Maxent 50" plasma MX-50X3 official thread - DO NOT POST PRICES!!! - Page 3

Motegi asked if the black levels change, and TJ22 said the level remains even.

Ahh, gotcha, I thought it was a shot at the fact that I bought it. Today I setup my new stand and hooked up all my components, so it's sitting there waiting for a TV to arrive.

Thats was intended as a shot at me, but that is fine because I didnt post a review when I said I would. Sorry.

TJ22/koach,

Can either of you post some photos of the unit?

Thanks.

I just checked my local best buy, no luck yet. I'm really interested in this set, so I'll have to keep my eye out for it. Thanks for the heads up.

Alright the internal label (I tried multiple times to get a pict, couldnt) so here is what it says

Line 1: (That M logo) M Jun 2005
Line 2: MC127H27D8
Line 3: Serial no. XXXXXXXXX
Line 4: Ve. 150V, Vsus 178V
Line 5: Made in Japan TQFC891

Here are some picts:

TJ22,

Wow! The screenshots of Robots look amazing! The remote and menus are the exact same as with the 42X3.

Thanks for the photos. They are nice. Two questions:

1.) Are the speakers removable?

2.) You have a shot there of 4:3 tv mode. What stretch options does the set have (didn't see a photo of this in the menu) and does it do a good job with standard definition tv (ie. does it keep the center of the picture and just stretch the edges)? In general how does sd tv look?

3.) In the audio/closed caption setup, does this have the option to display the closed captions when the mute button is pressed? For example.. when you mute the sound, the cc displays.

Thanks.

Jim

Greetings, this is my first post to AVS Forum. I have been looking at 50" plasma TVs for several weeks now, and spent a couple of hours this afternoon at BB and UE. I've been to every b&m electronics store in Phoenix, as well as Costco, so I've seen quite a number of different sets. Today was the first time I ever noticed the MX-50PX3. In fact, what caught my eye was the shelf tag - WOW. The set was shelved next to several other 50" PDPs, so I spent some time staring at them all.

Given the environment (subject TV sitting at knee height on the bottom shelf of a display rack in an electronics store) and source material (the store's HD demo loop), it's hard to draw any detailed conclusions. But what I can say is that the color and movement on the Maxent looked very comparable to the neighboring sets (a Philips 50PF9630A, a Toshiba 50HP95, an LG 50PX4DR, and a Samsung HPR5052). One thing I did notice was that the Maxent's picture seemed to be a bit more "crisp" than the Philips directly above it. In a segment of the loop that contained fine lines or small text, the Philips picture was blurry. but I think it may have been over-adjusted WRT brightness, contrast, etc.

The Maxent is a nice looking set. The speakers and stand are removable, which is cool. I looked around for the remote, with no joy. The menu system can be driven using the front panel buttons, and works well.

Up until now I thought I wanted a fully-integrated plasma television (HD tuners, CableCard, TV Guide, etc.). I have given some thought to going the commercial monitor route, but by the time I buy interface blades, speakers (I have a decent 5.1 system, but I don't like my kids having to fire it up just to watch Sponge Bob), and a stand/mount, it just seems like less hassle to by a full-on TV. The Maxent, though, with its removable speakers and stand and full complement of inputs might be a decent alternative, and at a price that's hard not to like.

Jer,

I've followed the thread from the day you posted it Looking back, I do see that you mentioned the speakers are detachable. My other questions still stand though as those have not been answered.

I plan on taking some photos tonight of it. I'm not going to wall mount it until I'm sure I want to keep it, so it will be on a stand. I'll take shots of it off, with a high def. feed, and analog cable.

Just an FYI, my BestBuy didn't have it on display either, but when I asked a salesman, he checked the computer, found out the floor model was in the warehouse int he back, and went out and got it and hooked it up.

I know this question is fairly verboten, but what is the MSRP of this unit, and what "price range" is Best Buy selling it for (if we can post that; if not, sorry. Maybe PM it to me?) Are there any other B&M* stores that are supposed to be getting it, like Circuit City or another store besides Best Buy?

