In the market for a plasma.........suggestions?

Okay, Undertow, let's get the technologies straight. You gave kudos to the Sony SXRD, and I strongly agree, however the SXRD is Sony's tweak of LCOS, not LCD! Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) is actually my preferred of the "new" technologies for RPTV, CRT RPTV still being number one for many reasons. Why? Recently The Perfect Vision, after testing one, said that the SXRD had resolution and black level equivalent to the best CRT RPTVs!?! My experience as well. LCOS TVs do offer great resolution and picture quality and prices are coming down. JVC's tweak is called D-ILA, or Direct Image Light Amplifier. In any case I prefer these to DLP or LCD RPTVs, with an honorable mention to Sony's new three-chip LCD RPTV, which is outstanding for the money, but as deep as a CRT RPTV and costs more. LCD flat panels, if they're over 25", IMHO, suck. There has been no significant break-through in this technology nor do most experts predict one. The retailers are pushing them now since plasmas have come down in price, so the LCD flat panels are the new "cash cows," but one can do better for less with a plasma. I also agree with Dawgbyte that Hitachi plasmas are overall the best popular price displays I've seen, but I know that the Panasonics get good reviews as well. (They all have pros and cons.) The absolute, hands-down best plasma I've ever seen is a Runco, pricey, but probably worth it. And to Tvad, the "pros" use those because they likely get them for little or no cost; that's the way this industry works. If you mean the custom installers, they're going for availability and mark-up, not performance (generally).

Right on, Bradz! Since you have Maggies, you're obviously an audiophile, so you "look before leaping," and you're wise. The surge protectors with advanced line filtration, like the Monster, clean-up the picture quality because they eliminate AC line noise and stabilize voltage, either of which can have negative effects on picture quality (and of course sound in a good system). I use the Monster surge protectors with "Clean Power" when I do a system, because they work and I can get a decent price on them. Regarding the Oppo 971, I haven't tried that combo, so I'd go with the recommendation from the folks who have. The 970, as you've read, is a very nice unit for the money. Though Toshiba typically builds good, reliable products I don't think I'd invest in an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player yet. They're still in the "teeth-cutting" stage.

Confessions first--I'm a HD junkie. I've had HD in my house for 6/7 years. Even after all that newness I still watch "whatever" in HD as a first choice.
I had the Monster 2000 near 5/6 years ago. I had the Pioneer Elite pro 119 at the time. The Monster helped it and made the purchase worthwhile. (Back then I had front projector for HD.) When I got my present Mits. the Monster did't do jack;period.--So I'm only stating what worked for me, and what didn't--.As far as pure PQ; I'll bet the Toshiba HD DVD player (hd disc) will beat any SD player. Sure I know this is un unfair comparison. Right now my AV spending habit is in remission. To bad these guys couldn't get together and share the market,instead of mucking it up. They had this kind of debacle just before DVDs came to market. As far as plasma goes--I can't go smaller than my 65" I already own.

Tvad - I've worked for ABC (in NYC & Hollywood), channel 11 in NYC, CNN and several multimedia/post production companies in NYC, LA and ATL with full blown recording and editing studio departments. I can tell you the decision to purchase plasmas, cameras, speakers and a myriad of other studio equipment is rarely based on best of breed performance criteria. It's all about the business deal. What manufacturer can supply the studio with the broadest range of equipment at the best package price. It's about leveraging economies of scales and lowering the number of vendors you have to manage. See Procurement 101 for further details. Basing an equipment purchasing decision on what the pros use is not always as compelling as it seems.

Soundsmith1
I was not trying to get confusing and criticle, basically people would see the sets as LCD from sony.. excuse the exact term.. But I kinda was stating 2 seprate by Saying the "3 Panel LCD " from sony and the SXRD from sony, I just blended the statements together... As far as the picture being worse or better is gonna be tuff to prove one way or the other and money is a factor.. Mostly the new LCD's cost more than Plasma as well, and I have seen them tweeked with just as good of picture and not the downfalls of Burnt images, and Simple Bulb changes can save the LCD a plasma fails and its panel is done from my understanding. Sorry for the confusing post.

Whether or not LCD bulb changes are truely possible by a consumer or not is a matter of debate. Know anyone who has actually changed one?

Burn in in plasma is basically a myth as far as current residential displays. LCds form of "burn in" is MUCH more common, which is an uneveness in image light/contrast due to bulbs malfunctioning. Extremely common.

Sorry, Undertow, but the technologies are very different in operation which is why I drew the distinction. The Three-Chip LCD rear-projection and LCOS both indeed do produce great pictures and resolution, but I have yet to see an LCD flat panel over about 25" that I'd buy or recommend. The larger they get, the grainier, and they all seem to have that "cartoonish" look to the colors. Reproduction of blacks continues to be a problem. For flat panels, I'll stick with plasma. And yes, I am critical.
TVAD, I appreciate the fact that you've had direct experience in the "pros;" more insight into the topic always helps. Good info.

I see Panasonic just dropped the MSRP of the 60U to $1800. The price of even good branded plasma is crashing through the floor.

Thanks to all who have given suggestions/advice. I'm awaiting delivery of the Oppo 970 dvd and will making the plasma decision soon. The HD dvd player looked nice at first, but have received mixed reviews and still needs to mature IMO. Have been out of town and while visiting my father, noticed that he now has a Hitachi plasma monitor in his office which looked great while watching the Colts game. I'm torn between Panasonic and Hitachi plasma. Which brand would you all go with and why? Thanks.

