HDTV 42 inch Comparison Chart

Models	Details & Specs	Prices
Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P42G10 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV	42" Plasma, 1080p, THX, Viera Cast, H.264, IP Camera Ready, PC Input, NEO PDP Panel which is brighter, Full-time 1080p TV lines of moving picture resolution, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 40,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive	List Price: $1,199.95 Sale Price: Too low to display
LG 42LH50 42-Inch 1080p 120Hz Broadband LCD HDTV, Gloss Black	42" LCD Broadband HDTV, 1920 x 1080 Resolution, 120Hz, 70,000:1 Contrast Ratio, ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM - 1 Tuner, SRS TruSurround XT, 4 HDMI input	List Price: $1,199.95 Sale Price: Too low to display
JVC Home JVC LT-42P300 42-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV	Sold Individually	List Price: $999.99 Sale Price: $799.00
Samsung PN42B450 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV	42.3" screen (measured diagonally) * 1024 x 768 pixels * 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio * 600Hz Subfield Motion anti-blur technology * FilterBright anti-glare filter *	List Price: $749.99 Sale Price: $624.00
Philips 42PFL3704D/F7 42-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV	* 1080p resolution; ATSC / QAM / NTSC * 29000:1 dynamic contrast ratio * 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio * 6.5ms response time * Pixel Plus HD engine	List Price: $899.99 Price: $619.99

DTV and HDTV Comparison Chart

Digital television, or DTV, is the new industry standard for transmitting pictures and sound using digital signals, enabling significant improvements in both picture and sound quality vs. conventional NTSC analog programming. DTV programming can be delivered in one of two basic formats: standard definition analog (SDTV) or high-definition (HDTV).

LocationBefore making an HDTV in your home, choose the right place for this. The ambient light can wash or reflect on the screen, so you want to take all sources of illumination of the room, windows and also in consideration. For example, it is better to play next to a window in front of one. Ideally, the screen should be placed at the end of the room wide, preferably centered horizontally on the wall. This allows the viewer to be closer to the ‘central vision’ (the imaginary line from the center of the TV in the room). When the TV should be placed vertically on the wall? A good rule is that the center of the screen should be about the same height as your eyes when you are sitting (meaning the mounting plate over the fireplace is a no-no).

Size

The “bigger is better” argument doesn’t necessarily pan out when shopping for an HDTV. The reason? Even the best big-screen sets will have visible pixilation (blocky diagonal lines, etc.) when viewed too closely. On the other hand, placing a set at too great a distance wastes its potential. Use our sizing chart to choose the perfect size for your space.

Type

Whether it’s LCD, plasma, DLP, or others, HDTVs all have their pros and cons and can come in a variety of high-definition resolutions. Your viewing environment and favorite types of content will help determine which TV is the best fit for you. Take a look at our HDTV comparison chart to get a better understanding of what kind of options are available to you.

Keep your earlier size choice in mind, as that will play a factor in your set choice. 42-inch sets and smaller are generally only available in flat-panel formats, while 60 inches and up is the territory of rear-projection sets (unless price is not an issue). And if you want a 60-inch-plus set in a flat-screen format (LCD, plasma) simply to save space, be careful. Mounting a 60-inch plasma or LCD on the wall is possible but requires a heavy-duty mount and may require additional framing support in your wall to hang safely. And if you choose to place that 60-inch set on a stand, the depth of a suitable stand’s footprint will match the depth of a rear-projection HDTV.

Picture Quality

Superior picture quality is probably the main reason you’re shopping for an HDTV, so when comparing the options, make the picture your top priority. Performance still varies greatly between brands and even different models of the same brand.

1080/720/480
The numbers you see attached to HDTVs (720p, 1080i, or 1080p) measure how many vertical lines of resolution are shown in an image. But the number is only half of the story. The “i” stands for interlaced, meaning the TV image is broken into halves and displayed in an alternating fashion. Your eye typically cannot notice this visual trick, but high-action scenes (particularly in movies and video games) will sometimes have a blurry or “ghosting” effect when interlaced. Progressive-scan images (”p”) show the full image at all times and, therefore, do not suffer from this ghosting. With that in mind, 1080i and 720p images actually look just about the same–though your personal preference may vary–and just about all current HDTVs support both of these standards. Meanwhile, you will want a 1080p set to enjoy the full image resolution of Blu-ray discs as well as most new video game systems.

1080p
Newer HDTV models support 1080p, but they may be more expensive than 720p or 1080i models. The advantages of the extra resolution you get with 1080p are most noticeable on screens 42 inches or larger. It allows you to sit closer than you could with a 720p set before you begin to see the individual pixels. Still, if you are anticipate using a Blu-ray movie player or a high-def video games system, you may want to invest in a 1080p TV to have maximum flexibility with your system

Calibration

Levels
Resolution, contrast, black level, brightness, and color accuracy also contribute to picture quality. A TV with excellent high-def picture quality should display a natural-looking image with deep blacks, accurate colors, and clear detail. You’ll be living with your picture for years to come, so study it closely before you commit.

Compare
Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few choices, try to compare them side by side with calibrated displays. Take care not to trust HDTV default settings at an electronics store, as these sets are tuned to stand out in a busy store, not the comfort of your living room. Calibrate and adjust as necessary.

Options
Once you get your HDTV there are a number of options you can use to optimize your viewing experience through proper calibration. One way is to use a Blu-ray calibration disc which requires a Blu-ray player. You can also hire a technician or manually calibrate. There are many HDTV calibration tutorials online that can help if you are a do-it-yourselfer.

Cables

HDMI
HDMI cables are both a brand and a type of cable and there are other manufacturers of HDMI type cables. Make the most of your high-definition TV investment by using the highest-quality connection: HDMI. It’s a slim cord that supports all high-definition resolutions (720p, 1080i, 1080p, etc.) and can carry multichannel audio as well. HDMI is all you need to connect your Blu-ray player or digital television receiver to your HDMI equipped HDTV.

Keep It Simple
By maintaining a digital signal throughout your home-theater system, HDMI avoids the digital-to-analog conversion that can degrade your image quality. Uncertified cables might be cheaper, but they could be more susceptible to electrical interference and unreliable connections or have other problems.

Specifications
There are multiple specifications of HDMI cables. HDMI1.3 is the newest and most up-to-date with support for all high-def video and audio formats. There are older specifications such as HDMI1.1 and 1.2. If you already own these earlier cables you may want to upgrade to 1.3 to have the most compatibility across high-def systems

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