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HP PL5060N 50-Inch Plasma HDTV Review


Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard
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Model#: EK430AA#A

Average Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Retail Price: $2,999.00
Online Sale Price:
Features:
  • Includes - Included hardware - HP 50 inch plasma digital HDTV; Remote control; Detached speakers; AC power cable; TV stand
  • Audio input - 1 PC/DVI audio; 4 pairs audio left/right
  • Audio output - 1 pair audio left/right (analog); 1 optical digital audio (SPDIF);
  • Video input - 1 HDMI / 1 VGA / 2 Composite video / 2 Component / 2 S-video / 1 RF - 1 x 75 Ohm analog antenna / 1 RS-232 (serial connection)
  • Video output - 1 x Composite video
TV falls away in a dark mist as we hold fond memories of the shows we saw on the little square screen. It's time to move on to HDTV and new widescreen programming that simulate a movie theater in our home. The sharp, brigtht images that the HP PL5060N displays are literally joys to behold. Add an optional home-theater sound system and you've got a true home-theater experience. The large 50" (diagonal) Plasma flat-panel screen has a 16:9 widescreen ratio and an outstanding picture quality. Just sit back and imagine what a difference it'll make in your home. Don't just imagine. Click on and get one now. TV Display Modes - High Definition (HDTV) - 720p or 1080i / Enhanced Definition (EDTV) 480p / Standard Definition (SDTV) 480i Screen Size - 50 inch (diagonal) WXGA plasma digital screen with 1366 x 768 resolution / Contrast - 10000 - 1 / Brightness - 1500 nits NTSC Analog TV Tuner / ATSC Digital TV Tuner; ATSC is capable of receiving free over-the-air HDTV stations when used with an optional HDTV antenna Selectable Menu Options - Picture menu / Audio menu / Time menu / Channel menu / CC (closed caption) menu / Parental Ctrl (control) menu /System menu Speakers - 2 Woofers and 1 Tweeter (Dolby Digital compatible) Unit Dimensions (H x W x D) (with speakers and stand) 32.8 x 61.1 x 12.3 inches / Unit Weight (with speakers and stand) 113.5 pounds

User Submitted HP PL5060N 50-Inch Plasma HDTV Reviews
Date: 2008-04-20
Don't Do It! You'll Regret It!
This is such a dissapointing TV and the HP service is just the same. Less than 1 month outside of my warranty the TV has died. It's experiencing a phenomenon called "pixel flare". Google it. I'm not the only one. I have no choices as per the rude HP customer service rep (yes, Chase from Ontario Canada- I'm talking about you!) but to fork over almost $750 for a replacement main control board (and pay someone to put it in). Not fair! A $1,500 TV should last more than 1 year. I implore you- don't make this mistake. Step away from the HP- far away!

Date: 2008-01-31
Time Bomb
I purchased this TV just over a year ago. 9 days after my warranty expired, it died.
Now I didn't purchase the service plan, so I wasn't going to complain (at first), but as it turns out HP doesn't provide replacement parts to anyone that doesn't have a service plan, so essentially my TV is a paperweight now.
Every single TV repair technician I found had the same story about how HP WILL NOT PROVIDE PARTS FOR THEIR TV's.
From what I read on other opinion websites, even WITH the service plan, it can take weeks to get replacement parts in.
Now I expected NOTHING for free. I didn't purchase the PSP, so thats the way it goes, but for HP to make the consumer have to replace their TV in a year is unacceptable business practice.
FYI...Sony, Panasonic, et al provide replacement parts much more readily.
Do yourself a favor and take into account how easy it will be to get service on your TV if you need it.
Having said all of that, I'm particularly disappointed because I thought this unit was excellent...while it actually worked.

Date: 2007-03-22
Great picture/size for price
I would give this 4.5 only because it does not have the bells and whistles of the nuch more expensive TV's
Great plasma for price. Picture quality ranks up there with Panasonic,Pioneer,LG
Pros:Excellent picture, sleek look, wall mount friendly,Digital and analog tuners work great
Cons:Could use some more convenience/user customizable features, remote pretty simple, sound on included removable speakers not great, but who cares.

Date: 2006-06-05
Very good choice for a plasma screen
I've owned this model for about six weeks now. It's my first large screen TV purchase but I researched pretty thoroughly beforehand.

Pros:
1. Beautiful picture both in HD and regular signal. DVD's and even VHS tapes look good as well
2. Very competitive price. Most 50" plasmas are at least $800 more.
3. Plenty of inputs and outputs. Multiple inputs for component and composite devices plus a VGA port for PC's.
Cons:
1. Draws a lot of power. It's 450 watts but that's in line with other similar plasmas.
2. Has only a HDMI input for digital whereas many devices such as PC's and cable boxes have DVI. Requires a pricey conversion cable to use. Luckily, I think the component connection looks as good as the HDMI one.
3. Controls and menus could be more efficient. Common commands like input selection require arrowing through menus instead of just scrolling through using a single button like most TV's.

So far so good though.

 


 
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