I've been looking to buy a plasma. This is my first time buying a plasma and I need a tv that will last for a long time too. After reading a lot I been thinking of getting the Pioneer PDP-4270HD or Samsung HP-T4254. They are about the same price, although the samsung is a newer model. The only thing I dont like is the resolution of 1024 x 768 compare to the 1,365 x 768. Does that really matter? because if im not wrong its not really 720p resolution. But anyways which model should I get? Thanks

Buy the one that your eyes tell you is better - you're the one who has to look at it. :D

The only thing I dont like is the resolution of 1024 x 768 compare to the 1,365 x 768. Does that really matter? because if im not wrong its not really 720p resolution. But anyways which model should I get? Thanks

they are considered 720p sets, even though they are not a "true" 720p.

if you have a stb/tuner, one of the forum sponsors visual apex has the panasonic th42ph9uk

turbo- do you know if the tv has to be ordered by the 30th or a registration/warranty card sent in by that date?

The only thing I dont like is the resolution of 1024 x 768 compare to the 1,365 x 768. Does that really matter? because if im not wrong its not really 720p resolution. But anyways which model should I get? Thanks

I dont think it matters at all. Resolution is only ONE aspect of picture quality and it tends to get most of the "camera time" so to speak even though things like Contrast and color performance are WAAAAY more important to what we perceive as a good picture. Not saying that with a huge TV at close range that 1080p wont look sharper than 720p, but for this argument I would say to not worry about resolution as much.

I'll stand by my argument that I'll take natural color, wicked contrast, and rich black-levels over slightly higher resolution any day.

;)

they are considered 720p sets, even though they are not a "true" 720p.


If a panel is cable of 768 horizontal lines, why are saying it's not a "true" 720?

I am also looking at a 42 inch plasma. I posted on Friday in another thread but got no responses. I hate starting a new thread so if someone could give me a little input. Thanks.

My cabinet is only 44 inches wide so I can't go larger.

Here are my needs.

I need a tv with QAM and Cable Card.
I usually sit 7-10 feet from tv often a little off angle.
I watch mostly sports and regular tv. Not many movies.
The room gets a lot of natural light that I can control somewhat.

I prefer the Pro-940 but its about $500-700 more than the PDP-4270HD and the Pannys. Also, I doubt that I would have the 940 ISF calibrated anytime soon. So even w/o that is the 940 that much better than 4270?

Any indication as to whether the new Pio's will have cable card. I know the 6 series Pannys do, and don't think any of the new Pannys do.

I recently won a Sony 32xbr2 LCD and I am trying to sell that to get the cash I need to get the 940. Otherwise if I can't sell it I'll just put the Sony in my bedroom and go with the lower priced options.

I think i read the new Pioneers have cable card. The new Panny's don't.

You might want to look at the Philips 9631/9731 and the Panasonic 42P60 and 70 series.

I think when the new Pios come out they will be above my price point initially, so I would most likely go with a current model. I like the look of the new Pannys, but would go for the 600U if I do Panny.

Which one would do best for sports?
If the 940's if not ISF calibrated, is the pic noticeable better than the 4270?


I haven't really done much research on the Phillips. I'll have to read up on them. Thanks.

I am also looking at a 42 inch plasma. I posted on Friday in another thread but got no responses. I hate starting a new thread so if someone could give me a little input. Thanks.

My cabinet is only 44 inches wide so I can't go larger.

Here are my needs.

I need a tv with QAM and Cable Card.
I usually sit 7-10 feet from tv often a little off angle.
I watch mostly sports and regular tv. Not many movies.
The room gets a lot of natural light that I can control somewhat.


The only recent model Panny with the CableCard slot is the 600u series. You can probably find a really attractive price on the 42px600u on closeout somewhere.

I have the 42px600u (though I don't use the cable card) and have similar viewing conditions to you: 6-10ft viewing distance, one of the couches is perpendicular to the TV off to the side so some people are off-angle, and I watch a lot of sports and HD tv, sometimes in the day with a big window off to the side. I love it.

One of the great things about plasmas is how well they hold up off-angle; there is no dimming or washing out when you view from the sides at all, unlike pretty much all the other competing technlogies. My TV doesn't suffer too much during daytime viewing, though one of the off-angle couch spots has a pretty bad glare spot from the big sliding glass door on the other side of the room (thankfully not much viewing from that spot). What I do sometimes when, say, watching football during the day on a Sunday, when there is lots of daylight, is just switch to a different picture setting and jack up the contrast a bit and it looks great.

