Editorial Review

Offering an incredible feature set and exceptional quality for its price, Samsung's fifth-generation 42-inch HP-S4253 plasma TV uses the company's proprietary electronic chassis and the latest DNIe enhancement circuitry to deliver outstanding brightness, contrast, and image clarity. Use it for home theater and use it for your PC--it's perfect for both. In addition to a standard-broadcast NTSC tuner, it also features an integrated ATSC tuner that can capture over-the-air digital broadcasts from local network affiliates (the set will still require a set-top tuner for receiving non-terrestrial HD broadcasts from channels like HBO or Discovery).Read more

Features

• 42-inch plasma TV with integrated high-def ATSC tuner; measures 41.5 x 30.1 x 13.4 inches (WxHxD) with stand
• Samsung Digital Natural Image engine improves contrast, white level, picture detail and incorporates digital noise reduction
• 1024 x 768-pixel resoltuion, 1300 cd/m2 brightness, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 175-degree viewing angle
• Connections: 2 HDMI, 2 component, 2 composite, 2 S-Video, 1 digital coaxial, 1 digital optical
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); SRS TruSurround XT virtual surround sound

Reviews (18)

The wait is over!!
I bought the Sam's Club Version (S4233) Manufactured August 2006, same as this TV in every way Except mine has a cool looking stand. The legs "swing and lock" into place in the Sam's version. I didnt like the dome shape stand on the retail version (S4253).
Samsung HP-S4253 42" Plasma
I'm satisfied with my purchase. Delivery was faster than promised by three days, the setup was simple and the picture is very impressive. The set isstylish, classy looking and compliments the room we put it in. It has every
Beware of the Buzz
When my TV arrived, I had the delivery guy wait while I plugged it in.When I did so, I was able to hear an audible buzzing coming from the unit, which is not normal according to all the electronics message boards that I did my research on.I then refused delivery and shipped it back to Amazon and will try ordering again, but did not want to take a chance with Amazon's strict policy about not exchanging TVs over 27 inches. It looked great for the few minutes it was at my place and I think it will be a great TV if I am able to get one that does not buzz. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Featuring Panasonic's 9th generation gas-plasma screen, the 42-inch TH-42PX60U features a width-to-height 16:9 aspect ratio similar to movie theater screens, providing a theater-like experience at home. Its maximum of 29 billion colors and over 3,000 shades of gradation provide exceptionally fine detail for outstanding HDTV reproduction. The set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. It also includes a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot, enabling you to take an SD card directly from a digital still camera or camcorder and insert it directly into the TV for quick and colorful photo slideshows.Read more

Features

• 42-inch HD-ready plasma TV; measures 40.2 x 27.8 x 3.7 inches (WxHxD)
• Integrated NTSC, ATSC tuners; QAM tuner compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception
• 1024 x 768-pixel resolution; 10000:1 contrast ratio; motion adaptive 3D Y/C comb filter
• Connections: 3 composite A/V (1 front), 3 S-Video (1 front), 2 component (Y/Pb/Pr), 2 HDMI, 1 SC memory card slot
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total)

Reviews (13)

Excellent Value
I purchased this TV a couple of weeks ago and absolutely love it, and I haven't even connected HD yet (Comcast to add HD service next week).The analog stations look beautiful, which is very important since most channels don't come in HD.
Best plasma value out there
I researched heavily before I made this purchase, and my sentiments favored an LCD TV, but I couldn't get past the picture superiority of this Panasonic plasma.When the product hit my price point, I ordered through Amazon and after a month I'm very happy with my purchase.
It lasted just four days.
The set operated for four days and completely lost all picture and sound.Called Panasonic Customer Service and after several calls back and forth, finally got a call from a local warranty service. It would be at least fifteen days before they could get to come and look at it and maybe not then because the outside technician was on call for jury duty and they didn't have any idea when they might get to it.Called Panasonic Customer Service again and they got some other warranty station to call and look at it.However, it would be at least two days before they could even come to check it.When they arrived, they had no idea what was wrong, so they picked the tv up and took it to shop and it has been ten days and we still don't have the set back.Supposed to be returned tomorrow.
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Subjects:  1. whiteglove   

Editorial Review

Featuring Panasonic's 9th generation gas-plasma screen, the 58-inch TH-58PX60U features a width-to-height 16:9 aspect ratio similar to movie theater screens, providing a theater-like experience at home. Its maximum of 29 billion colors and over 3,000 shades of gradation provide exceptionally fine detail for outstanding HDTV reproduction. The set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. It also includes a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot, enabling you to take an SD card directly from a digital still camera or camcorder and insert it directly into the TV for quick and colorful photo slideshows. Read more

