Good, budget 42" display

[bradlee27514]

Hey there, haven't been up on A/V stuff for a couple of years and was hoping to get some suggestions. Some time in the next few months I plan on picking up a monitor or tv. I'm think about a 42" widescreen. I want something nice, but $$$ is a pretty big factor. Do I need a T.V. or can I just go with a monitor, if so what are some manufacturers to look into.

I don't need audio capabilty, as I run all audio through my receiver. I will pick up a cable box for sports, so I don't need an HDTV tuner built in correct? I don't care about local HD broadcasts. I also plan on picking up a progressive scan dvdp, which seem to be pretty cheap. Recomendations on those are also welcome.

I don't need bells and whistles, just a good quality display. Thanks.

[daviethek]

I have Panasonic's basic 42" 720p plasma. Its called the Viera and it is last years model. It was around 1,000. I did a hell of a lot evaluating and the last two I was left with in my budget was Panasonic's basic plasma and a similar Samsung plasma. Its useless to give model mumbers since both units are already updated. My third choice was the LG Plasma which surprised me. Loved em all, bought the Panasonic. It is a basic unit, the speakers are in the back of the panel and like you, I run the audio through my stereo.
Lots of raves about the OPPO dvd players. Good Luck. dk

[RoadRunner6]

Commercial TV's (monitor) which don't have a tuner, stand or speakers usually run more than the regular consumer models, so go with a regular consumer TV. If you don't have lots of super bright lights in your room look for a quality plasma. Great picture, no motion blur for fast moving sports and the best off angle viewing. Burn in is not a problem if you follow the first 100 hour breakin advice and don't leave static images on the screen for extended periods.

If you live close to a Costco they have a 42" Panasonic plasma 720p (768p) for $799 (model TH-C42HD18) and a 42" Panasonic 1080p for $999 (model TH-C42FD18). These are the exact same as Panasonic's entry level sets (model series PX80U & PZ80U) with great picture quality and anti-reflective screen but not the extra bells and whistles. Go to Panasonic USA or Costco.com for details.

Stay away from slightly cheaper budget brands, not worth the small difference.

RR6 :o

[pixelthis]

Hey there, haven't been up on A/V stuff for a couple of years and was hoping to get some suggestions. Some time in the next few months I plan on picking up a monitor or tv. I'm think about a 42" widescreen. I want something nice, but $$$ is a pretty big factor. Do I need a T.V. or can I just go with a monitor, if so what are some manufacturers to look into.

I don't need audio capabilty, as I run all audio through my receiver. I will pick up a cable box for sports, so I don't need an HDTV tuner built in correct? I don't care about local HD broadcasts. I also plan on picking up a progressive scan dvdp, which seem to be pretty cheap. Recomendations on those are also welcome.

I don't need bells and whistles, just a good quality display. Thanks.

If you are looking for value, go with VIZIO or OLEVIA .
And stick with LCD, trust me on this.
I just purchased a 42" vizio at Walmart, 1080p 24p, 898$,
check out this thread.
http://forums.audioreview.com/showthread.php?t=28105

:1:

[RoadRunner6]

Attention Walmart Shoppers:

Here are the ratings on the 42" Vizio LCD TV and the Panasonic 42" Plasma from the same review website.


Vizio 42" LCD (1080p)

PICTURE QUALITY RATINGS: 77/100
OVERALL RATING: 79.25/100



Panny 42" plasma (768p)

PICTURE QUALITY RATING: 96
OVERALL RATING: 93.5



It's a no brainer (trust me on this) and thank you for shopping at Walmart. :D

[bradlee27514]

thanks for the responses! I look into them, any other thoughts are welcome. Never heard of that dvdp brand b/f.

[RoadRunner6]

OPPO

http://www.oppodigital.com/

[bradlee27514]

Can a good one not be had for less than $100 now? or is that pushing it?

[RoadRunner6]

The OPPO units are excellent products for a relatively budget price. However, it looks like you are on a very tight budget.

Why don't you try a unit or two at a dealer (like Costco, they only have a limited choice, or others) that has a 100% return policy. Test with a good quality movie and see what you think. Later as the prices drop and you can afford one then go to an Oppo and/or a Blu-Ray unit. The day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) or several weeks before Christmas the prices will dip. Don't skimp on the quality of the TV to slip in a more expensive dvd player.

Something like this or one from Sony or Toshiba might be OK.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/486499682/panasonic-dvd-s54k?v_c=PriceGrabber&srccode=cii_5784816&cpncode=18-19552391-2

RR6 :p

[neotech888]

wow, your budget is very small, your best bet would be to look at second hand possibilities, I think you could pick up a reasonably good device with the kind of money your featuring.

[pixelthis]

Can a good one not be had for less than $100 now? or is that pushing it?


