PinoyDVD: The Pinoy Digital Video & Devices Community

Home Theater => Displays => Flat Panels => Topic started by: voj on Apr 11, 2003 at 05:47 PM

Title: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: voj on Apr 11, 2003 at 05:47 PM
We have a client looking for the best price/performance plasma TV.  Ihaven't made the rounds yet but you guys may want to help me choose the best buy.

Kindly give me feedback on the available plasma screens locally.  Have you seen any good deal? Which would you recommend.

Thanks in advance.


voj :D
Title: Re:Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: Mo®pHeOu$ on Apr 15, 2003 at 06:22 PM
 ;D ;D ;D

there are lots of brands na with plasma TVs. The biggest (and priciest) i think is from LG costing almost a Million pesoses.  

Pioneer also has a plasma TV.  

Good luck!

ramil
Title: Re:Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: bunkieboy on Apr 16, 2003 at 12:03 AM
the samsungs arent too bad either. they even have a 60+" for less than a million. depends on what size your client wants too. personally if i had the chance i would go for the pioneers
Title: Re:Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: DViant on Apr 16, 2003 at 12:43 AM
I saw a 63" in HK going for a cool milllion pesos. That's from LG pa ah! Samsung 63" goes for 1.3M.
Title: Re:Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: Kups on Apr 16, 2003 at 08:22 AM
Get the Panasonic or Fujitsu latest model.  Fujitsu has a better scaler.  Both have very good grey scale.  The 50" costs between 500k to 600K.  I had auditioned both
Title: Re:Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: slowhand on Apr 17, 2003 at 09:26 AM
There are some hidden costs to buying plasmas. Just make sure to factor them in. A stand is 10k+, a wall mount is 30k+, a tuner (not all plasmas come with one; though you can probably use a VCR), and possible installation costs. I haven't seen how a plasma displays local cable TV signals, and whether its built-in scaler can do the job with those signals. So an external scaler is possibly on the hidden-costs list too.

All those equate to lots of Pesos.

Many industry experts advise those who want a plasma to wait at least a year (add another year or so for the Phils.). Most of the plasma factories in Asia are just coming on stream, so supply will rise substantially, together with economies of scale. Plus, TV manufacturers are not making a lot of profit on CRT TVs, so are planning to replace their CRTs with plasma, LCD, DLP, etc.

Translation: increasing competition among manufacturers means prices will drop; increasing supply means prices will drop; increasing demand means prices will drop.

The forecast is that plasma prices will initially drop to about $100 per inch by 2004. That means about half of what they cost here in Manila. Add another year (or more) for our local market.

But if you've got the cash now and can't wait, hey, enjoy shopping!
Title: Re:Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: DMNX on Apr 19, 2003 at 02:26 AM
I have seen NEC Plasma and performance is good. But if you want the best and comes with all accessories like stand, speaker and tuner built in. Wait for the new Hitachi Plasma 42". JR of Listening In Style advised me that in May they have the new model for Hitachi Plasma and it is very good. Outperforming all other brands, I believe it is as I seen one in HK, the best talaga. 8)
Title: Re:Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: redge on Apr 23, 2003 at 11:24 PM
Pioneer is good kasi it has a support for third party cards so your plasma won't get outdated easily.  Also the best when viewed near, little or no pixelation or artifacts.  Panasonic has a good black.  NEC has some some good PQ as well.  Sony has done poorly in the plasma world.  IMO

don't just buy any kind of plasma.  I will tell you now that they are different.  View it in normal daylight, with ambient light and pitch black.  if your client has the money, i suggest at least a 50" so you can be closer to HD.  

also look at the gray levels,contrast and color tech. specs.  very important.
Title: Re:Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: paolorenzo on May 03, 2003 at 03:39 AM
So far, the best plasma I've seen is the Toshiba in Listening in Style.  I really don't have the size and model, but for a relatively small unit, the P750K pricetag was a bit heart-stopping!   :o

Picture quality was the best though, bar none.  It's gotta be, for that price...
Title: Re:Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: ESi on May 17, 2003 at 10:48 AM
hey brother voj,

