After being very tempted to acquire a 42" plasma, based on a lot of reading here and elsewhere, I am seriously wondering why someone would buy a new non-HD plasma display _now_ given all the things that are happening in the consumer HT space. For example,
* There are limited HD channels currently available, and all widely available PVRs are non-HD, so most broadcast content available is only in 4:3 format (thus risking the dreaded burn-in), yet the availability of both (HD channels and HD PVRs) is likely to be much greater within 12 months.
* DVI+HDCP (and alternatives) is still up-in-the air and most current displays do not offer even plain DVI, yet it's a common opinion that DVI will be standard next season.
* Prices are dropping dramatically and display quality is increasing substantially on almost a monthly basis, making any display purchased today look potentially mediocre in comparison to something able to be purchased at a lower price in less than a year.
* LCD looks like it might present a viable competing technology with different strengths (note I didn't say "better"...just different).
So, unless someone either (a) has money to burn, or (b) desperately needs a new TV *now*, doesn't it seem to make sense to wait till September or so of 2003 before ponying up for a flat-panel display?
- Craig
p.s. I'm not trying to pick a fight with this thread, and I am truly interested in hearing both sides of this issue (i.e., why you bought now or why you have decided to wait).
* There are limited HD channels currently available, and all widely available PVRs are non-HD, so most broadcast content available is only in 4:3 format (thus risking the dreaded burn-in), yet the availability of both (HD channels and HD PVRs) is likely to be much greater within 12 months.
* DVI+HDCP (and alternatives) is still up-in-the air and most current displays do not offer even plain DVI, yet it's a common opinion that DVI will be standard next season.
* Prices are dropping dramatically and display quality is increasing substantially on almost a monthly basis, making any display purchased today look potentially mediocre in comparison to something able to be purchased at a lower price in less than a year.
* LCD looks like it might present a viable competing technology with different strengths (note I didn't say "better"...just different).
So, unless someone either (a) has money to burn, or (b) desperately needs a new TV *now*, doesn't it seem to make sense to wait till September or so of 2003 before ponying up for a flat-panel display?
- Craig
p.s. I'm not trying to pick a fight with this thread, and I am truly interested in hearing both sides of this issue (i.e., why you bought now or why you have decided to wait).