I Need New Plasma 42 inch TV ?

Me too! I have a 720p Panasonic now and its awesome, also heard great things about Samsung plasma but in the 42 inch range i can only find 720p, what gives?

Samsung has never made a 42" 1080p Plasma. Panasonic made three 42" 1080p models last year (the U30, S30, and ST30) but they were discontinued in December and the remaining inventory is drying up. The best one was the ST30 (same panel and AR Filter as on the higher GT30).

For 2012, they will make only one 1080p model in the 42" size (TC-P42UT50) and one 42" 768p model (TC-P42X50), and neither of these will have an anti-reflective filter so they're going to be reflective like a dark mirror. These should be hitting store shelves very soon.

If anyone wants to get the last great 42" Plasma, find a 2011 TC-P42ST30 before they're all gone (if they're not all gone already).

They made a UT30? Any of the U models have no AR Filter and are extremely reflective like a dark mirror. Can you find at least an S30? Because the S30 has a somewhat decent AR Filter.

The UT50 not 30 for the US. It does not have an AR filter, which may or may not be an issue for you depending on your lighting conditions. Here's the North America version:


http://panasonic.net/avc/viera/us201...ut_plasma.html



Ian

That link is for the Asian models that aren't sold here in North America. We didn't get a UT30 here last year.

What country are you in? Do they sell the S30 there?

I'll fill in for Randy till he gets here! I would go with the Panny.


Ian

If you can find a Panasonic 42ST30 get it. I've had one in my living room since last April and the set has been perfect. No problems at all and wonderful PQ. This is last year's model so finding some may be hard but the ones I've seen available have been for decent prices.

About what?

I'm looking to buy a 42" plasma this year too.

The Samsung PN43E550 I read is supposed to be a 1080p 43" plasma. I wonder how it will compare to the Panasonic TC-P42UT50? I've tried looking for the Samsung PN43E550 online, but I don't see it anywhere for pre-order or any detailed info on it yet.

I picked up a new in box Panny 42gt25 3D Plasma at Fry's for 699.99 on clearance awhile back. They said they were getting ready to clear out the '30 models any day now.

Love the 3D on this Plasma!

I think whatever information you read about a 43" E550 was incorrect. Samsung has never made a 1080p Plasma smaller than 50 inches and i doubt they'd offer one in 2012 since there's not much demand for such a TV over the past few years.

You just made me check the stock of the GT25 in my area too bad it's not there. I might just go up to frys anyway to check lol. Looking for a 42 also but can't decide to get the ST30 kinda hard to find right now or wait for the 2012 vt50?

The VT50 won't be available in a 42" screen size. 55" minimum on this model.

If anyone is interested in getting the last good 46" Plasma, Amazon still has some 46 inch ST30s showing in stock.

I saw it being mentioned in the Official Samsung 2012 Lineup and Information Thread. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1386586

I hope its not incorrect, but maybe it is since I can't find anything online about it.

I did a little poking around and i did find it listed in HD Guru's 2012 Samsung Price Leak article, but it's listed as "TBA". Usually he gets good information so i suppose it's possible that Samsung has decided to jump into the sub-50" 1080p plasma market for 2011, but it wouldn't be the first time that he listed a model that ended up not getting produced.

http://hdguru.com/more-samsung-2012-...s-leaked/7421/

How big a difference is there between the UT50 and the ST30? Is it just the anti-reflective screen, or is there a big difference in picture quality as well because of the lack of "Neo Plasma Black 2500" and "Infinite Black ultra" in the UT50?
Thanks

Nobody knows for sure. The 2012 models all got upgraded, so just how the UT50 (new for 2012) compares to the 2011 models is unknown. It isn't getting much attention from reviewers because it is a "low end model".

Ignoring the AR screen, it will probably be as good as the ST30.

Don't read too much into the marketing hype. I use to rep for these companys. I have seen the UT50 and it has an excellent picture. The only real draw back is the lack of an AR filter, which shouldn't be an issue if you have the set in a room with controlled lighting.


Ian

Loving my UT50 but yes, I do have to keep my bedroom pretty dark. Picture quality and black levels are just ridiculously amazing.

My thanks to all (Iron Condor, Mailiang, and Haroof). And one more thing, I guess especially to Haroof...how is the brightness of the picture on the UT50?

It's perfectly fine for me...but like I have said a few times in other threads, I really do watch this in a rather dark bedroom. I have my Brightness set to 60 and haven't had to crank it up higher regardless of the conditions.

The only thing that prevents this from being a perfect plasma tv is the glare in light conditions and only two HDMI inputs. Other than that....it's pretty close to perfect.

I'm the world's worst photographer but here's a pic of the Hulk (Ed Norton version). I'm sure someone who knows how to take a decent picture could get it to look a bit clearer but you get the general idea. This tv really shows off vibrant colors amazingly well. Scenes with fire towards the end of the film made my jaw drop.