Panasonic TH-42PE7U
 

Anybody have info on this? I saw they have a 42" on sale at BB during BF for under $1k, but I assumed it was the TH-42PX75U. However, now I wonder if it is this one. It's listed as coming soon on the BB wesite with retail price of $899.

These are available now at Best Buy online and stores. I got one today for 899, so far so good. It appears to be a model made exclusively for Best Buy. Members over at avs forum are reporting that it's the same unit as the well-reviewed TH-42PX75U, minus the SD slot and a somewhat inferior speaker set.

There's a 10% off coupon out there somewhere that may be used to bring down the price even more.
linky

I picked one of these up last Friday. They would not let me use a 12% off "Birthday" coupon I had because they said it was a "Special Order" item. I was a little annoyed with this since the regular price BB has listed for this set IS $899, and they usually will apply the discount to the regular price if there is a sale.

This is my first plasma, but I am very pleased with it so far. It was a long needed upgrade from a 26" Sharp LCD.

The Best Buy Specs list "Antireflective screen coating minimizes glare for improved viewing" I haven't compared any other model to see if there is indeed less glare, but I have a pretty well lit living room, and the glare is not nearly as much of a factor as I imagined it would be.

In addition to the supposed "Antireflective screen", this model also appears to have more inputs than the TH-42PX75U:

"Inputs: 2 HDMI, 2 composite video, 2 component video, 2 S-video, 2 analog audio, 4 audio"

As stated, this is my first plasma, I am abiding by the break-in period (although I've read mixed reports on how necessary this is). I'll be reading up at AVS, but would also like to hear any info/pointers.

The break-in period is a debated topic, but as long as you use common sense, it shouldn't be an issue. Here's what Panasonic themselves recommend.

Thanks, stinkeye.

I've seen these PE models popping up at Costco as well. Glad to hear that you get an extra HDMI input and also the anti-reflective coating on these new plasma models.

Actually it's not the same as the PX: It uses an older panel which is subject to burn-in. Buyer beware.

I think most pannys made within the past 3-4 years are safe from burn in. I wouldn't leave a static image on the screen for the first 200 hours, but these things are much more capable at handling burn in than people credit

Source?