Features

• 50-inch HD-ready plasma TV; measures 47.6 x 32.2 x 3.7 inches (WxHxD)
• Integrated NTSC, ATSC tuners; QAM tuner compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception
• 1366 x 768-pixel resolution; 10000:1 contrast ratio; motion adaptive 3D Y/C comb filter
• Connections: 3 composite A/V (1 front), 3 S-Video (1 front), 2 component (Y/Pb/Pr), 2 HDMI, 1 SC memory card slot
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); BBE ViVA HD3D virtual surround sound

Reviews (13)

Damaged In Shipping
Eagle trucking delivered this tv to me yesterday and I had to refuse it. The driver for Eagle was great.Brought into my home, unpacked it, and was very nice.Unfortunately, the glass was broken in several spots.
Don't get ripped off on "Monster Cables"...
I felt compelled to post here after reading that somebody bought a "hundred dollar" Monster Cable.Your typical electronic retailer will push these cables pretty agressively (i.e. "You just spent thousands on a TV and now you won't spend a $100 on the proper cable??") These cables are a ripoff. I got my HDMI cable for $18 online. I suggest you search. All HDMI cables have to meet certain specs, whether they are $15 or $100.
I would buy it again
The TV arrived 3 days ahead of schedule. It is light and the picture is amazing on high def. With regular cable the picture isn't fantastic but that is to be expected unless you get the high def package and have a new dish installed (assuming you are using dish). I bought the Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD (399$ on Amazon), I'm blown away by the sound and picture quality. I had a blu-ray before returned it. Yes there is a battle between blu-ray and High def but for me 1000 bucks vs. 399 for a better picture speaks for itself. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Offering an incredible feature set and exceptional quality for its price, Samsung's fifth-generation 50-inch HP-S5053 plasma TV uses the company's proprietary electronic chassis and the latest DNIe enhancement circuitry to deliver outstanding brightness, contrast, and image clarity. Use it for home theater and use it for your PC--it's perfect for both. In addition to a standard-broadcast NTSC tuner, it also features an integrated ATSC tuner that can capture over-the-air digital broadcasts from local network affiliates (the set will still require a set-top tuner for receiving non-terrestrial HD broadcasts from channels like HBO or Discovery).Read more

Features

• 50-inch plasma TV with integrated high-def ATSC tuner; measures 48.3 x 33.3 x 13.4 inches (WxHxD) with stand
• Samsung Digital Natural Image engine improves contrast, white level, picture detail and incorporates digital noise reduction
• 1366 x 768-pixel resoltuion, 1300 cd/m2 brightness, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 175-degree viewing angle
• Connections: 2 HDMI, 2 component, 2 composite, 2 S-Video, 1 digital coaxial, 1 digital optical
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); SRS TruSurround XT virtual surround sound

Reviews (8)

The best 50 inch plasma at the best price
I sent a month reading reviews and in circuit city and best buy looking at plasmas.The samsung had the best picture and best setup.Amazon had the best price--shipping included and no sales tax--beat CC by $800.Ordered on a Wend and had it in one week.Shipping service was phenomenal.Not one problem.Had the set set-up and on in an hour and haven't left the couch since. Samsung and Amazon both get 5 stars!

