[rpiakak704]

Hi,


I've lurked for a bit - to learn - and now I'm looking for some advice from the breadth of knowledge shared here.


My situation: I'm looking to buy a new TV. I started looking at 34" Direct-View TV's, and it seems my budget keeps raising...right now I'm topping off at about $4,000, mostly because that's the price the Samsung DLP would cost, and because I can't stretch my budget much more than that. To make sure that my research is more than complete, I started coming to this forum. I'm certainly interested in plasmas as well, so I'm not going to quibble over a few hundred dollars when we're talking about $4k.


What I want to find out from people here is what are my plasma options...Seems when I visit my local stores, the monitors differ so much based on their own calibration, that I can't be sure which is the monitor, and which is the store's ineptitude (or marketing, for that matter). That's where this forum really helps...


Things I have to have with my purchase-


- DVI - I'm planning on the Bravo/Samsung DVI DVD, probably 33% of the time

- VGA input - to use with my computer, probably 10% of the time

- HDTV -- not EDTV. I'd prefer resolutions that are true HDTV, but I haven't seen enough ALiS monitors that I even know the difference yet. The reason I need HDTV, is if I'm spending this kind of money, I'm keeping it around long term as my primary tv. I've got an HDTV box now, and I'd like to be blown away.

- Size greater than 40". Obviously the bigger the better if I can afford it. Just don't see that happening at this price point. (Picture Quality is my #1 priority, as long as the size is greater than 40". )


Now, I just happened to go to my usually-overpriced local store and see a 42" ViewSonic display (VPW450HD) - although it wasn't yet set up - so I didn't see an image on it. They sold it for $5k, which I assume means I can find it elsewhere/online for much less. They said it was TRUE HD, which I assume is still 1024x1024 - which I'm under the assumption is ALIS. Based on specs alone, this might fit my requirements...


I hope that there might be plasmas out there that I can get in the $4k range that might satisfy my criteria...Any suggestions or advice?? Also, I know the whole story of looking at them myself, and then judging from there, but I'm looking for a second opinion...Please help

 

[Bure9]

Also need help. Anybody know if Dell sells the Samsung HPN5039 or will sell the new Panny 42px2ou? Where can you get Dell coupons?

 

[Bill Gehring]

I paid just slightly under $4,000 (including shipping and tax) for my Pioneer PDP 433-CMX. It is a true HDTV monitor (native resolution is 1024 X 768). I use it to view SD TV over cable and dish, DVDs, HDTV through my HTPC and HDTV through a Motorola 5100 cable box.


The HDTV picture quality is absolutely fabulous. DVDs are excellent, and SD TV is, well, SDTV - which I would class as fair to good. From my experience, this plasma performs best when sent a very high quality HDTV signal.


I have about 1500 hours on the 433 and would make the same purchase decision again in a heartbeat. The only thing I would do differently is that I would now get the 50 inch Pioneer (PDP 503-CMX).


Other plasma displays I viewed before buying the 433 were both Panasonic HD and ED sets, Hitachi, Sony, Phillips, Samsung, Akai, Sampo, and Gateway (didn't like at all).


I also own 3 other HDTV capable monitors/sets. A Sony HS10 LCD front projector showing on a 102 inch screen, a 50 inch Toshiba RPTV, and a 38 inch RCA direct view CRT. The Pioneer 433 and Sony HS10 are my favorites for HDTV - in that order. Strangely enough, the Toshiba RPTV is the best for watching SDTV.

 

[wblynch]

For all kinds of coupons and promotions try:

http://www.techbargains.com/coupons.cfm


Dell currently has 20% off plasma displays for Small Business customers. you may have to pay sales tax. Shipping is free.


I don't see the Panasonic listed at Dell. Someone said Dell carries Panasonic but you have to call and order. The coupon may not work for phone orders.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bure9 Also need help. Anybody know if Dell sells the Samsung HPN5039 or will sell the new Panny 42px2ou? Where can you get Dell coupons?