Originally posted by: Muse
To be fair, the 1024x1024 models (ALiS technology) are absolutely horrible in comparison. They're interlaced, and the video quality is way lower than the 852x480's. They are not XGA native, but rather something closer to 1024x512.
With 42" plasmas, if you watch DVD's or standard NTSC cable, the EDTV (852x480) models are the best. If you watch mostly HDTV (720p & 1080i), the 1024x768 native ones are slightly better. If you watch nothing, and just look at the plasma display itself while the thing is off, then the 1024x1024 models will give you as good of a picture as the 852x480 and 1024x768 models.
That's my question - how good would this be for HDTV, and as HDTV gets more of a footing, how well will it continue to suffice in time? The built-in tuner, I take it, is NOT HDTV capable. So, you'd have to buy a separate HDTV tuner, right? You say this is "slightly" inferior for HDTV compared to higher res plasmas. Slightly means essentially unnoticeable or noticeable only if you are paying attention?
Edit: I have another question - What would be the ideal distance from which to view this screen? Would this be variable depending on what you are watching (ordinary aspect ration TV, wide screen TV, HDTV, widescreen DVDs, etc.)? Thanks.
The 852x480 is surprisingly good for HDTV. I personally did not believe it until I saw it. The highest resolution 42-46" plasma is 1024x768 native, which is still not enough to handle HDTV without scaling (720p is 1280x720). The real question is money. Is one of these 1024x768 plasmas (ie. The PT-42PHD4P for $3959.10 plus shipping) really worth the $1400 over (we're talking more than a 50% price increase) this class leading TH-42PWD6UY? For the vast majority of people, I'd say no. However, that decision is best made by the person considering the purchase.
Yes, you'll have to buy a separate HDTV tuner. However, a separate tuner is generally the best way to go. I'd advise avoiding TV + Tuner integrated packages in much the same way most people would avoid a motherboard + video chip integrated package for performance.
The ideal distance depends mainly on 2 things:
1. Viewer preference
2. Source material (the higher the source, the closer you can comfortably be)
THX & Dolby have poured millions of dollars into determining the "ideal" viewing distance for most people, given relatively good source material. They came up with slightly different numbers, but they're pretty close:
1. THX: 36 degree ideal viewing angle, 26 degree minimum viewing angle.
2. Dolby/SMPTE (EG-18-1994 standard): 30 degree minimum viewing angle, no recommendation for ideal
So, with a 42" 16:9 screen, we arrive at these numbers:
1. THX ideal: 4.7 feet viewing distance
1a. THX maximum: 6.6 feet viewing distance
2. Dolby ideal: N/A
2a. Dolby maximum: 5.7 feet viewing distance
So, we're talking about a recommended 5 feet or so viewing distance... a little less for HDTV & DVD, a little more for normal cable or satellite TV.
These recommendations give you a great STARTING POINT. From there, you have to figure out YOUR OWN viewing distance preferences. For instance, I'm using a 100" diagonal 16:9 screen for an 11' viewing distance. That's a 37 degree viewing angle... just a hair under the THX ideal. When viewing 4:3 material, it becomes an 82" diagonal. Your preferences may be vastly different.