Very good plasma TV for the money
After shopping for several months I finally took the plunge and purchased this TV from a national chain.I finally decided plasma over DLP because of the vertical fading effect I saw with all the DLP sets. I took two of my own DVDs in to the store with me and made the staff there hook up a player so I could see both the fast action of The Matrix and the beautiful scenery of Spring, Summmer, Fall, Winter, Spring.The picture on the Samsung HP-S5053 was the second best of the many plasmas that I examined. The Pioneer had a better picture but was significantly more expensive.I do not use the built in speakers because I had an existing 5.1 speaker system.I really like theminimal black casing since the silver finishes are distracting-at least to my eye.
Bang for the buck is definitely with this one
I bought this model in June from a local appliance store.I did lots of shopping... well over 4 weeks of going to stores and playing with the settings in a lot of them; and there are a couple of issues to be aware of.One is that when you are using the 4:3 mode on the TV to view 4:3 content the sidebars are silver... which is annoying and cant be changed... HOWEVER, if you use an HD-upconverter type DVD player with HDMI that goes away since aspect is changed by the DVD player.The other issue is that its only 1080i, which frankly is not a big deal, especially considering most HDTV this large under $5000 are as well.I was borrowing a 42" 3rd generation Dell plasma with about a 4000:1 contrast ratio from my company while i was shopping, and was really unhappy with the muddiness of darker onscreen areas of that tv, but I have to say this one looks GREAT.You can notice some muddiness if you have your contrast set too low and the picture quality of the DVD is poorly lit, buuuut honestly I keep mine set around 55% and it looks awesome.Of course with a plasma you dont want the contrast set to high if you want it to last longer and always avoid falling asleep to a dvd menu if you want to avoid burn in, but if you accidentally fall asleep (i did), it comes with a burn in erasing rolling pattern which is a really big comfort to the mind.Not to mention its a very sexy piece of furniture when not on.I can't speak for its sound system, because if you are spending 3 grand on a tv, you really should have a nice sound system and mute the tv anyway.I would recommend buying a plasma from a local appliance store for quite a few reasons... but chief among them people on here seem to be getting them smashed in transit frequently, which a local store is not going to let happen, and if it DID happen, you would avoid the nightmare I'm sure that has got to be.The only TV I saw that compared to this one was a Panasonic that was running over $1500 more expensive, and it did look nicer... but only about 100 dollars nicer.Of course there is a certain subjectivity to this, but if you read about non-defeatable DNIE or whatever and are nervous about this set, simply go out to somewhere they have them and play with the features and settings.The people that complain about this seem to not be going through the options.All you have to do is see it side by side with about any other plasma and it'll win you over. ... Read more

Features

• High-definition plasma WXGA display- 1024x768p
• Integrated Digital Tuner for HDTV reception
• Pixel Plus 3 HD for most vivid and sharp HDTV images
• 2-channel active Ambilight enhances the viewing experience
• USB Connector for easy- instant multi-media playing

Reviews (1)

Outstanding 1st HDTV Choice
The Philips 42PF9631 is the latest evolution of the 42" plasma TV that Philips has had for 8 years.Over that time, the price has declined from $10,000 to under $2,000.But the best thing has been that Philips has continually refined the product, worked out the bugs, and produced a solid HDTV that also shows standard definition (SD) very well.
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Editorial Review

Step into the future with the 42-inch Toshiba 42HP66 plasma screen HDTV, which features a stylishly contemporary black cabinet and space-saving bottom mounted speaker system.The set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. It comes with a tabletop stand that can be removed for wall mounting (with optional hardware). Read more

Features

• Sleek, black 42-inch Plasma HDTV with bottom-mounted speakers; measures 42.2 x 30.9 x 13.4 inches (WxHxD) with included stand
• Integrated NTSC, ATSC tuners; QAM tuner compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception
• 1024 x 768-pixel resolution, 1200 cd/m2 brightness, 8000:1 contrast ratio
• Inputs: 3 composite (1 front), 3 S-Video (1 front), 2 component, 2 HDMI, 1 PC VGA, 1 RF
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); SRS WOW virtual surround sound

Reviews (2)

Great TV for the price
I got a wonderful deal (i.e. <2k) for this TV at Amazon. Having been enamored by the high definition images on plasma TVs at local stores, and being a huge sports fan, I decided to bite the bullet and get an HDTV for myself.
Great Plasma for under two grand
Had the TV over a month now and am really pleased. I've always wanted a plasma but of course, the prices were way out of reach. Once they hit two grand and below I decided to take the plunge. People were telling me to go with the EDTV as they are a bit cheaper but its not high def. I decided with this one. I got it at Fry's Electronics. The tv has a very big wow factor in my middle sized apartment and I find myself watching more of my DVDs. The picture quality is excellent. I got comcast HD cable box with DVR for only 9.95 more a month so I cancelled my Tivo as they don't have HD (yet) on their drives. The sound is also excellent, much better than my sony trinitron that weighs a ton (over 100 pounds). The tv weighs somewhere around 80 pounds and is less than 5 inches thick. Panasonic makes the panels for Toshiba so you know the quality will be good as Panasonic's plasmas are always on the top of lists of best plasmas. Hope this helps. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Get the most out of your high-definition plasma television purchase with the 42-inch Hitachi 42HDS69, which offers a wealth of advanced technological features that will ensure superior picture and audio performance for years to come. Its blend of refined aesthetics is ideal for any home while its fully high-definition display--with 1080 vertical lines of interlaced resolution--provides stunningly vivid and colorful entertainment. The set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. The set's CableCARD port means the set will also receive digital cable television systems services directly from a compatible cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. It comes with a manual swivel tabletop stand.Read more