Recently ive been around plasma TVs and guess what its getting a lot less than before. It still got a hefty price tag but compared to before its a lot cheaper. TIve auditioned several but the best so far is the 42 inch LG. It costs 220T with side speakers and either a base or a wall mount option. Listening in style has a promo 250T with the PLASMA, HTiB and a raffle ticket for a brand new JAGUAR! Not bad. Its better viewing the LG since its pleasant to the eyes at default mode unlike the others which looks fantastic at first due to its color saturation but later on causes eye fatigue. For me this is the current best buy. Hope this helps you out! ;D
Title: plasma tv and HDTV updates ?
Post by: bayonic on May 23, 2004 at 11:22 AM
MabuHi!

i'm new here ...  so apologies if my questions are redundant .
but i did use the search function and the results were quite outdated < a year old >

i'm looking for a plasma tv for my family in manila ...
i've done my research and i think ive narrowed down my choices to either a Panasonic TH42PW6BX or a Pioneer PDP434HDG .

1. anyone know the current selling price for these units ?

2. where should I go to audition these units ? and which dealers are recommended . . . since this is a big expense i need to spend time at the store and check every detail before committing ...

3. the Panny is an EDTV while the Pio is an HDTV .... i want to know what are the  options currently available for HDTV reception/subscription currently available in Manila ... to justify more bucks for the HDTV ... any updates on the Meridian ? bumaba na ba subscription ?

4. any recommendations for a good HTIB that can do progressive scanning ? I'm partial to Pioneer HTZ1000DVD but I cannot find a review through Google. I know I saw it once sa Anson's or SM AC Power Plant .  Is progressive scanning worth upgrading your home theater system ?

5. Lastly , where can I buy calibration DVDs for in-store picture quality comparisons or failing that what DVD titles should I bring to the store for auditioning.


i've been watching the plasma tv prices for two years now , and here in Hongkong theyve significantly gone down ... still i would want to purchase the tv there in Manila for obvious reasons .




thanks in advance


Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: pilsen on May 31, 2004 at 05:28 PM
I can get you the Panasonic TH42PW6 for Php 220k. Let me know if you're interested
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: pilsen on May 31, 2004 at 05:30 PM
Or if you want the older model the 42PW5 for Php190k
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: drexx on Jun 03, 2004 at 02:23 PM
02Jun2004 (UTC -7)

...
i'm looking for a plasma tv for my family in manila ...
i've done my research and i think ive narrowed down my choices to either a Panasonic TH42PW6BX or a Pioneer PDP434HDG .

Go with the Panasonic :) I too did lots of reading on the 'web and I liked the specs *and* price of the Panasonic as the best. Here in the US, they have lots of stores that display the TV's (pardon the pun) and the Panasonic gave the best pic of all inspite lots sources of ambient lights. The Sony did the poorest --as I guess it was because it was LCD.

Quote
1. anyone know the current selling price for these units ?
Check out www.dvdcity.com for good info.

Quote
2. where should I go to audition these units ? and which dealers are recommended . . . since this is a big expense i need to spend time at the store and check every detail before committing ...
I guess the next best thing is to use Google and read the reviews, as well as go to the various manufacturer's websites and download the manuals. I did, and it was worth it.

Quote
4. any recommendations for a good HTIB that can do progressive scanning ? I'm partial to Pioneer HTZ1000DVD but I cannot find a review through Google. I know I saw it once sa Anson's or SM AC Power Plant .  Is progressive scanning worth upgrading your home theater system ?
Since I have a Yamaha RX-Z9, which has impressive/advanced video and sound processing features, I could go for the cheapest DVD/CD player and let it just dump everything raw to the Yamaha receiver. I chose then Pioneer DV-563A for its unbeatable price/features ratio. That CD player can do SACD, DVD-Audio, read DVD-RW, progressive scanning, CD-RW, VCD, JPEG viewing, MP3 playing, read CD-R and CD-RW discs. SACD and DVD-Audio, I think are two important features to help future-proof your system... with SACD & DVD-Audio discs costing only as much as the regular but inferior audio CDs.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: bayonic on Jun 03, 2004 at 08:14 PM
I can get you the Panasonic TH42PW6 for Php 220k. Let me know if you're interested

thanks.... but it's too late .

