HD DVD vs Blu Ray... the tipping point?

[WTFchris]

I have one more option...plasma. The Panasonic 42PX75U is rated very high and it's only 1,000 bucks and Circuit City and Best Buy. It would be half the cost of the Sony or Samsung LCD's I was loooking at, and have a better picture during motion for sure.

My only concern is the altitude (I'm at 6,000 ft here). I've been reading that the Panisonics are rated to 7,500 feet, but I don't know if that's an operating level, or an operating level without drawbacks. At high altitudes the set can operate at a higher temp, causing a slight buzz and possibly reducing the life span. I want to know if those will be present at 6,000 feet, or if the altitude rating means those conditions will not happen.

Anybody know?

They say to go to the stores, put your hand on it vs the LCD's and see if it's operating at a high temp. Also, they say to get close and listen for the buzz. That's the best way to check it I guess.

[Fool]

I used a lot of info from this and its cousin LCD site:

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/p...-altitude.html

Plasma TVs at Altitude Reviewer: Phil Connor
Copyright © 2007 PlasmaTVBuyingGuide.com. All Rights Reserved.
NEC is left as the only provider of "high-altitude" plasma TVs and displays though Pioneer now states 7500 feet and Panasonic states 7800 feet for their plasma TVs. NEC has implemented their altitude freindly technology in all of their current plasma displays which are rated to 9180 feet. From my experience with these, they have worked perfectly at altitude with no side effects and no noise complaints.
Altitude has long been a factor affecting the performance of plasma TV. The display elements of plasma units actually consist of rare natural gases (like xenon, neon, and argon), which have been compressed inside hundred of thousands of tiny glass envelopes. Ideally, the pressure these gases are under should match the pressure of the gases (N2 and O2, mostly) outside the walls of those glass envelopes. At sea level or thereabout, these two pressures are more or less equivalent, for this is the atmospheric pressure level at which most plasma televisions have been calibrated. The thinner air at higher elevations causes an air-pressure differential-an imbalance between inner and outer air pressures-and the pressure of the gases inside the plasma display panel (PDP) increases as the outside air pressure decreases. Hence, most Plasma TVs (at least those not specifically designed for use at or above 5500 feet) emit a slight buzzing noise under such conditions. This noise is the result of the PDP's increased power consumption and the corresponding increase in its cooling needs and, hence, its fan usage.
What are the symptoms of "altitude sickness" in plasma display panels operating at or above 6000 feet?
There is very little difference in visible picture quality. The chief high altitude symptom you'll detect will involve your plasma televisions' operational noise levels. Because of the increased pressure on the gases contained in its glass substrate, the unit must work harder to cool this display element. So, if your plasma TV set has fans (42 inchers don't have fans), the fans will be significantly louder because they're running harder. If your Plasma TV utilizes a convection cooling system (one without fans), then you'll notice something akin to a buzzing sound emanating from its rear panel. Another thing to consider with respect to altitude and plasma TV is longevity: Since PDPs work harder at higher elevations, they will not last as long up high as they do down low.
So, what does all this mean for someone living in Denver, CO, for example?
At 5295 feet, Denver lies well under our new recommended limit of around 6500 feet. Pioneer states maximum altitude of 7500 feet. Panasonic now states maximum altitude at 7800 feet. NEC's plasma TVs are rated to a maximum of 9180 feet. With Sony's exit from the plasma TV market, NEC is left as the only provider of "high-altitude" plasma TVs and displays. They have implemented their altitude friendly technology in all of their current models. From my experience with these, they have worked perfectly at altitude with no side effects and no noise complaints.
Also, you might also note the fact that atmospheric pressure seems to differ geographically. We have anecdotal evidence of this bizarre-but-true claim in the form of telephone conversions we have had with plasma TV owners nationwide. The same TVs seem to be affected differently by different altitudes. So, for example, one person reported a considerable noise coming from his TV at 5500 feet, while another person with the same model TV reported hers working just fine at 6500 feet. Air pressure is influenced by variables other than just altitude
If you live above 6500 feet, you might want to visit a local AV store to determine whether or not they have had any problems - and which models are performing best.
LCD and DLP display technogolies do not contain high altitude quirks, so keep them in mind if you need alternatives to plasma.

I bought a Panasonic Plasma about ... jeez four years ago. I spent about 3 months researching the tv, HD tech., signal providers, and then another month or two waiting for the right sale and whatnot. I've never had an issue with it (happily) and have been completely satisfied with the purchase. I'm actually kind of proud of the purchase if that makes sense, as I planned it with future audio/video purchases in mind down the road and weighing what I thought I would find usefull and discounting features/tech I didn't think I'd get use out of and its all pretty much gone to plan. 42 inches is a good size IMO. Its big enough to enjoy but doesn't dominate the room, nor even contrast with room decor while on the wall. That was actually a real concern with me, I wanted to keep my "living room" not turn it into a "tv" room.

[WTFchris]

Yeah, that's the same article I read. Are you at a high altitude as well?

[Fool]

No sir.

[WTFchris]

hmm, that doesn't help my main issue. Thanks for the feedback on the brand though.

[Fool]

What's your main issue?

[WTFchris]

Whether the thing is going to buzz or stop working sooner than it should at normal altitudes.

Also, can I get some feedback on the screen reflectiveness? It says the newer model has a glare reducer. The only ones I noticed with a significatant glare was about half the Samsungs. But, I wasn't looking at Panasonics or Plasmas at the time.

Being that I live in Colorado where it's sunny 300+ days a year, the glare is a factor.

[Fool]

I don't get why checking at the store wouldn't work. The buzzing isn't from decay so if it doesn't buzz at the store it shouldn't in your home. As for what their "good to X elevation" means, I would assume it means that their product life estimates include use up to whatever elevation they claim is safe usage, otherwise they'd have to state that the tv's is ok to use to X altitude but that their estimates only include Y altitude.

[WTFchris]

I went to Best Buy and checked them out. No buzzing, heat level about the same as the LCD's. In fact, they were all rated to 9100 feet. I'm definately getting one. This is my list:

1) Panasonic 42PZ77U - $1500 - antiglare film and 1080p
2) Panasonic 42PX75U - $1000 - no antiglare or 1080p
3) Panasonic 42PZ700U - $1700 - 1080p, no antiglare

Unfortunately I have $500 in Circuit City cards coming and they do not have the 42PZ77U at all (not even online). I may have to get the 50 inch model (which is $2200). I don't want to spend that much though, so I may just go with the non-1080p set for half the price. Since I won't have a blue ray player for years anyway, I can always get the 1080p set later when the prices are lower and technology improved even more. Every site I've seen says you have to get extremely close to notice the 720-1080 difference anyway on those sets.

[WTFchris]

Well, I bought the 42PZ77U at Circuit City for 1500 bucks. Can't wait to watch the superbowl in HD on it.

I also can't wait to play Halo and Battlefront on it (despite it not being HD from my Xbox). The days of split screens on a 27 inch TV are over.