Helping some friends pick out a TV so budget is most important to them.

From what I can find I can get a new panny plasma for about the same price on a 50" from last year (TH50PZ80U for example) or a 42" from this year (TC-P42G10).

The only reason they are going w/ something quality is me - otherwise it'd be the cheapest phillps/vizio they could find. So I'm leaning towards 50" for them.

If they don't need a tuner (and have an AVR and speakers), check out the Pannys at Visual Apex (ad link above). I have purchased two from them and they are wonderful people to do business with.

Bigger is better (although without knowing the distance they will be sitting from the display, it's impossible to answer).

How big is the room? A 40" or 42" works nice in my small bedroom. But in my living room, a 46" is the best size, any bigger and we run into WAF. Now my family room, a 63" would work fine, but I went with a 58" as it was more in line with my available cash at hand.

So what are we working with in regards to room size? And how much is your actual budget. I know I can get a last year 42" Sammy or Panny plasma for around $700, but not a 2008 50" Panny.

Always get the largest size that space and budget allows. Otherwise you will regret your decision later. Generally, differences between this year's and last year's models will be unimportant.

Helping some friends pick out a TV so budget is most important to them.

From what I can find I can get a new panny plasma for about the same price on a 50" from last year (TH50PZ80U for example) or a 42" from this year (TC-P42G10).

The only reason they are going w/ something quality is me - otherwise it'd be the cheapest phillps/vizio they could find. So I'm leaning towards 50" for them.

Are you looking exclusively at 1080P, or are the 720P plasma's in the mix?
From the description of your friends, it doesn't sound like they are going to be overly critical of the display? If that's true it may be worthwhile to consider trading off 1080p for a quality 50" 720P model to keep the size up/cost down. If not, maybe a 42", 46" or 50" Panny S1, instead of a G10, compared to the 50PZ80U.

Always get the largest size that space and budget allows. Otherwise you will regret your decision later. Generally, differences between this year's and last year's models will be unimportant.Read this over again three times.

And the comment about 720p units is on the money too.

They are trying to stay at or under $1k. I don't know room dimensions exactly - it's still under construction. See pic below (why they don't include dimensions I don't know) - they have no fireplace.

I imagine 720p would be fine, but prob 1080p at 50" due to viewing distance (i've been in it and it's not HUGE as you can see).

Also, no A/V receiver - doubt I can get them to spend another $1k on receiver/speakers.

http://www.centex.com/Images/builderimages/UnitedStates_193/Indiana_27/Indianapolis_21530/HunterGlen_45617/BelaireA_348362/PlanFloorplanZoom/Belaire_fp_2.gif

You won't find a 1080p plasma for under $1000. That's why 'canuck suggested a large 720p. I have a 50" 720 and the picture is fine.

You can get an LED type 1080 for under a grand though.

You won't find a 1080p plasma for under $1000. That's why 'canuck suggested a large 720p. I have a 50" 720 and the picture is fine.

You can get an LED type 1080 for under a grand though.

I have found last years for under or right around $1k (1080p).

I have found last years for under or right around $1k (1080p).

Nothing against the PZ80 at all, but the new Panny's from the S1 up have the Neo PDP panels which mean they are thinner, brighter and more energy efficient. Whether that translates into better PQ than the PZ80, is up to your personal interpretation.

50

Looking at the plans I would say a 46" set would do, the rooms do not look that large, about the size of my house. But we are talking Plasma here, so a 50" would probably be the way to go, but possibly overkill depending on furnishings. I would also look at 46" LCDs just for the size. It sounds like maybe an older couple? And then we have sound... I would seriously look at a nice internally amp'd surround bar or a ZVOX unit. It sounds like the simpler the better, as that is how I have my mom setup.

Just my .02

Mike

You’re best off going with last year's 50" display.

Size is one of the most important factors w/FP HDTVs.

Except when Pioneer introduced the Kuro line of PDPs, improvements from one year to the next are more incremental in nature rather than some great leap forward so your friends won't notice any difference with the picture rendered between an 08' versus an 09' Panasonic PDP.

It's almost worth a thread of its own, but I would pose the question:

Has there EVER been a plasma buyer who, a month later, thinks that the display he bought was too large?

It's almost worth a thread of its own, but I would pose the question:

Has there EVER been a plasma buyer who, a month later, thinks that the display he bought was too large?

It hasn't been a month yet, but the plasma I bought for the bedroom may be a little too large. It's fine for me, but the wife isn't thrilled since it's closer to her than to me. Any smaller and I'd have to go LCD, and that's something I will not do.

It's almost worth a thread of its own, but I would pose the question:

Has there EVER been a plasma buyer who, a month later, thinks that the display he bought was too large?

After a motorcycle accident, I got a 42" PDP for the BR (as I was spending all my time there) to replace a 13" Sony CRT. I first thought the thing was HUGE!

Later, when I could move around I got a 50" for the LR. Now when I go in the BR and watch the 42" it seems small, and I want a 58" (or maybe 65") for the LR so I can put the 50" in the BR.

But like most things in life, I have to save up a while to do so.

Get the 50

Go with the 50". I have one that is 720p and the picture looks great.

keeping with the trend here and saying go for the 50 inch. The size difference from 42 to 50 is extremely significant. Panasonic does not make any bad sets, and because of this I don't know of any 42 inch set I would ever get over an entry level 50 inch panny if given the option. Even their entry level sets are very solid in most PQ areas.

42 inch sets are okay if you have space constraints like in a bedroom. 50 and above is where its at for home theater.

For the same price, I would definitely take any 2008 50" 1080p set over any 2009 42" set. And I would also take the 50" X1 over every 42" set except, perhaps, the G10. But the X1 is cheaper anyways so that would tip things back in its favor.

If you can get the 50pz80 for a grand, jump all over that for sure.

Thanks everyone 50" is what I was leaning towards.

It is a younger couple - but they sound older, lol. Two female roomates 25 and 30 I think. They want something decent, just don't have a clue so I'm trying to help them out.

I have a 42" Panny and love it so that's the direction I was steering them.