i went for the pioneer .
18 months zero interest installment < kuno >
free DV969AVi DVD player < elite series ><kuno>

i'm sure the price will drop as soon as next month ... or they will have a better promo .... <AARRGGHH>

got it from ansons'  .... listening in style has a lower cash price and I can't afford that ....
they can only go up to 6 months installment ... but then the price would be almost similar to the anson's/sm price.

now .... looking for a reasonably cheap HDTV subscription .
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: redkoji on Aug 30, 2004 at 05:57 PM
Hey Guys,

We are planning to have a group buy activity on the following brands : Samsung, Sony and Panasonic..

Can you give us te idea the model your interested at cheapest or the best offer that you have so far, so that in case we have the said activity scheduled, the price we set is the best there can be...


So Guys, please let us know.....
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: av_phile1 on Nov 05, 2004 at 12:18 PM


now .... looking for a reasonably cheap HDTV subscription .



Meron na ba sa Pinas?
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: av_phile1 on Nov 05, 2004 at 03:40 PM
Are there plasma monitors out there WITHOUT internal audio amps and speakers, just plain display monitor like those LCD panels for PCs?  Not interested in optionally detachable speakers where they're part of the SRP.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: v0elker on Nov 05, 2004 at 04:54 PM
i think there are plasma monitors out there, but i think they're mostly for the commercial market.

i like those lcd monitors with detachable speakers, para may option. in my case, there are some ps2 games which have annoying audio. ang crisp ng sound effects, sakit sa tenga. whenever i hook em up to my rig, na-amplify tuloy hehe, oops ot.


Are there plasma monitors out there WITHOUT internal audio amps and speakers, just plain display monitor like those LCD panels for PCs?  Not interested in optionally detachable speakers where they're part of the SRP.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: Alfie on Mar 08, 2005 at 11:43 AM
I saw a Korean made (forgot the name) 43" Plasma being sold for only 100K at the Harrison Plaza.
The store is beside the Bingo area and near the Nintendo Store.
I was not able to check the product, this is for info to those interested.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: watdhek on May 26, 2005 at 12:18 PM
I posted this on another thread....

==

Got my plasma from the US for P150,000 inc. of shipping/taxes/duties. Model name is TH42PD50u. To compare with locally available Panny model (42PA30)- 8th gen plasma (vs. 6th gen local), 8.5+billion colors (vs. 1.04B), 4000:1 contrast (same), 2048 shades of gradation (1024 local), 60,000 hrs (same), ntsc tuner (vs. pal). They claim burn-in is practically a non-issue with 8th gen plasmas- you can use it as your pc monitor or play videogames hours on end without worries.

Only drawback is, warranty is not honored by local Panasonic dealers. To be honest, I didnt care since the 42PA30 is P320K, I dont think Id spend 170K for repairs. In fact its cheaper to buy another one in case my current unit bogs down.

Of course its up to you if you will follow my lead and get the latest plasma for half the price. If you think it's too much of a hassle having one shipped from abroad, then just get the local model, which is still way better than the rest.

One last thing, I dont recommend buying HD panels now. This model can rival those HD plasmas twice its price when viewing DVDs, even when placed side by side. Trust me on this. As of now, we have no use for HD units since HD programming isnt available locally, HD-DVD/bluray will only be available at the end of the year (inc. HD-DVD/Bluray players) and same with Xbox 360 (4th qtr 05) and PS3 (2nd qtr 06). Plasma prices are on the decline at a rate of 20%/annum. By the time these new tech becomes the standard, HD plasmas would be 40%-60% cheaper!
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: Depth of Field on May 27, 2005 at 10:56 AM
I got a syntax sa automatic centre. very reasonably priced. i use it for my work and of course watching dvds. very high resolution and very nice colors. Since all plasmas are made in taiwan, i thought this was a good buy regardless of the brand name.

just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: Mouldingo on May 27, 2005 at 05:54 PM
I got a syntax sa automatic centre. very reasonably priced. i use it for my work and of course watching dvds. very high resolution and very nice colors. Since all plasmas are made in taiwan, i thought this was a good buy regardless of the brand name.

just my 2 cents.

