Sony Plasma TV Review
Model: Sony PFM-42V1 Plasma Television
Description: 42-inch EDTV Plasma Display, Widescreen 16:9 Format
Resolution: 854 x 480 (WVGA)
Includes: Built-in NTSC tuner and remote
Color: Available in charcoal black or brushed silver bezels
Reviewer: Robert Wiley
INTRODUCTION
Though Sony opted out of building a manufacturing facility for plasma display elements (glass), the company has nevertheless been at the forefront of plasma display manufacturing along with Panasonic, Fujitsu/Hitachi, NEC, Pioneer and Samsung. With the production of the new Sony PFM 42V1 they have now 8 different plasma TV panel models under production ranging from 32 to 61 inches diagonal viewing area.
Plasma Display panels and LCD's have improved tremendously over the past two years, so much so that I do not hesitate to recommend them to consumers or for most computer applications. Some surpass even the best CRT's in terms of brightness levels and contrast. Most all will display more colors - nearly 17 million. Sony has been a leader with impressive technological improvements in interlace to progressive conversion, color reproduction, and black level output.
The new Sony PFM 42V1 uses much of the best technology Sony has used in production of its other plasma television models, but incorporates deeper black levels, smoother gray scale transition, and higher contrast than its previous 42TS2 and PFM 42B2 plasma offerings.
PICTURE - 90
In my opinion (and I do see a lot of these panels) the new Sony PFM 42V1 has an extremely attractive picture. It compares with its more expensive relative - the Sony 42XBR950 - in many aspects of picture reproduction. Brightness is at a prime level on this plasma TV and does not detract from the all important contrast ratio. My optimum brightness setting for our showroom environment was -7 from the original standard setting, which really shows off the plasma's excellent contrast. Sony has made a dramatic improvement over their previous PFM 42B2U plasma display in the black production arena.
I really put the black levels and gray scaling to the test on this model with my Ultimate Test DVD chapters True North, and The Gate to the Minds Eye. Both of these chapters are full of fast action, gradation causing, color swirling, tough to reproduce galactic and ocean scenery. Scenes place bright colorful gaseous matter on top of black and near black background space and the Sony 42V1 kept its cool and presented this tough video material like a champ. The sequences move so fast that slight ghosting can become apparent on some displays but not so at all with the Sony. The processing was spot on without a flicker nor a pause.
 True North |
 The Gate to the Minds Eye |
Next, I tested the unit with the DVD staging of Barry Levinson's Sphere to get an idea of film source rendering from the films inexhaustible shadow detail and contrasting flesh tones. I was surprised to find that not only does the V1 have extremely vivid color; it has realistic color reproduction at heart, and does not overproduce colors in compromise of fidelity. There are no false edges apparent, which was refreshing in light of other plasma displays on the market, which use many image enhancement techniques. Such techniques may look great the minute a consumer walks into a store and they exclaim, "Wow! look at that bright color." But false edges and over enhancement of images will not be an appealing way to view a plasma TV day in and day out. And though a "softer" image may not look as crisp and detailed on immediate inspection, it will lead to much better display viewing over time (and not much time). Further to this point, I did not need to decrease the Sharpness mode in the picture setting menu - a correction I find necessary in 90% of plasma displays on the market. Overall, blue, black and flesh tone rendering was superb as the Sony's internal processing produced clear smooth images.
Though almost all newer model plasma TVs have 3-2 pulldown, it is worth mentioning that it's inclusion in the 42V1 does not miss.
With HDTV broadcasts (tuned with an Samsung SIRT165 HDTV Decoder) this Sony plasma television presents unbelievable depth and realism. A good HD signal renders a vigorous intensity that makes one wish that all broadcasters were as predisposed to these superb images as Mark Cuban.
The most amazing (and best) feature of the Sony PFM 42V1 is the interlace to progressive conversion circuitry and the images this imparts. The internal bi-pixel conversion circuit can make a progressive scan DVD player's chip set pale in comparison. This is the only plasma TV I have ever tested that actually displays it better images with 480i than with 480p. The upside to this internal technology is that normal cable or satellite viewing will be converted by the same chipset from interlaced to progressive and will receive a boost analogous to a $700 line doubler.