IN A WORD, YES.
"Upconverting" will improve your pic but wont increase res, that is impossible without an expensive scaler.
If you're buying a new TV, let it do the scaling, it will probably do a better job, and get a standard DVD player with componet or hdmi out.
The pic will probably look just as good:1:

[Rich-n-Texas]

What's up with those links in your sig seodose?

[Duds]

I just saw a Panny 42 inch plasma on sale for $799. unreal price for a great tv, that has a much better picture than a Vizio or Olevia.

Panasonic makes some monitors that are great deals. take a look at these sites.

http://www.plasmaconcepts.com/sections/avs.asp
http://www.visualapex.com/index.htm
https://clevelandplasma.com/




Hey there, haven't been up on A/V stuff for a couple of years and was hoping to get some suggestions. Some time in the next few months I plan on picking up a monitor or tv. I'm think about a 42" widescreen. I want something nice, but $$$ is a pretty big factor. Do I need a T.V. or can I just go with a monitor, if so what are some manufacturers to look into.

I don't need audio capabilty, as I run all audio through my receiver. I will pick up a cable box for sports, so I don't need an HDTV tuner built in correct? I don't care about local HD broadcasts. I also plan on picking up a progressive scan dvdp, which seem to be pretty cheap. Recomendations on those are also welcome.

I don't need bells and whistles, just a good quality display. Thanks.

[Duds]

LOL!!! you actuall think people care about picture quality?? people only want a tv that is lighter, uses less power, wont fall on someone and kill them, is cheap, etc......right Trixie Pixie?!?!?


Attention Walmart Shoppers:

Here are the ratings on the 42" Vizio LCD TV and the Panasonic 42" Plasma from the same review website.


Vizio 42" LCD (1080p)

PICTURE QUALITY RATINGS: 77/100
OVERALL RATING: 79.25/100



Panny 42" plasma (768p)

PICTURE QUALITY RATING: 96
OVERALL RATING: 93.5



It's a no brainer (trust me on this) and thank you for shopping at Walmart. :D

[pixelthis]

I just saw a Panny 42 inch plasma on sale for $799. unreal price for a great tv, that has a much better picture than a Vizio or Olevia.

Panasonic makes some monitors that are great deals. take a look at these sites.

http://www.plasmaconcepts.com/sections/avs.asp
http://www.visualapex.com/index.htm
https://clevelandplasma.com/

DONT forget that its 720p, obsolete right outta the box:1:

[pixelthis]

LOL!!! you actuall think people care about picture quality?? people only want a tv that is lighter, uses less power, wont fall on someone and kill them, is cheap, etc......right Trixie Pixie?!?!?

Considering that PQ wont be much good when you're dead, I would have to agree with you.
Thanks for finally coming to your senses:1:

[pixelthis]

I just saw a Panny 42 inch plasma on sale for $799. unreal price for a great tv, that has a much better picture than a Vizio or Olevia.

Panasonic makes some monitors that are great deals. take a look at these sites.

http://www.plasmaconcepts.com/sections/avs.asp
http://www.visualapex.com/index.htm
https://clevelandplasma.com/


THIS IS a common theme in plasma TV, and there are always plenty of knuckleheads that fall for it(see below).
Plasma has never been able to compete.
When 720p and 1080i were becoming prevalent plasma was hawking their 480p models by saying it "didnt make much difference",
truth is higher res , true HD plasma was much more expensive.
SAME IS TRUE TODAY, 720p is being touted as "good enough"
because plasma 1080p is the most expensive form factor you can get today.
AND when you ask why you should get a set with lower res at usually
the same price vague comments like "pq" and "black level" is raised.
Plasma has always lagged behind, always will.:1:

[Duds]

Wow you really are a buffoon. one day you are saying Plasmas are more expensive than the "better" LCDs, the next day plasmas are cheaper because they are fading away. Make up your mind!!

and once again, you are wrong. put a 720p and a 1080 p side by side, feed it the same hi-def tv broadcast, and i challenge anyone to see a difference from 9 feet away or more. I compared an 1080p Pioneer elite and a 720p pioneer elite this way, and there was zero difference. Now feed it a blue ray signal and you may certainly see a difference, some may not even see that though.


THIS IS a common theme in plasma TV, and there are always plenty of knuckleheads that fall for it(see below).
Plasma has never been able to compete.
When 720p and 1080i were becoming prevalent plasma was hawking their 480p models by saying it "didnt make much difference",
truth is higher res , true HD plasma was much more expensive.
SAME IS TRUE TODAY, 720p is being touted as "good enough"
because plasma 1080p is the most expensive form factor you can get today.
AND when you ask why you should get a set with lower res at usually
the same price vague comments like "pq" and "black level" is raised.
Plasma has always lagged behind, always will.:1:

[RoadRunner6]

Wow you really are a buffoon.

"buffoon" ..... that's really got a nice ring to it, Duds. (I like it, I like it!)

RR6 :D :D