Panasonic TH-42PHD5UY vs. TH-42PWD6UY (1 Viewer)

[Jon Cheung]

Hey, I'm lookin at these two plasmas but i dont know which to get. Would it be worth spending that few extra grand for the 5UY or stick with the 6UY? What are the differences between these two? What other plasmas are just as good or better than these? thanks.

 

[Robert Webb]

Hi Jon, I wish I could help, but I am in exactly the same quandry. Research has pretty much narrowed my choices down to those two Panny's. The less expensive has apparently been just released so prob has latest technology. The hi-def TH-42PHD5UY may have been discontinued. I would like to know:

1) Are both models currently avail?
2) Best price outlet to buy?
3) Is there any dif between the two other than price and the 5UY being true hi-def?
4) How much of a dif between the two will be visible using a DirecTV digital receiver (Sony SAT-HD200) ans a prog scan DVD player (JVC SV-SA600)? Enuf to justify price dif?
5) Is there another brand/model with same or better price and noticeably better specs (brightness, contrast, color, deep blacks, etc.)?

If I find out any of the answers to above questions, I will post them and e-mail you, Jon. I'd appreciate it if u would do same. If anyone else can answer or direct us to another thread that deals with the same topic, I'd be grateful. I hope to make a purchase very soon.

Robert Webb
[email protected]

 

[BruZZi]

Here we go...

For better understanding here's a Panasonic Model Chart I made:

 
 [SIZE=2][b]42" ED ( 852 x 480 ) [/b][/SIZE] 
 
 [SIZE=1][b][u]YEAR INDUSTRIAL CONSUMER [/u][/b][/SIZE]
 
 [SIZE=1]2000 TH-42PWD3UY TH-42PW3UZ [b]( [/b]Part of PT-42PD2-P - Includes Stand[b] )[/b][/SIZE]
 [SIZE=1]2001 TH-42PWD4UY TH-42PW4UZ [b]( [/b]Part of PT-42PD3-P - Includes Stand[b] )[/b][/SIZE]
 [SIZE=1]2002 TH-42PWD5UY TH-42PW5UZ [b]( [/b]Part of PT-42PD3-P - Includes Stand[b] )[/b][/SIZE]
 [SIZE=1]2003 TH-42PWD6UY TH-42PA20U/P [b]( [/b]NTSC Tuner / DVI-HDCP / Speakers / Stand[b] )[/b][/SIZE]
 
 
 [SIZE=2][b]42" HD ( 1024 x 768 )[/b][/SIZE] 
 
 [SIZE=1][b][u]YEAR INDUSTRIAL CONSUMER [/u][/b][/SIZE]
 
 [SIZE=1]2002 TH-42PHD5UY TH-42PHW5UZ [b]( [/b]Part of PT-42PHD4-P - Includes Stand[b] )[/b][/SIZE]
 [SIZE=1]2003 TH-42PHD6UY TH-42PX20U [b]( [/b]PCMCIA / SD Card Slot / Speakers / Stand[b] )[/b] Sept 2003[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=1] TH-42PXD20U [b]( [/b]Same as above + ATSC Tuner / POD Card Slot[b] )[/b] March 2004[/SIZE]
 [list][*][SIZE=1][*][b]Panasonic reused the same PT-42PD3-P number for the 42" ED Consumer Displays in 2002 [/b][/SIZE]
[*][b]SD Card =[/b] By putting a memory card from a digital still camera into the Plasma's card slot, 
 you can view JPEG images on your Display. 
[*][b]POD =[/b] POD slot is for plugging a module received from Cable TV company to authorize 
 reception of premium channels, either in HD or SD from digital cable.
[*][b]PCMCIA =[/b] Technology that provides small, easy to use peripheral devices. 
 It's a set of "slots" or "sockets" into which devices can be inserted. 
 The devices are referred to as "PC Cards
[*][b]STANDS =[/b]
 Consumer - [url=http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1836950&fullpage=1]TY-ST05K[/url] - Included on "5uz" ED Displays 
 [url=http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1836959&fullpage=1]TY-ST10K[/url] - Included on "5uz" HD Displays
 [url=http://www.rakuten.co.jp/e-kaden/img1038500177.jpeg] TY-ST42PA20 [/url] - Included on the new 2003 Models
 
 Commercial - The TY-ST05K and [url=http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1836956&fullpage=1]TY-ST42PT3-K[/url] (same as TY-ST42PT1U) are available to buy on-line
 [/list]

1) Yes. But you can have the new models for the same price as the old models. So get either The New ED TH-42PWD6UY or the HD TH-42PHD6UY (To be released soon).

2) www.visualapex.com has great prices. Highly Recommended

3) Yup. Some new features on the "6" series. See both brochures.

ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasoni...H-42PHD5UY.pdf

ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasoni...H-42PWD6UY.pdf

4)You have to sit at leat 6-8 feet from the ED Plasmas to avoid seeing the pixels structure. For the HD the distance is lower. For most people there will be no difference in PQ with HD programming sitting at 9-10 feet from a ED display compared with the HD display.

5) Fujitsu is also excellent with better electronics but the prices are too high. It's very hard to get a discount on them. Pioneer is another top plasma display.

 

[BruZZi]

Also you guys need to choose between Industrial or Consumer.

This is the Consumer TH-42PA20U ( NTSC/Speakers built-in - includes stand):





This is the Industrial's design (No speakers/tuner/stand included). The TH42PWD6UY is identical
The stand shown in the pic below is the optional TY-ST05K you have to buy separately

 

[BruZZi]

Here's the differences between the Consumer TH-42PWD6UY and Industrial TH-42PA20U :

• TH-42PA20U/P x TH-42PWD6UY
  
  [*]FCC CLASS : Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the levels
  of electromagnetic emissions from a device. Electromagnetic emissions can
  interfere with radio and television transmission.
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = Class B - More protection against EMI
  TH-42PWD6UY = Class A - A bit less protection but fine for home use.
  
  *EMI - Electromagnetic Interference
  [*]FINISH:
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = Silver Bezel
  TH-42PWD6UY = Dark Gray Finish
  [*]TUNER - CLOSED CAPTIONING - SPEAKERS BUILT-IN - :
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = Yes
  TH-42PWD6UY = No (Optional Speakers Available)
  [*]720P NATIVE :
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = No
  TH-42PWD6UY = Yes
  [*]ADVANCED PICTURE SETTINGS : Enables additional picture adjustments like:
  Black extension, white balance for red and blue areas, gamma.
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = No
  TH-42PWD6UY = Yes
  [*]PICTURE ADJUSTMENTS MEMORY FOR EACH INPUT :
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = No (Some are still possible- needs more info)
  TH-42PWD6UY = Yes
  [*]PICTURE SIZE/POSITION CONTROLS : You can increase/decrease the size of the picture.
  Also you can move the picture position to left or right.
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = No
  TH-42PWD6UY = Yes
  [*]9-POINT DIGITAL ZOOM :Use this function to select one portion of
  an image (from nine points on the screen), enlarge it to two or three times
  normal size, and display it on the full screen.
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = No
  TH-42PWD6UY = Yes
  [*]SCREEN SAVERS :
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = No
  TH-42PWD6UY = Yes
  
  ***More Info needed on how it works on the new Commercial.
  On current Panasonic Plasmas the Screen Saver has to be set manually.
  So it's not a useful feature IMO.
  [*]WARRANTY : One Year Parts & Labor
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = In-Home (Technicians come to you house)
  TH-42PWD6UY = Carry-in (Must take/ship* the display to the service center)
  
  *Shipping is at the owner's expense - Panasonic will pay for the way back
  
  [*]UPGRADABLE :
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = No
  TH-42PWD6UY = Yes - Thru Multi-Function slots
  
  [*]CONNECTIONS :
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = RCA Connectors
  TH-42PWD6UY = BNC Type Connectors
  
  *Radio Shack sells BNC/RCA Adapters
  [*]A/V INPUTS :
  
  TH-42PA20U/P =
  
  3 S-Video/Composite (1 Front - 2 rear)
  2 Component
  1 DVI-HDCP
  
  TH-42PWD6UY =
  
  1 S-Video/Composite
  1 Component / RGB
  1 Component / VGA ( The D-Sub 15-pin input can be configurated to accept Component )
  1 Free Slot - possible to add optional cards:
  [*]STAND :
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = Yes
  TH-42PWD6UY = No (Optional Stand Available)
  [*]DISPLAY DIMENSIONS :
  
  TH-42PA20U/P = 46.0'' w x 25.9'' h x 3.9'' d
  TH-42PWD6UY = 40.2" w x 24.0" h x 3.5" d
  
  

 

[Robert Webb]

Glauco…Thank you so much for your helpful posts re the Panny Plasma question.

Between your helpful comments/info and a review by Robert Wiley (plasmabuying guide.com) the situation appears a lot less murky tonight.

--The new TH42PWD5UY ED model has, according to Wiley a 5% better looking picture than the HD model, when showing DVD’s or non-HD TV images. When showing an HD picture, the TH42PHD5UY looks about 10% better, says Wiley. Both sets look great. Personally, I know I am going to be watching (at least for a while) far more DVD’s and standard def programs than hi-def, but I watch very little commercial TV.

