Who Owns a Plasma? What do U recommend?

[Fatboydim]

Ok early days but I'm thinking of getting a Plasma screen for my Home Cinema set up. Has anyone actually got one? What are the pros and cons?

Going from a 36inch CRT to a 42inch Plasma will I be disappointed.

I'm thinking of the Panny TH-42Pwd4

Anyone got any experience of this one?

[SOUNDSTYLE]

I was going to get a plasma but went for the Sony 36FS70 instead when I found out that they only last for about 10,000 hours:eek: For the price I think it's not worth it. I'm going to wait until prices come down before thinking about getting one in the future.
When I was purchasing the Sony, I did see one on display (a Philips) and the picture was awful with the streaking effect which I had with a Philips tv a few years back. It might have looked that way because it was set up wrong.

[Fatboydim]

I would only use it as a dedicated Home Cinema Screen. Therefore 10,000 hours would equate roughly to 5000 movies. I probably watch on average three movies a week that would give me thirty years worth... so that doesn't seem too much of a problem... Though I'm sure I read somewhere that the gas has to be replaced after awhile. Not sure how often that is. Picture quality is the real bug bear.. The last one I saw demonstrated was about a year ago. It was properly set up. But nowhere near the quality of a CRT... But for that matter I would say the same of any projection system as well. It's amazing how often you go to a cinema and watch the picture blur.

It would just look so godamned good on the wall :D

[Bapapapa]

If it's gonna be used purely for HC, then surely the best option would be a front projector setup?

[Fatboydim]

This could be an option if the room wasn't so small. The room is 10 X 12. So at the moment you're only about 7feet away from the screen. This might extend to 8/9 feet with a projector, but still seems a bit tight. At the moment films that fill the 16:9 format can seem a little too much. Might not that be the same with a projector?

[Bapapapa]

Well, if you think it's too much now on your 36" CRT won't a 42" plasma be even worse??

:confused:

[Fatboydim]

What's six inches between friends? :)

I believe Hitachi are bringing out a 32 inch plasma... that might be an option.

But you're right... it might be too much.

I've just been looking at Projectors re: your last post... It seems a good Minimum throw rate is 2.2 metres. That would seem to be right on the 7 foot mark.

I'll investigate further however.

[millec199]

When I first saw the 42" Philips I was very disappointed with the picture as it seemed grainy and the colour looked washed. But you do have to remember that it was the first Plasma to be widely released to the consumer market.

Since then I have seen a 42" NEC which looked good although it was not viewed under the best conditions. But the thing which really made me happy was the 50" Pioneer playing the Matrix. TI looked so cool that I almost ran to the bank to arrange a loan :) . If you can afford one it is the best way to go in the room you describe. I think Pioneer do a 50" and a 42" so you can fit it into your budget. The shop that had the 50" was selling it for £9999 but I have seen it for £7500 online.

There was also a company selling Ex-Dome (that is dome not demo) 42" NECs for £3000 although if you think about it they have prob been on for 12 hours a day for a year (365*12 = 4380) so it may be that it will only last half the time.

[mr procter]

Well if I could afford one, it would be here tomorrow,

they Look sensational, in the various stores, I have seen them, the other tellys dont get a look in, everyone crowding round the Plasma.s.

[lycanthrope on the loose]

you can get a bargain one with 'Dome' burnt on the glass :D

aC