NEC 42MP3 Plasma A Winner
Written: Apr 25 '02
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Pros: Stunning images, excellent form factor.
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: For stunning images, an elegant design, and an excellent reinterpretation of broadcast TV (when you run out of DVD's and satellite channels!), this unit is the best.
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| joeysf's Full Review: NEC PlasmaSync 50PD2 50 in. EDTV-Ready TV |
After careful research, I finally bit the bullet and picked up the NEC 42MP3 42" plasma display. My previous video unit was a Sony WEGA XBR 32" television.
FORM FACTOR
The display rests easily in the separately purchased stand. Although the display is less than 4" thick, the stand does jut out for stability. The dark charcoal (almost black) bezel and stand make for a non-imposing, yet oddly dramatic piece of equipment with no visible buttons. Like a piece of Bang & Olufsen equipment, the controls are discreetly marked and incorporated into the underside of the bezel.
USE
The remote was easy to figure out without resorting to the manual, although I had to find the physical power switch and turn on the unit before the remote power buttons would work. The on-screen menu (OSM) is easy enough, although there does not appear to be a way to rename the inputs (unlike my old Sony).
Plugs are plentiful and obvious, and the stand has covers that keep all cords invisible. The speaker connections are 6 ohm, but who cares? I plug all audio through my audio system separately so that I can take advantage of my 8 ohm flat panel speakers.
IMAGES
There's a tragedy with plasma: broadcast TV really looks like crap when compared to superior sources (like HTDV or DVD's). Fortunately, this unit has a noise reducer (NR) that can make even VCR tapes look good.j
DVD's, however, are stunning. There is no other word for it. I actually bought this unit because it seemed to handle standard TV signals better than the Panasonic, but the DVD quality is outrageous. Watching a film in the proper aspect ratio is terrific, too. With all sources, there is an eerie 3D effect (like with most plasma displays).
The aspect ratio, set on automatic "Cinema" mode, can select the appropriate "stretch" and "zoom" to make the video source and format look it's best. Still, you can press a single button on the remote to cycle through the various display modes. A zoom key lets you adjust things further.
GOOD THINGS
This display has a number of anti-burn-in features, solving a known problem with plasma displays. Expect at least the same life as a TV with this unit. One of the view modes zooms and pans up just enough to eliminate all (sometimes "nearly all") of the persistent channel logos that appear in the lower right corner of most broadcasts. That means the logo hasn't a chance of burning into the screen because you can't even see it. What a relief to get rid of those irritants just from a visual distraction standpoint!
The weight was easy to handle, even with the stand. I set this up by myself in about five minutes, including unpacking it from the deceptively large box.
RECOMMENDED MODEL
I like the look, feel, and use of this device. The resolution means no computations to display an image (unlike the oddly popular Sony 1024 x 1024 screen). Resolution means nothing. Image is everything. Side by side, this blows the Sony out of the water.
The only bad thing is how it makes my Sony WEGA XBR look like a 1962 Philco.
It's hard to choose between the Panasonic and the NEC, but NEC seems to have a bit of an edge. Remember: resolution should not be a factor in making a selection. Now that the price is within reach and we have gone through a couple of generations with this technology, it seems the time has come for plasma to be more commonplace.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 5200
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Epinions.com ID:
joeysf
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Reviews written: 2
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