Maxent or Panasonic w/HTPC?

[DArthur]

I'm in a quandry - My 50" Vizio is going back (red static in black areas) and the 2 options at Costco that I'm looking at are the Maxent and the Panasonic TH-50PX6U. Obviously, The Panny is a better set under normal conditions, however:

The Maxent has a VGA connection, and supports native resolution through HDMI - the Panny does not have a PC hookup, nor supports non-hdtv resolutions through HDMI (from what I can tell). This is important to me as I use a HTPC for all my viewing. I do have DVI out, but on the VISIO, running with native VGA vs. the HDMI was no contest - the VGA was better.

Can I expect the same with the Maxent and Panny? There's also the almost $800.00 difference in price...

Anyone running an HTPC with a TH-50PX6U?

I'm hoping to make the exchange in the next few days, so all input is more than welcome!

thanks,

Darryl

[Patrick McGuire]

I have the Maxent and HDMI/DVI is better than VGA or component. HDMI/ DVI is cleaner with less pixellation, edges of faces/objects are more defined. If you can get your card to output DVI-1366X768 exactly, your desktop will be tack sharp. DVDs with WinDVD 7 using overlay look great. WinDVD 7 has adjustable gamma, which helps a bit to bring out shadow detail.

[DArthur]

Patrick -

Any problems with the Maxent? It seems like a good value (esp. since I originally paide 2399.00 for the Visio - leaves some leftover $$$ for other Costco items)...

Anyone using the Panny with an HTPC???

Thanks,

Darryl

[Patrick McGuire]

[QUOTE=DArthur]Patrick -

Any problems with the Maxent? It seems like a good value (esp. since I originally paide 2399.00 for the Visio - leaves some leftover $$$ for other Costco items)...

Anyone using the Panny with an HTPC???

Thanks,

Darryl[/QUOTE]

Red push and loss of shadow detail on dark objects on a bright background. The effect of red push can be reduced in Svc. Menu by dropping red gain a bit. The shadow detail on sillouhetted objects/people can increased by raising contrast and brightness, although this causes some loss of white detail in extremely bright scenes.

The only other low priced panel I would consider is the 9UK Panny. HTPC capability is important to me also. The Panny 6U only accepts HDTV resolutions, no native rez capability. The Panny 600U accepts native rez over VGA(RGB). The Pio 5070 would be my next choice in the higher price range. The 600U and the Pio can be ordered from Costco online.

The Maxent may very well be a Matsushita built Plasma(Panny's parent co.). It is very similar in features/menu items as the Panny commercials. The model # of the panel itself is one digit off from the Panny's. The 9Uk probably has better auto-contrast(less black float).

The Maxent 5020HPM continues to amaze me with what it can do with the right material. But, I am occasionally disappointed with what it does with marginal images. If your looking for perfection the Maxent is definitely not it. If you want a true bargain, this may be it. Just be prepared for some serious tweaking.

[Scmedic]

Check the Maxent thread and you'll see that this is no brainer to get the Panny...

I did just return my 5020, due to fluctuating black levels (which they call "dynamic" contrast), red push, and a bad HDMI input.

Instead I picked up the 50" Amblilight Philips for a hair under 20 benjamin's...BB price matched a local membership clubs online deal... NIGHT AND DAY! I'd recommend the newer model Philips to anyone. Picture is hands down better. Tons of menu selections for adjustability and features..

The 5020 is a Panny panel, but the almost 1k dollar difference is in the electronics..