Features

• 1080i High-Definition Display
• High-Aperture Pixel Design, Alis Alternate Lighting of Surfaces
• VitualHD 1080p III Video Processor
• Anti-Reflective Glass Screen, Digital Cable Ready(ATSC)(QUAM)(NTSC) Cable Card.
• Dimensions- Height 25 1/2", Width 44 5/8", Depth 4 1/4", Weight 90 lbs.

Reviews (3)

This is the best TV!!!!!
The look of the tv itself it very contemporary and cool (plus it has the stainless steel and a blue power light=)
Fantastic TV
After months of reviewing plasma/LCD TV's I was set on buying the Panasonic 60U.Last month Hitachi came out with this native 1080i resolution TV.The picture beats Panasonic in every aspect.Rich blacks and true color will keep any viewer extremely happy.With 3 HDMI inputs, this TV is built for the future.I've only had the TV for a week, but I am very pleased.
I love this plasma
I shopped for months before buying this new Hitachi.It's a great looking set with arguably the best picture available - especially in it's price range.HD images are sensational.And it's loaded with features - 3 HDMI inputs for example - and plenty of options for customizing your viewing preferences.The built in speakers are better than I expected although I will be primarily listening through my home theater audio system.I am very happy with my choice and recommend you give this baby a close look. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Featuring Panasonic's 9th generation gas-plasma screen, the 37-inch TH-37PX60U features a width-to-height 16:9 aspect ratio similar to movie theater screens, providing a theater-like experience at home. Its maximum of 29 billion colors and over 3,000 shades of gradation provide exceptionally fine detail for outstanding HDTV reproduction. The set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. It also includes a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot, enabling you to take an SD card directly from a digital still camera or camcorder and insert it directly into the TV for quick and colorful photo slideshows.Read more

Features

• 37-inch HD-ready plasma TV; measures 36.1 x 25.4 x 3.7 inches (WxHxD)
• Integrated NTSC, ATSC tuners; QAM tuner compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception
• 1024 x 720-pixel resolution; 10000:1 contrast ratio; motion adaptive 3D Y/C comb filter
• Connections: 3 composite A/V (1 front), 3 S-Video (1 front), 2 component (Y/Pb/Pr), 2 HDMI, 1 SC memory card slot
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); BBE ViVA HD3D virtual surround sound

Reviews (2)

Fabulous Picture, easy set-up!
I have no electronic aptitude whatsoever, but had no problem setting this unit up right out of the box. Once I turned it on, I couldn't stop watching until way past my bedtime. The color and image quality are unbelievable. One of the best purchases I've made for my family in a long time. Highly recommended!

Wow.Everything I expected!
So I bought this from Circuit City a month ago and I am so plaesed with this TV.It is replacing my old college TV (27" Zenith) and it is a night & day difference.Movies look awesome, it's so cool to watch widescreen movies without any letterbox - just clear picture from corner to corner.
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Subjects:  1. whiteglove   

Editorial Review

The 50-inch Pioneer PDP-5070HD plasma television delivers large, lifelike images right out of the box, thanks to the built-in ATSC (digital) tuner that can pick up over-air high-def channels with an optional antenna. You can also hook up an HDMI-capable cable or satellite set-top box and enjoy the highest standard of high-definition audio and video--with only a single cord connection. Nicely compact, it features a bottom mounted speaker design that makes it easy to fit into a home theater cabinet with a smaller footprint.Read more

Features

• 50-inch plasma HDTV with advanced picture technology; measures 48.2 x 28.25 x 4.5 (inches)
• Integrated NTSC, ATSC tuners for over-air HDTV reception; TV Guide On-Screen programming guide
• 1365 x 768-pixel resolution; optical-grade glass panel acts as a color filter for increased contrast
• Connections: Composite (3 in, 1 out), S-Video (3 in), Component (2 in), HDMI (1 in), RF (2 in)
• Two stereo speakers, 13 watts apiece (26 watts total); digital optical output and SRS TruSurround XT

Reviews (2)

Expensive but still a great buy
Great plasma TV, one of the best on the market. Picture quality is excellent. The only negative is the price. But if you are one of those who needs only 1 TV in the house, this could be *it*.