--Glauco’s comment about the need to choose between than commercial and consumer model was also helpful. For me the choice was easy: I much prefer a set with black masking (like in a movie theatre) to silver. I also prefer to purchase a model without speakers so that I can choose my own surround sound system. So that means the TH42PWD5UY commercial model.

--Glauco’s suggestion of visualapex.com as a reseller is also helpful, because their price of $2,795.00 is the best I’ve seen anywhere.

Now I just need to choose an amp and speaker set. I already have a DirecTV digital receiver (Sony SAT-HD200) and a prog scan DVD player (JVC SV-SA600). Any advice in those departments?

 

[Jon Cheung]

Wicked, thanks a lot guys. I just had a question about visualapex. Do they ship to canada as well? I can't seem to find anything on their site about shipping.

 

[BruZZi]

Jon Cheung,

VA did ship some plasmas to Canada. Give them a call and Talk to Paul Gilmore.

Feel free to ask me any other question before buying the plasma.

 

[Fred Tedsen]

Glauco,

Thanks for the comparison between the TH-42PA20U/P and the TH-42PWD6UY. But what does it all mean? Which is the better unit? Based on all of the features you've marked "no" for the TH-42PA20U/P but "yes" for the TH-42PWD6UY, I'd guess the latter. I also noticed from the specs at Panasonic's web site that the TH-42PWD6UY can display 16.7 million colors but the TH-42PA20U/P can only display 1 million. I'd get the TH-42PA20U/P for the convenience of not having to buy stand and tuner, but only if it will display as good a picture as the industrial version. Thanks again,

Fred

 

[Robert Webb]

Glauco,



My only other question (can't speak for Jon, of course) was in my last post: any advice about a choice of amp or receiver and surround sound speaker system.

I already have DVD player, so speakers and amp need to be separates, although a "home theatre in a box" is possible for speakers, in that the space is a small living room.The width of the viewing area (across the living room couch) is at most 9 feet. The depth from screen to fanny sitting on couch is about 8 feet. The ceiling is about 9 3/4 feet high. I would like a "full" sound, but not movie-theatre "loud". The May, 2003 Sound & Vision has many speaker systems from $1000-2000, which sounds about right, price-wise. I sould say $1000 is probably my top price for a receiver as well, unless you think I am crazy.

Since I already have a progressive-scan DVD player, I assume I don't need any additional "outboard" processing (line-doubler, etc.) for an admitedly "budget" system.

Any other thoughts gratefully entertained.

Robert

 

[Jon Cheung]

Hey, just found out that they dont ship plasma's to Canada :frowning: so do you know any other places to get it from? Should I get it off ebay?

 

[BruZZi]

Before answering the questions that's something important you guys should consider before choosing between Commercial or Consumer... The Warranty.

Panasonic Consumer Plasmas have In-Home Warranty with many, many authorized repair centers on each state.

Commercial Plasmas Have Carry-In warranty.
So, you must Ship/Take the plasma to the nearest repair center at your own expense.

The problem is there's only four Panasonic Factory Centers:

1225 Northbrook Parkway #170 / Suwanee - GA 30024 (770) 338-6855
1713 N. Randall Road / Elgin - IL 60123 (847) 468-5270
50 Meadowlands Parkaway / Secaucus - NJ 07094 (201) 348-7975
3330 Cahuega Blvd West / Los Angeles - CA 90068 (323) 436-3507

* Panasonic will pay the shiping back from all 4 centers above


And some Independent Service Centers

CALIFORNIA :

The Video Clinic Inc. = 2307 Wilshire Blvd. / Sant Monica - CA 90403 (310) 828-6464
M. Industrial Audio Video = 950 E. Orangethorpe Unit H / Anaheim - CA 92801 (714) 992-0984
Video Systems Service Ctr = 23322 Peralta Unit # 3 / Laguna Hills CA 92653 (949) 855-1082
Media Associates, Inc. = 616 National Avenue / Mountain View - CA 94043 (650) 968-2444
---
FLORIDA :

Video Tech = 535 Silver Slipper Lane / Tallahassee - FL 32303 (850) 386-4827 258
I.T. Products = 600 Poyner Drive / Longwood - FL 32750 (407) 339-8585

GEORGIA :

Asvanced Visual Services = 110 Londonderry Court Suite 126 / Woodstock - GA 30188 (770) 592-9696
Atlanta Proffessional Electronic = 5555 Oakbrook Parkway / Norcross - GA 30093 (770) 242-6900

ILLINNOIS :

MIDWEST AUDIO = 774 W. Algonquin RD / Arlington Hts - IL 60005 (847) 640-1890

LOUISIANA :

