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Panny 42pd50u Availability Date Confirmed at Best Buy

8213 Views 59 Replies 25 Participants Last post by Lew Black, Apr 2, 2005

mangelo

Discussion Starter · Feb 27, 2005

I was at a Best Buy today in Madison Wisconsin. I had the guy there punch in the 42pd50u for me and he told me according to his computer, his store would be receiving the plasmas on March 27th. I asked him to put a pre-order in for me to see what would happen, and if I pre-ordered right now, they'd receive my plasma on March 16th.

I did not go through with the order as I'm not sure if I should buy this new generation plasma or not. It's cheaper, but will the quality be just as good if not better than the previous generation as you'd hope? So many other places are running out of the 42pd25/u so it makes for an interesting dilemma.

Anybody with any opinions?

Mangelo

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1 - 20 of 60 Posts

napple

· #2 · Feb 27, 2005

so what would be the price they would it to you at?

also, any CONFIRMATION on the availability of the cablecard slot on pd50u?

optivity

· #3 · Feb 27, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by mangelo
I was at a Best Buy today in Madison Wisconsin. I had the guy there punch in the 42pd50u for me and he told me according to his computer, his store would be receiving the plasmas on March 27th. I asked him to put a pre-order in for me to see what would happen, and if I pre-ordered right now, they'd receive my plasma on March 16th.

I did not go through with the order as I'm not sure if I should buy this new generation plasma or not. It's cheaper, but will the quality be just as good if not better than the previous generation as you'd hope? So many other places are running out of the 42pd25/u so it makes for an interesting dilemma.

Anybody with any opinions?

Mangelo

Given these specifications:

TH-42PD50U 42-Inch PDP EDTV

42-Inch Diagonal Screen

480p Native Resolution

Supports 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i Video Formats

16:9 Aspect Ratio

4000:1 Contrast Ratio

ATSC, NTSC, QAM Tuners

HDMI Input

Optical Digital Audio Output

Director Lighted Disc Home Theater Remote

Available March 2005

No Pricing Information

You should have reasonable confidence the build quality and internal electronics for all 50/500u series Plasmas will be superior to 7th generation (and older) Panasonic PDPs. I say go for it... and pre-order your new TV; it should arrive in 17 days.

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mangopony

· #4 · Feb 27, 2005

Seems to me the final picture on the screen will be quite similar to present Panny series. But, to think the quality of built will be superior, is just speculation of the highest order. I even venture to say the built-quality 'maybe' less as the companies try to scamble to find cheaper and cheaper labor.

optivity

· #5 · Feb 27, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by mangopony
Seems to me the final picture on the screen will be quite similar to present Panny series. But, to think the quality of built will be superior, is just speculation of the highest order. I even venture to say the built-quality 'maybe' less as the companies try to scamble to find cheaper and cheaper labor.

Right... Panasonic has built new assembly plants in Mexico where labor rates are "cheap." This is how Panasonic hopes to remain competitive in the "cut-throat-priced" FP market. I definitely recommend that "mangelo" buy an extended warranty for his new 50u ED PDP.

dontdothat88

· #6 · Feb 27, 2005

so should we assume the 37 inch is coming out the same time? Since the panny press release had both listed under march

optivity

· #7 · Feb 27, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by dontdothat88
so should we assume the 37 inch is coming out the same time? Since the panny press release had both listed under march

I assume they would be available soon after the 42ed50u comes out. Check out Sams Club who now sells Dell 42" HD PDPs on-line. Prices are going to become very interesting this spring.

david8613

· #8 · Feb 27, 2005

the price for the th 42pd25u just dropped at my local 6th ave ad for 2499.00...they alway sell for msrp so i guess they know for sure the newer model is coming soon...oh yeah!

mangelo

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 27, 2005

I've seen those same specs presented before, but a good point was made when it was mentioned that the plasmas are now being manufactured in Mexico. Quality then comes into question. Not just because the labor is "cheaper" but oftentimes when you make a big change, unforseen problems tend to rear their ugly head. I'm sure the system for making the TVs is pretty much automated, but going from one side of the world to the other is a big change in my opinion.