ALL plasmas are not made in Taiwan. Syntax is made in China.  Plasmas quality depends who made the glass screen and the circuitry.  :P :P
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: Titanium on May 28, 2005 at 08:27 AM
I posted this on another thread....

==

Got my plasma from the US for P150,000 inc. of shipping/taxes/duties. Model name is TH42PD50u. To compare with locally available Panny model (42PA30)- 8th gen plasma (vs. 6th gen local), 8.5+billion colors (vs. 1.04B), 4000:1 contrast (same), 2048 shades of gradation (1024 local), 60,000 hrs (same), ntsc tuner (vs. pal). They claim burn-in is practically a non-issue with 8th gen plasmas- you can use it as your pc monitor or play videogames hours on end without worries.

Hi watdhek,

Did you order your plasma TV through the internet? If so, can you post the particular website. thanks.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: Depth of Field on May 28, 2005 at 11:21 AM
ALL plasmas are not made in Taiwan. Syntax is made in China.  Plasmas quality depends who made the glass screen and the circuitry.  :P :P
are you sure syntax was made in china? coz kolin ang mother company nya. i know AOC is made in china. plasma screens are made in taiwan. >:D
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: Mouldingo on May 28, 2005 at 06:45 PM
Syntax LCDs are made in Taiwan (http://www.syntaxgroups.com/aboutus/aboutus.htm)  There is no claim that they manufacture Plasmas. If you have Syntax brochure, you will find that the Syntax Plasma SPS-4248 is actually "Prima" under the marker pen cover-up in the brochure. However, the Plasma Specification list "Samsung" as the panel supplier. Prima is manufactured in China by Xiamen Overseas Chinese Electronic Co Ltd. Here is a link if you are interested  http://www.globalsources.com/si/6008800576426/xiamen.co

I hope this clears up some facts ;D
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: av_phile1 on Jun 16, 2005 at 10:32 AM
It's been a long time since I visited a major appliance store.  I was pleasantly surprised of the huge dizzying selection of widescreen plasmas and lcd displays at Ansons in Makati.  But with all that flooding, the prices haven't dropped at all - many are still in the 250T-350T ranges and lcds in  the 150T to 200T ranges.  If i recall right, that was their prices two years back.  Still little or no direct-view widescreen CRTs.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: MAtZTER on Jun 24, 2005 at 10:27 AM
I saw Listening Shangrila advertising in the newspaper, selling some branded 42" plasmas at 120+k and 160+k. I am not sure if it was a Panasonic and Hitachi. I am not sure either if they still have em on stock now.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: MAtZTER on Aug 12, 2005 at 05:28 PM
It's been a long time since I visited a major appliance store.  I was pleasantly surprised of the huge dizzying selection of widescreen plasmas and lcd displays at Ansons in Makati.  But with all that flooding, the prices haven't dropped at all - many are still in the 250T-350T ranges and lcds in  the 150T to 200T ranges.  If i recall right, that was their prices two years back.  Still little or no direct-view widescreen CRTs.

Hitachi on sale this month. 42" plasma for only 175k and 32" LCD for only 170k. with freebies  :).
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: phantomXXX on Aug 15, 2005 at 11:55 PM
When buying a plasma, don't look for freebies but for the quality of the picture. Go for the branded ones, because they are very strict in quality control. Don't go for the "dispossables".

