[talman]

I made the mistake this afternoon of going into my local high end video retailer this afternoon and looking at plasmas. I was convinced that the Panny commercial ED unit was right for me so I just went with the idea of looking at a plasma in general so I could get an idea about picture quality, black levels etc.


Then I saw the Fujitsu P42VHA30WS.


I looked at various models from Pioneer's Elite HD unit to Panasonic's HD and ED consumer units, to Sony's WEGA etc. and NONE of them looked as good to me as the Fujitsu.


The black levels were great, the contrast was amazing, and the brightness was superb (it was at factory defaults)--perhaps even a bit too bright. I REALLY loved the sharpness of the picture. It seems to pop red a little too strong but nothing that can't be adjusted with a proper calibration imo.


funny story: There was another customer in the store who kept whispering to me "Fujitsu" every time I walked by.


Only problem is that it's 2K more than the commercial panny can be had.





Anyone care to offer any opinions on the Fujitsu?


Ignorance would have been bliss methinks.

 

[BruZZi]

Quote:

Originally posted by talman Then I saw the Fujitsu P42VHA30WS. I looked at various models from Pioneer's Elite HD unit to Panasonic's HD and ED consumer units, to Sony's WEGA etc. and NONE of them looked as good to me as the Fujitsu.

The Fujitsu P42VHA30WS uses Panasonic Glass.

 

[Joxer]

The quality of the Fujitsu's scalar is well known combined with Panasonic's glass - a great combination, you do have to pay more for it though.

 

[newguy2]

talman-


I made the same mistake. I now have a new Fujitsu P50 in my house. There's no going back once you see that Fujitsu picture. That said, I still think you'd probably be very happy with the Panny. Once you have it in your house and don't see the picture side by side with the Fujitsu, the Panny looks superb. You'll find many happy Panny owners in this forum.

 

[a.macree]

Quote:

Originally posted by talman ...funny story: There was another customer in the store who kept whispering to me "Fujitsu" every time I walked by. Only problem is that it's 2K more than the commercial panny can be had. Anyone care to offer any opinions on the Fujitsu? Ignorance would have been bliss methinks.

Hey Talman:

The only thing I knowabout Fujitsu is my successful, anally-driven year-long search for the extremely-superior(so far) "N Series 3.2 Lifebook" laptop.


Like, no, ignorance is not bliss. What's $2K difference over 10 years? US$17/mo? Go for the best! Every time I've gone cheapMiranda G 35mm, RCA 21", '60 Plymouth 2-dr, Panasonic clock-radio[early]), "classical" guitar bought drunk in Matamoros)--all I've gotten is endlessly PO'd at myself....

FWIW,

AMc

 

[nuke]

That being said, the Panasonic picture ain't shabby either. I'm pretty dang happy with it, especially with the HDTivo.

 

[CraiginNJ]

I would love to be tempted by the sight of a Fujitsu P50XHA30WS plasma in real life, but finding an "authorized dealer" with one is proving difficult.


The closest one listed by Fujitsu's web site is 17 miles away, but after driving there I found they don't carry them anymore. The next closest sells them (at full retail price), but doesn't have any, not even a display. The 3rd is 30+ miles away in the congested-driving semi-urban part of northern NJ, and their hours (compared to mine) mean it'll probably be weeks before I can spare the time for a Saturday trip there. The good news is that they claim they have them on display and in stock. I'd love to see my jaw drop when I see one (... and hopefully not due to the dealer's price).


I was getting so frustrated that I almost gave up on the effort. What would be the point of buying an expensive plasma and not be able to count on timely repair service when I need it?


Craig in NJ

 

[newguy2]

Craig- many dealers do not adjust their plasmas well (or at all), so the angle of your jaw drop may be affected by the degree of adjustment. Also, the quality of signal feed varies substantially by dealer. Properly adjusted and with a good signal, the P50 is amazing.


On the service point, I believe that Fujitsu's service in in home, so the distance to the dealer wouldn't matter.

 

[drober30]

I love my TH-42PDW6UY !


