Post by Skaggs on Feb 23, 2005 13:26:58 GMT -5
PLASMA TVs[/size]
Plasma TVs display bright, colorful images that are eye-catching, especially in high definition (HD). No matter how big the screen, they’re only 4 to 6 inches thick. With prices expected to fall sharply this year, these flat-panel sets could look even more attractive.
Most HD-ready models with 40- to 44- inch screens, the best-selling size, have been going for $3,500 to $5,000 or more. Enhanced-definition (ED) sets of this size, which have lower native resolution, generally cost about $1,000 less. Larger HD sets with screens of 50 inches or more have been hampered by high prices, typically $6,000 and up. In coming months, prices of all these plasma TVs could fall by as much as 25 percent, according to the market-research firm iSuppli, based in El Segundo, California.
Overall, it will be easier to find top notch picture quality. Plasma technology has gradually improved, and the best of the 22 models we tested can display excellent or very good images with all types of programming—HD, DVDs, and even regular TV content, The best picture-tube TVs still do slightly better with fine detail, color accuracy and subtle gradations of black and gray but plasma technology has gradually narrowed the gap.
Because plasma TVs are fairly new, long-term reliability is still a question. The repair histories we have for other types of TVs don’t apply. We can offer a few caveats: Plasma TVs use more power and generate more heat than other types of TVs, and bright images from, say a video game or news zipper” can burn a permanent impression into the screen over time.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Here are some pointers to follow if you’ve decided to get a plasma TV:
Determine the resolution. Ads are often unclear as to whether a set is HD or ED You can tell by the native resolution— the fixed number of pixels (picture elements) on a screen. In a spec like 852x480, note the second number. If it’s 480pixels, the set is ED; 720 or higher, it’s HD.
Consider an ED set for economy. Both HD and ED sets should be capable of up- or down-converting signals as necessary to match their native resolution. ED sets can display the full detail of 480p signals, such as those output by a progressive-scan DVD player, with little or no processing. That’s why some of the ED models we tested were at their best with DVD content. Many can also down-convert HD signals, which are 720p or 1080i, to suit their lower-resolution screens. Some do very well with HD.
The best ED set we tested—despite its lower resolution—looked just as good with HD content as the HD sets. That’s be cause screen resolution alone doesn’t determine picture quality The way a TV processes incoming signals and renders subtle differences in shading also come into play One note: Sit too close to an ED set and you’re likely to see individual pixels, making the images appear coarse, as if you were looking through a screen door.
EDTVs cost much less than comparable HD models, so consider one of the better ED sets if the picture quality suits you. If you’re a purist, you may want to pay the extra money to get a true HD set.
Don’t obsess over the specs. Certain specifications touted in ads, including contrast ratios and brightness (expressed as cd/m or candelas per square meter), are more confusing than helpful. While important, the figures may not be comparable, since manufacturers arrive at specs in various ways. Instead, try to compare the contrast and brightness of different TVs yourself in the store.
Double-check what’s included. Most types of TVs come with speakers and a tuner at least for standard channels. (A digital tuner for HD isn’t included with any HD-ready or standard set.) Some plasma sets don’t include speakers or a tuner for any type of TV signal; you’ll have to pay extra for optional speakers unless you plan to connect the set to a sound system. You won’t have to pay for a tuner if you’ll be using a cable box or satellite receiver which would serve as the tuner for all programming.
Consider logistics. The plasma TVs we tested weigh up to 125 pounds—about the same as a 32-inch conventional set— and they need adequate support. They also need ample ventilation because of the heat they generate. Consider both if you plan to wall-mount your plasma set.
Quick Recommendations
The best plasma sets can display an excellent picture when connected to a high-quality source, such as an HD-capable satellite receiver or digital-cable box. They had clearer, crisper images than lower-rated models, which had pictures that often looked soft or did not accurately display colors. All looked best in low light. The picture quality of the best ED set, the Sony KE-42M1, matched that of the best HD models when it was viewed from the appropriate distance, about 8 feet,
Sound quality was excellent for all but the ViewSonic VPW-425, which has rear-facing speakers. The Marantz P04220V, Fujitsu P42VHA30, and Daewoo DP-42SM don’t come with speakers; for those, we tested optional speakers sold by the manufacturer.
If you watch a lot of DVDs, check out the DVD-playback scores, which indicate picture quality from a progressive-scan DVD player. Note that scores for HD and DVD images are judged on a higher scale than are scores for regular TV signals.
Most tested models are HD-ready. Five digital-cable-ready sets that accept Cable-Cards—the Sony KDE-42XS955, Panasonics (TH-42PX25U/P & TH-42PD25U/P), Pioneer PDP-4345, and Hitachi 42HDX61—and the Dell W4200HD all have a built-in digital tuner.
Quick Picks highlights models that you might want to consider based on how they scored and on factors such as price.
QUICK PICKS
For a fine picture at a great price:
Sony KE-42M1 $2,645
This ED set scored as well as the best HD sets for picture quality with content of all types, despite a native resolution of only 852x480 pixels. Sit closer than about 8 feet away, however, and you may see the pixels forming the images. The onscreen menu was also hand to navigate.
If you want a true HD model:
Sony KDE-42XS955 $4,390
Toshiba 42HP84 $4,350
Phillips 42PF9956 $3,340
True HD sets will look better than ED models when viewed up close. The Sony’s built-in tuner can receive off-air digital signals, and it can accept digital-cable signals via a CableCard. Picture quality was excellent for HD and DVDs and very good for regular TV, but its onscreen menu was fairly hand to use. The Toshiba 42HP84 had an excellent HD picture and was very good with DVDs and regular TV. The Philips 42PF9956 was excellent with HD and DVD content, and good with regular TV. At this price, it’s a good value.