Hitachi model PD7800 has a panel life of 60k hrs, but contrast is 1000:1, HD compatible  - cost 250k
Hitachi model PD3000 is the lower model 3000:1 contrast doesn,t tell about panel life - cost 155k
Panasonic new panels claim 4000:1 contrast - cost 150k to 180k
Toshiba 42PD48 very cheap and lots of features

contrast of a plasma panel affects its picture quality and so does its life.


Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: kyle618 on Aug 29, 2005 at 02:31 AM
guys ok ba un Pioneer PDP435HDG??? right now its on sale for 299,000 with free home theatre worth daw ng 22k. is this the best possible plasma in the philippines for the price? because my dad might buy it??? or should we just get a newer model from the states say this model --- >Panasonic TH-42PX50U 42" Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV with Built-In ATSC/QAM/NTSC Tuners its less than 3k in amazon.com

btw is this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00078XIW2/ref=ase_pinoydvd-20 the same as the PDP435HDG???

thx
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: MAtZTER on Aug 29, 2005 at 10:16 AM
Hitachi - world's number 1 plasma brand. Their models are on sale now.

I went to their main office cuz I bought a PD300 plasma in behalf of my sister. When I demanded to talk to the boss, I was surprised to know that the distributor was my High school classmate .

Gee, small world indeed  ;D.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: alice c. go on Aug 29, 2005 at 11:55 AM
MILLIONNAIRES WE ARE NOT. Thus while a plasma is delectably desirable because of its wafer waistline
our local sellers act like a cabal, a cartel, a mafiosi "collective" in putting a leashed on making this
technology more of an attainable household appliance. Instead of pushing it as a utilitarian appliance that
holds the key of making stock-exchange-smashing bottomline profits, our cartel-like appliance stores confines the plasma as a boutique gadget - elitist, status quo, and artificially ultra-expensive. In our frustration with this pestering variety of mercantilist greed (much like competing Philippines who forget their diff'rences when it comes to imposing oppressive interest rates on loans but a beggar's pittance on dividends), I tend to imagine in time that only the folks with suspicious or scoundrel-ly source of income could plunk serious money on a plasma. You know, the drug kingpin, no-good children of jueteng operators, well-connected smugglers, or a lecherous dependee of balikbayan-OCW remittance. That we are no millionnaires might taint our spite also with a dose of sour-graping. In a way we truly do, but how come North American electronic vendors acts  like Pinoy crabs (talangka) in a basket, pulling their prices to as low as possible to beat the closest competition? This might be cut-throat mercantilism at work, but it sure is democratic, generous and no buyer in his right mind would caused to disagree. But our local vendors maintains an unshaking monolithic hold on pricing. But if this cabal only clusters together because of profit, at the rate that plasma or DLP sets are going which is qualifiably and miserably low (and ultimately unprofitable) - someone from within is bound to jump away from the flock and will get on the clever idea of cornering the specialty TV market with friendlier, more realistic pricing. This is what happened with Infocus, a business projector maker who unleashed the X1 front projector for less than $1,000. - an unbelievably democratic breakthrough price. Promptly, Infocus became the dominant leader, and has remained so for five years and going, the other more predatory makers who were caught offhanded could not caught up as quickly because they've become numbed and obese with obscene profits made from corporations and institutions who're formerly the only clients they could convincingly duped to take their ultra-expensive multi-media projectors. Now, of course, lets not forget, in fairness too, though that these plasma and DLP sets are all imports and thus levied very oppressive tariffs. Unavoidably, that sure adds to the retail price. But folks, if you do have deeper pockets than most and hopelessly salivating for a plasma as much as you salivate for Caspian Sea caviar, French countryside truffles and Gallic chicken liver pate-foie gras - why not bypassed those applaince store predators and go to IMAGE, a small audio-video importer inside the Harrison Plaza. Image stated that they have a plasma, a TOSHIBA 42 incher and the above-board price is P125,000. Have we got one? No, because we cannot afford it and we are nervous about plasma's reliability. Plasma is an unproven technology, the technical press-meister might declare this or that model as "8th generation" but when a unit does indeed fails down, even the neighborhoods' premiere electronics repair shop would likely scratch its head wondering what a plasma TV is, much more that its "run by gas."
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: jambam on Aug 29, 2005 at 02:27 PM
Matzer... how much are the hitachis current pricing  if they are on sale....thanks
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: MAtZTER on Aug 30, 2005 at 05:52 PM
Sent you PM jambam

I am selling some Hitachi Plasmas & LCDs here (http://pinoydvd.com/board/index.php?topic=41106.msg486596#msg486596), just PM me if you are interested.

