$1999 42" Plasma HDTV @ Costco

[Apex]

Originally posted by: huesmann
I'm too lazy to search. Is there a place that explains the difference between 720i/720p/1080i/1080p etc.?

720i: does not exist
720p: 1280 x 720 in a progressive format, the minimum requirement to be called "HD"
1080i: 1920 x 1080 interlaced
1080p: not widely available

Unfortunately, most manufacturers fudge their numbers:

For manufacturers of digital sets, they only look at the vertical pixels. Take this 1024 x 768 set for example. They call it HD because 768 is bigger than 720p. However, it doesn't have enough horizontal pixels to fully resolve 1280 (at 1024, regardless of whether they're rectangle).

How do they get away with doing this? They assume that the consumer will be ignorant of the horizontal requirement.

Analog (CRT based displays) manufacturers are even worse. The vast majority of them cannot resolve HD resolutions. Those "super fine" dot pitch CRT's are actually .67mm to .90mm for the most part. Multiply it out, and you can see they physically cannot display 1280 or above. If they could, than take a look at their video amplifier bandwidth. Most are 20-40hz or so, far under what's necessary.

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: huesmann
I'm too lazy to search. Is there a place that explains the difference between 720i/720p/1080i/1080p etc.?

720i: does not exist
720p: 1280 x 720 in a progressive format, the minimum requirement to be called "HD"
1080i: 1920 x 1080 interlaced
1080p: not widely available

Unfortunately, most manufacturers fudge their numbers:

For manufacturers of digital sets, they only look at the vertical pixels. Take this 1024 x 768 set for example. They call it HD because 768 is bigger than 720p. However, it doesn't have enough horizontal pixels to fully resolve 1280 (at 1024, regardless of whether they're rectangle).

How do they get away with doing this? They assume that the consumer will be ignorant of the horizontal requirement.

Analog (CRT based displays) manufacturers are even worse. The vast majority of them cannot resolve HD resolutions. Those "super fine" dot pitch CRT's are actually .67mm to .90mm for the most part. Multiply it out, and you can see they physically cannot display 1280 or above. If they could, than take a look at their video amplifier bandwidth. Most are 20-40hz or so, far under what's necessary.

so, apex, would you reccomend this plasma set? i was thinking about picking up a EDTV plasma since i dont watch HDTV programs, but hey, it couldnt hurt right? and at this price, it seem like i should buy HDTV anyway. i saw the LG hdtv on sale for like 2.2k with a 5000:1 contrast ratio and 1500cmd brightness. it looked pretty cool, but its the industrial version.

would you recommend this one? getting a DLP would be out of the question since my house is space limited. LCD projection is a possibility, but once again, plasma is even smaller and i have no necessity for HDTV.

 

[Apex]

Rumor is, this plasma will be upgraded to the new LG panel come 1/17.

So, check your local Costco. I believe the costco item number on the new panel is: 845022. Unofficially, it's the Visio P42HDe. However, to make things more complicated, they make keep the P42HD designation (just to confuse people, I guess).

The new P42HDe uses the new LG panel, with 5000:1 contrast and 1000 cd/m2 brightness, along with 1024 x 768 resolution, of course.

If this panel is available from your Costco at $1999, it's a steal.

The contrast is very good (obviously not up to manufacturer rating, but still very good). The black levels aren't quite as good as the Panasonic 7Uy, but it's close. It definitely has more "punch". It competes with high ambient light very well.

It comes with DVI, speakers, and a stand, so it saves you quite a bit of money there too.

The color gradients aren't quite as smooth as then Panny, but it's not bad.

Overall, I'd say it's a winner for the price.

