Anyone ever check this out? It looks nifty on websites and such.
Plus, they claim it's HD in the specs: "High Definition Compatibility
Yes (720p/1080i)"
Does this mean it just needs an HD receiver or is it more deceiving than that? Is this monitor any good at all?
gotapex
11-05-03, 05:08 PM
I've had one.
It means it can accept high definition (720p & 1080i) signals from any HD source, such as a HD receiver. However, it can only output 852x480.
It's not one of the better 42" plasma panels around. The newer PDP-42B's do have better specs than the one from Tiger Direct.
NEW:
Contrast: 1200:1
Brightness: 1000 nits
TigerDirect:
Contrast: 600:1
Brightness: 570 nits
Even the new one is a below average panel. It's worth buying for less than $2k or so, otherwise there are better choices.
NikePenguin
11-05-03, 05:12 PM
Since the resolution is only 852x480, this set is only EDTV. The HD Compatibility most likely means that it will accept a 720p/1080i signal but will convert it to display 480p. It does also mean you need an HDTV decoder to view HD material.
NikePenguin
11-05-03, 05:14 PM
Originally posted by gotapex
NEW:
Contrast: 1200:1
Brightness: 1000 nits
TigerDirect:
Contrast: 600:1
Brightness: 570 nits
I thought that 600:1 contrast sounded very low for plasma.
X
11-05-03, 06:23 PM
Originally posted by NikePenguin
I thought that 600:1 contrast sounded very low for plasma. No kidding. I just saw an ad on TV for a Panasonic (I think it was) with 3000:1. I was impressed they actually gave specs in a TV ad.
gotapex
11-05-03, 06:55 PM
The latest 42" ED Panasonics are 4000:1 (manufacturer rating).
Gil Jawetz
11-05-03, 10:21 PM
And the price is far, far higher for those. Hmmm... maybe going cheap doesn't pay.
gotapex
11-05-03, 10:56 PM
It wasn't that long ago that the latest Panny was $2100 or so delivered (about a week or so now). The lowest I've seen the Planar for is $1900. That's only a 10% difference or so.
Gil Jawetz
11-05-03, 11:04 PM
Originally posted by gotapex
It wasn't that long ago that the latest Panny was $2100 or so delivered (about a week or so now). The lowest I've seen the Planar for is $1900. That's only a 10% difference or so.
I've been wondering about that Dell deal. How often do 20% coupons pop up there? And what was that 10% ebay coupon all about? I missed that deal (not that I would necessarily have done it)
gotapex
11-05-03, 11:21 PM
Once in awhile. 10-15% are more common. Times when there's a 20% and a 10% stackable with each other tend to be more rare, but it does happen.
Buy: