Shortly I will be in the market for a 16/9 plasma screen. I've been thinking of the Sony PFM-42B1 but some reviews I've read concern me in the area of black level. Does anyone have this monitor? If so, what do you think of it. Also, if anyone has strong recommendations for another monitor, I would be happy to hear from you.

Right now I have a direct view Sony 36" XBR250. But I live in an apartment and can't spare the space for anything more massive. Will I notice a major drop off in quality going from a direct view crt to a plasma?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

AJ

There is a plasma message board over at AVSforum that I find to be the best source for plasma info (one thing is clear from surfing the board--among the 42" models, the Panny is the overwhelming favorite). See the link below:

[Link: avsforum.com]

AJ,

Steve's post echos my opinion...the Panasonic is the best available. Runco uses the Panasonic as the starting point on it's PL-42Cx . I don't think they modify the actual plasma at all, they include their pixel for pixel controller and disable the internal doubler Panasonic uses. The PFP is pretty awesome and makes it an even better image. If you can afford the extra $3K, get the Runco, otherwise the Panasonic. Stay away from the Sony....all it wins is the price award since they are subsidising it. Not sure who makes this one for them, their original model a Fujitsu.

randy

I will have to put the Runco PL-42Cx at the top as well. I would put the Panasonic above the Sony, however, I've recently been having some very favorable results upgrading Sonys by mating them with the Faroudja Native Rate series. The NRS is a great box I think and circumvents some of the automation shortcomings of the Sony.

Thanks, Jeff

Does the Faroudja NRS do anything for the Sony's black level?

Thanks, Steve and Randy.

I've gone to the AVS forum as Steve suggested and got a lot of good information but also, just as I had decided for the Panny I came across concerns on the Panny with lip sync. Also I had planned to add an Iscan Pro to it and discovered this could exacerbate the lip sync issue.

Randy and Jeff, would the Runco PL-42Cx avoid these lip synch problems? I will definately look into the Runco further.

AJ,

I can't answer that since I always have installed Meridian equipment with the plasmas (Meridian has a lipsync adjustment).

There are lipsync issues on ALL forms of TV/monitors since it is usually caused by the source. Where I usually notice the most lipsync issues are with DSS and DISH, however, some DVDs are awfull. A simple tweak on the setting and it's gone!

I read the AVS comments on the Panasonics, and I agree the only thing that could be causing this is in the video processing. ALL video processing causes errors in sync with the audio; Iscan seems to cause longer delays. If a plasma maker does internal processing (or includes and external processor) and also offers internal audio circuits and they haven't corrected for them, then shame on Panasonic or anyone else that doesn't! But, that doesn't negate the fact that the Panasonic has the best picture...so, use it as a monitor and use a processor that can compensate, such as Meridian or Lexicon.

randy

This message was edited by randy on 08/20/01 01:34.53.