If your willing to spend $2k more for the Fujitsu then you should also consider a 50" Panasonic as an option too.


I agree with newguy2 that once you have the TV in your house you will be very impressed with the Panasonic and to save $2k that would be a no brainer for me... I would start looking at the 50" for the extra $$$$


Good Luck!

 

[dimes]

I am a proud owner of a 42 Fujitsu that replaced my old Panasonic 37in. I stand by the fact that the old dogs still make one of the best looking displays. I also owned an older Fujitsu 2 years ago. Given to the brother for adding a bathroom in my house.


After selling Fujitsu for years, it is always the panel that everyone walks up to and asks about. Price? maybe. Usually it is the picture. It is by far the best looking EDTV on the market.

 

[adb]

talman


About a year ago after much long hard searching I purchased the 42" Fujitsu ED. It was to me the best of all the sets I had looked at over almost a year. I have had no problems whatsoever with this set and am still constantly amazed at the PQ.


One of my primary reasons for my buying this set was it's ability to display SD, which is what we watch eighty five percent of the time. There may be other sets that display SD well, but nothing I looked at compared to this set when displaying SD.

 

[talman]

Thanks for the info. I'm pretty much convinced that I'll be buying the Fujitsu. I think I'd always question myself for not getting what to me, was the better picture.


While I'd love to consider a 50" plasma, I believe it'd be far too big for the room I'm going to use (only 15.5' x 13').


Now to find some new speakers!

 

[photoflow]

Hmmmmmmm........thats about the same size as my room, but I'm still looking to get the 50" display. I don't think it will be "too" big.

 

[newguy2]

talman- I think you'll be happy with your choice. Suggest that you head over to the AVS audio forum to discuss speakers with some knowledgeable folks. I ended up with Definitive's and a Rotel receiver - sounds great.

 

[talman]

Quote:

Originally posted by photoflow Hmmmmmmm........thats about the same size as my room, but I'm still looking to get the 50" display. I don't think it will be "too" big.

I should have stated that the 15.5' x 13' room dimensions only equate to a useable space of 13' x 13' (great room design with kitchen).


To me, anything bigger than 42 would overwhelm the room.

 

[talman]

Quote:

Originally posted by newguy2 talman- I think you'll be happy with your choice. Suggest that you head over to the AVS audio forum to discuss speakers with some knowledgeable folks. I ended up with Definitive's and a Rotel receiver - sounds great.

Thanks for the suggestion. I was heading over in that direction. I'm strongly considering the NHT L5's but I've never heard them so who knows at this point.


I love my Energy Take 5's but I think it's time for an upgrade. The speakers will be connected to a Denon 5700.

 

[cajieboy]

Talman,


How far away do plan to sit from the display? For me, anywhere from 8'-11' would be about right for a 50"er.

 

[talman]

Quote:

Originally posted by cajieboy Talman, How far away do plan to sit from the display? For me, anywhere from 8'-11' would be about right for a 50"er.

It will be about 10' I guess I always considered that much too close for a 50" display. Perhaps I'm wrong?


/whispers to self: "you cannot afford a 50" plasma, you cannot afford a 50" plasma"

 

[cajieboy]

Talman,


I consider 10' viewing distance "THE SWEET SPOT" on a 50" display. Today, I was in my local CC looking at Plasmas again. I always try to back up about 10' when checking out the PQ, as this simulates the home experience. To me, the 42"ers always look too small a screen size at this distance.

 

[drober30]

Quote:

Originally posted by cajieboy Talman, I consider 10' viewing distance "THE SWEET SPOT" on a 50" display. Today, I was in my local CC looking at Plasmas again. I always try to back up about 10' when checking out the PQ, as this simulates the home experience. To me, the 42"ers always look too small a screen size at this distance.

I stare at my 42" plasma everyday and wish it was a 50"


10' is not to close for a 50" IMHO


The 50" at that distance will give you more of a Movie Screen feel.


I Love my 42" plasma but I cant wait to move it into the bedroom and upgrade to a 50" or 60" or 70" or... well you get the idea!