Bought 2 HDTV's here's the comparison

[gordong11]

Well, I've been fortunate enough to buy 2 new HDTV's and I hope this will help anyone in the market. feel free to ask me Q's.

TV #1 - Is a plasma, an Hitachi 42HDS69 ($1400). Unbelievable plasma quality, the 1024 x 1080 native resolution really does make difference. I'm comparing it to my best friends 1024 x766 Samsung bought 2 years ago. The Hitachi is light years better. The Set has 3 HDMI inputs! and an uber swivel stand that goes to about 45 degrees. The only downside is the remotoe control..but if you have an extra $200, upgrade to the 42HDT79, you get a better remote and amotorized swivel stand, plus AR coated glass(I should have done this myself). This is a 1080i TV, but remarkable in picture and sound quality.

TV#2- Sony's new 1080P LCD..The KDL-40V2500($1800, same as the XBR models, but without the fancy glass, 3rd HDMI input and upgraded remote). This is the best LCD I have ever seen, even the standard def and analog channels show up great on it, and the 7000:1 dynamic contrast does not let you down. I use a Samsung 1080P upconverting DVD player(DVD-HD960) with it, and people cannot tell it's not HD! Lord of the Rings, very difficult to reproduce accurately, shines on this combo with unbelievable detail. Everything looks so good. Now back to the TV, The menus are lightning fast, with lots and lots featutes. Again only the remote control lacks a bit.

Both of these TV's are the latest and greatest of their respective technologies, and you really can't go wrong either way. The LCD is much lighter in weight, 1080P capable but has 1 less HDMI, costs more and 2 inches smaller. No real worries on burn-in on the plasma, and the hitachi boasts 60000 hour life!

IF 1080P is not important to you, get the Hitachi 42HDS69 or 42HDT79 it's so good it will bring tears to your eyes, but color needs slight adjusting out of the box. If you want 1080P, or want LCD because of its longevity, and lightweight get the Sony.

I also have a Yamaha YSP-800 with powered subwoofer, hooked into the TV, and it really works well...but a tad overpriced IMHO. Works well though and sounds spectacular!

Hope this helped anyone trying to decide...but I've been so impressed by these 2 TV's especially the Plasma, that I felt compelled to write about them.

BTW-I was going to return the Sony LCD, before it was delivered for a 2nd Hitachi..but now that I have it, I love it. Would be like returning a red delishous apple for a granny smith apple, both are great. Also I orginally bought a Westinghouse 1080P 37" monitor($999), but was underwhelmed by it...not bad, but not great and just thought it wasn't worth it. for an extra $400..I'd get a supreme 42 Inch Plasma and did. The difference is night and day.

[BJ_M]

the hitachi is far from the latest in plasma technology - though not a bad picture ... but it is a prev. generation screen and doesnt match the panasonics or pioneers for picture quality -- though is a slightly cheaper plasma and also one I would pick in that price range over the samsung.

the sony lcd is made by samsung - but sony seems to have a better picture ... the contrast ratio is dynamic contrast and actual contrast is about 500:1 (which still is not bad for a lcd) .. I think the sonys also have a nice case design - many flat panel cases look pretty ugly to downright odd ..

[gordong11]

the hitachi is far from the latest in plasma technology - though not a bad picture ... but it is a prev. generation screen and doesnt match the panasonics or pioneers for picture quality -- though is a slightly cheaper plasma and also one I would pick in that price range over the samsung.

the sony lcd is made by samsung - but sony seems to have a better picture ... the contrast ratio is dynamic contrast and actual contrast is about 500:1 (which still is not bad for a lcd) .. I think the sonys also have a nice case design - many flat panel cases look pretty ugly to downright odd ..

Let me re-phrase....The best thing out there for in mainstream for under $2000 in plasma. It has by far the best picture over Panasonics, Toashibas and Samsungs I looked at. Now Pioneer, Elite and other high-end brands/models, may have some newer technology. The Hitachi is great, and at $1400 a real steal...the 1080 lines really does make a difference and they make their own glass.

Lots of manufacturers do not make their own panels. The difference between the Sony and the Samsung is the software and backlight. Good software is just as important as the panel when it comes to TV, and how it relates to the backlight. This is precisely the difference maker. Adjusting color, contrast etc./ rendering of picture/ standard def upconversion/Zoom + aspect ratios are only as good as the software makes it. The Sony does an excellent job will all this and what makes the overall product great. The Panel is only the starting point and basis on which a great TV is made.

