[crabacle]

I'm looking at getting a PLasma TV in the next few days, favourite (for a number of reasons) is Panasonic.

With the advent of HDTV I want to get a compatible monitor, 42" or 50".

I am led to believe that the 50" TH-50PHD6UY is HDTV compatible, but what about the TH-50PHD6BX which 'isn't''!!??

Have a been given a bum steer or is the HD6UY the baby that I need?

[crabacle]

Forgot to add the automatic email option

[meltcity]

Try visiting AV Forums. They have a dedicated forum for plasma and LCD displays.

[Peter Litler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabacle

I am led to believe that the 50" TH-50PHD6UY is HDTV compatible, but what about the TH-50PHD6BX which 'isn't''!!??

Have a been given a bum steer or is the HD6UY the baby that I need?

The TH-50PHD6UY is only partially compatible with HDTV.
It has a wide XGA 1366 x 768 resolution display that can show 720p pictures.
The HDTV format requires displays with a 1920 x 1080 resolution that can show 720p and 1080i pictures.
These are gradually becoming available but are more expensive at present.
They will also have an HDMI digital connection fitted as standard.
I recommend that you wait a couple of years until HDTV transmissions begin before buying a set.
The quality of plasma tv sets will also be improving during this time.

[crabacle]

Thanks for that.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) the missus wants one now. What would you recommend?

[meltcity]

The TH-50PHD6BX is also HDTV-compatible, and even supports 1080p24, the holy grail for movie buffs. But then, so does the TH-50PHD6UY. Does that answer your question?

[diablo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Litler

The quality of plasma tv sets will also be improving during this time.

I've only ever seen Plasma TVs in Currys and similar shops. Even the best of them don't seem to compare to the quality of a 'normal' TV.

Are they capable of showing a decent picture when installed in the home and properly set up. Or is that as good as they get?

[cyberdog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by diablo

I've only ever seen Plasma TVs in Currys and similar shops. Even the best of them don't seem to compare to the quality of a 'normal' TV.

Are they capable of showing a decent picture when installed in the home and properly set up. Or is that as good as they get?

The only "problem" with big plasma displays is that they show up any defects in the source material die to their size!

Most shops don't have them set up properly; they are usually showing sky or terrestial tv via composite input, usually at the wrong aspect ratio...occasionally you'll see them playing a dvd, but again, the staff in most shops cant be bothered to hook them up properly.

When the proper connections are used and everything is configured properly, the results on a decent plasma are excellent.

In answer to crabacle's original question; get the best plasma display you can afford now, make sure it is Hi-def compatible and that it has some sort of digital input (HDMI etc).

If you wait around for "something better", by the time that comes along, there will be "something even better still" on the way.

[Kevo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabacle

With the advent of HDTV

In the UK? When? That's the news to me.

[cyberdog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevo

In the UK? When? That's the news to me.

2006 apparently...
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds14675.html

[digi al]

if you want high definition capable and an hdmi link then forget panasonic and go for the pioneer pdp504hdesee here