That outstanding chip set will be extremely beneficial when viewing normal cable, broadcast, or satellite signals. I was very pleased with the outcome when watching some poorer signals such as low-bandwidth TBS. Signals came through with surprising clarity and really popped from this plasma displays upgrading. Higher bandwidth broadcast signals such as ABC and Fox proved came through with great color and smooth, clear appearance. Then I went to the lowest of the low - the traditional VCR - with either tuned cable or tape video content the Sony 42V1 still outperformed 90% of plasma displays out there. Still, low-end content should be viewed at a distance (10 to 14 feet) to cut down on motion artifacts and their effect on the eye.
This impressive performance with processing power is critical in overcoming a weak input selection as mentioned below.
The Sony PFM 42V1 has a noteworthy set of preset picture settings: Standard, Vivid, and User 1, 2, 3. This set allows merit worthy flexibility and may be selected for any input preference. User 1, 2, 3 are customized settings that the user can choose and pre set depending upon room conditions for either computer boardroom use or home video display. For instance, in a brightly boardroom during the day one user picture setting could be set to tweak contrast in order to provide a brighter image. One might choose one setting for digital signals from computer and another for film playback.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS - 88
Input selection on the Sony PFM 42V1 is non-standard. This plasma has a DVI - D (Digital Video Interface - Digital) input as its main computer terminal. In addition, there is a VGA 15 pin styled input for use with either computer or component video, an s-video connection, and an composite video input.
This is a fairly weak selection compared to many plasma televisions on the market, however one does not have to go through an annoying receiver box and instead gets the benefit of the excellent internal interlace to progressive chip set. The design is minimal, probably to keep costs down on the unit. My configuration for home or office presentation use would be computer to DVI, satellite to s-video, cable to composite video, HDTV receiver box to component VGA input, DVD player to the open slot - either composite or s-video.
Note: To use the VGA 15 pin input for component video use, you will need a 3 pin RCA to 15 pin VGA cable.
For high tech video sages an HDPC set up through DVI will allow for excellent digital signal transfer for HD programming, DVD, video games, Internet, and so on. Powerstrip software will allow the user to customize his or her PC output to the exact native pixel resolution of the plasma display.
The remote commander is replete with ample buttons on a clean well laid out design. Key buttons for use will be the aspect button to change ratios between an exhaustive arrangement of five ratios:
- 4:3 for normal NTSC programming,
- EXP 4:3 for same signal expertly expanded and scaled to fit the entire screen,
- Letterbox for letterbox DVD and other content,
- 16:9 for 16:9 and HDTV content, and a nifty selection I have never seen before
- Subtitle, which positions the picture higher on the screen
When using letterbox DVD material black banding top and bottom can be voided out with use of the H-Size and V-Size button, which allow the user to enlarge the on screen image both horizontally and vertically to avoid a stretched appearance. This is not a common feature and can be used for many applications. Further, there are the normal input selection controls for Input 1, 2 and Video. Last of note are the Volume and Contrast opaline buttons which allow the user to control volume from the plasma's 7 watt per channel built in amplifiers, or increase or decrease contrast.
SVGA was by far my preferred PC resolution on this plasma monitor. The plasma accepts the widely used XGA resolution as well and scales the resolution well. With still images and numerical content a purchaser might consider stepping up to a higher resolution plasma panel with 1024X768 to decrease the "step" effect of lower resolution models displaying XGA signals.
To assist with trade show and pubic display (as well as conference room) there is a set of control buttons on the top right hand corner of the unit (hidden from front view). This allows for the unit to be controlled without remote use.
At just under 3.5" in depth this is a striking good looking unit. Both the black and silver finishes are attractive on the 1.5" contoured frame. A black band of 1" surrounds the actual picture to add a contrast effect. It's a non-imposing, classy, beautifully engineered design.
VALUE - 91
With its awesome up-conversion of regular cable, satellite or broadcast signals, its attractive appearance, and its flexible menu and remote settings the Sony PFM 42V1 is a great EDTV resolution offering to the market. Its price of around $3500 (street) puts it in a great position in the market to compete with the 853X480 Panasonic and NEC offerings.
OVERALL RATING - 89.75 (picture double weighted)
