First of all, this has got to be the most time consuming website on the internet. I spend way too many hours reading threads. :)


The Panasonic TH-42PX6U 42" Plasma is only 1024x768 1080i.

The Vizio VX37L 37" LCD is 1366x768 1080i.

The Vizio GV47LF - 47" LCD HDTV is 1920x1080 and 1080p!

The Panasonic TH-50PX6U 50" Plasma is 1,366x768 1080i.


I have the Vizio 37" LCD. My parents have the Panasonic 50" Plasma. I've adjusted both as well as I can and their picture quality is absolutely, no questions asked, better than mine.

I have spent considerable time in Costco comparing the Panasonic 42" Plasma and the Vizio 47" LCD 1080p to each other and other tvs. I've gone to three different Costcos to test different setups. I do not think the Vizio 47" LCD looks great. It is inferior to the Panasonic 42" Plasma and definitely inferior to my parents' 50" Plasma in my opinion. But I almost don't really need to qualify that with 'in my opinion' since the difference is so dramatic.

How can this be when the Panasonic 42" Plasma has the lowest resolution and the Vizio 47" LCD has the highest? What am I not understanding?

I want to return this brand new Vizio 37" LCD and get something different, but I cannot decide. We will be using it only for DVDs, standard definition cable (no high-def cable in our area), OTA HD programming, and home HD movie watching (with our Sony HDR-HC3). We do not have any game consoles so gaming is irrelevant.

I have no proconceived notions about LCD vs. Plasma and was a fan of Vizio prior to this TV search (which is why I bought the 37" LCD originally and a 50" DLP years ago).

I was thinking of getting the Philips 47" 1080p on sale this week, but it is still just outside our price range, so need to decide on something less costly. I have not seen it on display either so cannot comment on its quality.

Any advice, or links to informational pages I should read, would be greatly appreciated. I need to make a decision by Saturday or the Panasonic 42" Plasma will go back up out of our price range.

Thank you!

haha.

Good read.

Well, long story short, there is a difference in quality in many integral components that don't carry easily distinguishable labels like the resolution or projection type.

For instance, not all 2.0 4 cyl engines are created equal... it's the specific technology that makes it happen.

And, aside from that, Plasma is considered by most to have a superior picture over LCD, especially in a case like this.

Panasonic makes one of the best Plasmas out there, and although Vizio has some good entry level, cheap stuff, it doesn't compare to a Panasonic.

I guess that's why I got my Panasonic PX4260u a few days ago ;)

This TV rocks. the more I watch it, the more I like it.

Resolution only controls the # of pixels on the screen. It has nothing to do with black levels, color accuracy, saturation, etc.

You'll find most 720p Plasmas mop the floor with 1080p LCD's in overall picture.

There are several good posts in this forum on the subject of what matters most for the best PQ. Usually resolution is 3rd, 4th or 5th. For 42 " that resolutions is more than adequate and the panny plasmas are excellent in the other things.