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Can I find a better tv for the money?

That TV at Sam's Club will cost you about $692 after tax at Sam's Club. You can get a very similar 42" Panasonic plasma (X1 model instead of X14) for $589 shipped with no tax if you follow that link and use the coupon code "welcome10" (without the quotes). I would say that there's probably not a better 42" TV for $589.

But, I must ask the obligatory "What's your viewing distance?" question.
 
well 10 feet is a bit far for a 42" of course, which is why.
seems the deals on the 46" are coming down below 800 these days in hot deals forums and such. pretty sweet. maybe 46 is the new 42😉
 
Originally posted by: Sawyer
I found a 42" Vizio 1080p lcd at Wal-mart for 687
Click to expand...

Panasonic Plasma >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Vizio LCD

My concern, as with others, would be with your viewing distance. I sit exactly 9 feet from my 50" plasma, and I think it's a great size for that viewing distance. Others on here have much larger screens at the same distance.

I'm not sure if there are any out there right now, but 50" 720p Samsung and Panasonic plasmas sometimes go on sale for around $800. You'll probably notice some limitations of 720p at 5 feet away from a 50", but you most likely won't from 8-10 feet away. You will definitely notice the 42% size increase of the 42" TV (you can compare screen sizes at www.tvcalculator.com).
 
Consumer reports did a round up of tv in march.
Their top 5 picks , from 1st to last were:

In 42 inch:

Panasonic TH-42PX80u
LG 42PG20
Hitachi P42A202
Samsung PN42B450
Vizio VP422HDTV10A


In 50 inch:

Samsung PN50A550
Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD
Samsung PN50A650
Samsung PN50A760
Panasonic TH-C50FD18

In 58 inch and larger:

Samsung PN58A550
Pioneer PDP-6020FD
Panasonic TH-58PZ850U
Samsung PN58A650
LG 60PG30


 
I wouldn't put too much stock in the Consumer Reports choices. CR is great for a lot of things, but I don't think TVs is one of them. They put so much emphasis on price, that a high-priced model like the PRO-111FD would never be at the top of a list. Think of the lists as the following formula: quality/price = score.

Here's an example. When the Pioneer Kuro first came out and pretty much every professional reviewer said it was the best flat-panel TV ever, CR put it 2nd or 3rd on the list.
 
Originally posted by: kalrith
I wouldn't put too much stock in the Consumer Reports choices. CR is great for a lot of things, but I don't think TVs is one of them. They put so much emphasis on price, that a high-priced model like the PRO-111FD would never be at the top of a list. Think of the lists as the following formula: quality/price = score.

Here's an example. When the Pioneer Kuro first came out and pretty much every professional reviewer said it was the best flat-panel TV ever, CR put it 2nd or 3rd on the list.
Click to expand...
Looking back at the article the reason the Pioneer did not get #1 was because of its remote and on screen menus.

The Samsung scored 81 and the Pioneer 80.


They actually have two ways of deciding what is best, one is the best buy and the other is best features. The score difference + price was too far apart for the Pioneer to get either category. They also take into account rate of returns and repairs .
 
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Consumer reports did a round up of tv in march.
Their top 5 picks , from 1st to last were:

In 42 inch:

Panasonic TH-42PX80u
LG 42PG20
Hitachi P42A202
Samsung PN42B450
Vizio VP422HDTV10A


In 50 inch:

Samsung PN50A550
Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD
Samsung PN50A650
Samsung PN50A760
Panasonic TH-C50FD18

In 58 inch and larger:

Samsung PN58A550
Pioneer PDP-6020FD
Panasonic TH-58PZ850U
Samsung PN58A650
LG 60PG30
Click to expand...

All of these are last year's tvs as well, the pioneer isnt even made anymore sadly. I wouldnt put too much stock in CR for TVs or anything else these days as well thats electronic. If your 80 and still use a bose wave radio then by all means listen to them...


I do think that the 42 720P panny's are lots of TV for the money right now especially if you watch otr or hd cable..if you plan on doing Blueray anytime soon then maybe the sub 800 40B530 would would decent if you used calibration settings from avs forum.
 
If you can get over the flaws of plasma TVs - the glare, the heat production, and above all the potential for burn-in - you'll be very happy with this TV. Cheap LCDs have some major flaws, especially in the areas and contrast and light leakage, to which plasma TVs are simply not subject.
 
Originally posted by: Cheesehead
If you can get over the flaws of plasma TVs - the glare, the heat production, and above all the potential for burn-in - you'll be very happy with this TV. Cheap LCDs have some major flaws, especially in the areas and contrast and light leakage, to which plasma TVs are simply not subject.
Click to expand...

Glare is not an issue, nor is burn in. LCDs produce a good bit of heat too. All LCDs have at least on major issue that makes them a no go for me......

Mediocre horizontal viewing angle and downright piss poor vertical viewing angle.


 
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