top plasma 42" plasma under 1500

This always seems to get good reviews available at the big box stores for around your range.

TH-42PX60U

The dumbed down model can be found at the warehouse stores for way less.

TH-42PX6U

I will be going with all the bells and whistles on the TH-42PX600U this weekend.

New panny 42PX60U owner here... very happy. Manual does say 1080p input compatibility over HDMI.

Philips 9631 is a very nice set, great on SD, excellent HD, DVDs nice too.

Nice-looking set, improved base and remote over the 9630.

refurbed 50" from philips outlet (on sale currently)

Any experience with their refurbs? I have bought what used to be called B stock audio equipment in the past with sucess. I wonder if they're like new?

As a new person looking on, it seems like they've got some good deals.

Watch for warntee issues... most only come with 90 days rather than the full 1 year on new models. So remeber to build into your price comaprison the price to get it extended.

With the Panny's now going for even less than you're looking to spend it should be a no brainer! These sets get great reviews and have excellent features for the price. I own one and would highly recommend it.

Well, this is a little harsh, don't you think?

I mean, it lacks an SD card slot and inputs on the front, but who uses these anyway, and are they REALLY worth $300? This is what makes it "dumbed down"?

I can use my DVD player for both of these functions, and end up paying less, and get a great 42" plasma HDTV AND an HDMI-output DVD player and some $$$ in my pocket, and if I buy at a certain warehouse club, I get an unbeatable warranty.

Hmm, tough call?

Didn't get that far. Thanks for pointing that out!

Steve--pani Px9uk Sets Are Not D/c'd, Great Deal If You Dont Need Stand/spkrs/hdmi Blade, More Hook-ups, Etc. Advantages Of Px600 Over Px60--pip, Pc Input, Better Sound, Cable Card, Etc--worth 300$??? You Can Get 42px600 For A Benjy Less Than 1500$ On Line--no Brainer To Me!

TH-42PX6U, a no brainer for me. Especially where I baught it and the warranty included. It was great going to the cost co. get you will enjoy

don't forget the panny's (6U, 60U, 600U -- not the 9UK commercial units) come with a $200 rebate on installation. which means you could get a 42" (6U or 60U) professionally wall-mounted for close to $1500.

I saw this model at Costco. Does this have a QAM tuner? The Panny website didn't show it having one.

steve--if you are referring to the pan th42px6u--NO qam tuner, yes to atsc. jer

The PX6U has a QAM tuner. All the 37-58" Panasonic consumer models have QAM tuners.

TH-42PH9UK is on day four in my living room.

I am absolutely floored by this set. I heard it would be great once calibrated, and it is just incredible. For under $1200 with a 5 year warranty... I think it's a fantastic deal.

I will say that I went with the commercial model because I love the simple look and only need one VGA and one Component input, so I didn't have to add anything. (xbox 360 + digital cable)

I didn't even finish the full break-in before I got antsy and played 3 hours of Gears of War and watched football all weekend. No burn in whatsoever (pixel shift enabled) and even my roommate who just bought a brand new 1080p LCD commented that mine looked better than his, although his looks great also.

Anyway, if you need tuners and tons of inputs and like the silver look, go 60u or 600u. If you like simplicity and don't need more than an extra HDMI blade, I'd go commercial panny.

The Commercial version lacks a stand, speakers and tuners it does however have the ability to be tweeked better. The consumer models have the stand, speakers and tuners. The 60 has an SD card reader the 6 doesn't. They all use the same panel.

According to official Panasonic site:

Panasonic TH-42PX6U

Tuners NTSC (Standard analog broadcasts)
ATSC/QAM (SDTV and HDTV broadcasts)

The 60U has a Photo Viewer and SD Card Slot, as well as more inputs. The sets also look slightly different.

50" vizio

good reviews

-glenn

Again, 9UK's don't have a built in tuner, so take this one off your shopping list, unless you have other tuner options. There are no aftermarket add-on tuners for the 9UK either.

After having read plenty of posts over the last few weeks I went ahead and purchased the 42px6u at costco today. it really wasn't worth the extra $$ for the 60u or 600u (for a few frills) and the great return policy was what pushed me to the 6u in the end. After i get everything set up I'll post pictures for others to compare. Thanks to everyone in the forums for providing tons of information so that I could make the best decision. Let's hope I get a good set.

Are you allowed to say what you paid?

When you post back will you comment on SD picture and what you thought of the speakers? THANKS

PS what is Costco's return policy?

I purchased a 42'' Samsung S4253 for that price range today, OP. It looked very nice in the store and after tons of reading and deliberation thats what I chose. There are tons of thorough user reviews out for it that could aid your decision making process.