Sir AV, bili na!  ;)
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: kyle618 on Sep 03, 2005 at 09:06 PM
guys ok ba un Pioneer PDP435HDG??? right now its on sale for 299,000 with free home theatre worth daw ng 22k. is this the best possible plasma in the philippines for the price? because my dad might buy it??? or should we just get a newer model from the states say this model --- >Panasonic TH-42PX50U 42" Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV with Built-In ATSC/QAM/NTSC Tuners its less than 3k in amazon.com

btw is this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00078XIW2/ref=ase_pinoydvd-20 the same as the PDP435HDG???

thx



just bumping my question thx!
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: alvinthx2 on Sep 04, 2005 at 09:48 PM
the new 8 series 42 inch edtv's panny's are selling at 1599 streetprice  in the US
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: phantomXXX on Sep 06, 2005 at 01:14 AM
Hitachi - world's number 1 plasma brand. Their models are on sale now.

I went to their main office cuz I bought a PD300 plasma in behalf of my sister. When I demanded to talk to the boss, I was surprised to know that the distributor was my High school classmate .

Gee, small world indeed  ;D.

PD300 - Check the inside, it's korea LG
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: av_phile1 on Sep 06, 2005 at 04:28 PM
Sent you PM jambam

I am selling some Hitachi Plasmas & LCDs here (http://pinoydvd.com/board/index.php?topic=41106.msg486596#msg486596), just PM me if you are interested.

Sir AV, bili na!  ;)

thanks for the thought.  wala pang pambili.  ;D
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: av_phile1 on Sep 06, 2005 at 04:57 PM
MILLIONNAIRES WE ARE NOT. Thus while a plasma is delectably desirable because of its wafer waistline
our local sellers act like a cabal, a cartel, a mafiosi "collective" in putting a leashed on making this
technology more of an attainable household appliance. Instead of pushing it as a utilitarian appliance that
holds the key of making stock-exchange-smashing bottomline profits, our cartel-like appliance stores confines the plasma as a boutique gadget - elitist, status quo, and artificially ultra-expensive. In our frustration with this pestering variety of mercantilist greed (much like competing Philippines who forget their diff'rences when it comes to imposing oppressive interest rates on loans but a beggar's pittance on dividends), I tend to imagine in time that only the folks with suspicious or scoundrel-ly source of income could plunk serious money on a plasma. You know, the drug kingpin, no-good children of jueteng operators, well-connected smugglers, or a lecherous dependee of balikbayan-OCW remittance. That we are no millionnaires might taint our spite also with a dose of sour-graping. In a way we truly do, but how come North American electronic vendors acts  like Pinoy crabs (talangka) in a basket, pulling their prices to as low as possible to beat the closest competition? This might be cut-throat mercantilism at work, but it sure is democratic, generous and no buyer in his right mind would caused to disagree. But our local vendors maintains an unshaking monolithic hold on pricing. But if this cabal only clusters together because of profit, at the rate that plasma or DLP sets are going which is qualifiably and miserably low (and ultimately unprofitable) - someone from within is bound to jump away from the flock and will get on the clever idea of cornering the specialty TV market with friendlier, more realistic pricing. This is what happened with Infocus, a business projector maker who unleashed the X1 front projector for less than $1,000. - an unbelievably democratic breakthrough price. Promptly, Infocus became the dominant leader, and has remained so for five years and going, the other more predatory makers who were caught offhanded could not caught up as quickly because they've become numbed and obese with obscene profits made from corporations and institutions who're formerly the only clients they could convincingly duped to take their ultra-expensive multi-media projectors. Now, of course, lets not forget, in fairness too, though that these plasma and DLP sets are all imports and thus levied very oppressive tariffs. Unavoidably, that sure adds to the retail price. But folks, if you do have deeper pockets than most and hopelessly salivating for a plasma as much as you salivate for Caspian Sea caviar, French countryside truffles and Gallic chicken liver pate-foie gras - why not bypassed those applaince store predators and go to IMAGE, a small audio-video importer inside the Harrison Plaza. Image stated that they have a plasma, a TOSHIBA 42 incher and the above-board price is P125,000. Have we got one? No, because we cannot afford it and we are nervous about plasma's reliability. Plasma is an unproven technology, the technical press-meister might declare this or that model as "8th generation" but when a unit does indeed fails down, even the neighborhoods' premiere electronics repair shop would likely scratch its head wondering what a plasma TV is, much more that its "run by gas."

