I can't believe it. "Cam", she says, "I think we need a big flat screen. Can you do some research?"

How often does an opportunity like that drop into your lap?

So - having spent about 10 hrs (including time I should be working - LIKE NOW ) immersing myself in these wonderful forums, and reading tons of sage but often conflicting advice, I'm heading down this path:

1. I don't need HD - we watch cable TV & DVDs, and I just don't feel there is enough HD content to warrant either an HD STB or HD screen;

2. 42" plasma is the target beast, and I'm trying very hard not to get caught up in "latest model" syndrome - so a model that is on its way out should do the job nicely;

3. Fuji, NEC, Panasonic and Hitachi are at the top of my list, with the Pansonics consistently catching my eye as I flew threw four stores in Sydney city yesterday lunch;

4. I shall never EVER use a composite connector again in my life if I can possibly help it, and am targeting component if not HDMI wherever possible;

5. My budget for a screen is around $4k, as I plan on spending about $8k on speakers & AV receiver (rationale being that audio and speaker technology is relatively much more stable than visiual technology, and so the investment in good speakers & receivers will have a much longer useful life and so is worth the extra money).

SO THE BIG QUESTION:

It seems pointless in the extreme to lay out $4k on a screen (not a small sum) that is capable of displaying the most wondrous digital images, and then feed it an analogue signal via composite from the Optus STB. AGREE/DISAGREE?

If you agree with the above, the only choice would then be to upgrade/switch from Optus to Foxtel Digital (via cable), and I would spring for the IQ unit with built-in PVR as that appeals to me. AGREE/DISAGREE?

[side note: Foxtel Digital is currently in SD only - correct? Which is another argument for getting an SD panel only. I don't want an HD panel to have to "scale up" from an SD signal - surely that requires lots of extrapolation and therefore degradation of PQ?]

Final comment - from the specs on the Foxtel IQ box, they only do composite or SCART out for video, which means that unless I find a panel with SCART IN, I'm going to have to get a cable with SCART on one end and component on the other to plug into the panel. Have I interpreted the specs correctly? Does anyone else think that this is a small piece of insanity (why have a Foxtel Digital STB that only has connectors that kill 15% of your resolution straight out the back of the box???) Can SCART deliver true component through-put (ie. is it the same set of signals, just organised in a different cable) or is there some loss?

Looking forward to at least a couple of sage replies!

Many thanks,

Cameron
(berkmac2001)

Myer have a 10% off sale, worth a Plasma look...

With rational thinking like that sounds as if you will end up with a nice system.

Keep in mind Foxtel digital does not appear to be SD quality from what i have seen of the Footy!

If the IQ box outputs scart it is possible it is carrying RGB, some plasma panels will accept RGB through component, otherwise you need an adaptor. RGB is equal if not superior to component so keeping it in its native format will be best.

Good luck.

You should also keep in mind that Optus will be re-selling the Foxtel Digital service later this year.

Another thing to consider is the emergence of HD DVD players. So if you think that you will still be using this panel in 2 years time, you might want it to support HD as well as HDMI, as this will probably be the dominant connection type for the new HD DVD players.

foggy, i agree that future proofing is important however this will change jimmys plans to buying a HD plasma which he has stipulated he doesnt want todo. However, stretching your budget another 3 or 4 hundred should get you a nice 42" hi def hitachi or LG with HDMI

cheers mike

Foghorn17 said: "Another thing to consider is the emergence of HD DVD players. So if you think that you will still be using this panel in 2 years time, you might want it to support HD as well as HDMI, as this will probably be the dominant connection type for the new HD DVD players. "

Hi Foghorn,

The forthcoming HD DVD players does tend to sway me a bit more towards HD, but my existing DVD collection is not in HD format - what's your thinking on when HD-format DVDs will start appearing?

...and Moochy said "However, stretching your budget another 3 or 4 hundred should get you a nice 42" hi def hitachi or LG with HDMI"

Hi Mike, hmmm - this also sways me. So you think I should be looking at around $4.3k or $4.4k for HD Hitachi? I would probably spring at that if I could find such a deal...suggestions on where to look?

Thanks!

