Who pays this much for an EDTV?

[Hidavi]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2276664&Sku=P333-4242

$1100 and its not HD? Not to mention, whats the point of having HDMI if you can't do HD?

[DigitalDemon]

I love the description:

Crisp, Lifelike Details
HD broadcasts and DVDs offer more detail and better color than analog broadcasts, and it takes a high-resolution display to deliver all that picture information. The pixel count of this plasma display provides fine detail for outstanding EDTV reproduction. More pixels also translate into less stair-stepping artifacts; curved and diagonal edges look smooth and natural.

[scooterman]

the bar next to where i work has a ed plasma tv for most poeple it looks fine. HD channel + EDTV looks way better than SD tv. The big thing i notice on it is the screen door or gaps between pixels is bad on some of those ED TV's

[Hidavi]

^EDTV is fine... but not if you paid $1100 for it! For that money, I can get a great 720p/1080i TV of the same size and display technology!

[HalcYoN [nV]]

Here are some things to consider.

Many high quality EDTV plasmas have better electronics, ie scalers and display engines, than cheaper "HD" plasmas. I did a lot of research before buying our TV two years ago. We have the JVC TV that share sthe glass with this Panasonic, but with a black cabinet. The quality of a Plasma's picture is as depensdent on the number of pixels as its ability to convert the native signal to the native resolution. On 768 line panels, every signal is oddly converted to be displayed. On the 480p, 480i is simply doubled and 720p and 1080i are downsampled. Results? Cleaner images and very little noticable color gradients. Standard DVDs look better on 480p panels as does standard 480i content than on 768 line panels, save for those higher in priace range as they sport better scalers.

Another factor to consider is viewing distance. We sit 10'-12' away. Anything closer than 8', you start to notice a bit of the screendoor effect Scooterman mentions. I never sit that close, so added pixels would be lost. If we went 50", we'd have gotten the HD version.

I have AV freaks for friends. Most of them are shocked to find out our plasma is a 480p panel. They only notice the resolution difference at 8' or closer. We did side by side comparisons at reputable TV shops around town, not the big-boxes, watching both 480i and HD content. At similar price points, the 480p panels looked insanely better than the 768 line panels to myself and my wife's non-technical eye.

So don't knock 'em based on specs. These panels were a mainstay on AVS Forum for years and still have many loyal users. Prices as they are now, I may have made a different choice, but we got some serious bang for the buck two years ago...

[Hidavi]

^ Never really thought about that since I sit far as hell from my TV at home. Thanks for the good points

[HalcYoN [nV]]

^ Never really thought about that since I sit far as hell from my TV at home. Thanks for the good points

And like I said, we would probably make a different decision now, but it has been a great TV.