Looking for a Recomendation

[Tom Snyder]

OK.. Time to sort of commit to a Plasma. I don't have to actually buy the set for a few more months, but we're building a 6 inch deep alcove to set the monitor into (and wall mount), but I need to give the builder the height and width dimensions now for the blueprints.

I want a 50 inch, no speakers, or any other trim stuff to make the set unnecessarily wide or tall. Don't need a tuner.  1080i (or 1080p?)... The builder's promotion gives me 50% off the price, so price isn't a huge consideration, but I'd like the best PQ for the bucks...

Any recommendations?

[Bebop]

Again I would recommend the panasonic professional model:TH50PHD8UK

 http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=201956203&adid=17653&dcaid=17653

The price has been fluctuating between $3.2K and $3K for the past few weeks.

But it's last year's model, the new model will not be out till Oct. I was going to get one, but the consumer 06 model with 9th Gen glass cost the same and it comes with 2 HDMI inputs. It's extra on the professional model.

[StarvingForHDTV]

My suggestion is to make sure that whichever one you buy does not show glare from lights in the room.  That can be really annoying.  I have seen it on plasmas in the stores.  If it's like a mirror when you walk up to it, pass on that set.

[Tom Snyder]

That's good advice. Our Rear projection has a shiney surface, and we get light glare unless we turn off certain lights. New house is new version of the same model we live in now, and the TV's going in the same exact location so we'll have that same problem.. of course, I could just turn off the same lights.

[Matt Heebner]

Second vote for the Panasonic. I have checked out a bunch o plasma's (sort of looking for my next TV) and honestly the Panny does seem to have the best PQ IMHO. Also have read many reviews touting the Panasonic. Looks to be my next choice...maybe......if I end up going with plasma.

Matt

[gparris]

If money is not a problem, the 50" Pioneer Plasma was rated excellent by cnet recently and the speakers are detachable....excellent colour and contrast, great detail, too.

[Tom Snyder]

Half price promotion is at American... Does American carry the Pannies?

[Bebop]

50% off, so there is a catch.

They carry Pioneer, so that might be your best bet. One nice thing about the Pioneer is that the inputs are in a separate box, so you will have only one cable going to the monitor.

[mikeal21]

Hard to find, but can be purchased at Tigerdirect.com for $2999.99. I don't think you'll beat that price. With 2 year on site Mfg. warranty, you can't go wrong. Sony goes the extra mile, I know. They replaced my XBR40in. HDTV after attempting to fix it, replaced picture tube, but still had purity issues. They sent me a 50in. 3LCD HDTV, and picked up my old set. Now this one has a problem, with light engine. But guess what it's under new 1 year warranty, so I'm covered. They step-up to anything warranty related, that's for sure. And the 2year warranty is the best you'll find and extended is also availible. As for TV I haven't seen it, but being a Sony with 10,000:1 its gonna shine. They also have Panosonic @Tiger, same price. Probably not gonna find one at AmericanTV, maybe Flannder's, but MSRP is $4,449.00.  Get more info from Sony::: http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=10007&p=8&sp=49&id=82171

[gparris]

Half price promotion is at American... Does American carry the Pannies?

American carries Pioneer and the side speakers are detachable and with the box separate, you can't go wrong. PDP5060HD looked fantastic!
I found the blacks, colour and contrast superior to Panasonic, although I DO like Panasonic.
So its just that the picture looked better on the Pioneer next to the Panasonic (at Best Buy) and none of my clients have ever complained about them...just my experience, here...good luck.

[Tom Snyder]

I'll be using my DVR for the picture source, so it sure would be nice to just be able to just buy the monitor-only version... PDP-505CMX   Guess I should call the guy that I'm supposed to ask for there and see if they carry that one.

[drgingras]

I'll be using my DVR for the picture source, so it sure would be nice to just be able to just buy the monitor-only version... PDP-505CMX   Guess I should call the guy that I'm supposed to ask for there and see if they carry that one.

FYI, Pioneer has not yet released their new commercial plasmas. The 505cmx has the previous generation glass and electronics. If you're really interested in a PIO, I'd suggest giving a good look at the 50" Elite. Detachable speakers, 6th gen. panel, separate media box (only 2 cables to the display), near-Panasonic black levels, amazing "pop" in the colors and a very cool piano black finish. American and Flanners are both authorized retailers.

My best suggestion, however, has nothing to do with which plasma you choose. Whatever you settle on, be sure to include the manufacturer's required air gap spacing in the dimensions you give to your builder. Plasmas give off a fair amount of heat that needs to be dissapated - especially important if you're going to recess in an alcove.

BTW, I own the newest NEC 50". There's a huge thread over at AVS if you're interested in checking it out. It may just fit your needs. But, I'll be the first to admit that I'm a little biased      

Dave

[Tom Snyder]

be sure to include the manufacturer's required air gap spacing in the dimensions

Where do I find those?

[drgingras]

Tom, all the major manufacturers have .pdf installation or user's manuals available - they will tell you about the necessary mounting information. Here are a few links I had bookmarked during my decision-making process:

NEC

Panasonic  (see page 7)

Pioneer  (see page 7)

Happy plasma shopping!

Dave

[drgingras]

Just another note regarding Pioneers. gparris mentioned the 5060HD, which is very similar to the Elite 1130pro. There is about a $2000 difference in MSRP between the two. The Elite gets you a longer warranty, a few more user settings and a slightly different cabinet. Not sure if this would be worth an extra 2K (or, in your case, 1K ), but American should have both to look at. You can't go wrong with either, Pioneer really stepped up to the plate with their quality on this year's models.

Dave