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Living Large With Good Shows From Plasma and Rear-Protection DLP TVs

The best plasmas, such as those from Pioneer and Mitsubishi, are stunning, but lesser models can be expensive disappointments. Good DLP models such as Optoma's perform very well and are a lot easier on the wallet.

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PDP-5040HD 50'' Plasma TV PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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1. Pioneer PDP-5040HD 50'' Plasma TV

50-inch, 1280-by-768 pixel screen, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i digital inputs supported, 2 HDMI inputs, 3 component inputs, 2 standard TV and 1 HDTV tuners, 5 video presets, 2 FireWire ports, Media breakout box for all inputs, outputs

Bottom Line: With fine image quality and a sharp, clever design, the Pioneer would be a worthy addition to a dream house.

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Diamond Plasma PD-5030 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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2. Mitsubishi Diamond Plasma PD-5030

50-inch, 1365-by-768 pixel screen, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i digital inputs supported, 1 DVI input, 2 component inputs, No standard or HDTV tuners, 5 video presets, Advanced controls for three primary colors, three secondary colors, and gamma, Inverse and orbiter anti-burn-in technology

Bottom Line: The PD-5030 is a good choice for hard-core videophiles with the time, interest, and funds to custom-build the ideal home theater setup.

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TH-50PX25U/P 50 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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3. Panasonic TH-50PX25U/P 50

50-inch, 1366-by-768 pixel screen, 480p, 1080i digital inputs supported, 1 HDMI input, 2 component inputs, 1 standard and 1 HDTV tuners (CableCard ready), 3 video presets, Memory card slots for photo viewing, Auto-adjusts brightness to room lighting

Bottom Line: The Panasonic strikes a good balance of price and performance and provides the latest features for the future.

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DU-50PZ60 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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4. LG Electronics DU-50PZ60

50-inch, 1366-by-768 pixel screen, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i digital inputs supported, 1 DVI input, 2 component inputs, 2 standard TV and 1 HDTV tuners, 7 video presets, 4 sound presets, Inverse and orbiter anti-burn-in technology

Bottom Line: This plasma has a sharp, clever design and fine sound system. But image quality, especially color, disappoints.

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Gateway 50-inch HD-Ready Plasma TV PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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5. Gateway Gateway 50-inch HD-Ready Plasma TV

50-inch, 1366-by-768 pixel screen, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i digital inputs supported, 1 DVI input, 2 component inputs, 1 standard TV tuner,

Bottom Line: Poor color and sound, plus a DVI input that can't accept copy-protected HD content, make this set a terrible disappointment.

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OptomaTV RD50 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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6. Optoma Technology OptomaTV RD50

50-inch, 1280-by-720 pixel screen, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i digital inputs supported, 1 DVI input, 3 component inputs, 2 standard TV tuners, 2 preset and 3 programmable video modes per input, Controls for three primary color levels, plus yellow; gamma control,

Bottom Line: Though not so graceful in its design, the RD50 offers impressive advanced controls and looks good where it counts--on the screen.

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RCA HDLP50W151 51-IN. WIDESCREEN DLP TV PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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7. RCA RCA HDLP50W151 51-IN. WIDESCREEN DLP TV

50-inch, 1280-by-720 pixel screen, 480i, 480p, 1080i digital inputs supported, 1 DVI input, 2 component inputs, 2 standard TV and 1 HDTV tuners, 4 video presets, 2 FireWire ports, Ethernet port for built-in Web browser; optional $50 wireless keyboard

Bottom Line: Colors are muted, but the RCA's bright, pleasing images hold up well in high lighting, and its sound system is first-rate.

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RU-52SZ61D 52 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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8. LG Electronics RU-52SZ61D 52

52-inch, 1280-by-720 pixel screen, 480i, 480P, 720p, 1080i digital inputs supported, 1 DVI input, 2 component inputs, 2 standard TV tuners, 7 video presets,

Bottom Line: As with LG's plasma, the pleasing design of this DLP set is undermined by disappointing image quality (especially the colors).

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