My wife and I have only been in our house for 5 years. We pick one room and redo it each winter ourselves to improve the home and kind of make it our own. Well, this winter it's the living room. We are looking at the following tv:

http://www.hitachi.us/tv/browse/plas.../42hds69.shtml

Does anyone have any experience with this tv? We are looking for a 42" plasma, kind of middle of the road. I've read until I'm blue in the face about the different plasmas and LCDs. Looking for real world input now.

Thanks.

TC

 

I have a Panasonic plasma! Crystal clear pic and great sound. Pic is even better in HD. No glare, no flickering pixels, easy to hook up!

 

Thanks ZAXJAX. We plan on putting it up over the fire place on a wall bracket and then wiring the living room for surround sound. My two step sons (age 16 and 17) are like me and love action movies . Looking forward to getting things put together.

Keep the suggestions coming!

 

I'm in the same boat.

I've read more about them than I care to. I'm 1080p'd out.

We are going to get one for the family room and I'm going back and forth. I think we'll be going with LCD rather than Plasma because of my kids video games and the cost.

So far I'm leaning toward Sony but that could change by lunch.

Good luck with your search.

 

I have the 32" sony bravia. it is an LCD but I love it. I heard that the plasmas have realy bad burn in.

 

Vader:

We've stood and looked at a 42" plasma and a 42" LCD side-by-side for an hour looking back and forth. This is starting to become a non-fun buying experience. The picture response (things moving accross the screen) was much better on the plasma than the LCD. However, as Smokie mentioned, I am concerned about burn-in. I have read that the newer plasma's have much less burn-in and HitachiUSA has assured me that burn-in on this particulary set in almost non-existent (yeah ok). Freakin BestBuy knows me by name now. I have a path worn in their carpet from walking back and forth.

My neighbor has a 42" LCD and I'm just not impressed with the picture quality. I don't know if it is because of the particular brand they have (can't remember which it is) or what, but it is kinda fuzzy. Who knows. We have a 32" flat screen JVC right now that I love but it is huge and we need the space.

Where is that "smashes self in the head with a hammer" smily.

TC

 

Amen to that.

Plasmas have a much lower burn-in rate than they use to, or at least that is what I've read.

I like them but I'm still worried about burn-in when my kid hits pause, gets distracted goes swimming and comes back 5 hours later.

I'm going to settle for LCD because of that.

You ain't alone that's for sure. I've been in tweeter so many times they pretty much ignore me now...they know I still haven't made a decision.

 

I work with a guy who has a 42" Hitachi plasma. Its all he can talk about so I guess he is pleased with it.

 

the only thing i don't like about the LCD is the refresh rate. I think I might just have mine not set right but here is a good link for LCD vs plasma
http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtv-plasmavslcd.shtml

 

You are right. From what I have read (Crutchfield has some really good info), an LCD is best if there is a chance for the picture on the screen to be paused for any length of time (video game, computer). We have a 15" Magnavox LCD in the kitchen and a 20" Westinghouse LCD in our bedroom.

The search continues. I just need to pull the trigger and get it over with.

 

Countyboy, thanks for the input. I guess +1 to the good side.

Smokie. Thanks for the link. Reading time instead of work time now. hehehe

 

Mine is mounted over the fireplace as well. Make sure you look at the cables to see if the are suitable for exposure to high temps. You'll know if the aren't. Pic will flicker, sound quality will distort. Sometimes they just melt!

 

I've had my plasma for 8 months now and have not seen any burn in. Plasmas' used to have problems but with the new generation plasma gas it's not a problem. The plasma gas is a synthetic now.

 

We don't burn any wood in the fire place, only those molded logs you buy at the store and only one log at a time. :o All of the wires will be housed in wire track so they will be protected somewhat.

I'm am a little concerned about soot getting on the tv screen. How do you clean your screen?

 

Prices are really coming down on the LCDs
I bought a 42" Sony LCD 6 months ago for 2000, and it's on sale at Circuit City for 1300 today. So far we like it. It's like an old tube set when it comes on. Takes a minute or so for the picture to gain brightness and clarity. Sony also offers a free tube just before the two year warranty expires. If you request it, they will send it to your home address, no charge.