Vizio VP42

The Vizio VP42 is a value-priced plasma HDTV retailing for $999, but can be found in stores for around $850. Because of all of the buzz generated by 1080p television sets, the VP42 may get overlooked since it only supports up to 1080i or 720p.

However, at this size, the benefits of a 1080p may go unnoticed. Reviews have suggested that this plasma delivers good image quality. Vizio is renown for making sub-$1000 HDTVs, and making flat panel TVs affordable to the masses.

The VP42 has 2 x HDMI inputs, 2 x component, and a single VGA PC video input. There is also an ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner supporting both analog and digital OTA broadcasts. The manufacturer's boasts of its 10,000:1 contrast ratio and 231 billion distinct color resolution.

Features

• Resolution: 1024 x 768
• Contrast: 10,000:1
• Brightness: 480 cd/m2
  
• Colors: 231 billion
• 2 x HDMI, 2 x Component, 1 x VGA, 1 x Composite, 2 x S-Video
• 1 x co-axial ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner
• Signals: 480i (SDTV), 480p (EDTV), 720p (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV)
• Pixel Dot Pitch: 0.9 mm [H] x 0.676mm [V]

The Vizio VP42 first hit the market in Q4 2006. The largest of the Vizio Plasmas is the Vizio VM60P retailing for $2500. Also, consider the 50" Vizio VP50 retailing for $1499.