If the 940's if not ISF calibrated, is the pic noticeable better than the 4270?The 4270 should give a picture very close to that of the 940.

Read the first post in this thread for the extras the 940 has over the 4270:
Official Pioneer PRO-1540HD/1140HD/940HD Owner's thread/merged thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=720961&page=1&pp=60)

Two of the features/extras that stand out for the Elite are:
2 yr warranty instead of 1 yr
Networking capability allows you to connect to a PC and use the Home Media Gallery for viewing pics, video, and streaming music

There are additional filters, enhancements etc, but I'd say the next big feature of the Elite is the ability to ISF calibrate it.

If none of those warrant the increase in cost for you, I'd suggest the 4270. You should be able to find great deals for these online, including deals from the forum sponsors.

Good luck and have fun!

You might want to look at the Philips 9631/9731 and the Panasonic 42P60 and 70 series.

I did a quick check and the Phillips are a little too wide for my cabinet.


The only recent model Panny with the CableCard slot is the 600u series. You can probably find a really attractive price on the 42px600u on closeout somewhere.

I have the 42px600u (though I don't use the cable card) and have similar viewing conditions to you: 6-10ft viewing distance, one of the couches is perpendicular to the TV off to the side so some people are off-angle, and I watch a lot of sports and HD tv, sometimes in the day with a big window off to the side. I love it.

One of the great things about plasmas is how well they hold up off-angle; there is no dimming or washing out when you view from the sides at all, unlike pretty much all the other competing technlogies. My TV doesn't suffer too much during daytime viewing, though one of the off-angle couch spots has a pretty bad glare spot from the big sliding glass door on the other side of the room (thankfully not much viewing from that spot). What I do sometimes when, say, watching football during the day on a Sunday, when there is lots of daylight, is just switch to a different picture setting and jack up the contrast a bit and it looks great.

Thats what I like someone with very similar viewing habits as me. Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by colonel7
If the 940's if not ISF calibrated, is the pic noticeable better than the 4270?

The 4270 should give a picture very close to that of the 940.

Read the first post in this thread for the extras the 940 has over the 4270:
Official Pioneer PRO-1540HD/1140HD/940HD Owner's thread/merged thread

Two of the features/extras that stand out for the Elite are:
2 yr warranty instead of 1 yr
Networking capability allows you to connect to a PC and use the Home Media Gallery for viewing pics, video, and streaming music

There are additional filters, enhancements etc, but I'd say the next big feature of the Elite is the ability to ISF calibrate it.

If none of those warrant the increase in cost for you, I'd suggest the 4270. You should be able to find great deals for these online, including deals from the forum sponsors.

Good luck and have fun!

Several of the 940 features I don't have use for right now, but in the future I may. Thanks.

Now if could only sell that Sony XBR2 I'd be making that 940 purchase. :)

Back to the original sets mentioned in this thread, I'd take the newer Samsung. Heck, I liked the older Samsung 4273 PQ over the 940.

Back to the original sets mentioned in this thread, I'd take the newer Samsung. Heck, I liked the older Samsung 4273 PQ over the 940.


care to explain why you choosed Samsung over panny/pioneer

care to explain why you choosed Samsung over panny/pioneer

It had the most natural colors of any of the sets I viewed. Yes, I did look at Pannies and the Elite. The Elite 930/940 was my original choice. When I was shopping I wasn't the only one who noticed how natural and clear the Samsung's picture was even compared to the adjacent Pioneer Elite 940.
Add to that, the 4273 came with a 2 year warranty and with price matching was $700 cheaper. The decision was almost too easy :cool:

the 4273 buzzed like a bee hive.

I am also looking at a 42 inch plasma. I posted on Friday in another thread but got no responses. I hate starting a new thread so if someone could give me a little input. Thanks.

My cabinet is only 44 inches wide so I can't go larger.

Here are my needs.

I need a tv with QAM and Cable Card.
I usually sit 7-10 feet from tv often a little off angle.
I watch mostly sports and regular tv. Not many movies.
The room gets a lot of natural light that I can control somewhat.

I prefer the Pro-940 but its about $500-700 more than the PDP-4270HD and the Pannys. Also, I doubt that I would have the 940 ISF calibrated anytime soon. So even w/o that is the 940 that much better than 4270?