Great TV
Couldn't be happier.Picture is stunning.TV is easy to use and set up.I also bought a large screen HD LCD TV and wish I'd bought two of these instead. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Step into the future with the 50-inch Toshiba 50HM66 plasma screen HDTV, which features a stylishly contemporary black cabinet and space-saving bottom mounted speaker system.The set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. It comes with a tabletop stand that can be removed for wall mounting (with optional hardware). Read more

Features

• Sleek, black 50-inch Plasma HDTV with bottom-mounted speakers; measures 49.5 x 34.25 x 16.2 inches (WxHxD) with included stand
• Integrated NTSC, ATSC tuners; QAM tuner compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception
• 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, 1000 cd/m2 brightness, 10,000:1 contrast ratio
• Inputs: 3 composite (1 front), 3 S-Video (1 front), 2 component, 2 HDMI, 1 PC VGA, 1 RF
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); SRS WOW virtual surround sound

Reviews (5)

Love it!
Neither one of us are tremendously technical, but we wanted a nice tv to mount over our fireplace.We researched online as well as visited a couple stores and decided on this one.We've only had it a few days, but I'm very pleased.It is very user friendly - meaning I don't have to get the manual out every time I want to make an adjustment!I did have to hire somebody to mount it and run the wiring, but I would have to do that with any of them.It's a great buy!

Toshiba 50HP66 the Best
You can't go wrong if you get this TV, I did shop around, the picture of Toshiba, Pana, Pioneer all the same.Why you don't buy Toshiba with less money

our 1st HDTV!!
we looked long and hard to find the best "value" and not price, meaning we were not interested in the lowest cost solution. In fact our focus was on the top 42" &43" Panasonics and Pioneers (based on Consumer Reports and Plasma TV Buyers.com) until comparing the Toshiba 50HP66 side by side with Panasonic at Video Only in Bellevue. (Toshiba was superior in every category!) The sales rep included "free delivery" so we are now into a 50" Plasma HD which has tranformed our tv experience where we can watch an excellent picture, sound and are more engaged. You should include Toshiba in your search also they are the first on the market with HD DVD recorder. ... Read more

Features

• 10,000 - 1 contrast ratio
• 1,500 cdm2 brightness
• 852 x 480 resolution - delivers EDTV performance
• 16 - 9 Widescreen aspect ratio
• Features NTSC / ATSC TV tuners built-in (ATSC lets you receive FREE over-the-air HDTV when used with an optional HDTV antenna)

Editorial Review

Enjoy a true cinema-like experience in your own home with the 42-inch Panasonic TH-42PD60U EDTV plasma television. It features an integrated ATSC tuner for receiving over-the-air HDTV programming as well as a standard NTSC tuner, 16-watt speaker system, and an included detachable table-top stand. This 4.5-inch thin plasma TV can also be wall-mounting with an optional kit. It also includes a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot, enabling you to take an SD card directly from a digital still camera or camcorder and insert it directly into the TV for quick and colorful photo slideshows.Read more

Features

• 42-inch EDTV plasma TV; measures 42 x 30.1 x 12.7 inches (WxHxD) with included stand
• Integrated ATSC tuner for receiving over-the-air digital TV programming; 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio
• 4000:1 contrast ratio; 852 x 480 native resolution; 160-degree viewing angle
• Connections: 3 composite A/V (1 front), 3 S-Video (1 front), 2 component (Y/Pb/Pr), 2 HDMI, 1 SC memory card slot
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); BBE ViVA HD3D virtual surround sound

Reviews (4)

EDTV is NOT High Definition by any standard.`
If you think 480p (EDTV) is High Definition you are VERY mistaken.By "DEFINITION" the term "High Definition" (HDTV) refers to 1,080 scan lines of resolution.
Great Plasma! Watch out for the description!!!
We bought this TV a month before we moved in to a new house and it just sat in the box during that time. It was killing me. When we finally set it up I was let down by the description on AMAZON. It said that there a SD CARD reader and that there were S-VIDEO inputs(1) on the front of the unit. Neither one was there. If it would not have been a huge hassle boxing it up to return I would have. Aside from that it is the best picture I have ever had. The detail and the colors are amazing. Real easy to set up out of the box and Crutchfield has great support. Great looking unit up the mantle. Would recomend it to a friend but make sure you know what you are buying before dropping the plastic. If there is the slightest doubt go buy it at an electronics store you trust.

