Page 1 of Plasma TVs - pros and cons?

The price of 42" plasma TVs has reached the point where they are almost worth considering. Can anyone with experience of them answer the following:

1. Are there any downsides compared with LCD (or even CRT) technology?
2. Are there any key things to look for in a plasma TV? i.e. specifications that are worth having or things to be avoided?
3. How well integrated are the tuner and TV functions compared with your average CRT TV?

tia
dd

Sony is dropping Plasma.
Prices are tumbling.
Is Plasma really still a viable choice ?
One of my colleagues is also looking to buy one,or not as the case may be.
:/ :/

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0%2C4057%2C11740044%255E15306%2C00.html

This item was edited on Monday, 17th January 2005, 14:07

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=f2deab0ebf945c19c634ce8ff05fb2d7&f=82

should answer all ur questions

Sorry toppdogg75,but that article isn`t relevant I don`t think.
It`s for 50inch plasma`s that I would bet are waaaaay more expensive than the 42 inch screens the original thread said are coming down in price.
I know the Hitachi 42PD5200 gets all sorts of awards.
They are available cheaply here


http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/CatalogueItem_18186.html

If you look at the bottom of the page I`ve linked you to,you`ll see all the awards it`s won.

This item was edited on Monday, 17th January 2005, 14:25

Thanks for all the replies. Lot`s to read now! :D

dd

Believe you me I`ve gone round all types of shops over the last 6 months & read tons of forums & the best Plasma/Value for money is the Panasonic Viera. We found the 42" too big (superb picture) for the room we are in now. But as I have posted before Sony are giving up Plasma (in spite of there taking back this statement) & concentrating on LCD (& probably other types). This probably means other makes are thinking likewise. This lead me to go for one of the cheap but excelent (for LCD) 27" LCD TVs. We decided to use this with a pair of Binoculars for now. If you can`t wait then the Panasonic 37" or 42" is the best there is for the money & picture. If you can wait then probably LCD is the nearer future BUT at the moment no reasonable contrast.

Quote:
This probably means other makes are thinking likewise People who have invested in the technologey and actually make plasma screen will not be droping them yet. (LG, Fujitsu, Pioneer and Panasonic) Sony do not "make" a plasma panel but buy in other peoples.

I still think The Pioneer is the Best plasma out there, it is pricey though. The Panasonic is very good but not Hi-Def ready. Some people will say that Hi-Def is not nesecery, but trust me, it is stunning. I think the best lower priced plasma is the Hitachi (Fujitsu screen) that someone mentioned above. One of the cheap Tiny (LG) screens has just been slated in one of the mags (can`t remember which one) They said the only plus point was the price and thats it.

Hope this helps,

All the best,

The 42%er.


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

The 42%er.

What is your opinion on LCD?

I just don`t think it`s quite there yet. It is more forgiving with a poorer signal though, and it is improving all the time.

All the best,

The 42%er.


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

Thanks 24%er and Paull for the extra feedback, I think I shall have to go and have a look at Panny and Pioneer plasmas in my local store.

Cheers 8)
DD