I was seriously considering the 42X3 based on price, but the 50" just looks...more impressive. If it's not TOO much more, I'd probably go for that. Especially with Black Friday coming up, hopefully best Buy does their 10% or 15% off TV sale .

* B&M = Brick & Mortar, meaning an actual store, as opposed to a website.

1) Yes.
2) 16:9, 4:3, Panarama, Zoom1 & Zoom2.
3) I am not sure.

MSRP is $2999.00. The forum rules prohibit posting retail prices, but I'm sure if you PMd or emailed someone who has bought one, they could tell you.

And as of now, the TV is exclusive to Best Buy.

I have to say... I was at BB looking at screens and just evaluted the detail and quality of the pictures first. My eyes kept going back to only 1 or two units... and as I looked down I saw "Maxent"??? hmmm... but looking a little farther, I looked at the price and couldn't believe it.

I am one that 'never' one that buys off brands... so I am really torn because the picture is awesome from what I did see compared to others around it.

I think I am going back today and give it the 30-day whirl... hopefully it doesn't crap out on me in a couple years.

Ok... I just purchased it during lunch and had to bring some buddies along to also give their opionion of the PQ displayed. They all agreed that brightness, whites and PQ was good and actually even better then the units nearby.

The only inventory they have is the demo unit, so I will pick mine up on the 11th. Of course the real test will be at home with SD, HDTV, DVD... etc and not the BB demo trailers.

Ah...well, $2,999 is my target point, though I'd prefer to get there with tax included. i wish Costco was gettign it soon, as I prefer their return policy. But I would guess that Best Buy is selling it for less than MSRP, which is always a good thing, and if they have the 10% or 15% of coupon for TVs soon (maybe before or after Black Friday?) that would make the deal irrestible to me.

I'm going to go to Best Buy in the enxt day or three to check it out and see if they have any...

Trucktrail: The reason the Maxent looks so good is that it uses Panasonic parts, so it's comparable to the Panasonic model in term of picture quality.

Yes I like that info... that takes care of the panel quality. I now want to see what the up/down converter chip can do, in terms of quality for the various different formats.

Also, I should give more specifics on my initial comparison. I find, more data is always better when trying to make a decsion.

The MX-50X3 was in the upper left shelf and immediatedly to the right was the 50" Toshiba. The Toshiba was good but 'definitely' not as clear and crisp. Kitty corner below was the Samsung 50" and it was probably the closest in terms of sharpness but still not as vibrant or bright. Lastly directly under the MX-50X3 was the 50" LG and the fuzz and colors were truly sad next to the Maxent. No way would I spend money on that.

Anyways, this is all my personal opinion of course and was in relation to the store's config settings not mine my own.

Also, the Panasonic 50" was at the head of the aisle so I couldn't compare them directly next to one another... but in jumping from one foot to the other I could not see any difference in PQ or brightness.

Trying to decide between these two models. This is my understanding of the differences:

42x3 vs. 50x3

Size: 42" vs. 50"
Resolution: 1024x768 vs. 1366x768 (but both are 16:9)
Brightness: 1,000 vs. 900
Price: Of course
Speakers: Integrated vs. Detachable
Retailer: Costco vs. Best Buy


Are there any other major differences? It seems confirmed that the internals are the same high-quality Panasonic ones and the menus and remote are the same.

The M logo with the circle around it is Matsushita. This is Panasonic's parent company which is located in Osaka, Japan. So now it looks like Maxent is using the Panasonic glass also.

Well, I posted this before reading the whole thread. It looks like this was already verified on page 2.

Anyone know where I can get remote codes for this thing?

I ordered mine at Best Buy this evening! They said it should be here by Thursday.

I have 4 posts...and I need 5 to post a link. A very IMPORTANT link for people who bought this or are going to in the next week or two!

But since I need to make a decent post, any helpful hints for a new HDTV plasma screen owner?