Cnet reviewed this little number that would be a great choice for a kitchen, bedroom or other space-challenged area.

Rating 7.0/10

The good: Solid 2:3 pull-down video processing; adequate aspect-ratio control; decent jack pack for a 20-inch TV, including computer input.

The bad: More expensive than budget models; poor black-level performance; nondefeatable edge enhancement.

The bottom line: This Sharp LC-20B8U has the right combination of size and performance to serve up TV and even HDTV in your kitchen or bedroom.

Though it is true HD at 1024 x 768, the res should be fine on this 20 inch size screen. A good casual use unit.

Sharp LC-20B8U Review

Fujitsu toda announced its Holiday Savings Consumer Rebate Promotion, offering customers cash incentives to purchase the company’s two most popular Plasmavision 40-series plasma displays. One of them is HD (the 50″, the other is 1024×1024 – buyer beware.)

The Holiday Savings program runs from November 1 through December 31, 2005, offering $500 cash back on the Plasmavision P42HHA40US (MSRP: $4,999) and a $1,000 rebate on the P50XHA40US (MSRP: $6,999).

All purchases must be made from authorized dealers to qualify for the promotion.

You internet deal buying cheapskates (like me) hear that? No Joe from-around-da-corner with one in his trunk – only AUTHORIZED dealer sales.

For more info see http://www.plasmavision.com.

Press Release

The third and final plasma screen reviewed in Sound & Visions “Plasma in Steps” article is the 55 inch Fujitsu P55XHA40US.

This unit is a bit different than the others, it is more expensive, has no hd tuner, but has some quality video processing for watching standard definition content. If you’ve ever watched regular broadcasts on a nice set, and gasped at the wasted tech, you know what this means.

1366 x 768 Resolution
HDMI, DVI, VGA, component and RS-232 inputs
Color Focus fine color adjustment
Ambient Sensor daylight contrast control

Pros:
•Crisp HDTV and DVD picture.
•Clean video processing of standard TV programs.
•Wide array of picture adjustments.

Cons:
•Expensive.
•Limited shadow detail with some programs.
•No built-in HDTV tuner or speakers.

“BOTTOM LINE Fujitsu’s 55-inch offers a small but noticeable step up in size over a 50-inch model. In this case those few inches come at a steep price, and you don’t get extras like a built-in HDTV tuner or even a complimentary TV stand. But what you do get is exceptional video processing — something that really makes a difference with standard programs — and an usually high level of tweakability that lets you hone in a truly satisfying picture. If you’ve got ten grand to spend and want a bigger and, in many ways, better than average picture, this plasma TV is worth checking out.”

Psst… see above for street price.

Sound And Vision Magazine: Fujitsu P55XHA40US Review (popups)

Press Release announces a couple of new models coming our way soon.

Of note to me, was the 50″ plasma that will retail at $2700:

The 50-inch Vizio P50HDM has a 1,366×768 resolution, 1,000 ANSI brightness and Faroudja DCDi motion-adaptive de-interlacing that produces 231 billion-color images. The P50HDM’s video processor also features single scan technology for a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, reduced solarization and false contouring along with sharpness improvement, non-linear chroma enhancement, closed color suppression, non-linear scaling and adaptive contrast and color controls. Video connections include VGA, as well as two component and two high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) inputs. The model will be sold at a retail price of US$2,700.

It’ll be interesting to see how these offerings measure up, no doubt. And here is the review: Vizio P50HDM 50 Inch Plasma Review

Press Release
Also at HDBlog

This Platinum model PFFP2b flat-panel TV stand from Sanus looks great. I thought, yeah! Great one! Until I saw the price. Over 500 bucks? Come on! Gimme a break. I think I could rent a welder, buy some steel stock and make my own for a fraction. And plus, I’d have fun at it. Hey this is a DIY site you know…

[UPDATE] Looks like this jewel can be had for a little over 3 Benjamins:

Seriously though, it does look like a solid stand with a neat tilt feature. If your flat screen needs a stand, and you’ve got a spare 500 300…

HD Beat

Part of Sound and Vision’s Plasma in Steps article – the Philips 50PF9830A is reviewed. Let’s take a look at their findings, shall we?

The specs on this 50 inch plasma:

1366 x 768 Resolution
Inputs – HDMI, component, CableCARD, ethernet, flash card and USB
Built in HDTV tuner
Ambilight 2 whizbang yeow backlight technology (Sorry, I just don’t get it.)

Unit lists for $5300, street price for us homeys is around 4500 or less!

