Panasonic PT-53WX42 53-Inch 16:9 HDTV-Ready Projection TV
First Rate w/o Spending Megabucks!
I spent several weeks researching all the different brands and options before I ever walked into a store and started looking for a TV. I began determined to buy a Direct View TV with a budget of about [$$$] and wasn't even considering a RPTV! <br />After the first time I walked into a store and looked at TVs, I changed my mind about the quality and viability of a RPTV vs Direct View--the quality difference is miniscule. After considerable research on RPTVs, I went back into the stores looking for a Hitachi 51SWX20B, Sony KP-57HW40 or Pioneer SD-533HD5. I loved all 3 of these systems, they were beautiful! However, they were all in the [$$$]range, depending on the store. I really didn't want to make a purchase of this size on the web, because I wanted to be able to get local support. Everyone understands how difficult it is to get a local authorized dealer to support something they didn't sell or install! <br />I decided that I wanted to take a step down in price, so I did more research and began considering the Sony KP-46WT500, the Samsung HCL473W, the Panasonic PT-47WX42 and the Panasonic PT-53WX42. The Panasonic had all the same features as the more expensive Hitachi, Sony and Pioneer sets at a much more palatable price. I know that the picture quality and adjustment features are a little less than the higher end models--i.e. I give the Panasonic a very strong B Plus vs an A for the other high-end models mentioned above. <br />Even though the remote is not backlit, I love how simple it is to use. I can control my TV, Sony DVD, Hughes DirecTV satellite box, and my Panasonic VCR easily with this remote. I've gone from having to use 4 remotes to just 2--the Panasonic remote and the Sony remote for my sound system. <br />This Panasonic has all the features of the high-end TVs at a mid-range price: 3:2 Pulldown, Velocity Modulation, PIP, Resizable PIP, Split Screen, Multiple Aspect Views, 2 Component Video Inputs, 2 Antenna Source Inputs, 4 Video Inputs, Front mounted jacks for game system, camera, etc. <br />The picture quality is EXCELLENT for all HD or DVD source material. However, my wife and I debate about whether there is slight distortion in the image in certain aspect views. My opinion is that with poorer source signals (e.g. some but not all standard TV signals & recorded VHS) there is a little distortion when viewing in Justified aspect mode. This is one of the aspect views which allows regular 4:3 to be stretched to fill the 16:9 screen. I don't care for the Zoom view because it chops a little bit off the top and bottom of the image and is less crisp. I love the Justified view for watching football!! WOW!! It feels like I'm in the stands watching the game. This TV does NOT have an automatic convergence button/setting. It's all manual. However, it's not 64 or 72 point convergence, it's just 9 point convergence. Some people may say that's not enough, but I say that if the TV doesn't have convergence problems to begin with, you don't need a lot. The convergence settings are on 2 different screens accessed from the same submenu. All the menus are easy to navigate and understand. <br />The bottom line is that seeing this set in a store next to one of the Sony, Hitachi or Pioneer TVs makes it obvious that the Panasonic is a B Plus instead of an A, but sitting by itself in my home at the price that I paid makes it an A Plus to me. This TV delivers VERY good performance at an excellent price. I paid [$$$] for this at a local store with 12 mos no interest, so I believe I got almost everything I wanted at [$$$] less than the Hitachi, Sony, Pioneer. This is the final component for my home theater setup.I don't use any of the built-in audio features because I'm pumping all the sound through my Sony DTR 5.1 sound system. If you're looking for the most bang for the least bucks, consider this Panasonic. <br />One other footnote. I couldn't tell any difference in picture quality between the Hitachi SBX series and the XBX (their top ofthe line) series--just more bells and whistles and better electronics. This was true for the Sony HS vs XBR and Pioneer SD vs Elite as well, in my opinion. The high end series for most electronics have little, if any, higher quality but are targeted for people who look for the higher price tag.