Ready to buy my first plasma tv... advice.

[threeprong]

I realize I have a lot of research to do but any general insights or tales from your purchase would be appreciated.

I plan to use this as a client presentation tool and and sometimes a office entertainment on late nights.

ANyone here recently decide betweeen 720p and 1080i?


3p

[WHiiP]

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/tips/

[guitarist]

Just make sure you get one that's in color. Color TV is awesome!

Just kidding.

I went through this last winter, and researched until my eyes were bleeding, 'cause there's a lot of complex and contradictory stuff out there, about LCD vs. Plasma, 720p vs. 1080i, resolution, competing models, marketing hype, technical questions, etc. I settled on a 42" Panasonic that I'm happy with. The best way to avoid buyer's remorse is to feel confident you've researched it until you feel reasonably well informed.

With that in mind, if I could recommend only one item, to address some of your questions, it would be this one. I found this article to be useful, perhaps you will too.

HDTV RESOLUTION EXPLAINED

http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5137915-1.html

[jdc]

whats your budget?

and what size were you thinking?

[threeprong]

jdc,

I am sharing this expense with my business partner and since my office has large ceilings we were considering the 50" size. I am also thinking at this point that 720p will be fine as we don't plan on screening movies just presenting pitches and watching the occasional tv show.

Budget would be around $2000 installed but I'd like it to end up around $1500 if possible.

3p

[Chupa Chupa]

Advice:

1) Don't buy a plasma. Buy an LCD. Plasma TVs are slowing being phased out now that large panel LCDs are possible and economical to produce. LCDs use less electricity, and "burn in" is not as big of an issue.

2) 720p vs 1080p not really an issue anymore. Most sets under 42" are still 720p and most over 42"+are 1080p. Avoid any set that is 1080i native. That is a real oddball.

3) Brand does matter, but so does the model #. Sony, Samsung, Pioneer, Panasonic, makes some great sets. They also make some mediocre ones. Research each model you are considering. Even top end sets have been known to have issues. For example some of Sony's XBRs (top of the line) had clouding issues last year.

4) Feature buzzword of the year: 120hz processing. Basically its suppose to make fast horizontal action smoother. It was only on the high end sets last year. It's made its way to the mid-end sets this year. It can be great, it can be nothing, it can make the picture look worse. Like everything its all in the engineering so don't let the spec "wow" you alone.

[LyleH]

One decision should be whether to get a glossy or a matte screen. We have a lot of reflective windows in our "entertainment" room, so the matte screen we got does an excellent job of making the glare a non-issue. An office could be a problem with a glossy screen.

LyleH

[Harbourmaster]

If the room where you will be viewing has bright lights or windows then an LCD is a better choice because it looks better in brighter lighting. If the room can be darkened you may be better off with a Plasma, especially if you need dark blacks or wide gamut saturated colors.

Screen burn in is not a problem with the latest generation of plasma screens.

[Dick Moore]

Almost 2 years on, I'm still thrilled with our Vizio 50" plasma set that does 720p and 1080i. Brightness is terrific and color accuracy is just excellent, and I have seen no changes in performance of any kind. Had a great price then, prob. still does.

[Sam3]

I have to agree with Dick. Last fall I stood in Circuit City for 3 1/2 hours to get a Sharp Aquos 42" LCD TV. They sold out of them 3 people in front of me. They then tried to upsell me to a 40" Samsung for $999. I bought it. but went on a search and saw that Costco was having a 50" Visio plasma on Black Friday for $1000.00. I returned the 40" Samsung and got the Visio. It's a 720P/1080i, but it looks awesome. We haven't regretted getting it at all.

Plasmas have a much better contrast ratio, though LCD's have been getting better. A plasma black is truly black. The only reason that you would want a 1080p set is if it's over 43" in size and you have a HD-DVD or BlueRay player. If you are watching tv, then 720p/2080i is all that you need, since broadcasters broadcast in 1080i only. 1080p consumes too much bandwidth and the broadcast industry will not go that route.