So I am looking for a new tv, replacing an old 27" Sharp CRT. I want plasma, I think, because I'm impressed by the Panny plasmas at my workplace. I've been researching and comparing, and I know what I'm looking for in a TV. It's for a room approx 15'x15', that already has a HT system. So here it is...

1. Size - 37-50"
2. Resolution - 720p - 1080p
3. HD Tuner/speakers - not necessary.
4. Cost - under $1500

You're probably going to say a Panasonic Pro, which I was thinking, but it's tricky from here on out.

I want to hook it up as a monitor in a HTMac set-up w/ Macbook. Problem is I've heard about stretching from resolutions of 1024x768 or 1920x1080, pixel sizes rectangular not square, pixel mapping, etc.. I honestly don't know how often I will use it as a monitor because that will depend on how well it displays text without blur. So what I'm asking is which of the Panasonics if most practical for my applications.

Here are the ones I was thinking. [* leaning towards]

TH-37PH10UK*
TH-42PZ700U
TH-42PH11UK*
TH-42PZ80U
TH-42Px80U

PS Don't tell me to search the forum, I have which makes it all the more confusing. This is why I registered and started a new thread. Thank you.

The 1024x768 issue only applies to 37" and 42" 720p plasmas. Anything bigger than that will have either 1366x768 or 1920x1080 resolutions and have square pixels.

I would consider Samsung plasmas as well. I believe they are in your price range. The consumer Panasonics have color issues that drive me crazy. I owned a 42pz700u and didn't like it at all.

This all depends on your price range. There are all kinds of displays at every price point. No matter what, I would get a 50 inch set, and then see what you are willing to spend. Don't go smaller if you can avoid it.

If you have the money, a 9G kuro or closeout 8G are the best flat panels on the market today. If you want to save some money, the 2008 consumer panasonics are very good as well. Samsungs are also very good, slightly better in some respects to the panasonics but slightly worse in others, but overall they are both very similar at each price point. If you are getting a 720p set, the 50px80 (or a pioneer, if you can find one) would be my preferred choice. At 1920x1080, either a panny 50pz85u, pz800u, samsung pn50a550 or pn50a650 would be good choices.

Other considerations: The LG 50PG60 has a great looking design but unfortunately according to cnet its blacks are only marginally better than lcd offerings and not up to the level of the top tier plasmas.

With all of this being said, ANY pioneer kuro will likely outperform all of these displays. Whether it is worth the extra money is the subject of much debate on this forum, but this is completely up to you to decide.

I'm sorry, i did not see your price range. I would go for the 50px80u, unless you can find a pna550 or pz80u/85u for $1500.

Only other option is a closeout pioneer 5080. Very few around, but you might get lucky.

Hi, I bought an LG 50PG20. Well under 1500$ good image quality and easy to find... You might want to take a look at it..

If your use of the display as a monitor is contingent upon it displaying text without blur, then I would highly recommend that you avoid a display with non-square pixels. The reason is that when you feed a proper 16:9 resolution, such as 1366x768, you are likely to get some blur.

This would eliminate all the displays you've listed, however. Have you considered the TH-50PH10UKA? I think they may still be available on close-out. Failing that, there is the new TH-50PH11UK which is still very affordable. Both of these displays will have a 1366x768 resolution and feature very sharp readable text when fed their native resolution. I have been using mine (7UY) with a Mac Mini for years and it is a great combination.

If your use of the display as a monitor is contingent upon it displaying text without blur, then I would highly recommend that you avoid a display with non-square pixels. The reason is that when you feed a proper 16:9 resolution, such as 1366x768, you are likely to get some blur.

This would eliminate all the displays you've listed, however. Have you considered the TH-50PH10UKA? I think they may still be available on close-out. Failing that, there is the new TH-50PH11UK which is still very affordable. Both of these displays will have a 1366x768 resolution and feature very sharp readable text when fed their native resolution. I have been using mine (7UY) with a Mac Mini for years and it is a great combination.


Not all of them, the 42pz80u and 42pz700 listed use square pixels as they have a 1920x1080 native resolution. You can also add the 42pz800u and the 42pz85u. Other than computer use, those extra pixels would do basically nothing. He would be better off with a 1366x768 50 inch for about the same price, in my opinion. Still a good computer resolution, and on-screen objects are a bit bigger which helps when you are sitting several feet away. But if the OP really wants a 42 inch, i would choose the pz80/85u or 800u as they are very good displays and satisfy the requirement.

Hi, I bought an LG 50PG20. Well under 1500$ good image quality and easy to find... You might want to take a look at it..

50PG20 is pretty good and it has square pixels. Color and brightness are good but the black level is not great.

Not all of them, the 42pz80u and 42pz700 listed use square pixels as they have a 1920x1080 native resolution.