Anyhow, complete info:

Panel: 42" 16:9 aspect ratio
Resolution: 1024 x 768
Pixel (Dot) Pitch: .90 mm x .676 mm (H x V)
Display Compatibility: HDTV (720P)
Siginal Compatibility: 480i 480p 720p 1080i
Brightness: 1000 cd/m2
Contrast: 5000:1 typical
Viewing angle: 160 degres (horizontal and vertical)

Inputs: 2 x composite video, 2 x S-video, 1 x Component (YCbCr), 1 x Component (YPbPr), 1 x DVI, 1 x analog RGB, 4 x audio (2 left 2 right), 1 x RF (F connector for internal NTSC tuner), 1 x audio (Stereo mini jack)

Outputs: 1 x Stereo audio, 1x subwoofer

Features: PiP, POP, CC, V- Chip, 3D comb filter, 3:2 pull down, Gamma correction, Scalar and De- interlacer, NTSC video decoding via RF, Progressive Scan Video via Component YPbPr, VGA, or DVI, HDTV via Component YPbPr, VGA, or DVI, Computer 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768 via VGA or DVI, SRS and BBE sound enhancement.

Interface: 1 x RS232 (9-pin D-sub)
Speakers: 2 x 15W
Dementions: 40.9 x 25.45 x 5.2 w/o stand or speakers
48.65 x 27.2 x 10.6 w/ stand and speakers
Net weight: 85 lbs w/stand and speakers
Gross weight: 115.8 lbs w /stand and speakers

 

[Tung]

looks hot! what's the return policy on this baby?

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Tung
looks hot! what's the return policy on this baby?

The same as any other non-computer item from Costco.

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: Apex
For manufacturers of digital sets, they only look at the vertical pixels. Take this 1024 x 768 set for example. They call it HD because 768 is bigger than 720p. However, it doesn't have enough horizontal pixels to fully resolve 1280 (at 1024, regardless of whether they're rectangle).

Thanks for all the info, Apex. I assume you mean (in the above) that the horizontal picture gets scaled to fit the available pixels, kind of like running an LCD monitor at a non-native resolution?

 

[Sigity]

Originally posted by: ir0nw0lf

Originally posted by: CStrikeADDICT

Originally posted by: Apex

If you have absolutely no life, and watch a full 12 hours of TV a day, 7 days a week, every single week of the year, year after year, AND this plasma only has the inferior 30,000 halflife, it will reach half brightness in 6.8 years.

you must be talking about thenotebook.

btw, remember costco has a return policy that would let you return this thing whenever you want.

The FW thread has a lot of interesting tidbits about some stores not taking big $$$ stuff back and only offering exchanges, etc. Although there is not a Costco anywhere near where I am, I was amazed at how loose their return policy seems to be, but after reading that thread, I wonder if many Costco's are starting to tighten the leash of what is honestly abuse of a return policy (according to some at FW, not my words!!)

@ 5 hours a day, it works out to about 11 years, by then, these TVs will be about 300 bucks.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: huesmann

Originally posted by: Apex
For manufacturers of digital sets, they only look at the vertical pixels. Take this 1024 x 768 set for example. They call it HD because 768 is bigger than 720p. However, it doesn't have enough horizontal pixels to fully resolve 1280 (at 1024, regardless of whether they're rectangle).

Thanks for all the info, Apex. I assume you mean (in the above) that the horizontal picture gets scaled to fit the available pixels, kind of like running an LCD monitor at a non-native resolution?

Sort of. However, truth be told, this effect is much MUCH less noticable on video than it is on text (computer applications). I wouldn't worry about it overly much for video.

Originally posted by: Sigity

@ 5 hours a day, it works out to about 11 years, by then, these TVs will be about 300 bucks.

Actually not. Here's the thing. A quick trip down to the local Costco revealed that they do have the new ones in! These new LG panels not only have 5000:1 contrast and 1000 cd/m2 brightness, they have 60,000 hour halflives!

LG Electronics Plasmas

That means at 5 hours a day, every single day, it should reach 500 cd/m2 at 32.9 years.

 

[waxking1]

A good 42" plasma( I haven't seen the LG) will blow the doors off any LCD RPTV I've seen. Of course I like a good black level which the LCDs mostly lack. I think some of the newest ones may be exceptions such as the new Hitachi Directors series but I haven't seen it. Even the Panasonic EDTVs look great at a lesser resolution if you don't sit too close. Of course I'm sure others will disagree as this is only my opinion. This looks like a killer deal if you are looking for this size set.

 

[JSanford]

Has anyone receive the discount mentioned in this mailer? My wife and I could not purchase the unit at the $1999 prices mentioned in this thread! We went to two seperate Costco's and were denied the $400 discount....