Excellent Set
I have had mine since January 2006.No problems at all.We had planned to buy an HD Plasma, but when I saw this one I was blown away.This set is EDTV, not HDTV.In the store this set was on the same channel as the HD's were on.The Signal was in HD (must point that out) and this EDTV dominated the room.I could not see spending more money on a smaller TV with a less impressive picture. For the hose heads out there, 480p IS considered HD.Can you recieve 480p on a standard def tv? No, you cannot.480p displays twice the detail as 480i (standard).
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Subjects:  1. whiteglove   

Features

• High Definition plasma WXGA display- 1366 x 768p
• Integrated Digital Tuner for HDTV reception
• Pixel Plus 3 HD for most vivid and sharp HDTV images
• 2-channel active Ambilight enhances the viewing experience
• USB Connector for easy- instant multi-media playing

Editorial Review

This 16:9 widescreen plasma set a bright display that will look good in any room, on any wall or on any surface. It comes standard with both basic video and PC inputs and is easily expandable to accommodate a variety of different sources.Read more

Features

• Analog VGA (15 pin D-Sub), Digital (DVI-D), Composite (BNC), S-Video
• Viewable Image Size: 42"
• Resolution 852 x 480 Native
• 4000 to 1 Contrast Ratio
• Environments: PC and Mac compatible

Reviews (9)

Great Value - Best Buy - No brainer ;)
This is an excellent plasma TV. I have it for little more than 6 months and I am happy that I bought this baby!
Great EDTV Plasma!
This is a beautiful TV.I've had it for 6 months and I am very happy with it.For one, the minimalism of it.I just wanted a monitor. I didn't need a tuner since I have a HD cable box and I didn't need speakers since I have a great surround sound system. Also, I find it distracting that consumer versions of flat screens have all that stuff attached, as one reason people like flat screens are the aesthetics. I think the EDTV picture is excellent, and I feel comfortable I made the right decision to not jump on the HDTV bandwagon right now.I am constantly comparing my EDTV to friend's HDTVs and I think their picture is totally inferior, whether it's DVD or regular television or even an HD broadcast.It's a great buy and a great upgrade from a CRT.Very happy.

Great TV..that needs a few extras
Great TV.Much more affordable that HDTV and it lookspretty much the same.So much so, I bought this TV twice and may buy two more.Make sure you decide if you're going to mount it on the wall or put it on a stand and buy these accessories at the same time that you are buying this tv.You may also need some adapters BNC to RCA etc.All in All...I great buy. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Get the most out of your high-definition plasma television purchase with the 55-inch Hitachi 55HDS69, which offers a wealth of advanced technological features that will ensure superior picture and audio performance for years to come. Its blend of refined aesthetics is ideal for any home while its fully high-definition display--with 768 vertical lines of progressive resolution--provides stunningly vivid and colorful entertainment. The set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. The set's CableCARD port means the set will also receive digital cable television systems services directly from a compatible cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming.Read more

Features

• 768p High-Definition Display
• High-Aperture Pixel Design, High-Contrast Black Rib Structure
• VitualHD 1080p III Video Processor
• Anti-Reflective Glass Screen, Digital Cable Ready(ATSC)(QUAM)(NTSC) Cable Card.
• Dimensions- Height 33 1/8", Width 59 1/2", Depth 4 1/4", Weight 139 lbs.

Reviews (1)

Great TV
After searching for the past year, I deceided to go with a Sharp 45" LCD. Then I saw C/C had dropped the Hitachi 55" to $3149.00, much lower than I could get even online. Went to look and was blown away by the pic. It was a no brainer, the Sharp for $3,000.00 (Costco) was good, but couldn't pass up the Hitachi for less. Only gripe was no stand. While Hitachi may not sell the stand with the TV, retailers should keep one or two in stock. Found one at a local Hi Def TV store for $399.00. High price, but wife didn't like the idea of a wall mount.
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Editorial Review

Samsung makes it easy to create your dream home cinema with the plug-and-play Samsung HP-R5052 50-inch flat panel plasma TV. It has a built-in analog/digital (NTSC/ATSC) tuner that will receive free over-the-air HDTV signals and is Digital Cable Ready, so you can enjoy digital cable without an additional box or remote. Its 175-degree horizontal viewing angle provides a picture-perfect entertainment experience from anywhere in the room. It also offers a good range of connections for DVD, DTV, PC, HDTV sources.Read more