Pros
•Crisp-looking HDTV pictures.
•Sleek, attractive design.
•Swiveling TV stand.

Cons
•Single custom picture preset for all inputs.
•Mediocre shadow detail.
•Dark scenes look patchy.

“BOTTOM LINE Crisp HDTV pictures, stylish looks, and a bunch of cool features like Ambilight 2 backlighting and a swiveling stand make the Philips 50PF9830A an appealing option for your flat-TV needs. The set’s overall image quality falls a solid notch below the other two models tested here, however, and the lone Personal picture preset for all of its video inputs was disappointing. But you can’t argue with the price, which is among the cheapest I’ve seen for a 50-inch plasma set.”

Sound And Vision Magazine: Plasma in Steps (popups)

Via HD Blog

Sound and Vision Mag take a look at this Panny Plasma as well as a couple other models. I prefer to stick to one model per topic here, so I’ll cover each separately.

Ok, this thing, first off is 1,024 x 768 resolution. That ain’t HD. It’s better than EDTV and most people probably won’t see a difference. If that’s cool with you, then your decision is cool with me. Just know what you’re getting. (1280 x 720 is the minimum for HD quality specs.)

Now, on to the rest.

Features of this 42″ model:

HDMI, component, cableCARD inputs
Built in HD tuner, built in speakers.

Unit lists for 3 grand, street price less than 2600. See above for best deals.

S&V Lowdown:
Pros:
•Crisp HDTV and DVD picture.
•Clean video processing of standard TV programs.
•Wide array of picture adjustments.

Cons:
•Expensive.
•Limited shadow detail with some programs.

“BOTTOM LINE
With its clean, natural-looking picture, reliable built-in HDTV tuner, and, most important, affordable price (for a plasma TV, that is), Pana­sonic’s TH-42PX50U is a great option for plasma on a limited budget. If a 42-inch screen is big enough for you, this is a set that I can easily recommend.”

On the vanity side (yes I know), I like the stand. I prefer black, though…

Full Review: Plasma in Steps (WARNING – popups)

Helping the WAF (wife approval factor) worldwide, Panasonic now offers custom frames for select plasma screens. Look for 8 different styles for select 42 and 50 inch panasonic plasma models.

Frames will be available in gold, black, pewter, mahogany, walnut and antique white, and should retail between $399.95 and $499.95

Browse the various frames at Panasonic.com

Press Release

Hitachi’s new UltraVision 42 inch 42HDT52 plasma screen conjures up a decent review at cnet. The machine is designed with motorized swivel stand. Now that’s a useful feature, not.

This thing is second from the top of the Hitachi line, but doesn’t quite measure up to the $4400 list price tag. However, it can be found for less than $2800:

“The good: Solid video processing with 2:3 pull-down; separate Day and Night memories per input; comprehensive connectivity; extensive feature package; power swivel stand.

The bad: Expensive; incorrect color decoding; poor black-level performance; visible false-contouring artifacts; no PC input.

The bottom line: While the Hitachi 42HDT52 plasma is full-featured and downright beautiful to look at, its image quality doesn’t quite measure up to that of the tough competition.”

HTdude says keep on looking.

Hitachi 42HDT52 Full Review

Dell just announced their largest LCD panel – the 37″ HDTV widescreen W3706MC. Pricing is to be $2,299. Unit includes dual analog and digital tuners.

Specs:
— Widescreen high-definition resolution with WXGA (1,366X768)
resolution

— Excellent viewing experience with a 16:9 widescreen aspect
ratio

— Slim profile 4.41 (W3706C) and 3.5 (W5001C) inches deep when
the stand is removed

— Rich visual detail with 800:1 (W3706C) and 8,000:1 (W5001C)
contrast ratios

— Excellent display of 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i resolutions
with video powered by Pixelworks(TM)

— Wall or stand mountable (mounting equipment sold separately)

— Exquisite images in various lighting environments with 500
cd/m2 (W3706C) and 1,100 (W5001C) brightness

— Over-the-air high-definition content with built-in tuners
(ATSC and NTSC)

— Sharp images with 3D Y/C Comb Filter

— Robust connectivity for almost any device that connects to a
TV, including dual HDMI ports, dual composite, dual S-Video,
dual component, TV in/coaxial (NTSC/ATSC), VGA/PC audio;
composite, S-Video and audio connectors added to the side for
easy connection of such devices as digital video recorders and
game consoles

— High-quality audio with two 15-watt (W3706C) and 20-watt
(W5001C) speakers that are stand, wall or TV mountable with
SRS(R) TruSurround(TM) virtual surround sound

Press Release