Pricey - But Should Be Tops on the Holiday Gift List

Category: Review on Mitsubishi DV42P1-MK2 42 inch Plasma TV

Posted by: 2-Nov-2006

Strengths: Beautiful clarity, classic design

Weaknesses: Like all plasmas, it’s expensive

Whether you want it for watching television or as a mondo huge computer monitor, the flat plasma television is a vast improvement over the old technology that we all grew up with. This 42-inch model is at the top of the charts, quality-wise, and certainly worth the (not insubstantial) price.

The screen’s 852 x 480 resolution is simply stunning, and with a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 you’re just not going to get a better picture than this. One of the additional benefit of flat-screen technology is the elimination of glare from lamps or ambient light – set this baby down across form a window and you’ll never need to pull the curtains during the day. This makes plasma televisions great for anywhere in the house without having to worry about windows versus television placement.

The DV42P1-MK2 looks really good, too, almost like a piece of art. The sleek design looks good in any room in the house, and it’s easy to move from living room to bedroom, without needing an enormous space for it to fit. The two 10-watt speakers are quite good (although any home theater system worth its salt will involve external, surround speakers) and it’s easy to use – there’s no tuner, as the system simply doesn’t require it.

The price will be the main drawback for most people – plasma screen TVs will remain a luxury item for several more years, with the cost of building these beauties and then shipping them overseas bumping up their price. But if you can afford it, it’s definitely worth it. This TV can be placed anywhere in the home that you’d have put a conventional TV, but without the space problems of bulky traditional picture-tube televisions.