What about the TX-P42UT30B? Has anyone had any experience with it?
that's a old screen, its a 2011 budget model, i would rather buy a 2012 or 2013 budget model as the differences are big year on year on the budget models it's the higher end models which have little difference year on year.
basically in short plasma's have much better PQ, larger screens and cost less than LED counterparts.
the only "real" downside is their reflectiveness, but the advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages.
to give you an example of how the models work
10B range is 1999
20B range is 2010
30B range is 2011
50B range is 2012
60B and 65B is 2013
so if the tv ends with one of the above you can tell what year it was launched in
for example my 50GT50B, the first 50 means screen size 50 inches, GT is the "model" and 50B tells you it is a 2012 panel.
the models are as below
ZT - flagship only introduced in 2013, kuro killer, best tv ever made (fact), costs £4K
VT - top of the range normal consumer model, was the flagship model up until 2013
GT - same as the VT with a slightly worse filter and contrast ratio, rumours suggest this will be discontinued after the 2013 model
ST - same as the GT with a slightly worse filter and electronics, rumours suggest it will be discontinued after the 2013 model
UT - no filter (highly reflective) and even worse electronics, discontinued after 2012 model
X - budget 720P model
imo all of the above models are great for their price range, e.g. if you can only afford an X it is the best for that budget, same goes for UT, ST, GT, VT and ZT.
Panasonic plasma's are the "rolls royce" of tv's, you cannot get better for the money. Samsung plasma's are just behind them.
LED tv's are more suitable in brightly lit rooms or when sunshine will be hitting the screen, but their PQ is considerably worse and they usually cost twice as much or more for comparable PQ
