MuttonFlanks Posted June 5, 2007 Posted June 5, 2007 OK shortly after posting my last thread I realized that a 1080p plasma is way out of my price range lol ;D So my list quickly dropped to the Hitachi 42PD9800TA, the Pioneer 427, and the Panasonic TH-42PV70H. I stopped by Harvey Norman in Novena Square 2 to see if I could take a look at these sets. Lucky for me they had all 3 up and running the same feed right next to each other. I spent about an hour playing around and just looking at the sets and in the end decided the Hitachi offered a warmer clearer picture than both the Pioneer and the Panasonic, and the extra resolution compared to the Pioneer doesn't hurt either. The sales guy said the best he could do was take off $150 from the $3399 price. The price includes Hitachi's home HTD-K210 home theatre system, free installation, 5 years warranty, and a HD set-top box. If I didn't want the warranty he would take off some more (he didn't say how much, but I wanted the warranty so I didn't bother asking). He also said instead of the $150 he could throw in some high quality cables (he showed me some Monster Cable HDMI cable that had a price tag of $155). Is that really worth it? HDMI is HDMI is HDMI right? A $150 HDMI cable should be the same as a $10 one... How does this deal sound? Is it possible to negotiate more? Should I take this deal or try a different store? Would appreciate if people could share their experiences... thanks!!! :)
Hi51624705826 Posted June 5, 2007 Posted June 5, 2007 Try Gain City. I bought my 42PD9500 last dec at $2450. I am happy with it so far. Plasma tv is far better than LCDs when you are watching TV programs. Guess now price should have dropped. It will also make a difference whether you want the free gifts and if you are paying by credit card or Nets.
MuttonFlanks Posted June 5, 2007 Author Posted June 5, 2007 Sorry I am not too familiar with Singapore yet... where exactly is Gain City? :)
kingkang Posted June 5, 2007 Posted June 5, 2007 You may also want to check to see if the Plasma comes with IMAGE STICKING MINIMIZATION(ISM)METHOD options... this will ensure that your investment is protected from Burn Mark problems...
Hi51624705826 Posted June 6, 2007 Posted June 6, 2007 Check Gain City website : gaincity.com Stores are all over Singapore: 1. 8 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 Tel: 6333 1212 2. Block 102 Towner Road #01-252 Tel: 6464 1212 3. 6 Raffles Boulevard #03-100/07 Marina Square Tel: 6226 1212 4. 2 Jurong East St. 21 #L3-31 IMM Building Tel: 6569 1212 5. 1 Woodlands Square #04-34 Causeway Point Tel: 6266 1212 6. 1 Sengkang Square #03-28 Compass Point Tel: 6556 1212 7. 3 Temasek Boulevard #03 - 040 Suntec City Mall Tel: 6734 4400
dB10 Posted June 6, 2007 Posted June 6, 2007 You may also want to check to see if the Plasma comes with IMAGE STICKING MINIMIZATION(ISM)METHOD options... this will ensure that your investment is protected from Burn Mark problems... to add on this, check also for flickering, some have reported seeing this, some Philips panel has the same ALIS panel technology of Hitachi and a few owners have the same experience. http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=42096.msg315149#msg315149
MuttonFlanks Posted June 6, 2007 Author Posted June 6, 2007 I'm pretty sure most plasmas these days have something to prevent burn-in. I checked the Hitachi website and this model indeed does have one. The flickering thing is a little worrying, but I watched the set at Harvey Norman for quite a while and didn't notice anything. Is there anything in particular to look out for? Is there some kind of condition that makes the flickering stand out? I'll have to go check it out again... but then if the floor display unit is fine it doesn't mean the set I get delivered will be fine. Hmm... Thanks for the Gain City link, I'll look at them as well as BD :)
ekardo Posted June 7, 2007 Posted June 7, 2007 I am not an owner of hitachi, but I have been reading and seeing a lot since I wanna get one soon.. I can't see the flickering, until someone point to me to look at the TCS5 or TCS8 logo on the TV. which I think, this is not a problem at all!
MuttonFlanks Posted June 7, 2007 Author Posted June 7, 2007 I am not an owner of hitachi, but I have been reading and seeing a lot since I wanna get one soon.. I can't see the flickering, until someone point to me to look at the TCS5 or TCS8 logo on the TV. which I think, this is not a problem at all! Ah ok, good to hear. I am gonna take a look and if it's not too bad I will most likely buy this weekend.
petetherock Posted June 7, 2007 Posted June 7, 2007 If you can stretch to 3k or so, I suggest you look at Pioneer as well. Merdeka in Sim Lim Square gives reasonable prices, if you are foreign, try Mustafa in Little India. P
bloob Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 The Hitachi ALiS plasma panels do have noticeable flicker as it is an interlaced display, unlike Pioneer and Panasonic which are are full progressive panels. I would recommend you stretch a little to consider the Pioneer or Panasonic.
MuttonFlanks Posted June 8, 2007 Author Posted June 8, 2007 I did look at the Pioneer 427 and the new Panasonic which was side by side with the Hitachi. I really thought the Hitachi looked like a better picture with all 3 TVs on the same feed... The Pioneer was only $100 more than the Hitachi... can you explain why Mustafa is good if I'm foreign?
petetherock Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 Mustafa prices are shown, they are usually less than BD and HN, which can be 10-30% more than SLS, which will require bargaining and usually you need to make friends first. KEC in Adelphi is fine too, they don't display but can they can help you get good prices.
MuttonFlanks Posted June 8, 2007 Author Posted June 8, 2007 Oh cool I did not know that... thanks for the heads up! :)
hoseki Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 Hi, you can also try this place Everjoint 64582531. I checked the Hitachi 9800 model and its $2729 with 3 years warranty. I got an earlier model from them before just through the phone. You might want to check it out yourself in case I got it wrong. Have Fun.
petetherock Posted June 10, 2007 Posted June 10, 2007 If you can read Chinese, a review: http://primeav.audionet.com.tw/AV143/Hitachi%20%2050PD9800TA.htm
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