Interesting post you have here.  Nice play of words as well.  I really would want to see Plasma TVs go down below 100T here. However, this E-VAT thing might delay that further.   As to whether those appliance stores are a "cabal" of sorts, there may be some truth to that.  But they probably have no more control over their prices as do the brand owners who dictate the price tags for this part of the world, oceans away from where the real competition for HDTV is heating up in time for the 2006 deadline for analog broadcasts.  Perhaps if the local congress had similar high-tech vision and mandate local stations to go digital at a certain date rather than being too preoccupied with cha cha and jueteng and impeachment, there'd be a better chance that the competition for local HDTV would bring local plasma prices down to grass-roots level. 

And yes, you're right, the neighborhood technician might be stressed to even diagnose one, let alone repair.  But you may be happy to note that most Plasma TVs advertise 60,000 hours as its lifespan.  Not bad.  At 6 hours/day viewing (three movies) that's a good 27 years, maybe more that what I'd expect.  That would make it heirloom-ready.  ;D
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: MAtZTER on Sep 06, 2005 at 05:34 PM
But you may be happy to note that most Plasma TVs advertise 60,000 hours as its lifespan.  Not bad.  At 6 hours/day viewing (three movies) that's a good 27 years, maybe more that what I'd expect.  That would make it heirloom-ready.  ;D

Hmm, I could just imagine the TV we were using 27 years ago being given to me as an heirloom. Hmm, real wood finish pa yun, no MDF yet at that time.  ;D
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: jambam on Sep 19, 2005 at 01:37 PM
Finally Got a locally Available Panny PWD7 ...

As this model is sold based on configuration , I initially ordered it w/ pc input w/c is standard (basic model) + component input blade + pedestal type stand ..  ( no speaker ) And asked them to bring a TV tuner (21K) for me to try .. As I was sceptical about having a good picture from cable ..

So we tested it first w/ Cable and It's almost as good as a my wega CRT only Bigger for cable TV shows, really a big surprise for me as my HD capable RPTV was  bad in this respect.  In the end I had to fork out a check for 21K becasue the wife wanted it.Anyway our cable signal was really adequate in the first place.

Next I used the component input connected to Divx capable DVD player , Compared to my HD ready Rear Projector ...No contest .. Contrast is great , very good black level and most of all I can see the shadow details that is missing from the RPTV. Even my MPeg4 encoded shows were extremely very good.

Last I connected my laptop w/ the intent of Playing the HD files (720P and 1080i) stuff that I have been stuffing into my DVD +/-R .. It sure looked very good and detailed ,  Even tho the display I bought was only 852 x480 in resolution . I think I will not be able to distinguish the difference in case compared to a HD type plasma specially since I am viewing from 6 to 8 feet minimum.

I actually was buying it as an alternate display on my PC for me to view my movies and shows from the internet.  That is why it had no composite or tuner when I configured my plasma.  . As my Dell 24" wide LCD monitor for my PC's was not very good for viewing DVD's and lower res video.. For HD my dell  excelled but DVD and lower res ,  I had to watch it in a smaller window in order for the picture not to deteriorate too bad when expanded

At the end of the day the plasma was sequestered from me and was made to replace our main TV w/c was the toshiba RPTV . no doubt it will get a lot of hours used  clocked quickly maybe 10 to 12 hrs daily....

