Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

Before reading further, if you haven't read my initial article on this project (and the follow-up), please check it out for the background and design goals of this project.

Remember the digital wall project I talked about in July 2008? In the latter part of 2008, it was finally completed: the results are shown above [high-res photo available]. I love how it turned out, and everyone who sees it for the first time has the same response: "Wow, that looks great!". Like any home renovation project, this one had several stages; the final stage was trauma recovery. The project as a whole was so drawn-out and frustrating that it's only months after it's finished that I feel I can write about it without spewing expletives on your screen. My hope is that by detailing the process, and results, anyone attempting a similar project will learn what to do - and what not to do, because I had never done anything like this before and have learnt a great deal from it. Let's get started! Read more...

"Often better blacks dictate higher prices, but in the case of Panasonic's newest line of entry-level plasmas, which includes the TC-P50X1, that's not the case. This HDTV reproduces superb blacks and excellent shadow detail, while costing a relative pittance for a big-screen HDTV. Unfortunately, two major problems prevent it from earning higher praise, namely that it suffers from less-than-accurate color and the presence of faint on-screen lines that may be a deal-breaker to sharp-eyed viewers."

The survival of Plasma TVs may be in question, but that is not stopping Panasonic from coming out with more models for our home theater dollars. CNET breaks down the TC-P50X1 pretty thoroughly from the finish and design to the remote control to colour reproduction. One thing I found surprising with the TV was that it only went to 1366x768 resolution, which I find unusual for 50 inch TVs, however, the rationale behind it makes sense. Supposedly, most people cannot really see the difference between 720p and 1080p for a 50" screen unless you are sitting closer than six and a half feet. I'm not wholly convinced, but I hope the compromise helped shave a few dollars off the TV. CNET's greatest complaint, the colour accuracy would have me second guessing purchasing this TV though, as if I'm going for Plasma, I want a really good experience and not be niggled with colours not looking right.

"Likewise, tech historians may point to February 12, 2009 as the official fall of the plasma empire—even though new models have just been announced. That’s the day that Pioneer—arguable the maker of the best plasmas ever—announced its complete exit from the TV business and that Vizio—the number-three plasma retailer in the US—gave up on the tech in favor of LCD. That leaves just Panasonic, LG and Samsung defending the diminished borders of the once-great empire. (And the latter two are also the two largest makers of LCD panels in the world. Only Panasonic still stake its life on plasma.)"

Word of Pioneer's exit from the Plasma TV market has got Plasma afficionados in a panic, wondering if the market is viable anymore. Sean Captain of Popular Science believes so. Plasma TVs have been given a bad rap from the beginning. Cited as being extraorindarily expensive and power hungry, they were discounted as a niche product in comparison to their LCD bretheren. The past few years have seen this change. Plasma TVs are much closer in cost and power consumption to LCD TVs while providing a stunning experience. Unfortunately, I believe that it lost the war because of the "race to the bottom" syndrome. People as a whole largely buy based on price, and LCD TVs were able to reach the sub-$1000 and now even the sub-$500 price points first. I admit that I too bought largely due to financial constraints, and with the economy going the way it is, I don't see many people spending enough extra cash to get a Plasma. For those of you who have been eyeing one, better act quick before they all dry up!