Sigh...

 

[jpeyton]

Deal starts on the 17th of January, so maybe that has something to do with it? And you'll need the coupon.

 

[huesmann]

Do you also need to bring $2000+ in cash, or does Costco take checks? Or are they now accepting credit cards?

 

[Maximus96]

they take amex

 

[JSanford]

How do I get ahold of the coupon?? Never received one...

 

[jpeyton]

The coupon should be available in-store as well; it's in the mailer they send out to customers every so often, but just ask someone at Customer Service and they'll get one for you.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: JSanford
Has anyone receive the discount mentioned in this mailer? My wife and I could not purchase the unit at the $1999 prices mentioned in this thread! We went to two seperate Costco's and were denied the $400 discount....

Sigh...

Yeah, starts on the 17th. They will not give it early.

 

[MichaelHudson]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb...ge=20&pagenumber=1

Post got closed because of coupon talk but some people have picked it up all ready. I am going to get it on the 17th.

 

[McPhreak]

Originally posted by: huesmann
Do you also need to bring $2000+ in cash, or does Costco take checks? Or are they now accepting credit cards?

They take checks and ATM cards

 

[ScottFern]

If I get a membership tomorrow at costco how much is it? And will I get the coupons once I sign up, or can I ask for them?

 

[MichaelHudson]

45 for the standard 100 for the better one that gets you 2 percent back.

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
The coupon should be available in-store as well; it's in the mailer they send out to customers every so often, but just ask someone at Customer Service and they'll get one for you.

Will they be able to give me the coupon before the sale starts, or do I need to wait til the 17th to pick up a coupon from CS?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: zaku
they take amex

And you can get a special Amex/Costco card that doubles as your Costco card (Edit: It's called a TrueEarnings Card). If you get the right kind, you will get 1% rebate on your Costco purchases, too! I got mine a couple of weeks ago, upgrading from my previous Amex/Costco card.

Here's a quote from Hot Deals thread "Costco LIFETIME warranty?":

"Costco and Amex do have a new joint credit card (doubles as your Costco membership card) that gives you a rebate on your purchases. It's something like 3% at restaurants and for travel, and 1% for everything else (including Costco purchases). Requires Costco membership, but there's no separate annual fee for the card."

Note: If I understand things correctly, this coupon will only be good for one week starting 1/17.

 

[jimmythehammer]

I was out at Costco yesterday. I have the coupon (not the book just the coupon) already, but I wanted to make sure they were going to have the units on the 17th (you cannot use the coupon 'til then.)

1. The models (6 boxes) they had on the floor were P42HDe's (I read the number directly off the back of the TV) Two weeks ago - when I almost bought their last floor display model they had P42HD's no "e". The mfg. box's were marked 5000:1 contrast (VINC labeling) vs. the Costco sign saying 3000:1. So I'm assuming we'll get the latest and greatest model on the 17th. If I remember correctly the P42HD was a darker grey while the P42HDe is definately a black enclosure. Two weeks ago they had the P42HD (no "e") next to a Samsung DLP and the plasma beat it hands down for contrast and viewing angle. I had never even considered a Plasma until I saw that side by side comparinson (I was going to buy a Optoma DLP)
2. It includes the speakers and stand for $1999.
3. I asked customer service for a coupon book and they would not give me one unit I think today or Monday the 10th. I have no idea why, since the coupons are dated - just a control thing for some manager I guess.
4. They said they will raincheck the item if it is sold out.
5. The coupon book has a DLP in it too for 1999.00, but since I don't have the book I don't know any particulars on that.

Wayne

 

[dds8]

I was just in the Sunnyvale, California store and bought a P42HDe. Got the coupon book from membership services and they told me to bring the receipt and coupon in during the sale period and they will credit the difference. They still have several in stock high up on the shelves. This is the new model with 5000:1 CR (white box with orange lettering)
No need to go on the 17th and hope for available stock

 

[huesmann]

I went to Costco on Friday and the stupid f***ers wouldn't give me a coupon book. Did you all get yours at Costco today?