EyeFi PX4200 - Plasma Monitor

I just wanted to start a thread on this 42" Plasma monitor from EyeFi.

First and foremost here is a link to the info sheet (with photos) from the manufacturer:

http://eyefi.tv/pdf/PX4200_v07.pdf


I have read on many of the other threads on this forum - questions regarding this monitor which is an on-line only product through Sams Club. Because no-one is able to see these in person, while their specs are impressive - it is difficult to know how well this monitor actually performs in a real world application.

I ordered one 2 days ago and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

Specs that are especially important and unusual are the following:

1) 1,500 (nit) cd/m2 (as opposed to the typical 1,000 to 1,100)
2) 1280 x 1024 (native pixel resolution as opposed to 1024x1024, 1360x768, 1280x720 or 1024x768).
3) PRICE: $1499
4) Typical contrast ratio of 10,000/1
5) It will accept 1080p signal input (though it downscales it to 720p)

It uses a LG panel and PixelWorks chipset.

The reason I ordered this is that I can't afford the $10,000 a true 1080p Plasma would cost. In my opinion Plasma is vastly superior in image quality to LCD. I own LCD monitors too though. The quicker response times, better color representation and higher contrast ratios - are very noticeable to me though. This monitor has the highest pixel density I have seen - short of the $10,000 - 1920x1080 Plasma's.

I plan on using my XBOX 360 on this monitor with a VGA cable - which means I will run at the native resolution of 1280x1024 (supported by 360) to optimize the viewing experience. In fact the pixel count for this resolution is the highest possible short of 1080p - but can be done for much less money.


I have seen all of these resolutions used in Plasma panels:

(More megapixels = higher pixel density = better image quality)

1280x720 = 0.92 (MP)
1360x768 = 1.04 (MP)
1024x1024 = 1.04 (MP)
1280x1024 = 1.31 (MP)
1920x1080 = 2.07 (MP)


I was especially sold on this product after speaking with the Sales Manager multiple times via email - he even returned one of my emails at 9pm at night! He was very open and very informative about this product and did not try and sell me on a "marketing" concept. For example when I asked why this monitor advertises 1080p - he told me simply that it would accept the 1080p signal and downscale to 720p. He didn't try and feed me a line and convince me that it was 1080p when it's not "TRUE" 1080p.

Yes, I know all the fears of "burn-in" when using a gaming console - I will be the only user of this monitor and simply turn my monitors off when a game or computer screen is paused.

Anyway - I will post more info in a few days when the monitor arrives. If there are any other owners out there of the PX4200 - I'd love to hear your experiences good and bad.

Ok - it shipped this afternoon and is due in on Tuesday 11/14/06 - so I'll post a review on the 15th (next Wed.).

I will definitely post some pics and give my opinions when this panel arrives. I am SUPER excited.

I just want to thank you so very much for finally putting any final doubts I had to rest with your thread. I really appreciated your candidness and the way you brought up so many valid points for pq other than resolution.

For any readers of this thread who haven't read Mongoos150's thread, here it is - it's VERY informative:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5&page=1&pp=30

Just confirmed from the manufacturer...

The PX4200 does have a "pixel orbiter" and a "screen saver". Though there is no "white wash" feature.

I will be using the "Plasma Break In DVD" that I downloaded from AVS Forum - so it will be a few additional days before I can post a legitimate review of the PX4200. Also, I believe this "Break In DVD" will work in the secondary function to replace the "White Wash" feature if needed in the future.

The Manufacturer also stated that with this particular model that the risk of "Burn In" is virtually non-existent and that the problems associated with "Burn In" only occured with earlier generations of their Plasma panels.

The PX4200 arrived via UPS yesterday and my first impression is...

WOW!!!

I will post photos in the future, but first let me point some things out that immediately stood out.

The unit I received was manufactured in June of 2006 and instead of coming with the Pixelworks pw118 ic that it is advertised with it came with the new and improved faster, brighter and higher color depth pw328. This was an unadvertised upgrade by the manufacturer of the EyeFi PX4200.

The quality of this unit is outstanding! Everything is manufactured with the highest quality in mind. The frame of the unit is industrial plastic and brushed aluminum. It's not the lightest panel I've ever felt - but the extra weight of the reinforced frame just says "quality".

The inputs are very solid and secure unlike some things I've heard about the WestingHouse and the Polaroids with cheap inputs coming loose after repeated connection and disconnection.

One thing that was unusual and baffling though was that the audio inputs are all 1/8" jack. Even in the manual it shows connections, running from a DVD Player for example, with RCA out to 1/8" stereo in cable. Being that this is not a standard cable (though it's easy to find at any store) it left me wondering why they chose this method. I guess it was just to conserve space on the connections board. I did like the fact that they use this method next to the D-SUB (VGA) port as it would allow you to run a standard computer audio cable straight from your sound card, but for the other inputs it is unusual to say the least.

When the unit arrived I was initially a little nervous at the exterior condition of the packaging. This was a concern since I placed the order, as I know how UPS Ground handles packages that are over 100lbs. There were a few dings in the box and even a small hole or two, but nothing that appeared to go all the way through the packaging, so I accepted the shipment holding my breath. Previously when I had looked at the spec sheet from EyeFi I kept laughing to myself that one of the features they had listed was "high quality shipping carton". I kept thinking "that's a feature?".
Let me tell you the styrofoam packing for this unit is up to 6" thick in places and holds the unit so securely in the box that someone would have to intentionally try and damage the unit for damage to occur. I was again impressed by the extra measure EyeFi obviously took to ensure the product arrived safely. No damage whatsoever.

