OK - so which Plasma

OK - so I am new to this but the wife has (foolishly) given me permission to buy a new TV....

So I was wondering -

• I have a budget of around £3000 ish so would ideally like a 42" screen
• I have a home cinema set up already so am not too bothered about the sound but would like stereo speakers to come with the tele (when I can't be ar*ed to turn the amp on)
• I would prefer a wall mount although a stand would not be the end of the world
• I need a tuner box which supports SECAM aswell as PAL (I am in France at the mo but may return to the UK in a few years)
• I watch 65% SKY and 35% DVDs - would like to be able to watch French tele to perfect the language though!
• I would prefer a separate tuner box so I can hide all the connecters away
• I would like PIP if possible as my current TV has it and I find it useful to keep an eye on sport when the missus is trying to watch something else...

Recommendations on this board seem to be for the Panasonic and the Hitachi. Would either of those fulfill these criteria? Can I pick up a cheaper 5 series pany or should I pay the extra for the new ones? It gets so confusing as to which come with tuners etc. as they all have different model numbers!

Any advice gratefully received!

 

Anyone?

 

The Pioneer 503 and 43 ((hde models only) not sure bout mxe models you'd have to check) have twin source selection, meaning you can watch terrestial tv on one side of screen and cable/sky/dvd/teletext on the other. Or any combination of the above including... and ive done this, PS2 on one side and xbox on other. But it doesn't have a twin tuner. Lots of connection too on the media box (external tuner box).

 

At that price the only sensible option is the Hitachi 42pd3000. Comes with speakers, tuner box and a kick ass picture. I love mine. Got it to replace the pioneer mxe that was a bit dissapointing on normal TV.

 

Is it really the only sensible option? Is the five series Panasonic screen that much worse?

 

The Hitachi 400E has no speakers but an Amp if you need it, with speaker connections fitted.
It has 4 inputs and will show split screen (PIP)
It is also Hi Def compatable if, or when you can get it.
The speaker version is more expensive and not Hi Def, so the 400 is the the better buy - imo.
Regards.

 

Easy2BCheesy
It's the only option that really matches the requirements because
to get the Panasonic plasmas with TV tuner/speakers will come to quite a bit more than £3,000. Unless you pick up a series 5.
Then the series-5 does not do PIP and IMO looks pretty rough using the matching tuner.

Steve

 

But it doesn't have a tuner/SCART box does it?

 

How can one hitachi be hi-def and the other one not then? Both the 3000 and 400E use the same screen.

 

It is true- check the specs and the test reports.The 400e is Hi Def compatable - I have proved it. The tuner version is not.
"Easy 2bcheesy": no, it has no tuner and no SCARTS, but if you have Freeview or $ky, you don't need an analogue tuner.
All you will miss is some non BBC Teletext and foreign Satellite ditto. (I use an old Grundig SVhs VCR for Satellite teletext, but that's another story.)

 

Well I'm definitely getting a plasma within the next couple of weeks, and it's a toss-up between a Hitachi screen or the new Panasonic.

I'll be off to Sevenoaks though so I can see the differences for myself. If I can't pick up the flicker, I might even go for a cheapo fifth generation Panny.

 

Yeh, go for it - get it wired up by next weekend and you can watch Silverstone F1.. !

 

The specs on the hitachi site state that both are 1024x1024?
What else is necessary to enable hi-def? Got any links to to the test reports?

Not that I don't believe you, it's just the first i've heard of this and I don't really understand what is necessary for hi-def.

 

A test report for the 400E is in the June issue of "Home Cinema Choice". The 3000E version (with the tuner) was reviewed in the April issue. Both have 1024 x1024 resolution, but only the 400E supports Hi Def at 720/60p, 1080/50i, 1080/60i, etc, etc. Page 66 of the April 2003 "HCC" states this, as does the review of the 400E. Also the 400E has PAP or PIP (depending on the sources)
ie. Split screen or a smaller picture in picture mode. (Great for watching an alternative source for Formula 1 when the crapverts come on !!)

To see Hi Def in Europe, you need a US sourced D-VHS VCR which is D-Theater ready. Only JVC do this. There are 2 US models: the HM DH30000U which is very cheap at the moment - around £350 to import, or its replacement - the HM-DH 40000 which has just come out in the US, but for a much higher price.
The last thing you need is a D-Theater Hi Def tape to play on it !! There are'nt very many, but to see is to be converted....
Hope this helps everyone..
Regards.
PS. The 30000 also delivers digital surround sound from the tape, via an optical output. Good stuff !
(PPS. There is no Hi Def on DVD just yet.)

 

Or perhaps you don't bother buying a prog scan dvd player?