Panasonic TH-42PD50U 42-Inch Flat Panel EDTV Plasma TV
Can be breathtaking
This unit will create a breathtaking display, depending on the source, and I give it 5 stars for that ability.  At the moment, I'm using a non-progressive scan DVD player and movies look terrific. They are as good as or better than what I've seen in theaters.  Upgrading to an HDMI enabled progressive scan player might improve the picture, but I can't imagine paying hundreds of dollars for that privilege. And I'm not sure it would do the trick anyway, because the TH-42PD50U is configured to take any signal and attempt to scale it to the optimal number of lines.  Anyway, I'll wait until the HDMI capable players are at commodity prices.  And, you might like to know that depending on the movie, you will not get an edge to edge picture with DVDs.  You'll still get the black bands top and bottom in most cases.   <br /> <br />That said, TV is another affair...  At first I attempted to use an analog cable feed.  All I got was a large picture without much clarity.  I upgraded to Time Warner HD programming.  That gives you maybe 15 HD channels, in my case 2 of which are HBO HD.  Figure another 20 bucks a month for the HD box plus HBO.  And that's not the end of it.  TNT HD and Discover HD have fabulous pictures that take full advantage of the Panny's abilities.  HBO HD is very good, and gives you edge to edge picture with most movies and series.  Networks are another thing.  If you're looking to watch Monday Night Football in HD, you may be disappointed.  Maybe not in all markets, but in mine sporting events are hit and miss.  Today I was watching the Ohio State game on HD.  The foreground was very clear, but when showing the typical field shot, the picture turned kinda fuzzy.  Conversely, watching the Browns game last Sunday, it was as clear as if I were watching the game through a window, regardless of the camera's focus.  Moreover, the colors were saturated.  So, it appears that some HD broadcasts are better than others, or possibly some local stations are better feeds than others.  The point is, you may get a mediocre picture even though it is in HD.   <br /> <br />Now, knowing all this, would I buy it now?  You bet.     <br />