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[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by dc_chef
I'm considering getting a plasma tv, probably lower end, around the 42" range. What are features that I should look for/consider? One thing that I would like is to be able to use digital cable, but to avoid using being tied to the digital converter box and its remote. I think that some newer tvs allow you to use their remotes for digital cable; is there a feature that allows this option? Any reasonably priced brands out there? Remember, I'm not looking for something that is top of the line, just a basic flat screen system.

As examples, how would you compare:

This Gateway: http://products.gateway.com/products...=plsmtv&seg=hm

with this Gateway:

http://products.gateway.com/products...m42ubtv&seg=hm

with this Daewoo:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....007&cmp=%20%20

with this Akai:

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&b=g&WT.mc_t=I

Dear cheffy,
Why would you want a low end plasma? Remember that you can't watch standard 4x3 shows on a plasma due to burn in. Don't let people tell you that the "refresh" button will take care of the burn in as it will only do that for awhile. Over time, you will still experience burn in. Viewing 4x3 programming in the stretch mode merely cuts off the top and bottom of your picture so you're actually losing about 1/4 of your overall picture.
Daewoo makes as good electronics as they do cars.
Akai, does not make plasma screens - find out who the OEM is.
Gateway - same as Akai. Not an OEM.

Low end plasma picture suffers from digitization on fast movement and cheap color filters. If you're going to use it to watch regular network TV, don't do it. If you're going to watch just DVD's, maybe consider an LCD or DLP. Unless they're all cartoons, again, because fast movement will show obvious digitization and ghosting.