX4DR

Anyway, I'm planning on having this professionally installed on my wall (I heard they're extremely heavy).

Anyone that has experience with Plasma tvs....(has one, has shopped for one, etc.)...Toss me a few brand and model numbers that you recommend.

I'm looking for a minimum of a 50", possibly 60". The light/glare in the room I'm placing this is not an issue, btw.

Answer 1

Well, there's quite an array of models available for you.

If you want the best of the best, look into Fujistu or Pioneer Elite Plasmas. Both are built to industry-leading standards and are constructed in the famed Khameyama factory.
Fujistu utilizes ACE circuitry to give the most life-like color on the market, while Pioneer Elite is the most color accurate plasma on the market (plus it has won Red Dot awards for design and was voted number one plasma on the market.) Fujistu is quite expensive compared to Pioneer Elite and Pioneer is considered very expensive compared to most other Plasma brands.

My Pick: Pioneer Elite-- it's just that amazing.

If you want a more moderatley priced Plasma, shoot for the 63" Samsung Plasma or the Hitachi Director Series Plasma. Both are leaders in their respective price range, but they do differ greatly. Samsung Plasma offers excellent contrast to give you a great 3-D picture and uses direct reflecting sound so fill up a room better. Plus the DNLE technology smooths out the picture, reduces noise, and produces great blacks. The Hitachi Director Series are built to surpass industry standards. Often thought as being on the same playing field as Pioneer Elites, just more inexpensive, but also lacks quality in finer detail (an area where the Pioneer Elite destroys the compeition). Whats cool about the Hitachi is the available power swivel base, which allows you to swivel the TV left and right using your remote, the moving pixel technology that guards against image-rentention, and the contrast is pretty amazing. Dark colors are portrayed magnifcently on the Director Series.

My Pick: Samsung (for big sports fans) Hitachi (for big movie fans)

If you're on a budget, or the wife has got you by the pockets, the LG is pretty impressive for the price. Also, Hitachi makes a 55" non-director series (the 55HDS69 series which lacks the cable-card feature, moving pixels, ACE, and the power swivel) which is in the same class as the Toshibas and the LG.

My Pick: LG- a great mix of form, function, and finance.

I hope this Helps!

Answer 2

I just bought my LCD tv after looking at plasmas for several weeks. I live in a very high altitude and plasma tvs don't work as well in my area due to abnormal humming that is from the thin air. (I actually compared them at a lower level).

Anyway, my point is that if money isn't an object (and it sounds like its not based on the size of the tv you're considering) the Sony is hands down the best quality model. I looked at over 100 different models, and its not even close. Also, Sony has been around the longest and most of their models have proven to have good durability and haven't needed to be replaced after 1 or 2 years of use.
The other upstart plasma tv makers (Panasonic, Fujitsu, etc...) have a nice picture, but not as good as a Sony. -look for yourself.

Also, you should consider getting 1080p if you can spend the money. It is the very best quality tv available today. However, unless you have a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player, you won't get the opportunity to see the picture in that quality for a few years. Nobody transmits signals with 1080p clarity at this time.

Answer 3

I just bought one yesterday. After alot of surfing and in-store comparison shopping I decided on a Hitachi 55" 55HDS69. It is priced similar to most 50" models, but you get another 5"!!! The picture lookes awesome, and the unit has more HDMI connections than most other brands, great for hooking up mulitiple componets. I was able to buy the unit for 2300 dollars, 1000 off normal price, most big chain stores are advertising it for this price.
I think you are wise to have it installed, my unit was very heavy. They are also very akward to handle. Plasmas are very delicate-and heavy,bad combination.
Another unit I considered was Philips Ambilight50" 50PF9631D/37. I liked this picture at the store. It seemed to have more color seperation between brights and darks.
I chose the Hitachi 55" due to the larger size, but if I was to choose by picture quality alone, I would take the phillips.

A site you might try is plasmatvbuyingguide.com It is the best site I found to reasearch plasma's.
Hope this helps,
Chris

Answer 4

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