Does anyone know if the Panasonic pro models(9uk) have a wider range to adjust the pq than the commercial models(60u)? I thought that I read that before, but would like a confirmation. Thanks.

Well, after reading up on the Panasonic plasma's, I found out that the Panasonic professional models do have more adjustments such as the gamma level. Went over to my local BB to look at displays, and noticed a Pioneer 5070 model that looked very nice. Has anyone had a chance to compare a Panasonic 60u to the Pioneer 5070 and with what results? Thanks.

One thing is for certain Brad, you will be far more critical about TV's looking at them in store than once you have one at home.

There are so many different technologies right now that it becomes near impossible to select a TV. That said, I suspect most are very good and once you make your choice you'll be.

Your price range will keep you from true 1920 X 1080 Hi def plasmas which run $10,000. For the best plasmas in the $3000 range (1366 X 768) the new 50 inch Panasonic, Pioneer (NEC screen), and LG models are the ones to check out.

Question about the Panasonic 60 vs. 600 models. I've seen the 60s but not the 600s in store displays. Don't know if it's poor setup or endemic to the budget model, but I've observed mild problems with jagged razoring along edges during motion sequences. Are the 600 models any better in this respect?

After a ton of research, I just purchased a SONY KDL-46XBR3 LCD TV, with 1080p capability for my office. I was going to get Plasma (Panasonic, etc) but since I will be hooking my laptop to the TV to give client presentations, the higher resolution capabilities and computer-friendliness of the Sony won me over. While doing paperwork this weekend at the office, I had the TV on - big mistake - I got very little work done. The picture in High Def was amazing, to say the least. I was truly in AWE of how good the picture was - no artifacts, no problems at all.

I then went home to my 65" Hitachi Diamond Series rear-projection HD TV and found myself yearning for the better picture of the Sony. I had been perfectly content with the Hitachi prior to the Sony LCD, but now that I see what is possible visually, I'm afraid the Hitachi may have a shorter life than originally intended. I just have to wait until the LCDs get bigger and less pricey.....

Is it still a wise decision to also purchase the after market warantees when buying a plasma? Do the newer plasma's still suffer from issues that will need warantee work within 2 years?

I'm also interested in the Panny TH-42PX60U, and see great prices from several on-line merchants (@$1300). Or is it worth it to buy from a local store (@$300-500 more) where you can bring it back easily if/when something goes wrong.

Thanks,
Bob

Actually, some of the online retailers offer better customer service as far as repair and returns than Brick and Mortar stores-- a large swathe of a general comment to be sure, but easy to assess-- ask any retailer wherever they may be, what their dead/stuck pixel return policy is and go from thewre. The variance in answers may surprise. Also-- get it in wiriting-- or at least see who is willing to write anything. Soundslike overkill- but you dont want to be looking at a display with a red pixl near the center for instance--it happens.

That's a great suggestion Rysa4. It's not just a matter of finding the best price. Problems definitely DO happen, and enough of us have been burned by needing to return a defective unit before (e.g. claims that it was never received back, rediculous restocking fees, buyer pays all freight charges, etc.).

In the long run it might be better to buy it at Costco. Now I wish they'd just carry that Panny (hey, that rhymes).

Enjoy,
Bob

Just last night I picked up the Tosiba XA1KN-- (Sept build). From above; my displays are: the Mits 65815 and the Sony Ruby. I only watched one movie--(twice) Now in my case the dif between 480p 720p and 1080i are huge!! 480 and 720 are crap, compared to 1080i. DON"T buy a HD- player unless your display has an HDMI. Hooked by component cables---the player WILL NOT allow 1080i,so there.--There is a resolution toggle between the 3 choices.At the lower resolutions the Tosh. ain't much to write home about. My Arcam 27 is pretty great; compared to the Tosh's 480p and 720p.(i.e. the Arcam has a much better upconverter/ deinterlacer--. BUT, now that I've seen HD-DVD at 1080i--- hi=def on HBO pales---AND by a huge margin!!!

I have been at avsforum for 7 years. I have read 100's and 100's of posts re. the Toshibas. (the A1 and the XA1) The model I have has none of the problems everybody was talking about.i.e.---not slow--no color aberrations--excellent hdmi handshake.--Once "ANY-VIDEOPHILE" has seen these new formats--HD-DVD or BD,(BD= blue ray) they will find it hard to watch SD discs. I paid 399 for mine and I rent from Netflix-- (They rent both formats)--- Remember these new formats have put DVD back in the lead over Sat. or Cable's HD image and since this thread started and continued "about PQ," FEEEEDDD your display these new formats.----'Cause if you ain't; you're just watching,'TV'.----More on BD; there is a thread on BD vs. HD_DVD at avs. DEAD EVEN in PQ.--It's just that HD_DVD is cheeper than BD,right now.

Well....I took the plunge and bought a Pioneer PDP 5070 plasma that should arrive tomorrow. Man I can't wait it's killing me! Been over at avs forum for suggestions of burn in and setup....great advice there. If this thread isn't already dead, do any audiogoners have setup suggestions or initial burn in advice? Thanks for all the help.