Plasma TV

[JB]

I want a hang-on-the-wall TV with 16:9 plasma screen.<br /><br />Get some more room in my tiny (10x13) TV room and mount it high enough so I can see it from my recliner while reclined.<br /><br />Johnson & Johnson has made me a few kbux in the last few weeks so I can treat myself to a frivolous luxury.<br /><br />Checked out Consumer Reports, who highly recommend the Sony Wega KE-42M1 42" Enhanced Definition set listing for around $3200. Said it had better picture than any of the HD sets they tested. Also lists for $1K to $2K less than the 42" HD sets.<br /><br />Any experience with this set? Does it work straight off my Direct TV box? Does it offer PIP? Any other tips/comments?<br /><br />Where should I shop for it? Wally World, Sam's, Cosco, Best Buy?<br /><br />Thanks for any advice.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Plasma TV

I just got a smaller LCD TV a couple of weeks ago. I had the WORST experience with Best Buy and will never go back. Circuit City had a good selection and good prices and the sales guys work hard for you. Cosco has good prices but limited selection.<br /><br />I ended up buying mine from a smaller local retail shop - I got their floor model for a couple of bucks less than all the other guys.<br /><br />You're going to love it no matter where you get it.<br /><br />...Too bad Iboats doesn't sell 'em!

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Plasma TV

It sounds great JB, yes your Direc TV receiver will hook right up to it, although you won't get the Direc TV High Def Digital Channels "HBO, Showtime, Discovery, HDnet, HD ppv's" you would need a Direc TV HD receiver for that. It does have a built in NTSC tuner meaning you could receive your locals in Digital if they are avaiable in your area with an antenna that you may already have on your roof. No picture in picture but who use's that anyway. At 90 lbs and where you want to mount it I'd have it Installed by some who can guarantee you it's done right.<br /><br /> http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Sony_KE_42M1

 

[crab bait]

Re: Plasma TV

it's always somethin'..!! an for an extra 1000 bucs you'll can have sound.. ..remote control up to channel 9 comes free..

 

[JB]

Re: Plasma TV

HUH?? <br /><br />It doesn't have sound? The CR report says sound is excellent. Is that with external speakers or with an external receiver?<br /><br />"...up to channel 9.. ."?? Whazzat mean?

 

[one more cast]

Re: Plasma TV

JB, plasma TV's put off a lot of heat. You might want to check that out and also check out the LCD TVs. I was looking at 20 inchers and found a magnavox at sam club for $499. I couldn't see a $1000 difference in the picture quality.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Plasma TV

You will have sound and a remote......He's just being sarcastic.

 

[fixin]

Re: Plasma TV

I don't know if it's true,but I herd plasma T.V. had to be serviced every couple of years.The plasma has to be refilled?<br />I had one of the worst experiences with circuit city.Bought a satellite from them and the access card was missing.They said it wasn't their problem and I would have to take it up with the manufacture.I asked them what if I bought a t.v. and it didn't have a cord?They said not their problem!Well after I maid a big enough seen...they gave me a new one,but I wont buy anything from them again.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Plasma TV

jb- i don't think this is the place to get all your answers. i'd get on the web and start doing some reading on sites that specialize in this. there is just too much change right now. i wouldn't want you to get bad advice.<br /><br />i am surprised that consumer reports spoke highly of the edtv. i always saw that as a marketting scam to lure people into buying a non-hd set they thought was hd. if it truly provides a great picture and your happy with your channels, then sounds like a good choice. i would rather get the hdtv and prepare for the future.<br /><br />i'm personally looking at the dlp lcd projection tvs. samsung is into their 3rd generation set. for $3000-3200, you can get their 50 in widesreen dlp lcd projector. it is something like 14 in deep and 78 lbs, making it possible for wall mounting. it also has a built in harddrive that records 120 min or so of shows for replay.<br /><br />good luck-

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Plasma TV

So your calling us dummies huh?..LOL<br /><br />I can except that....:LOL<br /><br />Not sure if JB wants to melt his brain or not but if he does here is a site that can tell you all you would ever want to know.<br /> http://www.avsforum.com/ <br /><br />The main problem with the DLP and LCD TV's while the High Definition Digital channels are breath taking the Standard Definition channels are just plain crappy and are not exceptable to watch and have left many owners of these sets dissapointed.<br />My Samsung DLP lasted 7 days and was returned for a rear projection model plus a $2500 refund for the difference in price.

 

[JB]

Re: Plasma TV

Yo, Mattttt.<br /><br />Actually, they didn't "speak highly" of ED in general. They simply rated the picture quality of that Sony with both HD and conventional signals as superior to the HDTV sets they tested.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Plasma TV

Plasma TVs do not have to be refilled. It doesn't work that way. Plasma tv is similar to your basic Cathode Ray Tube (conventional) tv. The difference is that with your conventional tv you have one big tube, and the phosphorous pixels are excited by an electron beam. Plasma has each and every single pixel contained in its own tiny tube, each tube filled with plasma, and each tube is excited electronically. Thats the basic difference. <br /><br />In the end, you still get the very best picture from a standard cathode ray tube, but plasma has caught up. Plasma had a lot of problems with black, as it would look dark gray instead of pure black. Plasma looks good now. LCD had a lot of problems with motion, you would get a slight blur to anything moving, but they have kicked that little problem in the buttocks as well. In the end, you should take a dvd of a movie you are very familiar with, and test it with that. Show rooms use dvds that make tv pictures appear better than they actually are. Its a pain, but worth it if you are droppin the kind of coin you are dropping. Good luck and enjoy....

 

[dolluper]

Re: Plasma TV

Ther's lots of interesting stuff on tv's price comparisons and knowledge at www.howstuffworks.com under electronics they have a thing about plasmas I think you want to read

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Plasma TV

sorry, didn't want to say the fellas here don't know what they are talking about. i just know from my very limited research that things get very confusing. i've been ready to pull the trigger for some time now, but have been frustrated with the differing views i get and how fast the technology (and prices) is changing. i'll probably wait until the holidays pass to see the return rate on some of these units. hopefully i can catch a good deal while making the right choice.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Plasma TV

Originally posted by mattttt25:<br /> sorry, didn't want to say the fellas here don't know what they are talking about.

I am sorry if I was misunderstood.<br />I knew you were just trying to help JB with a big purchase and of course I was kidding.... <br /><br />Happy Holidays to everyone at iboats.....

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Plasma TV

I saw on the Today show this morning that it is a good idea to wait until January, as prices will drop further, something like 30%. I am patiently waiting for prices to continue to drop. The I will get a balls up set. Still out of the price range right now...

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Plasma TV

My FIL just bought a 65" Toshiba HDTV rear projection TV (not dlp). Certainly a lot bigger than JB has room for but it has an incredibly good picture on regular cable.. When you walk by a row of big screen projectors, it had the brightest, sharpest picture of the lot. They also make a 57" version. All under $2K

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Plasma TV

So JB how is the TV project coming along....?

 

[JB]

Re: Plasma TV

Actually, GG, I just got home with my brand new Sony 55" LCD projector HDTV.<br /><br />It is still on the trailer. I will get some help in the morning to bring it in and set it up.<br /><br />When they offered me 55"HDTV for $600 less than the 42" plasma EDTV I was hooked. <br /><br />Thanks to all for their input. I think you guys helped me decide against the plasma set.