Wal-Mart / Best Buy 42" Plasma TV's on Black Friday.... worth it?

[TheMetetron]

Wal-Mart and Best Buy both have 42" Plasma HD-Ready TV's on sale for $999 on Black Friday.

Does anyone know if these are any good? Is there a noticeable difference between a generic and name-brand Plasma TV?

Have the Plasma TV problems been solved with "burn-in"? Is the price of $999 for a 42" good? Is a 42" good for a small 750 sq. foot 1 bedroom apartments living room. Will it be too big?

I want to pick one up for my move to Vegas, but I want to make sure this is a good choice. If I don't like it, I suppose I can return it in 30 days, no?

Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask.

[cdxx]

the burn-in isn't solved, and you really ought to be looking at the resolution of the screen. if it's not actually HD res, it's not worth your money.

42" is pretty good. we watch ours from ~15 feet away. it's awesome, but it's not HD. /images/graemlins/frown.gif there's a reason why women should not be trusted with major electronics purchases.

[TheMetetron]

I can't tell if it's HDTV or not.

Fry's has a 42" HD-Ready Plasma for $1299, which is basically the same as an HDTV if you are getting a cable/satellite signal anyways.

If the Wal-Mart one isn't HDTV, I guess I'm going with Fry's.

[whiskeytown]

burn in issues are NOT resolved - there are definately burnin issues still cause I swapped my Plasma for an LCD TV.

My plan is to pay off my debts, then buy a Plasma TV for movies and stuff and use the LCD for my Computer/videogames.

My place will be pimp-tacular - LOL - if I had any visitors....

I can definately see the difference - so I will do it - but it'll happen later -

RB

[TheMetetron]

They don't exactly make 42" LCD TV's for cheap like this.

I don't plan on using it for video games.... yet. I can see myself buying a modded XBox 360 though after a while. I guess, just don't use the video games for many hours at a time and it won't be a problem? As far as movies, I should be okay though, right?

[kenberman]

the walmart model is edtv.

the only way to compare models is to look at them with your own eyes. I've been researching which TV to buy for a week now, and still can't decide /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Sponger15SB]

[ QUOTE ]
My plan is to pay off my debts, buy an ounce and a new bong, then buy a Plasma TV for movies and stuff and use the LCD for my Computer/videogames.

[/ QUOTE ]

fyp

[NateDog]

th 42" Maxent at Best Buy is also EDTV. I've been considering a purchase as well, and it seems EDTV units handle standard programming and DVD's better than HDTV's do, but (obviously) only shows HD broadcasts (1080i) and ED levels (720i).

[TheMetetron]

Eh, EDTV's don't do standard programming and DVDs better than HDTV's. They do it at the same level.

I'm looking at a $1299 42" HD-Ready Plasma TV from Fry's tomorrow morning. The other option is just saying screw it and getting the $999 regular plasma... but it really seems like a waste.

My other shell-shock is how much hdtv-cable and high speed cable internet are gonna cost me in Henderson. From someone who hasn't had cable for almost a year (or any tv for that matter), $120 month for cable/internet seems ridiculous, but what do I know.

[kenberman]

edtv maxes out at 480, I believe (dvd quality).

[garion888]

Just remember that no matter what you're going to be replacing the thing in a couple years if you watch TV regularly. If you want something that's gonna last maybe cut down the size a little and get an LCD. (have done no screen real estate vs. cost analysis for LCD vs. Plasma)

[Maulik]

If you don't know if a technology is worth it, especially the case with high-end consumer electronics, its probably not.

This is an elastic good.

Seriously, stuff like this will fall apart. Stick to the good names that have built their company around how well their products have done over the years.

The exception to this rule is Bose, but we won't start a thread about that now...

[david050173]

from 15 feet away HD on 42inch tv isn't that useful. You are too far away to see the difference. Color and black levels would concern me more with a cheap plasma than only being ED.

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

If you are a DirecTV customer, you will need an upgrade to use EDTV or HDTV, so...