Plasma TVs display bright, colorful images that are eye-catching, especially in high definition (HD). No matter how big the screen, they’re only 4 to 6 inches thick. With prices expected to fall sharply this year, these flat-panel sets could look even more attractive.
Most HD-ready models with 40- to 44- inch screens, the best-selling size, have been going for $3,500 to $5,000 or more. Enhanced-definition (ED) sets of this size, which have lower native resolution, generally cost about $1,000 less. Larger HD sets with screens of 50 inches or more have been hampered by high prices, typically $6,000 and up. In coming months, prices of all these plasma TVs could fall by as much as 25 percent, according to the market-research firm iSuppli, based in El Segundo, California.
Overall, it will be easier to find top notch picture quality. Plasma technology has gradually improved, and the best of the 22 models we tested can display excellent or very good images with all types of programming—HD, DVDs, and even regular TV content, The best picture-tube TVs still do slightly better with fine detail, color accuracy and subtle gradations of black and gray but plasma technology has gradually narrowed the gap.
Because plasma TVs are fairly new, long-term reliability is still a question. The repair histories we have for other types of TVs don’t apply. We can offer a few caveats: Plasma TVs use more power and generate more heat than other types of TVs, and bright images from, say a video game or news zipper” can burn a permanent impression into the screen over time.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Here are some pointers to follow if you’ve decided to get a plasma TV:
Determine the resolution. Ads are often unclear as to whether a set is HD or ED You can tell by the native resolution— the fixed number of pixels (picture elements) on a screen. In a spec like 852x480, note the second number. If it’s 480pixels, the set is ED; 720 or higher, it’s HD.
Consider an ED set for economy. Both HD and ED sets should be capable of up- or down-converting signals as necessary to match their native resolution. ED sets can display the full detail of 480p signals, such as those output by a progressive-scan DVD player, with little or no processing. That’s why some of the ED models we tested were at their best with DVD content. Many can also down-convert HD signals, which are 720p or 1080i, to suit their lower-resolution screens. Some do very well with HD.
The best ED set we tested—despite its lower resolution—looked just as good with HD content as the HD sets. That’s be cause screen resolution alone doesn’t determine picture quality The way a TV processes incoming signals and renders subtle differences in shading also come into play One note: Sit too close to an ED set and you’re likely to see individual pixels, making the images appear coarse, as if you were looking through a screen door.
EDTVs cost much less than comparable HD models, so consider one of the better ED sets if the picture quality suits you. If you’re a purist, you may want to pay the extra money to get a true HD set.
Don’t obsess over the specs. Certain specifications touted in ads, including contrast ratios and brightness (expressed as cd/m or candelas per square meter), are more confusing than helpful. While important, the figures may not be comparable, since manufacturers arrive at specs in various ways. Instead, try to compare the contrast and brightness of different TVs yourself in the store.
Double-check what’s included. Most types of TVs come with speakers and a tuner at least for standard channels. (A digital tuner for HD isn’t included with any HD-ready or standard set.) Some plasma sets don’t include speakers or a tuner for any type of TV signal; you’ll have to pay extra for optional speakers unless you plan to connect the set to a sound system. You won’t have to pay for a tuner if you’ll be using a cable box or satellite receiver which would serve as the tuner for all programming.
Consider logistics. The plasma TVs we tested weigh up to 125 pounds—about the same as a 32-inch conventional set— and they need adequate support. They also need ample ventilation because of the heat they generate. Consider both if you plan to wall-mount your plasma set.
Quick Recommendations
The best plasma sets can display an excellent picture when connected to a high-quality source, such as an HD-capable satellite receiver or digital-cable box. They had clearer, crisper images than lower-rated models, which had pictures that often looked soft or did not accurately display colors. All looked best in low light. The picture quality of the best ED set, the Sony KE-42M1, matched that of the best HD models when it was viewed from the appropriate distance, about 8 feet,
Sound quality was excellent for all but the ViewSonic VPW-425, which has rear-facing speakers. The Marantz P04220V, Fujitsu P42VHA30, and Daewoo DP-42SM don’t come with speakers; for those, we tested optional speakers sold by the manufacturer.
If you watch a lot of DVDs, check out the DVD-playback scores, which indicate picture quality from a progressive-scan DVD player. Note that scores for HD and DVD images are judged on a higher scale than are scores for regular TV signals.
Most tested models are HD-ready. Five digital-cable-ready sets that accept Cable-Cards—the Sony KDE-42XS955, Panasonics (TH-42PX25U/P & TH-42PD25U/P), Pioneer PDP-4345, and Hitachi 42HDX61—and the Dell W4200HD all have a built-in digital tuner.
Quick Picks highlights models that you might want to consider based on how they scored and on factors such as price.
QUICK PICKS
For a fine picture at a great price:
Sony KE-42M1 $2,645
This ED set scored as well as the best HD sets for picture quality with content of all types, despite a native resolution of only 852x480 pixels. Sit closer than about 8 feet away, however, and you may see the pixels forming the images. The onscreen menu was also hand to navigate.
If you want a true HD model:
Sony KDE-42XS955 $4,390
Toshiba 42HP84 $4,350
Phillips 42PF9956 $3,340
True HD sets will look better than ED models when viewed up close. The Sony’s built-in tuner can receive off-air digital signals, and it can accept digital-cable signals via a CableCard. Picture quality was excellent for HD and DVDs and very good for regular TV, but its onscreen menu was fairly hand to use. The Toshiba 42HP84 had an excellent HD picture and was very good with DVDs and regular TV. The Philips 42PF9956 was excellent with HD and DVD content, and good with regular TV. At this price, it’s a good value.