AUDIO/VIDEO SPEC. INC = 234 Metairie Road / Metairie - LA 70005 (504) 835-4027

MINNESOTA :

TECH CENTER = BLOOMINGTON MN 55425 (952) 854-8624

NEBRASKA :

FIRST ELECTRONICS = 5214 Center / Omaha - NE 68106 (402) 551-4868

NORTH CAROLINA :

DJL VIDEO SECURITY SER. = 503 INDUSTRIAL AVENUE / GREENSBORO - NC 27406 (336) 274-6767

OHIO :

ELECTRA SOUND = 10779 BROOKPARK RD / PARMA - OH 44130 (216) 433-9600

TEXAS :

THE ELECTRONIC SHOP = 2820 WALNUT HILL LANE / DALLAS - TX 75229 (214) 350-4003
PROF. AUDIO/VIDEO SERVICE = 6420 RICHMOND AVE. #156 / HOUSTON - TX 77057 (713) 266-9511

TENNESSEE :

STEPHEN'S A/V SERVICE = 5300 KINGSTON PIKE / KNOXVILLE - TN 37919 (423) 584-7167 119
CUSTOM ELECTRONICS = 2235 WHITTEN RD / MEMPHIS - TN 38133 (901) 384-4100

SOUTH DAKOTA :

MOBILE ELECTRONIC SERVICE = 408 S CLIFF AVE / SIOUX FALLS - SD 57103 (605) 332-9797

-------------



The "Good News" is most problems with Plasmas happen on the first 15-30 days. So when buying a Commercial Display make sure the store you're getting it has a good return policy in case no Service Center is available close to where you live.

 

[BruZZi]

Fred,

In real life both display should have the same picture quality. I like the fact Commercial Plasmas have the advanced picture setting so fine adjustments are possible. However you can achieve great results with just regular brightness (Black Levels) and picture (White levels) on the 42PA20U. The Consumer 42PA20 also comes with more inputs: 2 components 3 Composite/S-video and 1 DVI . For the PWD6UY DVI will be possible only buying an optional TY-42TM6D which cost $200 (MSRP). As you can see the choice will depend on features that each one can offer.

Once again there shouldn't be any "visible" difference between the two sets. After all both are based on same panel.

As for the colors both can display 1,070 million.

TH-42PWD6uY Brochure: (See specs)
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasoni...H-42PWD6UY.pdf

TH-42PA20U :
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp...del=TH-42PA20U



Here's the manual for the TH-42PA20U:
http://www.pasc.panasonic.com/Operat.../TH37PA20U.PDF




Robert Webb

Sorry i missed it.

Giving suggestions for speakers/receivers or amps is a little bit more complicated as taste varies a lot for each person. I think you can have a better response on Speakers and Receiver/Separates Forum. The reason is that I've been spending my free time exclusive on AVS Plasma Forum (More than a year) so I need to catch up with what's best nowadays.I hope you understand

 

[BruZZi]

Jon Cheung,

Sorry to hear that. You should be very careful with Ebay. Never buy plasmas from places other than USA-Canada as scams are always a possibility.
I'll try to find a good dealer able to ship to Canada

 

[Fred Tedsen]

Glauco,

Regarding the number of colors, I was confusing the TH-42PWD6UY with a different unit listed on the Panasonic web site, the PT-42PD3-P, which displays 16.77 million colors. What is this unit and how might it fit into this discussion?

Thanks a million for all of the information you've provided.

Fred

 

[Jim-M]

Regarding the number of colors, I was confusing the TH-42PWD6UY with a different unit listed on the Panasonic web site, the PT-42PD3-P, which displays 16.77 million colors. What is this unit and how might it fit into this discussion?

The PT-42PD3-P is the previous version of the consumer model. It's basically a 42PWD5UY with a stand included. I think it also has RCA connectors versus BNC connectors on the 5UY. The TH-42PA20U is the replacement for the PT-42PD3-P in Panasonic's consumer line. For our family, we wanted a tuner, stand, and speakers, so the TH-42PA20U was the right choice. The in-home warranty on that model was also important. The DVI capability is nice to have for future use.

 

[BruZZi]

Fred,

Like Jim-M mentioned PT-42PD3-P is the 2002 retail package which includes TH-42PW5UZ Display and the TY-ST05K Stand. See the Panasonic's chart on my first reply.

 

[Fred Tedsen]

Glauco,



Oops, I missed that. All these numbers are making my head hurt! Sorry.

But, why the discrepancy regarding number of colors? Don't most sets these days show 16 million?

Fred

 

[BruZZi]

Fred,

1,070 Million is actually...

One Billion and Seventy Million -

(1,070,000,000 Colors Reproduction)

 

[Fred Tedsen]

Ooooooooh....:b

Fred