Cameron

hey cameron. the model in question is the hitachi 42PD7000MA and at IMHO its one rung below the fujitsu HH40US. where to look depends on what state yoru in however i know that the next batch is due sometime this month!

cheers mike

The HD format(s) should become available within the next year. The Sony PS3 will have a Blu Ray Drive, and should be available before the middle of next year.

As far as content goes, once the new formats have been released, I would expect movies to gradually become available in the new HD formats, so we will gradually change over as we buy new movies or re-releases of older ones.

I DO NOT NEED SPOUSAL APPROVAL TO DO ANYTHING -- I AM A MAN !!!

Having just picked up a NEC PX-42VM5W for $2900 with wall bracket, this has to be a good deal on a good display worth looking into.
At qsphere.com.au

Boy George once said the same thing.

Not sure what Fredie Mercury said, but hell could that guy sing!.

Man, I at once admire your bravery and am stunned by your lunacy! Hope you have a lovely, comfy doghouse...*

'Scuse me..."Coming dear!" Sorry, gotta run...

* Attempt at humour - thinly disguised...

Hi all, thanks for your help. Have narrowed the shortlist to one with a couple of runners-up - the Hitachi 42PD7800TA is the target, now just got to get out and hunt one!

Many thanks...

Hey dude before you jump have a look at the Fujitsu 40 series and the NEC HD panels

[/quote]

Hey dude before you jump have a look at the Fujitsu 40 series and the NEC HD panels

[/quote]

Thanks glencol - I'm actually going to look at an NEC XR3 at lunch today, and I saw the Fuji P42VHA40WS at Myer yesterday. The Fuji panel (I think) had as good a PQ as the 37" Hitachi 7800 I saw just prior to that, but the Hitachi still wins for me due to the sheer number of connectors (incl USB) and overall aesthetics.

I must have had the sales drones scratching their heads - every screen I looked at I was ducking behind to see a) what the source was and how it was connected! To Myer's credit, I only spotted one composite connection - there was 1 S-video but the rest looked like good quality component RCA cables between DVD players and the plasmas.

are you single/divorced/plan to divorce??

[quote=berkmac2001,Jun 3 2005, 08:13 AM]
[/quote]

Hey dude before you jump have a look at the Fujitsu 40 series and the NEC HD panels

[/quote]

Thanks glencol - I'm actually going to look at an NEC XR3 at lunch today, and I saw the Fuji P42VHA40WS at Myer yesterday. The Fuji panel (I think) had as good a PQ as the 37" Hitachi 7800 I saw just prior to that, but the Hitachi still wins for me due to the sheer number of connectors (incl USB) and overall aesthetics.

I must have had the sales drones scratching their heads - every screen I looked at I was ducking behind to see a) what the source was and how it was connected! To Myer's credit, I only spotted one composite connection - there was 1 S-video but the rest looked like good quality component RCA cables between DVD players and the plasmas.

[/quote]

PQ for PQ I prefer the Fuji - but the NEC looks very good ... however I hate the NEC feet ..... overall Hitachi looks are fantastic and their connectivity is the best....

I've seen the Fuji 40WS model (no HDMI) for $4,999 in Sydney at Home zone... they're currently out of stock ... which could mean that they could (could) source the US model for you ....

you know ... the old hitachi model, IMHO, besides having less colours and shades of grey .. has a better PQ than the new model ... less contours, etc... and I've seen the 42 around for about $3,799 ... you just have to look ... you miss out on the swirvel table top, but the looks are still classic enough.. better than most...

I had the Hitachi rep, work and set both new and old models side by side... the same box, same cable, same channel ... didn't matter what settings we tried ... the old model looked more natural than the new one ... with less artifacts also .....

best thing to do is try it for yourself.... good luck!

I once said any man that did not admit his, sex enjoyment machine (wife) was not the boss. Was either an idiot or a liar . A chap across from me said, well in my house I am the boss . Turns out he has been married 4 times . Guess what, His latest wife just left him.

BWAHAHAHAAAH!

I freely admit to have to cow-tow to the mrs'z - but it doesnt stop me hiding purchases....

Every now and again she just says something like "Is that new?" To which I always reply... "Nah.. had it for ages..."

Ditto