Features

• 50-inch plasma flat-panel TV; measures 48.4 x 34.3 x 13.2 inches (WxHxD) with included stand
• Built-in HD/Digital tuner (ATSC), 181-channeltuner (NTSC); Digital Cable ready
• 10,000:1 contrast ratio,1,300 cd/m2 brightness rating, 175-degree viewing angle, 1366 x 768-pixel resolution
• Inputs: 1 composite, 1 S-Video, 2 component, 1 HDMI, 1 VGA
• Two stereo speakers, 15 watts apiece (30 watts total); SRS TruSurround XT virtual surround sound

Reviews (8)

In Use For Over A Year And .......
After much research I ended up buying this Samsung as an open box at BestBuy. Samsung is not my favorite brand. I am hoping that the Samsung of today may be lots better than the Samsung of old. I based my decision on which plasma to buy on how much bang for the buck I could get (picture quality, size, looks, price, etc). I also picked up a three year warantee, just in case. This was my first HD so I wasn't sure what to expect. After using this set for a year the following are my findings:Most people who have purchased their first plasma TVs (from what I have read) are saying that you shouldn't expect your normal analog channels to be anywhere near HD looking when you go to digital, because they won't be. These channels may be better than your old set but I have noticed many of mine were worse probably because the bigger screen shows all the imperfections that you don't see on your smaller 32 inch standard set.I would say that only 20% of the digital channels were better, about 40% were the same and 40% appeared worse.As time goes on there will be lots more digital and HD channels. Now the good news!The HD channels on this set are SPECTACULAR. I don't mean good... I mean simply Spectacular. I haven't seen better anywhere. The black border on this set is really nice too and makes for a nice frame for the picture.It appears to me that the picture has gotten better as time goes on and I think I read that this happens."Burn in" is no longer a huge issue with plasmas if you use some common sense and make sure you don't leave a static image on the screen for hours and hours. You may have to play around with the settings to get the picture that suits you but that is very easy to do. I can't think of anything that I don't like about this set. I realize that you can get good and bad in any model so you are always taking your chances, but I would certainly recommend this plasma TV at this super price... but for some piece of mind get an extended warantee if possible.

Exceeds My Expectations
I recently bought this TV at Best Buy for $2400 - it was an open box item, but came with a 4 year in home warranty, so what the heck. I have to say the TV is just amazing. I knew they looked good from seeing them in the store, but the store lighting does not do it justice. The picture is amazing, even with just a plain digital signal. HDTV is mindblowing. I had no problems setting it to "stretch" the screen when displaying a standard channel. I was worried about sidebars, but no need for worry with this TV. The picture quality is the best available in my opinion, and even the sound from the TV is pretty good, so if you don't have surround sound yet, you will still be impressed a bit. I give it 5 stars, and kudos to Samsung for a great product!
Some good...Some bad
Perhaps once everything goes hi-def, my plasma tv experience will improve. I have approx 25 hi-def channels in my area with the rest being digital. To start with, this was not my first choice. I'd originally tried to buy a Toshiba 50" but it was on national backorder and after approx 30-day wait, the online dealer I was working with said it was unlikely it would ever be available. So I bought the Samsung based on what looked like top notch specs and good picture when I checked it out at Best Buy. The picture I get on my high definition channels is quite good with the exception of nagging problems with occasional unnatural skin tones. This isn't always the case but happens often enough and is much more noticeable on the non hi-def channels. The picture that you see at Best Buy will not necessarily be what you see at home. But it still easily beats my 10 yr old 31" JVC. Shortly after I got the set, I noticed random fits of static in the audio. It got worse so I had to call Samsung for a service call. The service man also pointed out that we should be able to program the HP-R5052 to fill the entire screen no matter which channel I'm on. This option was "grayed-out" on virtually all channels. He also pointed out I'm also starting to get "burn-in" where the gray or black bars are at the edges of the screen when not watching a hi-def channel and I've only had this for 4 months. The set had to go to the shop for the repairs and we're in about the third week without it. It's probably good for us to find other ways to entertain ourselves but I paid for the thing and can't use it. Irritating. Samsung customer service was quite easy to deal with but parts order takes 1 to 2 weeks. Come on...are these parts coming by pack mule? If I had it to do over, I'd look much closer at skin tones before buying and probably choose something other than Samsung. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. enroute   

