Page 1 of Plasma Screen

I saw in my local Currys that they have a 42" Plasma screen (I think its Philips, not to sure) for £2,499. Is this the cheapest available, as i`m thinking of purchasing?

It`s a samsung mush.

Was thinking of investing in a plasma but i have told to wait until LCD come out in larger sizes and the price drops. My mate works for an electrical company he say that they are forever having problems with the screens. LCD on the other hand is alot more reliable but they dont do them in 42" yet at a price you can afford

Would a £1000 approx. projector be a better bet? As I have been toying with this idea for over a year now! Will I need a special screen, what sort of TV tuner would I need, would it work through a freeview or sky box? Help appriciated.
Someone who wants a cinema picture on the wall for the cheapest price, but must be decent quality.
Anyone recommend any bargain kit?

If you`re after a projector you should check out the Panasonic PT-AE100E for just over £660. Its cheaper than the price of a decent 32" wide screeen tv and got rated very highly in Home Cinema Choice magazine.

But I was having a look in Comet yesterday at some Plasma screen tvs and was very impressed with the picture quality. It seems to have improved alot from the original ones but still too expensive. No doubt the prices will drop in the future. Until then the projector looks quiet good.

Info above knicked from thedvdforums site also gets a mention on avforums I think. Which have more ideas on screens and reliablity etc.

Asad, thanks for that, the price of a spare bulb! £342 squids!
Hopefully they last for 5 years!

Anyway, I will look into this a bit deeper before committing.

Check out this month`s PCPro for reviews of big TFTs.

Bob Binning

Check out www.plasma-clearance.co.uk they do great used plasma`s that have been used for exhibitions n things like that...

a Sony 42" for about £1600 with about 2000 hours on them... they last approx 30,000 hours so thats 15 years left!!! check it out, theres a cool little sharp screen aswell... i want one but lack the queens to get it...

bous,

Just to let you know that the plasma they advertise is an outgouing model 42PF9965, it has been replaced with 42PF9965 which has incorporated pixel plus as well (although it is too new to be discussed and tested)

Also if you want the best plasmas at the current market for a good price according to members at www.avforums.com (there are huge info on the UK plasmas) and all electronics mags, then you should choose either

Hitachi PMA400E - only £2499 at richer sounds.
With a internal box

Hitachi PD3000 - £3014 at electricaldiscountuk.co.uk (very good general retailer) or better £3231 at the superb specialist nexnix.co.uk (however, I don`t think they price match)
Same plasma but with an external multimedia box.

Both Hitachis have according to plasma owners at avforums absolutely stunning picture. The only disadvantage if you now can even notice the difference (members can`t see the difference after tests) is the ALIS screen technology. ALIS is a interlaced screen so it converts a prog scan signal from a e.g. DVD player, resize it and converts it to an interlaced. The 400 version really has a superb price now.

Pioneer PDP-433MXE - £3411 at again superb nexnix.co.uk
Half of avforums plasma members thinks Pioneer gets a better picture than Hitachi, with incredible details. Hitachi probably has a better black level. It is considered more future proof than Hitach and it can take real prog scan signals, also it is a 43 inch = 1 extra inch. By thew way Pioneer is realeasing a update version in the autumn in the states with real future proofing and assuming better picture, so perhaps it will be replaced here in winter or beginning of next year.

Panasonic TH-42PW6B £TBA
Very new, but 1 have bought and 1 have viewed it and they say it is a stunning plasma, at the top with Hitach and Pioneer. But be sure that many more will buy it soon.

This is a very small summary, but you will find plenty of information on the avforums to base your decision.

Pls let me know if u need more info. Have fun hunting.

Doraemon

Cheers Doraemon, but now another question. How much am I looking at to buy a 1/2 big-ish LCD screen??

Igonre this, post I have just found out - and its too expensive for me!!

This item was edited on Thursday, 24th July 2003, 15:16