True enough, I overlooked them completely.

But if the OP really wants a 42 inch, i would choose the pz80/85u or 800u as they are very good displays and satisfy the requirement.

Agree. There is also the soon-to-be-released TH-42PF11UK which would give him the monitor form factor that he seems to favor as well.

The TH-42PZ800U is a great choice. You gotta watch the prices though. Just yesterday it was $1469.99. Now its $1699.99. This is on amazon.com

So I am looking for a new tv, replacing an old 27" Sharp CRT. I want plasma, I think, because I'm impressed by the Panny plasmas at my workplace. I've been researching and comparing, and I know what I'm looking for in a TV. It's for a room approx 15'x15', that already has a HT system. So here it is...

1. Size - 37-50"
2. Resolution - 720p - 1080p
3. HD Tuner/speakers - not necessary.
4. Cost - under $1500

You're probably going to say a Panasonic Pro, which I was thinking, but it's tricky from here on out.

I want to hook it up as a monitor in a HTMac set-up w/ Macbook. Problem is I've heard about stretching from resolutions of 1024x768 or 1920x1080, pixel sizes rectangular not square, pixel mapping, etc.. I honestly don't know how often I will use it as a monitor because that will depend on how well it displays text without blur. So what I'm asking is which of the Panasonics if most practical for my applications.

Here are the ones I was thinking. [* leaning towards]

TH-37PH10UK*
TH-42PZ700U
TH-42PH11UK*
TH-42PZ80U
TH-42Px80U

PS Don't tell me to search the forum, I have which makes it all the more confusing. This is why I registered and started a new thread. Thank you.

You had it right the first time - Panny PH10UK preferably 50"

50PG20 is pretty good and it has square pixels. Color and brightness are good but the black level is not great.

I think black levels are a bit better than LCDs, but don't compare it to the tv's bezel.

It's a good tv for the size/price/quality..

Not all of them, the 42pz80u and 42pz700 listed use square pixels as they have a 1920x1080 native resolution. You can also add the 42pz800u and the 42pz85u. Other than computer use, those extra pixels would do basically nothing. He would be better off with a 1366x768 50 inch for about the same price, in my opinion. Still a good computer resolution, and on-screen objects are a bit bigger which helps when you are sitting several feet away. But if the OP really wants a 42 inch, i would choose the pz80/85u or 800u as they are very good displays and satisfy the requirement.

First off, thank you all for your time. 1366x768 or 1920x1080 are the resolutions I should be looking for.

I agree, that it may make more sense to have a 50" (over a 42" 1080) with the res. of 1366x768, would be easier to read from a few more feet away. I have to admit though that a 42" 1080p is appealing with a PlayStation 3.

All said, I would love to see a TH-42PF11UK since I really like the look of a simple panny pro display. I think I'm leaning towards a TH-50PH11UK or TH-50PH10UKA since most are recommending I get a 50". The Pro series have a minimalist design that is awesome and burn-in protection with the pixel shift and all that stuff.

Reason i was looking into the TH-37PH10UK. look at price at visualapex.com

Posted by mkoesel
Both of these displays will have a 1366x768 resolution and feature very sharp readable text when fed their native resolution. I have been using mine (7UY) with a Mac Mini for years and it is a great combination.

How far away do you sit and still find it readable?

There is another thread "Looking for a 42"model" and someone recommended a TH-42PZ85U. any thoughts on that? can find for a good price.

The pz85u has been mentioned in this thread, and should be one of your top considerations. It has 1920x1080 resolution. You mentioned that you would want 1080p for your PS3, but any 42 or 50 inch 768p panasonic display will take in your 1080p (or any Hi-Def) signal and display it very well. It will be just as sharp and detailed as any native 1080p display from regular seating distances. There will not be any issues here. The other picture quality attributes of contrast, accuracy etc will be noticeable all the time however, and these should be your primary considerations unless you will be sitting very close and need to avoid screen door effect.

Simply put, the extra pixels of 1080p displays are just too small to be able to resolve at that screen size unless you are within 6 feet or so.

Look for a set that has very good PQ (contrast, color, accuracy) and the price you wan't. If it turns out to be a 1080p set, great, but if you find that a 768p set has the requisite very good PQ and represents excellent value as they often do, then consider that as well.

All said, I would love to see a TH-42PF11UK since I really like the look of a simple panny pro display.

That display should be available shortly - less than two months time. But yes, the 50" PH model is better if you are looking for the most screen real estate for you buck.

How far away do you sit and still find it readable?

I can read it from 10' away easily. Sometimes I sit as close as 4'. As far as clarity, it really looks just like the computer monitor I am sitting in front of as I type this, except it has better blacks. :)