I'm tempted to make the order so I could receive one of the new plasmas in two weeks, but I may just wait an additional few weeks for the following reasons:

(1) I'd hate to buy such an expensive plasma TV without seeing the PQ first. Kind of like buying a car without test driving it...

(2) Rumor that Panasonic will be increasing their gray scale by darkening the overall screen. This allows them to claim a better "contrast" with more grays but may actually sacrafice overall PQ. Just accentuates #1 above.

(3) Questions of quality of the TVs being produced in Mexico.

(4) I was unable to have any of the specs confirmed at Best Buy even though they could order the TV for me.

So, I think it may be prudent to wait for a little more information. This forum seems to be one of the best sources, so maybe there are some others who will be able to have answers for some of these questions in the near future.

Mangelo

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mangelo

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 27, 2005

Oh, and with regards 2 the question about how much I could get the new Pan 4250pdu plasma 4 at Best Buy...I believe forum policy would prohibit me from listing the act9ual price that I was quoted, but I'm sure you'll be able to find the price s9omewhere....

Mangelo

david8613

· #11 · Feb 27, 2005

mangelo can you say at least if it was msrp as the panasonic site, or was it the same price as bsless.com price, if its niether can you pm me the price quoted to you from best buy? thanks

jcpzero

· #12 · Feb 27, 2005

BB quoted the new MSRP for the TH-42PD50U as the same MSRP as the current 37" ED model . Bless dot com has a price listed below msrp.

JCPZero

mangelo

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 27, 2005

JCPZero is correct that the 42pd50u's price at BB is the same as the MSRP of the 37" ED at the Panasonic site. Look at my last reply a little more closely...like I said, if you look, you might "find" the price...

napple

· #14 · Feb 27, 2005

how much do you guys think the mark up is - on these things?

msboc

· #15 · Feb 27, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by dontdothat88
so should we assume the 37 inch is coming out the same time? Since the panny press release had both listed under march

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was told there is no ED 37" coming out. Are you waiting for the HD?

pstrisik

· #16 · Feb 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by mangelo
Oh, and with regards 2 the question about how much I could get the new Pan 4250pdu plasma 4 at Best Buy...I believe forum policy would prohibit me from listing the act9ual price that I was quoted, but I'm sure you'll be able to find the price s9omewhere....

Very clever! You may start a new trend.

As far as we all know, $2499 is MSRP for the new Panny 42" ED. So I think I can say it out loud.

mangelo

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 28, 2005

I was aware that most people new the MSRP, but I wasn't sure if posting an actual quoted price from BB would be looked at as against policy, even if it was the same as the MSRP.

Turns out as of today, they have a sale on it which lowers the price even a bit more if it's pre-ordered. Tough thing is that they were unable to confirm any of the specs. I did happen to find out dimensions and basic info though, if that interests anyone:

42" W

3.8" D

27.6" H

72 pounds

Silver color

With the 42" width, I think that confirms that speakers are in fact on the bottom of the TV which I know some people were hoping for.

Mangelo

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jcpzero

· #18 · Feb 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by mangelo
I did happen to find out dimensions and basic info though, if that interests anyone:

42" W

3.8" D

27.6" H

72 pounds

Silver color

With the 42" width, I think that confirms that speakers are in fact on the bottom of the TV which I know some people were hoping for.

Mangelo

Thanks for the dimentions! Been waiting for that key piece of info.

JCPZero

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david8613

· #19 · Feb 28, 2005

thanks for the dimentions, it sounds a little narrow though, from the pics it looks pretty wide with that thick bezel, thats wierd....

dontdothat88

· #20 · Feb 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by msboc
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was told there is no ED 37" coming out. Are you waiting for the HD?

yea im waiting for the HD

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