[FulciLives]

Last year I bought a HDTV but was on a tight budget. Things were MUCH more expensive last Christmas season than this year.

I ended up with a 51" 16x9 CRT Rear Projection set by Hitachi which cost me $1,350 before tax, delivery and warranty. It only does 1080i (no 1080p) but the picture quality is sweet.

Right now Hitachi has a new model that is different from mine but basically pretty much the same and right now it can be had (when on sale) for as little as only $900 (Circuit City has it for this price starting today for the next week).

So for anyone wanting a large screen HDTV and are OK with 1080i (but no 1080p) I would have to suggest the Hitachi.

Another nice thing about the Hitachi is that you don't need to purchase a separate stand because it essentially is it's own stand and unlike the "old school" CRT Rear Projection televisions it is very slim ... something like 22" deep. Not much different than a DLP or LCD Rear Projection.

Again though I would say this is an option for those on a tight budget ... if you can afford a 1080p HDTV then by all means do so!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[BJ_M]

the panasonic pro hdtv series (PH series) plasma have a far better pic than the hitachi ... though not out of the box (out of the box pana's PX's look pretty bad in fact) .. not just me saying this - but many many reviewers also agree that the pana picture is stunning and really the best buy in a plasma.. the PX series uses the same panel and has more features - but require more tuning to get to the same level (i use PX because i wanted out of the box hdmi) .. i have my choice of pretty well any brand and i picked a combination of pioneer elites and panasonic plasmas to equip my place .. though i will switch them out again in a year or so most likely ... (since i also dont have to pay for them) ...

i think the motor swivel base on the hitachi is a great idea for stand mounting (i prefer to mount on the wall) ... though ive seen them whack the wall - they should put in programmable stops .. the case on the hitachi is also very nice .... the hitachi case is also better looking than the 60 series pana PX ..

[gordong11]

the panasonic pro hdtv series (PH series) plasma have a far better pic than the hitachi ... though not out of the box (out of the box pana's PX's look pretty bad in fact) .. not just me saying this - but many many reviewers also agree that the pana picture is stunning and really the best buy in a plasma.. the PX series uses the same panel and has more features - but require more tuning to get to the same level (i use PX because i wanted out of the box hdmi) .. i have my choice of pretty well any brand and i picked a combination of pioneer elites and panasonic plasmas to equip my place .. though i will switch them out again in a year or so most likely ... (since i also dont have to pay for them) ...

i think the motor swivel base on the hitachi is a great idea for stand mounting (i prefer to mount on the wall) ... though ive seen them whack the wall - they should put in programmable stops .. the case on the hitachi is also very nice .... the hitachi case is also better looking than the 60 series pana PX ..

Hey, tis what makes the world go round. I can only say my experience. I looked at those panasonics, and played with px60u and 600u models, ...but if this is what you are referring to, I think you are crazy. The 60u is not even in the same league, as far as picture quality nor the same universe when it comes to features...but similarly priced...a tad more than the hitachi. The 600u is 1080p compatible...big woop! 1080p has 0 advantage, if you have have to convert it, and for that price you'd be much betetr off with the Hitachi 42HDt79 or even the 42HDX99 director series.

BAck to the 60u, While it shows HD well, it didn't handle standard def TV nearly as good, nor perfectly handle conversion of full screen DVD's to 16:9 format like the Hitachi does. Hi Def is High Def, all makes are going to render that at least halfway decently and is all what video settings you prefer. I would question any so called-expert that said the Panasonic 60u is far better then the hitachi 42hds69...I own the hitachi and spent about a half hour playing with the 60u....vice versa imho, plus you get so many more features with the Hitachi.

I'm done with this...this just my opinion and hoping to help people that don't have time that spent trying to find the best for the buck. This is about trying to help people, not validation.

[yoda313]

The 600u is 1080p compatible...big woop! 1080p has 0 advantage,

I have no personal experience in 1080p hdtv - or any hdtv for that matter - BUT isn't 1080p the way everything is going in the future? Thats what bluray and hddvd are designed for. Not to mention the xbox360 and the ps3 for gaming.......

[gordong11]

The 600u is 1080p compatible...big woop! 1080p has 0 advantage,

I have no personal experience in 1080p hdtv - or any hdtv for that matter - BUT isn't 1080p the way everything is going in the future? Thats what bluray and hddvd are designed for. Not to mention the xbox360 and the ps3 for gaming.......