 
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: av_phile1 on Sep 19, 2005 at 05:21 PM
Is this 42"?  How much does it cost without tuner and speakers and amps?  I wouldn't need these.  TIA
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: jambam on Sep 19, 2005 at 09:29 PM
av_phile1 .... yes 42" it was 117K the way i initially configured it, w/ component input and pedestal stand only.. The amp is built in already and quite decent as I used an old set of Mission 70 speakers .
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: av_phile1 on Sep 21, 2005 at 11:27 AM
Hi Jambam, when you said "you configured it," I presume the store is willing to have the customer have a say on what goes into the package - ala smorgasboard  ;D   Did you get this online or from a local AV shop?  Care to tell which shop?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: jambam on Sep 21, 2005 at 11:39 AM
Hi av_phile1 .. Sent you a Pm
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: av_phile1 on Sep 21, 2005 at 12:10 PM
Got it, Jambam and replied.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: dagul27 on Sep 21, 2005 at 12:17 PM
i work for a company that supplies plastic film for the glass they use on plasma TV's.they have an 85% hold on the market in asia.nothing touches the glass from start to finish.robotic hands do all the work.one very important factor is the adhesion of the plastic to the glass and of course the quality of the film itself.this is very important because of "dead pixels" are a product of bad film adhesion or quality.they are suppliers for LG,samsung and meron pa na nakalimutan ko,hehehe.wala lang some bit of info lang. ;D
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: av_phile1 on Sep 21, 2005 at 01:53 PM
i work for a company that supplies plastic film for the glass they use on plasma TV's.they have an 85% hold on the market in asia.nothing touches the glass from start to finish.robotic hands do all the work.one very important factor is the adhesion of the plastic to the glass and of course the quality of the film itself.this is very important because of "dead pixels" are a product of bad film adhesion or quality.they are suppliers for LG,samsung and meron pa na nakalimutan ko,hehehe.wala lang some bit of info lang. ;D

Are you working overseas or here sa pinas?  Can we ask where exactly?  Thanks
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: dagul27 on Sep 21, 2005 at 11:49 PM
i'm based here in the U.S. and  i work for a company called Trededar Films. The glass maker we supply our film to is Corning.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: squatt3r on Sep 28, 2005 at 04:51 PM
mga pards,

I'm currently contemplating on buying a Plasma TV. I saw in this thread na around 100K yung Panasonic plasma TV sa pinas? Saan pong shops merong ganung price. Masyadong mahal dito sa Israel 155K yung 42" EDTV.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: gren on Sep 29, 2005 at 02:02 AM
155k is the cheapest i've seen so far, for brand new units.  you can find them here: http://pinoydvd.com/board/index.php?topic=41106.0 being sold by matzter.

i saw a 120k plasma, but its a display unit. 

i'm personally looking for cheaper pannies, or even high def panels just to compare.
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: jdg on Nov 06, 2005 at 07:10 PM
saan store ba may display na hitachi plasma tv's?
Title: Re: Locally Available Plasma TV - What To Buy?
Post by: paolorenzo on Nov 07, 2005 at 10:23 AM
saan store ba may display na hitachi plasma tv's?

MAtZTER sells them.  PM him, baka he has display units to show you.

From what I know, Listening Room Megamall and Listening In Style Edsa Shangri-La Mall (same owner) is an official distributor of Hitachi Plasmas.  Sila rin yung nagbebenta ng Panasonic commercial models TH-42PWD7E.  As jambam mentioned, most basic setup is P117k (although P118k ang quote nila sa akin), with only the component input blade (no speakers, no tuner, with choice of either stand or wall-mount).  If you want to save more, get a component-to-VGA cable, and use the default VGA input port for your DVD player.  Puwede, di ba?  ;D  These cables can be easily purchased in eBay for under US$10.