Any indication as to whether the new Pio's will have cable card. I know the 6 series Pannys do, and don't think any of the new Pannys do.

I recently won a Sony 32xbr2 LCD and I am trying to sell that to get the cash I need to get the 940. Otherwise if I can't sell it I'll just put the Sony in my bedroom and go with the lower priced options.

Take a look at the Samsung 4264 - it meets all of your needs in addition to top notch PQ.

the 4273 buzzed like a bee hive.

Guess you had a bad unit. Mine sounds just fine.
I could, based on the threads for problem Pioneers and Panasonics, use that info to trash these respective brands but that would be silly.

Take a look at the Samsung 4264 - it meets all of your needs in addition to top notch PQ.

I would consider Samsungs but could not find anwhere it says they have cable cards. Only QAM.

If it has QAM it will accept a cablecard.

If it has QAM it will accept a cablecard.

Found these specs
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0770HDS0010086387&catid=23525&logon=&langid=EN

Inputs/Outputs
A/V (Composite) Inputs 1 Rear, 1 Side
Cable Card Slot No

Check with the guys in the Samsung thread. I'm almost positive there has to be a cable card port if it has a QAM tuner - but I may be mistaken.

Check with the guys in the Samsung thread. I'm almost positive there has to be a cable card port if it has a QAM tuner - but I may be mistaken.

No cablecard, but a helluva nice set! I was considering the Pio 4270 for the Cablecard, but opted for the Samsung 4264 as I figured I didn't need it at the moment anyway. I like being able to order on-demand movies occasionally, so I'd still need the STB for that...if that's not your bag, and you don't use the on-screen guide with digital cable, then maybe the Cablecard is where it's at...I'll look taht way in the future.

If it has QAM it will accept a cablecard.Actually a TV can have a QAM tuner but no Cablecard slot, like the Panny PX60U series or my neighbor's Sony Bravia LCD TV. These TVs will tune the unencrypted HD and digital channels even though they don't have a Cablecard slot.

No cablecard, but a helluva nice set! I was considering the Pio 4270 for the Cablecard, but opted for the Samsung 4264 as I figured I didn't need it at the moment anyway. I like being able to order on-demand movies occasionally, so I'd still need the STB for that...if that's not your bag, and you don't use the on-screen guide with digital cable, then maybe the Cablecard is where it's at...I'll look taht way in the future.

I have no use for that stuff. My current crt Sony XS955 has cable card and I love it. If I wait for a new tv until Feb 2009, then I could get a tv w/o cable card slot since they will not be needed then. But I don't feel like waiting so I'll need cable card slot.

My Samsung 4273 set from has the cable card slot. I haven't tried it yet cause they say the cable guide isn't interactive. I like being able to see future programs. As for the other stuff like movies on demand, I don't use that so I wouldn't miss that option.

Actually a TV can have a QAM tuner but no Cablecard slot, like the Panny PX60U series or my neighbor's Sony Bravia LCD TV. These TVs will tune the unencrypted HD and digital channels even though they don't have a Cablecard slot.Hey Randy, I realize I was off here, but what is it that gives away that a tv has cablecard ability even though the specs don't mention it. I can't remember what it is now, but I recall a discussion about this months ago where even if they don't advertise cablecard, you know it is an option because the tv includes X?

Anyone can answer this if they know, or maybe even that discussion I saw months ago was off too.

Can anyone tell me how all of these TVs mentioned look with a SD (analog or digital) cable signal? My current 50" EDTV does a great job, but it is a 10 year old Sony LCD RPTV and needs to be replaced.

Pioneer has a well earned reputation for having the best video processing, and generally would be the first choice for SD. However, many Panasonic and Samsung owners have reported being very pleased with their SD performance. All of the top tier 768 sets have much better processing than a couple of years ago.

Of course, much depends upon the quality of your source. I didn't like the SD performance of my ED plasma at first, so I added an external video processor to make it bearable. However, a few months ago, D* did something to their SD signal, and it is good enough now that I don't often bother to route it through my processor anymore.

However, a few months ago, D* did something to their SD signal, and it is good enough now that I don't often bother to route it through my processor anymore.
Cool! I dropped D* about 5 years ago because their quality had gotten so bad. I've been itching to get an NFL season ticket, so this is good news.