When I removed the unit from the box - it was fully assembled, which wasn't something I was expecting. What I mean is the speakers were factory mounted to the panel and secured by 2 brackets and 4 screws on each speaker. The table stand was also mounted to the unit prior to shipping, which I was definitely not expecting. It is an extremely sturdy stand that the main panel screws securely into. It was nice to not have to take the time to mount the monitor on the stand myself and is easily enough removed for wall mounting.

The speakers were easy to remove with a phillips screw driver. If you wanted to use the speakers that are mounted on the display - they are of a very high quality as well. The speaker grills are aluminum instead of some type of cloth and look very attractive on the display. I have an audio system though, so they were not necessary for me.

On the back of the panel the cable management system is very nice. In the center of the panel at the rear is a wide semi-clear "Tupperware" type plastic/rubber tray that will easily accommodate multiple cables. Currently I ran 2 sets of component cables, 1 hq VGA cable and the power cable through it with room to spare.

I only ran an image on the monitor for a couple minutes at this point to get a "taste" - and again all I can say is WOW!

The added resolution of the 1280x1024 pixels was immediately apparent over the typical 1366x768 (or lower) resolution panels. The edges of images were ULTRA crisp even from a foot or two away! Short of some of the 1080p Plasma panels for $6,000 to $10,000 - I would honestly say that this is the sharpest image on a panel I've seen. I realize I haven't had too much time on it yet though. What am I waiting for you may ask...

I purchased the "Digital Video Essentials" calibration DVD last night (This was difficult to find retail - but I finally found it at Borders Books of all places) and plan on calibrating the monitor first and foremost. I have also downloaded the "break in" DVD from the AVS Forum ( http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=608677 ) and plan on running the "break in" DVD for at least the next 5 days to get past the first hundred hours of use. I may run it longer before using the panel - we'll see.

I plan on using this panel as a dedicated Video Gaming monitor. I know all the horror stories about doing that with a Plasma, that's why I am going to break it in properly before gaming. I did find it interesting that nowhere in any of the documentation from the manufacturer did it say or recommend breaking in the panel - which so many manufacturers do. Considering the extra mile EyeFi has gone in every other area with this panel - I would not be at all surprised if these are "broken in" 100hours at the factory, considering as I have said in a previous post, how excellent EyeFi's customer service has been.
It's always better safe than sorry though - so I will proceed with the standard "break in" procedures.

There is a standard 1 year warranty from the manufacturer.

The remote is easy to use and very functional and the panel unit buttons are easily accessible but hidden away.

I will continue to update this thread after calibration and "break in". After that I will post regular status updates on how the unit is doing as a dedicated gaming monitor - as I know so many people want the superior image quality of Plasma but are concerned with burn in issues. I will of course not leave a game on pause and the monitor on, or any truly static images on the screen. I will prepare the unit by properly "breaking it in" and then rely on the pixel orbiter to do the rest.

To say that I am more than impressed so far and that EVERY expectation has been exceeded would be an understatement at this point!

I would recommend this unit to anyone looking for a Plasma but who isn't ready to spend the $6,000 to $10,000 price tag of a 1080p Plasma unit. This panel is a most impressive manufacturing work of art. EyeFi has done a phenomenal job of producing a unit that is of the HIGHEST quality at an unbelievably affordable price of $1499.

Again here is a link to the manufacturers information sheet (with photos) for the PX4200:

http://eyefi.tv/pdf/PX4200_v07.pdf


Stay tuned for further updates and reviews.

<)DataDream(>

The break in DVD is working fantastic.

The Digital Video Essentials DVD is amazing and VERY useful. It not only helped me calibrate the colors for more lifelike images but also helped me reduce the overscan on this monitor significantly. The images on this DVD at the beginning (space shuttle shots, etc...) are imply amazing - and it was only run at 480p. 480p you might ask? That's because I am using a $30 progressive scan DVD player from Walmart to do the break in. It's worth the $30 to save the wear and tear on my high end DVD player and XBOX 360 - just to break in the panel.

This panel is only looking better and better with each passing day.

One thing of note was that it was a little noisy the first 12 hours or so. Not bad if you actually have audio on, but during the first 12 hours of the break in DVD which doesn't have audio - there was a definite buzz from the monitor. After about 12 hours though this noise completely subsided and now it is virtually silent - even with no audio. I attribute this to just needing to be broken in - as it seems like the noise is now gone.

I'll post more soon - the Break In DVD and Digital Video Essentials are necessary for any Plasma or LCD owner in my opinion though.

Just did and replied - sorry it took me awhile!

The monitor just passed it's 150 hour break in point. I have decided to continue breaking the panel in until it reaches the 1000 hour mark, which will take a few more weeks. This is just because of reading so many horror sotries in the "Master Burn In" thread in reference to Plasmas and video games in general.

My goal is to have a Plasma that is not susceptible to burn in when dedicated to gaming. It is taking allot of patience to hold off, but it should be done "breaking in" before Christmas or New Years - so that's my goal.

The measurements of this panels physical dimmensions (without the speakers attached) follows:

Width of panel: 41.5"
Height of panel: 25.5"
*Height w/stand: 29"
Depth of panel: 4"
*Depth w/stand: 11.5"

The weight is approximately 86lbs.

I will wait to post pics until after the break in period so there is something interesting to display. As of now, using the break in DVD from this site - displaying solid colors won't really give you any idea of resolution or image quality. If you just want to see what it physically looks like - check out the link I have posted earlier as there are pictures of the unit with and without speakers on the spec sheet.

Because of using the XBOX 360 on this panel I will be running it at it's native resolution of 1280x1024 - which will give you the most accurate representation for image quality.