[peebody01]

I'm researching plasmas - this forum has been great! - and think I've narrowed my choices down to 2: Pan TH-42PHD6UY or the Pio PDP-433CMX.


I have a few questions...


(1) I know both are HD plasmas. I'm curious what the pros are for buying an ED plasma like the Pan TH-42PWD6UY. Is price the only factor? With HD broadcasts mandatory in a few years, why would I want to buy something that won't take full advantage of it? If somebody can enlighten me, then this might be the way to go, saving me a few bucks.


(2) I read on one of the posts about noise with the Panny. It referred to the 6UY. Was that the PH or PW or does it matter? I am planning on mounting mine on the wall above a fireplace. I don't want to deal with any noise.


Has anybody noticed noise with the Pioneer?


(3) Finally, the Pan is a brand new model and the Pio has been out for almost 2 years, am I better off with the Panny since it is most likely newer technology and in theory better?


Thanks for any input you guys can give me!


Matt

 

[Chris Loker]

I really like the Pioneers but if I were buying today I would probably go with the Panasonic (except for prcing issues as the Pioneer can be had fairly cheap).


Noise is kind of luck of the draw. Pioneers have also been known to "buzz".


I believe going ED is pretty much a price point thing. ED displays do have an advantage in not having the extra scaling to the HD native rates for SD and DVD. However, HD displays are going to look better with HD material than ED.

 

[Andrzej]

Quote:

Originally posted by peebody01 With HD broadcasts mandatory in a few years, why would I want to buy something that won't take full advantage of it? If somebody can enlighten me, then this might be the way to go, saving me a few bucks. Matt

One minor point - HD broadcasting is NOT mandatory. Digital broadcasting is. All my local channels that I receive OTA are digital but only a few programs are HD.


Andrzej

 

[ThumperBoy]

The ED plasma display support scaling from HD video sources too and look excellent displaying HD. Beyond a certain viewing distance, you can't see the difference between an ED and HD plasma display since your eyes can't make out the finer pitch pixel spacing beyond a certain distance. I believe this is around 8feet from a 42" display (more or less). So there is a valid reason to get an ED plasma and save quite a bit of money unless you are going to view the plasma from a very close distance.

 

[michaeltscott]

Quote:

Originally posted by ThumperBoy The ED plasma display support scaling from HD video sources too and look excellent displaying HD. Beyond a certain viewing distance, you can't see the difference between an ED and HD plasma display since your eyes can't make out the finer pitch pixel spacing beyond a certain distance. I believe this is around 8feet from a 42" display (more or less). So there is a valid reason to get an ED plasma and save quite a bit of money unless you are going to view the plasma from a very close distance.

(Ah, Holy Wars! )


Tsk, tsk--use "I statements", Thumperboy. Don't tell the rest of us what we are and are not capable of. I can stand ten feet from of an array of plasmas displaying an HD source and pick out the ED ones without looking at the prices. It's nice for those of you who can't tell the difference that the less expensive ED monitors have become so common.


I will admit that I can't tell the difference after a 1024x768--that and higher resolutions look the same to me.


My advice to the original poster is to find a decent quality AV store with a side-by-side display of plasmas displaying an HD signal. If you can't tell the difference from the distance that you plan on viewing from, go for the ED.

 

[elvisdoc]

Quote:

Originally posted by michaeltscott (Ah, Holy Wars! ) Tsk, tsk--use "I statements", Thumperboy. Don't tell the rest of us what we are and are not capable of. I can stand ten feet from of an array of plasmas displaying an HD source and pick out the ED ones without looking at the prices. It's nice for those of you who can't tell the difference that the less expensive ED monitors have become so common. I will admit that I can't tell the difference after a 1024x768--that and higher resolutions look the same to me. My advice to the original poster is to find a decent quality AV store with a side-by-side display of plasmas displaying an HD signal. If you can't tell the difference from the distance that you plan on viewing from, go for the ED.

Wireless or tactless? Somewhat mean reply there, Wireless guy, cuz I don't think the poster was outta line at all. At normal viewing distances, HD and ED plasmas look the same. And ED's just flat out show SD content better, which comprises 90% or greater of what's available now and for the forseeable future. That makes the choice of a plasma that 'does all things well' a little more complex than your post would acknowledge.


Price is just a bonus...PQ matters greatly for ED buyers as well...the truth is, they may be smarter than most as they want a plasma that does it all, not just HD.


elvis

 

[Andrzej]

Quote:

Originally posted by michaeltscott I can stand ten feet from of an array of plasmas displaying an HD source and pick out the ED ones without looking at the prices.

I am curious michaeltscott. Can you also tell the difference from 10 feet when they are displaying a SD source?


Andrzej

 

[brick33308]

I bought the TH-42PWD6UY. Price had absolutely no bearing in my decision, and I would have paid more for the HD in a heartbeat if it would have given ME a better picture.


I emphasize "me" because all I watch is SD, either live or squashed by my stand alone Tivo. My understanding is that the HD Panny doesn't do as well with SD as the ED Panny. And bottom line: I couldn't be happier with my choice!

 

[Mike52]

That's what it its all about...happiness with ones' choice.

 

[Master-G]

Quote:

Originally posted by elvisdoc Wireless or tactless? Somewhat mean reply there, Wireless guy, cuz I don't think the poster was outta line at all. At normal viewing distances, HD and ED plasmas look the same. And ED's just flat out show SD content better, which comprises 90% or greater of what's available now and for the forseeable future. That makes the choice of a plasma that 'does all things well' a little more complex than your post would acknowledge. Price is just a bonus...PQ matters greatly for ED buyers as well...the truth is, they may be smarter than most as they want a plasma that does it all, not just HD. elvis

My thoughts exactly!