Yes! and No. Blu-ray is 1080P HD-DVD is 1080i. Television broadcasts will not be 1080p in the future, it uses too much bandwith, and there are very few if any Plasma's with 1920x1080 native resolution, there may be a couple out there, but the cost is OMG expensive. Most modern 1080i sets convert to near 1080p quality, so a good set with good software will provide excellent viewing, considering the difference is minimal to the naked eye. So While 1080P is good on a TV, HD DVD is 1080i and hidef TV broadcasts are 1080i, so it's not a must have.

Owning new sets of both, the only difference I"m experiencing is my DVD players' ability to upconvert to 1080p...but its only very slightly better than 1080i conversion and I bet some people here would say that the Oppo 971H in 1080i is the cream of the crop. Bottom line, is that is nice to have, but certainly not a must own and very little advantage for most people in everyday uses. I can't comment on PS3, but I would say that video card inside it does more for its image quality that the fact it has blu-ray 1080p capability.

The argument that 1920 x 1080 is better because it has more pixels is true though, BUT only if the TV is rendering those pixels in a correct, and quality manner. Otherwise more pixels can equal more distortion/snow/banding etc. Only a 1080P TV with a native resolution 1920x1080 is worth the extra $$, but not even always in that case. Be very careful on this, there are lots of pitfalls so ask in a forum how the TV is handling 1080P via Direct input + conversion+utilizing all pixels. Some makers are calling their TV's 1080P when they are really not, just can accept a 1080P signal.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Owning new sets of both, the only difference I"m experiencing is my DVD players' ability to upconvert to 1080p...but its only very slightly better than 1080i conversion and I bet some people here would say that the Oppo 971H in 1080i is the cream of the crop. Bottom line, is that is nice to have, but certainly not a must own and very little advantage for most people in everyday uses.

My Oppo 971H works great with my 42" Hitachi plasma.When I was shopping for a new tv last year I was looking at LCD and plasma the differance in picture quality was huge,LCD looked washed out and unnatural....maybe that has changed recently.I just recently bought a LG LCD monitor for my PC(my CRT died) and video/photos look worse...oh well until they make a 17" plasma monitor I guess it will do.

[gordong11]

Next year, a new TV will be coming out to add to all this confusion. Called SED TV, being developed by toshiba and Canon and will be the cha'ching of TV's when it comes out, but will probably costs lots. Supposed to work like a CRT and LCD combined, but with none of the pitfalls and 1080P HDTV (flatpanel), but not last as long. Superior picture technology though. Read about it in PC Magaizine.

With all of these choices out there, it's easy to get confused and frusterated.

[BJ_M]

Hey, tis what makes the world go round. I can only say my experience. I looked at those panasonics, and played with px60u and 600u models, ...but if this is what you are referring to, I think you are crazy. The 60u is not even in the same league, as far as picture quality nor the same universe when it comes to features...but similarly priced...a tad more than the hitachi. The 600u is 1080p compatible...big woop! 1080p has 0 advantage, if you have have to convert it, and for that price you'd be much betetr off with the Hitachi 42HDt79 or even the 42HDX99 director series.

BAck to the 60u, While it shows HD well, it didn't handle standard def TV nearly as good, nor perfectly handle conversion of full screen DVD's to 16:9 format like the Hitachi does. Hi Def is High Def, all makes are going to render that at least halfway decently and is all what video settings you prefer. I would question any so called-expert that said the Panasonic 60u is far better then the hitachi 42hds69...I own the hitachi and spent about a half hour playing with the 60u....vice versa imho, plus you get so many more features with the Hitachi.

I'm done with this...this just my opinion and hoping to help people that don't have time that spent trying to find the best for the buck. This is about trying to help people, not validation.

you may have looked at a non set up pana -- in fact the picture quality on the 60 and 600 is exactly the same - they both also handle 1080p (not that really matters) ... the only diff between the two is the better on board speakers, a cable card slot and a vga connector on the 600 (it also has better color managment - though it is just hidden on the 60) / other than that they are the same exact panel and the 60 is a better buy ... there are no more features on a hitachi than the pana (ive had several and just got rid of a 50") .. no more useful features anyhow other than the swivel base .... SD is FAR better on the pana - no question of it by anyone ... and color on the pana is (as well contrast) is much better, SD or HD.
There is no issue with any wide screen dvds and the "just" setting for 4:3 material is perfect without distortion.

If you are happy with your hitachi - thats fine .. it IS a great plasma , dont get me wrong-- you are watching it , not me ...