Features

• 42-inch HD-ready plasma TV measures 42.6 x 25.4x 3.6 inches (W x H x D)
• With ATSC/QAM/NTSC Tuners and included Digital Media Receiver and SD Card SLot
• 1024 x 768-pixel resoltuion, 3000:1 Contrast Ratio
• Picture in a Picture functionality, and split screen viewing capable
• Connections: 1 HDMI; 2 S-Video, 2 Componant Video; Cable Card Slot

Features

• Technology - Plasma (PDP)
• Supported DTV Resolutions - 480p (via Component sockets), 1080i (via Component s
• Additional Features - Auto power off, on-screen menu, DNIe (Digital Natural Imag
• Image Aspect Ratio - 16

Editorial Review

Save space and enjoy a wonderfully vivid picture with the stylish, 50-inch Philips 50PF7320A widescreen plasma TV, a great choice for your full-featured entertainment center. It has a built-in 181-channel NTSC tuner for standard television broadcasts, and you can receive high-definition TV right out of the box with the optional, removable CableCARD, which picks up HD (ATSC) broadcasts from your digital cable provider (digital cable subscription required). This set includes a tabletop stand, but it's also wall-mountable with optional kit (VESA compatible). This plasma TV includes an anti-ageing circuit to help prevent screen burn-in and an anti-reflective coating on the screen. Read more

Features

• 50-inch plasma TV with CableCard slot for digital cable; measures 55.7 x 30.7 x 4.1 inches (WxHxD)
• 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, 1500 cd/m2 brightness rating, and 10000:1 contrast ratio
• 3D comb filter eliminates cross-color, cross-luminance and dot-crawl distortion; Pixel Plus video processor
• Inputs: 3 composite, 3 S-Video, 2 component, 2 HDMI, 1 RF, 1 USB
• Two stereo speakers, 15 watts apiece (30 watts total)

Reviews (4)

love it!
When reading this review you should be aware that I'm a bit of a geek....ok a hardcore geek.I don't know how the average person would handle some of the hookup/setup issues which I found simple and easy.
NEW TO HDTV
IF you do not own a HDTV you must READ this before you buy ONE!!!!
Excellent value for the money
There has been a lot of noise on various forums (AVS Forum specifically) about the picture quality of this set compared to other comparable sets.Either I lucked out or simply the negative assessments of the set are overblown. The HD signal as well as the upconverted DVD (thru HDMI) looks outstanding (OTA works just fine)including deep blacks! Star WarsI,II,III look spectacular, as they are shot digitally. As expected the SD looks average, even poor, but thats a function of a high resolution TV. The downsides are the speakers, they are kind of redundant and somewhat ineffective. Second its heavy (138lbs) and the non intuitive way to put together the stand (it frankly looks cheap)doesnt help things. The set does tend to heat up after 3 hrs of use, probably slightly more than other plasmas. Finally the digital out is coax not optical, a huge bummer for me. That said, plenty of HDMI, and IR connections. So far everyone of them work.The set has several built in (and helpful) modes of looking at widescreen TVs, which is also quite helpful.Overall great TV. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Featuring Panasonic's 9th generation gas-plasma screen, the 58-inch TH-58PX60U features a width-to-height 16:9 aspect ratio similar to movie theater screens, providing a theater-like experience at home. Its maximum of 29 billion colors and over 3,000 shades of gradation provide exceptionally fine detail for outstanding HDTV reproduction. The set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. It also includes a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot, enabling you to take an SD card directly from a digital still camera or camcorder and insert it directly into the TV for quick and colorful photo slideshows. Read more

Features

• 58-inch HD-ready plasma TV; Digital Cable Ready with CableCARD slot
• Integrated NTSC, ATSC tuners; QAM tuner compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception
• 1366 x 768-pixel resolution; 10000:1 contrast ratio; motion adaptive 3D Y/C comb filter
• Connections: 3 composite A/V (1 front), 3 S-Video (1 front), 2 component (Y/Pb/Pr), 2 HDMI, 1 PC RGB, 1 SC memory card slot
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); BBE ViVA HD3D virtual surround sound

Reviews (1)

Returning After 30 Days
I bought this product and enjoyed it for the first thirty days with no complaints. Unfortunately on the 30th day a green horizontal line appeared toward the left side of the screen. I tested the defect with multiple inputs including a HDMI DVD, S-video satellite feed, and TV over antenna. The defect remained the same with all inputs so I deemed the problem being from the display itself. I have called in for a return. From this point I do not know what to think. Did I get a one-off or is there something inherently wrong in this new larger dimension? This item is too new on the market for me to know. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. whiteglove