Revisiting the Panasonic ED TH-42PD50U

[nytrinzix]

After reading (and seeing) the Burn-in thread and the images displayed from the TH-42PD50U EDTV, I must say that what I have seen from this 480p display rivals that of some similarly priced HDTV 720p+ models.

For someone on a limited budget, do you guys have any thoughts on this TV? Its been a while since this model has been talked about on AVSforum. This also precludes me from purchasing expensive HD cables and HD-level DVD players etc. (I already have a JVC home theater system with a DVD/Receiver unit that [probably] outputs 480p).

So, it seems like an all-around winner, being able to have a 42" Plasma display that, while not in full HD, produces a quality image similar to HD (unless you have contradicting opinions???) for under $2000 for the total system (TV, cabling, mounting, etc etc)

So, does anyone here have any direct experience with this TV and any comparable experience with this TV to a newer HDTV?

[stevepas9]

I purchased a PD50U 8 months ago and love it. One thing I think you should consider is viewing distance. Screen Door Effect (SDE) is seen a different distances depending on age, eye site, etc. My normal viewing distance is between 8' and 13' and do not see any SDE.

I recommend understanding your distances and take a tape measure to a store and see how it looks.

BTW, Standard Def Satellite looks great and DVD (480p) is fantastic...

Hope this helps...Steve

[cleoreve]

I have the Costco model without tuners ($100 to $200 dollars difference) and I love the picture. Have no complaints at all. I cannot compare with in home HD tvs, but did not see that much difference at the stores. Some people talk about the screen door effect of Ed tvs, but at 10 feet viewing distance I don't see it. The Costco model also has a gray metal frame as opposed to the all silver. My wife liked it better for that reason. I plan to eventially hook up an HD receiver when DirecTV has them on the satellite. I cannot get over the air HD from where I live and do not have cable. There are two main threads that have a lot of info about the 42PD50u and the 42PM50U (Costco version). They are the 42PM50u at Costco and the Panny models thread. Lots of pros & cons and experience in those two threads. Good luck.

[cleoreve]

Agree with Steve. My PM50u with a progrossive scan DVD player results in an excellent picture through component cables.

[nytrinzix]

Thanks guys for your first-hand accounts. Have you guys had any experience with burn-in with this model, or no, or have you simply taken the prescribed steps to prevent it?

Hope to hear more from others as well!

[stevepas9]

Backed off the settings off during the first 100 hours (or so) and have had no burn-in symptoms at all.

I'm still careful not to keep static images on the screen for any length of time...

[cleoreve]

[QUOTE=nytrinzix]Thanks guys for your first-hand accounts. Have you guys had any experience with burn-in with this model, or no, or have you simply taken the prescribed steps to prevent it?

Hope to hear more from others as well![/QUOTE]

Same as Steve--- Ran Picture setting at +10 or so for a month, now have cranked to +20. Haven't noticed any problems at all.

[Number_6]

I have one and like it, roughly 1000 hours of use so far. I've had no burn-in problems but I've been reasonably careful with it. Some particular notes follow:

SDE may be a concern if you plan to sit close...I sit 10 feet away from mine, and I would not want to be any closer than about 9 feet.

The tuner cannot handle cable and antenna at the same time, you have to pick one mode or the other. There is also only one RF input. Not a big deal, unless you would like to combine cable and antenna sources.

This ED set makes a valiant attempt to make HD look like HD, but at times I do notice aliasing artifacts (jaggies and/or shimmers) that would not be visible on a true HD display. But at the time I bought mine the HD version was $700-$800 more and the cost difference was not worth it to me.

[BarnacleBill]

I just bought the 42PD50U and I echo the posts above; it's a great set. I thought the SDE was visible up to about 8 feet in the store, but once it's out of Vivid mode and the picture and brightness is turned down, I don't see the SDE beyond about 6 feet. However, I have older eyes and you have to test this for yourself.

A big surprise for me was how good SD looks. I was convinced that SD would not look as good on the plasma compared to an analog CRT. Well in my case, the PD50 shows SD, especially digital SD, better than analog SD on my CRT.

[QUOTE=Number_6]This ED set makes a valiant attempt to make HD look like HD, but at times I do notice aliasing artifacts (jaggies and/or shimmers) that would not be visible on a true HD display. But at the time I bought mine the HD version was $700-$800 more and the cost difference was not worth it to me.[/QUOTE]
Number_6, try turning down the sharpness a little. I saw some jaggies in some stores and not in others. At home I've been jaggie-free.

[Jerrymac]

Can someone tell me what is ment by a "True HD Display"?

Thanks,
---Jerry---

[mrmucko]

"True HD Display"?

One capable of displaying a HD broadcast or other upscaled signal (720 horizontal lines min) without having to downscale it to fit its native resolution