TH-42PWD8UK getting readyto pull trigger - gimme your thoughts on this one.

[dmchrist]

I have a limited amount so I am trying to methodically decide if this is in fact the Panny model I want and can afford. Does anyone else have this model and tell me what your thoughts/opinions of this unit?

[dmchrist]

^^^BumP UP^^^

[RandyWalters]

[QUOTE=dmchrist]^^^BumP UP^^^[/QUOTE]Search !! :D

Short story - everybody loves theirs.

Are you sure you can properly integrate it into your system?

[jessem]

Mine was just delivered a few days ago. I am waiting on the digital module (ty-42tm6d) which goes into slot 1 and will allow me to connect htpc to panny by dvi cable. I have the x-mystique sound card and cannot wait to connect to my denon receiver via sp/dif. I expect to be fully operational by week between xmas and new year. I am handicapped so have to pay someone to hang panny on wall and installer needs 10 day lead time.
Will post when all is completed. I live in socal and I ordered from Visual Apex in Seattle. Service & price were great as was delivery by DHL. :D :D

[dmchrist]

Pretty sure - I am going to upgrade the cable service through Comcast to HD and get the STB. The rest is my surround sound system, Bose 601's on the front side and Sony for the center, rear and sub woofer, Sony GA8ES 5.1 reciever, and Sony DVD 5 disc changer DVP C650D with 5.1 outputs. The room is 18' by 12' with and 8' ceiling height. Current viewing is the length of the room 18' with 5.1 setup the same.
I have searched the forums for comments of the TH-42PWD8UK and I understand this is an EDTV version. I have noticed some don't believe thier is much difference if any between this and the HDTV version. I don't intend to upgrade for a long while after this purchase therefore I want to make sure I am getting the most from the money spent. This will be my first plasma so I am just trying to make sure.

[optivity]

I was at Best Buy last night and looked at the PDPs (LG, Toshiba, Philips, Samsung, Sony and Panasonic) that were on display.

It was clearly evident that of the 20 or so panels ED-HD-42”-50” being displayed the Panasonic TH-42PX50U rendered the best picture.

I believe you will be very satisfied with this (8UK) PDP... go for it!

For the money... Panasonic builds the best PDP, the fact that much of their competition cannot successfully compete is proof.

[size=1]of course there are those who will assert a cheap Maxent PDP is just as good, but they kid themselves in order to “rationalize” their purchase decision[/size]

[dmchrist]

Yes I did see the Maxent ED and HD models as well and actually thought the PQ was quite good however I am a person whom relies on overall quality and intregrity in making such purchases. Panasonic is a manufacturer with values as such.

[Rysa4]

[QUOTE=dmchrist]Pretty sure - I am going to upgrade the cable service through Comcast to HD and get the STB. The rest is my surround sound system, Bose 601's on the front side and Sony for the center, rear and sub woofer, Sony GA8ES 5.1 reciever, and Sony DVD 5 disc changer DVP C650D with 5.1 outputs. The room is 18' by 12' with and 8' ceiling height. Current viewing is the length of the room 18' with 5.1 setup the same.
I have searched the forums for comments of the TH-42PWD8UK and I understand this is an EDTV version. I have noticed some don't believe thier is much difference if any between this and the HDTV version. I don't intend to upgrade for a long while after this purchase therefore I want to make sure I am getting the most from the money spent. This will be my first plasma so I am just trying to make sure.[/QUOTE]


Couple of thoughts. For DVDs, I do think ED TVs are the better choice. This is not a completely shared opinion. For true HD signal, an HD Panny Plasma is a bit better. " Much and not much" are tought to quantify. Side by side there is a difference in sharpness and detail. Most ED set owners seem quite satisfied with HD material display quality however.

One thing I can say is that 18 feet is too far awy for a viewing distance for a 42 inch plasma. It will be too small. You need to set up between 7-10 feet or so for the best result. Also, ED Plasmas for DVDs like to be fed progressive viewing material through a quality DVD player deinterlacing chipset. I am not sure that the Sony Changer you mention qualifies as having one. So if changing the DVD player is an option, that might a first choice to upgrade. Doesnt have to be an expensive player- just a good one.

The audio side could use some serious reconsiderations as well, but we are in the wrong forum for that discussion. ( But take a look at sub options first- so Key to the HT experience.)

[dmchrist]

Yes Rysa you are right - the DVD player is not a progressive scan type unit and I will swap that out at a later date. I have a long love affair with my GA8ES and find it very difficult to part with. It has awesome power and very crisp and clean sound.

The room arrangment I might have to leave alone or my wonderful bride might leave me lonely and won't be so wonderful. I guess I'll have to move behind off the couch and onto the floor a little closer.

[optivity]

[QUOTE=dmchrist]Yes I did see the Maxent ED and HD models as well and actually thought the PQ was quite good however I am a person whom relies on overall quality and intregrity in making such purchases. Panasonic is a manufacturer with values as such.[/QUOTE][QUOTE=dmchrist]the DVD player is not a progressive scan type unit[/QUOTE]Right, and it's difficult to make an accurate comparison unless you see them side-by-side. I've seen the PX50Us, PD50Us and PM50Us at Tweeters, BB, CC, Sears and BJs Wholesale Club and the Panasonic PDPs "always" look best to me.

I watched the “F4” on my brother in-laws 50PX50U last night. The format/connections used were 480[color=red]i[/color] & S-Video. The DVD was 2.35:1 so we set the TVs aspect ratio to “zoom” and the picture quality it rendered was “excellent.”